About our RNS Webcams

The webcams we use connect to the Internet without having to go through a nearby PC and which and are suitable for use outdoors.

This is the unit we put at Johnson Creek Airport:

Pentax VersaCam Standard Outdoor w/
56K PCMIA Modem
3.5-8mm Auto-Iris Lens
http://www.versacam.com/Products/VersaCam/VersaCam_frameset.htm

Our unit has a 56K modem for connecting to the Internet, Dial-up is sufficent for uploading a 640 x 480 snapshot every few minutes, depending on the speed and quality of your connection.
It costs about $1000, including lens. Here's one on-line seller for it:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=341413&is=REG

The outdoor enclosure we have it in is a:

Pelco EH3512
http://www.pelco.com/products/camerasite/enclosures/outdoor.aspx $70 from http://www.camerasuperstore.com/tryu.html

and that attaches to this pole mount:

Pelco EM2000
http://www.pelco.com/products/camerasite/mounts/enclosure.aspx $57 from http://www.camerasuperstore.com/peempienmome.html

While this enclosure has options for a heater, blower, and defroster, it currently doesn't have any of the above. During the winter-time when it was mounted on Midvale Hill, occassionaly the outside window would fog up, but that was about it. For winter-time at the Johnson Creek airport, we might want to consider such an add-on. (The prices are for your information, only. I don't think we're expecting you to pay for any add-on's for our camera.)

http://www.amerisponse.com/Pelco_Pricelist.htm 

HD351	HEATER/DEFROSTER 120VOLT (4W) 	$82.53
HD352	HEATER DEFROSTER 24 VOLT (2W)	$81.13
BK35121	BLOWER KIT 120VAC (13W)		$85.33
BK35122	BLOWER KIT 24VA	(13W)		$83.93

They also sell 230V versions, but I don't have prices for those.

Below is the camera we now have installed on Midvale Hill. It has the additional benefits of full-motion video and remote controlled pan and tilt. It connects to the Internet via a DSL modem on Midvale Hill, which it is wired to via a Cat5 Ethernet cable.

http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/netwkcam/lineup/hcm230.html
Panasonic Network Camera KX-HCM230 (Splash Proof)
$485 @ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007FS0F

There as an alternate, more expensive model that connects via short-range wireless:

http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/netwkcam/lineup/hcm270.html
Panasonic Network Camera KX-HCM270 (Wireless, Splash Proof)
$645 @ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007FS0H Since this camera is quot;outdoor-readyquot; we didn't put in a outdoor enclosure, although it is housed in a custom-built shelter designed to keep ice and direct sunlight off of it. We'll see how well it handles the temperature and humidity this coming winter.

Another web camera, with a remotely controllable zoom lens, would have been nice to have, but we decided it wasn't worth the price, given our needs. (We haven't personally, tested it either.)

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?m=10005&p=2&sp=20075&id=67347
Sony SNCRZ30N
$1349 for Camera + $990 for Outdoor enclosure with blower and heater
@ http://www.camerasuperstore.com/sonsnnetcolc.html

$990 for Outdoor enclosure with blower and heater
http://216.245.175.12/AVCat/CTL203/index.cfm?mlc_id=203&var_id=205471&SUBCATID=735

This webpage shows a few of the other network-capable webcams that are out there:
http://www.video4linux.net/camera-servers.htm

This webcam manufacturer offers some useful tips on what to look for in a webcam:

http://www.axis.com/products/video/camera/how.htm

For a cheaper webcam solution, you can use one that piggy-back's on to an existing computer that is assumed to be located in a heated indoor location.

I would recommend looking at these websites for advice:

http://webcam.com/toolkit/default.asp?section=homewebcamsPc
http://www.webcamstore.com/consumer/tutorial/intro.php

If you go that route, you may be fine with a webcam that costs less than $100.00.

One of the Logitech Quickcam models should fit the bill nicely.