First shot

Well, now you can take your first shot. Open Arduino IDE and select File- Examples- Adafruit_VC0706- Snapshot sketch. Upload it to Arduino. Open the serial monitor window, in which you will see how a 640×480 photo is taken and saved to a microSD memory card. You can remove the card and transfer data from it to your computer.

Below are a few of the settings that you can change to work with your camera. The first is to replace the pins to which the camera is connected. Any two digital pins can be used. The replacement is carried out in the following line:

// This is the camera pin connection. Connect the camera TX

// to pin 2, camera RX to pin 3

Newsoftserial cameraconnection = NewSoftSerial (2, 3);

You can change the image resolution to 160×120, 320×240 or 640×480. For this, the following terms are used:

// Set the picture size. You can choose one of 640×480, 320×240 or 160×120

// Remember that bigger pictures take longer to transmit!

Just Remove the comment tags from the timeline you want and comment out the rest. Remember that the larger the image, the longer it will take to process and save it.

Camera connection

As a rule, the module is sold without connectors, so you will have to zap the conductors to the provided pins. Good news: the contacts are at a fairly large distance from each other (about 2 mm). A sufficiently thick conductor and soldering tIP can be used.

If you do NOT plan to use the shooting capabilities, four wires can be used. We use red for the 5V pin, black for ground, white for the RX pin (data that comes to the camera from the Arduino) and green for the TX pin (data that comes from the camera).

If you plan on using the NTSC output to connect to a TV or monitor, solder another black wire to the Ground pin and the yellow wire to the CVBS pin.

If you have a waterproof camera model, the following connectors will already be provided:

• Red is connected to 5V;
• Black is connected to Earth;
• Green. RX;
• White. TX;
• Yellow. NTSC signal;
• Brown. NTSC Ground

Checking the operation of the camera

One of the quickest ways to check if your camera is working is to use the NTSC output to connect. In this case, when you adjust the image and focus parameters, you will instantly see the result. In combination with the CommTool program, which we will look at below, this is an ideal method for getting acquainted with the basics of working with the camera module and the Arduino.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to switch from NTSC to PAL mode.

Connect the NTSC cable to the monitor and connect the red and black cables to a 5V power source.A black and white image will immediately appear on the monitor!

Manual focus adjustment

The camera does not provide autofocus, there is only a manual mode. On the one hand, this is good, on the other, it is bad. The camera comes with a good depth of focus that is suitable for most tasks. If you plan to adjust focus, we highly recommend that you first connect the camera module to the monitor, as we did above. So you can track the change in settings in real time. After adjustment, the lens is tightened with a screw.

If you have a waterproof camera, you will have to remove the case to set it up and only then make the adjustment.

DescrIPtion and specifications of the camera

I would like to dwell in more detail on how exactly such modules provide both photography and filming. The camera was originally designed for surveillance purposes. That is, the main task was sticking out from the pin (in black and white) and to process commands on the serial GoPro communication protocol. Using the serial GoPro protocol, you can invite the camera module to freeze the shooting frame and save the resulting frame in JPEG format. For example, the camera module will stick out in standard operation. When the camera detects movement, a photo will be taken, which will be saved to the memory card for further analysis.

The resolution on the camera module is NOT large. the maximum photo size is 630×480 pixels. In this case, the camera is sensitive to infrared radiation, due to which changes in color rendition are detected. The main reason for THESE shortcomings is that the camera module is intended for observation, not high-quality photography. There are modules with other parameters. The one we are considering is one of the best in terms of its technical characteristics.

Camera Module Specifications

• Module size: 32m x 32mm
• Photo sensor: CMOS 1/4 inch
• Number of pixels: 0.3M
• Pixel size: 5.6 μm 5.6 μm
• Output format: Standard JPEG / M-JPEG
• White balance: automatic
• Exposure: automatic
• Transfer Ratio: Automatic
• Dynamic range: 60 dB
• Maximum analog gain: 16 dB
• Frame rate: 640 480 30fps
• Scan mode: progressive scan
• Viewing angle: 60 degrees
• Observing distance: 10 meters, maximum 15 meters (customizable)
• Image size: VGA (640 480), QVGA (320 240), QQVGA (160 120)
• Baud rate: 38400 by default (the datasheet indicates that you can change the baud rate using the appropriate commands, but in practice this does not work)
• Consumption current: 75 mA
• Working voltage: DC 5V
• Communication: 3.3V TTL (three wires TX, RX, GND)

As an example of camera operation, below are two photos: the first is in a room on a sunny day and the second is outside on a rainy day.

