Panasonic KX-HCM10 Web Cam
Introduction
I have long wanted a
robust way of streaming video over the Internet
from
my home. I could use this communication method to keep in
touch
with
the family when I am at the office, or when I am away on
travel.
We could also use it to make sure everything is ok at home during our
long
absences when I am supporting a
shuttle
mission
in Florida or Texas. For a while, I used a Connectix
QuickCam
VC, with
iVista
software.
However, I soon realized there were two problems. First, I
lacked
the ability to look around the room (important when a child has knocked
the camera out of alignment), and second, the web server software
really
bogged down my home automation PC.
To address the first
problem, I had considered building a pan-tilt
unit
using a few RC servos connected to a PIC
Web Server, but this seemed like it would result in a
unappealing
looking
kludge. For the second one, I had previously seen the cameras
from
Axis,
that have a integral web server. This eliminated
the
loading
on the PC, but they typically cost over $1000. In addition,
they
are quite heavy, and a small RC servo would not be able to pivot them
around.
The Panasonic Web Cam with an integral pan-tilt unit.
Click for a larger view.
A solution is found
Then in the fall of
2001, I found a new product from Panasonic during a
web search. It is a bona fide web cam. Thus a video
camera
married to an integral web server, which allows access to the streaming
video from any web browser. It also had a very unusual
feature:
an
integral pan-tilt assembly! Best of all, it was within my
price
range
: $500.
There is more to this
little camera than the pan-tilt unit
however.
In addition to the built-in web server, the unit also feature e-mail
and
ftp functionality. When triggered by a time or digital input,
it
can e-mail or ftp an image to a location/address of your
choosing.
One could set up one of these units in a security monitoring
situation.
It also has a digital output so that you can use the remote web
interface
to turn on a light or other device. For multiple site
monitoring,
the camera has built-in support so that up to four live streaming
cameras
can be viewed from one web page.
The integral web server features multiple screens, and this is the
main view/control screen.
Note the graphic in the top left that allows the user to pan and tilt
around the room. The
above image was taken at night using a low light level.
Installation and use
It took me one evening
to run one more 10BaseT
connection
to the mounting location in a neat unobtrusive manner, and setup of the
camera was very easy, although I do believe that some network expertise
is needed. The motorized functions allow me to 'cover' most
of
the
first floor of my home with the camera. The images are very
clear
and the camera performs exactly as described by the Panasonic
descriptions.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with it.
The web cam mounted at the top of my kitchen cabinet, which provides
for an opportunity to
hide the wires. The tripod mount at the bottom of the camera
is used with a small camera
swivel that I had on hand. This swivel allows precise
positioning
to maximize the use
of the pan-tilt range.
Two example images. Left: kitchen. Right:
Dinette/Family
Room. The home has an 'open' design, allowing
one camera to see almost the whole first floor. The
brightness
level can be varied from the
web interface if a particular detail needs to be more closely
inspected.
By changing the resolution and magnification factor, one can zoom into
a particular
area. This scene shot just after breakfast.
Thanks to the DSL connection to my home, and
my
registration of a domain
name, I
can
now go to any web browser, type in a URL and password, and see live
streaming
video from my home. Using the pan-tilt feature, I can look
around
the house, and no PC is involved.
Using web searches, I
saw prices from a high of $500 (list) to a low
of $400. The camera was purchased in October 2001 from
www.securityideas.com
(link below) for $399. Use the links below for more
information
and
a live demo of the camera in action.
Tips/Tricks
Chris Womack sent me this note
on connecting
the
camera to a motion sensor
Long term update/Unit Log:
- 26 October 2001 -
Installation.
- 7 July 2003 - Updated
firmware to version 1.62 (link
below). An
nice
added feature is preset camera locations so one can quickly pan and
tilt
to one of eight programmable position. I have been wishing
for
this
for a long time. After registering with the free DNS service,
I
can
now access the camera at any time from the web. I also had to
repair
the tilt function. A small gear on the tilt motor cracked,
and it
would not run properly. It was repaired by cleaning the gear
and
axis with acetone, and using epoxy to stick the gear onto the motor's
axis.
- 9 July 2003 -
Found out more information abou the free DNS
service
(link below). Every 15 to 20 minutes the camera sends
information
to the central server to verify its entry in the IP data
base.
This
accomodates dynamic IP addresses such that I have. This
provides
a second method for me to find my home on the Internet using a Domain
Name.
- 10 July 2003 - The
above repair did not last, and I had to buy a
new
tilt motor
(part number PSWQ1HCM10M) from the Panasonic
web site for about $27. Fortunately, the new gear
is made of
metal, and should last much longer.
The old motor is shown on the right; note the split nylon
gear.
The new gear is made of brass.
- 17 August 2003 - In addition to being just a web cam, the
unit
also has a single bit input and output. The output bit can be
used to control a light or other device. In my system, I
connected this control to the power ON/OFF switch of my Home Automation
PC. This allows for the rare case when I am out of the home
for a
long time and I need to reboot the PC.
- 8 October 2003 - A second KX-HCM10 unit was purchased on
ebay for
$150. I can now see almost all of the common areas of the
home,
both upstairs as well as downstairs. The two cameras are
'linked'
so that I can see both on one web page.
- 9
August 2011 - Pan motor is PSWQ2HCM10M1 (original has label
with PM25S-048-QMH9). Tilt motor is PSWQ1HCM10M1
(original
is marked PM25S-048-QMH8). I believe the '1' at the end is
the
version with the brass motor gear. Cost for each is now
$41.69
from the Panasonic website.
Links:
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