Web Cam Solutions

 

Voyeur Web Cam Technology

 

From: Macworld  | Date: October 1, 1998  | Author: Heid, Jim 
 
Serve Up Voyeur Views of Your World

Virtual voyeurs owe a debt of thanks to Rearden Technology, the creator of SiteCam--the premier software for creating Web cams, those live or near- live video views that appear on Web sites (see Reviews, December 1997). SiteCam 2.0 adds several enhancements, one of which makes it easier for users who don't have a continuous Internet connection. If a fixed view isn't interactive enough for your needs, Rearden's SiteZap bundle offers a remote-controlled voyeur cam that your site's visitors can operate themselves.

Like earlier versions, SiteCam 2.0 runs on any Mac equipped with video- input hardware or a Connectix QuickCam (see Reviews, September 1996). You can create images in a variety of sizes and formats and add captions and time stamps. You can also dish out images one at a time or use the included StarNine WebStar plug-in to serve up streaming video.

SiteCam 2.0 transfers images to a remote server, using file-transfer protocol (FTP), which enables you to add a Web cam to your site even if you don't have a continuous Internet connection. Other enhancements include the new Digitizer menu, which enables you to quickly switch between multiple video digitizers; improved antihijacking, which prevents unscrupulous Webmasters from putting your Web-cam images in their pages; and a few user-interface tweaks--too few, actually. Some advanced features, such as SiteCam's time-lapse-moviemaking function, are still a bit cumbersome. And SiteCam's lean, HTML-based documentation doesn't do much to clear the fog.

For a dramatically larger investment, the SiteZap bundle lets you add interactivity to your Web cam. On-screen controls enable visitors to zoom, pan, and jump to any of six preset locations. SiteZap relies on the intelligence of its bundled Sony EVI-D30 camera, a sleek black discus whose motorized base enables it to pan 180 degrees. The camera sports an autofocus lens with 12X optical zoom, and includes a remote control.

The camera's internal memory holds six preset pan/zoom/tilt settings, all accessible through the SiteZap software. The software includes SiteCam 2.0 as well as a utility that controls the camera and a WebStar-format plug-in that delivers SiteZap's video. (A dedicated Internet connection is required.)

SiteZap offers streaming video, so visitors with a fast connection can see people and cars moving and even the blur of camera movement. According to testers, SiteZap delivered 2 to 4 frames per second via my ISDN line. The scriptable SiteZap software lets you control the camera through any AppleScript- savvy application.

Macworld's Buying Advice

Rearden's SiteZap bundle is the creme de la cam, and it's priced accordingly. Given the quality of its camera and the versatility of its AppleScript support, the cost--close to $2,000--isn't outrageous. For the rest of us, there's SiteCam 2.0. Future versions could use better documentation and some interface refinements, but using this program remains the best way to give the rest of the world a peek at your part of the globe.

SiteCam 2.0

RATING: Four Mice PROS: Powerful; doesn't require dedicated connection. CONS: Some interface flaws; lean documentation. COMPANY: Rearden Technology (415/550- 7573, www.rearden.com). LIST PRICE: $129.

SiteZap

RATING: Three 1/2 Mice PROS: Excellent video quality; versatile AppleScript support. CONS: Pricey; lean documentation. COMPANY: Rearden Technology (415/550- 7573, www.rearden.com). LIST PRICE: $1,995.