Motion Detection

A great option that comes with the camera is the Motion Detection feature. This function works on the princIPle of detecting changes in frames and supplying the appropriate signal to the microcontroller. So in your projects you can save a little and DO NOT use an additional pyroelectric motion sensor.

Load sketch from File- Examples- Adafruit_VC0706- MotionDetect to Arduino. As soon as it loads, a picture will be taken. Wait a few minutes and wave your hand in front of the camera, another photo will be taken.

You can enable or disable motion detection by calling setMotionDetect

// Motion detection system can alert you when the camera “sees” motion!

Cam.Setmotiondetect (true); // turn it on

//cam.Setmotiondetect(false) // turn it off (default)

You need to send a request to the camera when motion is detected by calling motionDetected. as a result, you will return true if the motion was and false if it was not.

Using CommTool

To use the Comm Tool windows application, it is necessary to establish data exchange with the camera using the GoPro serial protocol. We offer two options. The first is to use an FTDI adapter or some kind of USB / TTL converter. In the case of Arduino, you can use a serial chIP (FTDI chIP), uploaded the following sketch to Arduino:

Note: This method will only work on Arduino with a separate USB interface like the Uno. This won’t work with Leonardo boards.!

If you are using Leonardo, Micro, Yun, or other ATmega32U4 based controllers, use this Leo_passthru sketch instead “empty” sketch.

// Provides data transfer via serial GoPro protocol when

// using Arduino Leonardo boards on Windows.

// Red is connected to 5V

// The black. To the ground

// Green. To digital pins 0

// White. To digital pins 1

Now connect your camera to Arduino as follows:

On waterproof cameras, the white and green wires are often reversed! So consider this when connecting. The red connector should still go to 5V, and the black connector to Earth.

Note that when connecting the camera to the Arduino, a 10K resistor is used. Powering the camera logic 3.3V, so it drops the voltage from 5V to 2.5V Not such a bad idea. In normal mode, a HIGH signal is generated at the output from digital pin 0, which corresponds to 5 V. With our connection, taking into account the resistance of the resistor connected to the input signal (white wire), the voltage will NOT exceed 3.3 V.

Now download and install the VC0706 CommTool software.

Run the program and select the COM port to which the Arduino is connected.

After that Open the port and click Get Version

Note that VC0703 is displayed. Why the DSP is programmed with a different number is not exactly known. Anyway, we got the answer.

The next button is next to FBUF CTRL.

This is a new panel that we can use to directly download pictures from the camera.

• Install a camera on the object to photograph it;
• Click Stop FBuf to freeze frame;
• Click Sel File to select the file to save in JPG format.

After that press Read (next to Sel File) to read the frame from the camera.

That’s all! Now you can easily upload photos from your camera. Press Resume to take a new photo. Then click Stop CFbuf for a new photo. Alternatively, you can select Compression Ratio and choose the image quality. Please note that processing times will also change. There is no easy way to resize a photo in this program, but we can do it in an Arduino sketch.

You may have noticed that there is a drop-down list for changing the baud rate. By default, the speed is set at 38400.

Despite the fact that the program contains these settings, even if they work, after rebooting the camera, you will have to set them again. In some cases, when changing the baud rate in the program, the cameras are turned off. So it is not recommended to use these settings.

It is worth paying attention to the Image Property button, with which you can configure the camera. Using the Sliders, you can adjust the image displayed on your connected monitor in real time.

The program has a bunch of settings. We recommend that you read their list below and DO NOT change them until you are 100% sure what this setting is and why you need it.

Camera module and Arduino

The article is about connecting and working with TTL camera serial module and Arduino.

The camera works according to NTSC standards. Such modules fit perfectly into projects for the implementation of photography and Stream. In addition, they usually have a built-in ability to adjust the brightness and saturation of colors, adjust auto-contrast and auto-brightness, make it possible to track motion.

Using the camera with Arduino

Let’s connect the camera to our microcontroller (in this case, the Arduino). The connection is similar to the one suggested above. To connect, we use two digital pins and a serial protocol for data exchange with the module. You need a memory card to save pictures. You can use additional microSD modules or shields.

Connect your camera to Arduino as shown in the picture below:

In waterproof chambers, the white and green conductors can be reversed! So check this before connecting. Red cable goes to 5 V, black cable goes to Earth.

