Bringing ICT to life

Although images from your camera can be viewed on TV screens and projectors in school, one of the most useful ways of watching is using a computer.

Eco-watch camera images can be:

• networked across your school to enable access for all the pupils in your ICT suite.
• made into a webcam so that pupils can watch from home and shared with others.
• used to live stream video and project live images to the Internet.
• integrated with data logging equipment to understand the complete picture and provide material for lessons.
  

Viewing Images

How can we view the images on a computer?
You will need a video capture device. This allows you to watch on a single PC and comes with its own video editing and moviemaking software package. Here you can capture, edit and create DVDs or simply store as computer video files (e.g. MPEG).

Can we upload to our web site?
Yes, using the capture card and WildLIVE software you can upload images to the Internet as a webcam. This means you can upload single frames to the Internet and viewers to your webpage see a new image every few seconds.

Advanced image upload. Although the card and WildLIVE system is extremely cost effective, if Internet viewing is your main aim, you can also use a more advanced system. This system includes a dedicated device that means you do not need a PC as it plugs directly into your school server. The device is much smaller than a PC, has a fast image refresh rate and is more robust than a PC as it can be rebooted remotely. It will allow more images per second to be transferred and means that a PC will not have to be in constant use.

Can we network across our school?
Yes, if the images are on a host computer using the capture device (as above). Any other locally networked PC can view these images using a combination of WindowsTM Media Player and our WildLIVE software. WildLIVE software has been developed to provide a cost-effective way of managing, sharing and recording your footage on a PC.

Can we stream live video on the internet?
Yes, there are different video handling cards for PC's that are designed to handle large amounts of data which can then be “streamed” as a continuous output. The audio and video from your cameras can be watched by anyone across the world when they are logged on to your website.

Can I use my kit for data gathering?
Yes, WildLIVE software can create a video library of events using its motion detection function or manually while you watch. We have also launched an innovative data logging system, an excellent resource that allows you to record temperature, humidity, light and movement. The loggers collect data depending on the sensors you choose. This will add depth and meaning to the images you see increasing the value of this kit as a teaching resource and enable wildlife to be integrated into many more subjects.