We suggest checking the microSD card first. After checking, you can install the VC0706 library for cameras. You can download it here: Github

Rename the unpacked folder Adafruit_VC0706. Check for the Adafruit_VC0706.Cpp and Adafruit_VC0706.H files. Move the Adafruit_VC0706 library folder to / libraries / folder. You may need to create subfolders in the library. Reload Arduino IDE.

If you are using Arduino v23 or earlier, you will need to additionally install the NewSoftSerial library. You can download it here: NewSoftSerial10c.ZIP. Arduino 1.0 has this library built in (called SoftwareSerial).

SURVEILLANCE connection

I’ll clarify right away. Connection surveillance term Not entirely correct. Surveillance is a functionally complete system that can be integrated with another system. Before that, it is necessary to connect all system components (cameras, recorder, etc.). Here are some of these actions I propose to talk about.

In order to connect the surveillance camera with other devices, the power supply and signal transmission circuits should be connected. Let’s look at the example of analog cameras.

Surveillance cameras can have flexible leads or connectors. In any case, the color coding is as follows:

• Yellow. Signal,
• Red. Nutrition,
• The black. General.

Naturally, you need connectors (connectors) for commutation. For short distances, a coaxial cable is quite suitable, which uses BNC connectors. By the method of connection, they are:

• For soldering or crimping,
• Under the screw,
• Screw-on.

Mounting BNC connectors of the first group can be quite difficult, especially in “hiking” conditions. Directly at the installation site of the camera, therefore, we will consider connecting cameras with the connectors indicated in the second and third groups:

Looking from left to right, the first two connectors. Twisted. One of them is made as a whole, the other consists of two parts, which simplifies its installation (as will be shown below). Next connector. Under the screw, the rightmost one. Power socket.

Now a few words about the observation cable. Coaxial cable is discussed here. Quite a lot of parameters affect its quality. In particular, the material of the braid and the central conductor (copper, of course, is preferable to aluminum), a single-core center conductor is better than a stranded one, the larger the cable diameter, the less signal loss. The characteristic impedance of the observation cable should be 75 ohms. This is the main.

Screw-on BNC connector.

• Removing the external insulation,
• The braid on the outer part of the cable is bent,
• StrIPping the center conductor,
• We screw on the braid, the nut bent onto the cable,
• We put the rest of the connector on the center conductor, screw it NOT the nut.

If the BNC connector is structurally made as a single whole (in the previous figure on the left), then operations 4 and 5 are combined.

Pay attention to the correspondence of the outer diameter of the cable to the inner diameter of the connector.

The center conductor of the cable can be stranded. In this case, it is more convenient to use the connection “under the screw”.

The central conductor is clamped with a screw, the braid is bent over the insulation and crimped with special tabs.

In this example, I used a composite surveillance cable, that is, with conductors in common insulation to supply power. Use this option or lay the wires separately. A matter of taste for everyone.

The installation of the power connector has no special tricks. Solder connection, center conductor “a plus”, external “general”. The end result of our efforts looks pretty good:

The option with camera pigtails remains NOT considered. It’s better to use a terminal connector here:

All connections Must be protected from external influences. For example, by placing in a junction box.

I will give one of the possible ways to strIP a coaxial cable.

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Necessary equIPment for organizing surveillance with remote access

Organization of monitoring with the ability to view remotely is NOT a difficult task, and it can be handled by users who have a minimum set of knowledge in working with a PC and related equIPment. To create such a network, certain equIPment is required.

• Digital recorder. Its task is to receive recordings from cameras, if necessary, process the signal (if the recording device is analog) and record it on a storage medium, for example, a hard disk. To access via the Internet, the recorder must have a network interface. It can be software or server-side. In the first case, you will have to install special software on your PC, which is usually supplied with the recorder itself on the disk. In order to view from a registrar with a server interface, just go to the browser and go to a specific page. Many manufacturers of such equIPment provide the user with the opportunity to download a browser extension from the site that simplifies the task.
• The local network. It is needed to connect the camera, router and recorder. The local area network can be organized wirelessly and by means of wires.
• Router (router). Serves to create a local network if it is organized via Wi-Fi, and also connects the existing system with an external channel, that is, the Internet.
• IP camera.
• Software to view the camera from a tablet (smartphone).

Viewing surveillance cameras over the Internet

Modern technology opens up many useful functions for users. One of them is the ability to connect to the camera via the Internet and watch the recording anywhere in the world. You can access it from any device that can connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Networking with a router

To create a system with multIPle cameras, you need to use a router: it creates its own subnet with access to all devices. The configuration princIPle is similar to that described above. By analogy, you should enter the settings of the router and assign its own port to each camera. This can most often be done in the Routing menu. This item allows you to translate external requests to different IP addresses of the system, that is, in the case of monitoring to cameras.

So, the princIPle of operation will be as follows. Each device has its own external port and its own IP address, which is already assigned by the manufacturer. For example, the external port of the first camera has a value of 8080, and a specific IP is tied to it. The second is port 8081 and its own IP. And so for every camera on the network.

After configuring the router, you need to configure each camera. The setting is described above, but there is a slight difference: the IP address is assigned NOT a general one (through it, users will be able to connect to the entire system), but for each camera its own. After setting, connect each IP camera to the router. You can see the recording on request in the browser static IP: external port of a specific camera. The connection of the system with the recorder is completely similar. There are no configuration differences here.

For example, to connect the system to a tablet, you need to turn off Wi-Fi on it and turn on the mobile network. The second option. the tablet needs to be connected to another network that is NOT related to the organization of surveillance.

Programs for viewing surveillance from a smartphone or tablet

To view from a smartphone or tablet, no special device setup is required. Above, the method of viewing in a web browser was described, but it is much more convenient to download a special application for THESE purposes. Currently, there are a lot of utilities for the tasks described above, but the most popular are 3 applications.

• Tinycam Monitor Pro supports up to 16 cameras simultaneously. Knows how to work with cameras from different brands. There are several multi-screens. Settings can be transferred from one device to another. You can write data directly from the program to any medium. There is a possibility of digital image zoom.
• IP Cam Viewer allows you to work with multIPle cameras at once, combine them into groups, record on a medium. There is an image scaling function. You can install an app widget for quick access and up-to-date information. Supports about 700 models.
• Exacq Mobile. Works on Android and iOS, supports 48 cameras at the same time, easy navigation in the application, zoom function.

An interesting feature of these applications is that they can work with any IP cameras around the world. You can connect Not only cameras installed at home, but also in other places. If the camera does not have a username and password, then you just need to enter its IP addresses in the application settings. With the help of such applications, you can connect to the camera of the entrance, courtyard, parking lot. It is enough just to find out in those who installed the cameras, its IP address, username and password.

Wi-Fi camera connection

Connecting an IP camera with a Wi-Fi router is generally carried out in the same way, but for viewing, you will need a special program for viewing surveillance cameras via the Internet. Most often this is the proprietary software of the camera manufacturer. The program is downloaded from the Internet and installed on a smartphone. The camera is connected to the phone through this program.

Single camera connection

Obviously, the easiest way to create web surveillance is to connect one recording device. The procedure is simple.

• The IP camera is connected to the PC and its IP addresses are typed in the browser. You can find it out from the instructions, sometimes he prescribes it on the attached label of the device. This will be discussed in more detail below.
• After entering the address in the browser, the network interface of the camera settings opens. In it, you need to choose whether to automatically obtain an IP address or manually register your static IP address (you can find it on the Internet upon request find out your IP address). Here you should also register the login and password for accessing remotely.
• Next, you should specify the port through which camera connects to the Internet. It usually has a value of 80.
• After specifying the desired address, the camera is disconnected from the PC and connected to the Internet.
• Viewing is available in a browser from any device. To do this, just enter the IP address in the search bar, and specify the port through a colon.

How to find the exact IP addresses of the camera

An IP address is required to connect the camera to the Internet. You can find it out from the instructions on the box of the device, sometimes from the sticker on the camera itself. Often this address is not entirely accurate, since it was registered for a camera family (model range), but not for a specific device. In this case, you will need to use special software to identify the IP camera. One of the easiest ways to find out an IP camera is to use the proprietary utility that comes with the camera.

If you have a disk, you can download the popular Angry IP Scanner application. With its help, you can find out the address of any device connected to this local network. Another way is the command line. In it you need to type the command arp-a or IPconfig. All connected devices will be displayed.

Monitoring Cloud Services

Cloud surveillance technology differs in that it is sent directly to the network storage and from there it can be viewed. To work, you need a registrar or camera with support for P2P technology. But static IP addresses are required. To configure the device, just go to its menu and tick the item Cloud or P2P. The recording begins to be carried out in the cloud storage.

There are paid and free services that offer storage space. One of them is shareware Ivideon: connecting up to 15 cameras is free. It is enough to go through a simple registration and you can use the services. In order to view. You need to log in remotely to the site and enter your login and password on the site in the form.