Garden filming

yorkie bill · #1 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 06:12 PM

Hi There, pretty new to all this, so apologies if this question has been asked numerous times before.

I want to film wildlife activity in the back garden, especially at night, and would like to know which camera systems are the best VFM and quality. I basically want to leave the camera running all night and record to video.The one's I've managed to find on the net have been around £200.

Any help much appreciated

agrumpycow · #2 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 06:39 PM

Jennyb posted some fantastic photos of her garden wildlife at night using a Stealthcam. I haven't the foggiest what that is or how it works

but it might be one direction to head in!
They are still photos, I don't know about film I'm afraid.

tigger · #3 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 08:08 PM

Hi. I've been filming in my garden for some time now. I use a camera from Eco Watch (based at Heligan Gardens). They do several CCTV wildlife camera kits. If you want to leave it in the garden day and night, you will need one that is probably colour during the day and black and white at night (plus an infra red attachment - so that you can see in the dark!). I would suggest going for the best one you can afford, and get a good quality camera (high resolution). I started with a low resolution one, and the picture quality was very disappointing. I have a cabled camera, but you can get wireless. Basically then you can set up the camera, (it comes with instructions) connect to your video (should be pretty easy - although I have mine connected to the computer) and then off you go. The kit comes with motion detection software so that it only films when something moves... not sure if this will work with video??? I've got mine set up under the bird feeder at the moment, pointing at the water bowl and some nuts I've put down... as I type I'm waiting for the foxes to arrive. They're late! If you need any other info, just let me know.

jennyb · #4 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 08:58 PM

What a coincidence that this thread was started tonight. I have just got my first badger video this evening and I am so excited

I would upload it to the Gallery to show you but I don't have a clue how to do it. I am sure there used to be a section for video.

For Christmas my husband bought me an Eco Watch web cam - sounds the same as Tigger. I am just experimenting at the moment to improve the quality but I have got problems with the distance of the camera from my computer and trying to get a decent wireless signal. It certainly seems like it is a good buy but I will be able to tell you more when I have got the hang of using it.

About my Stealthcam - that did have some limitations - for example it was not triggered by small animals, but I did get some quite good still photos from it. It also does video but I never managed to get that working correctly.

If anyone can tell me how to load a video clip on WAB, I will show you what I captured this evening.

Jenny

tigger · #5 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:06 PM

That sounds brilliant jennyb. Why don't you load it onto Utube or Google Video and then just give us the link? They are both very easy to upload to. I usually edit my video in Windows Movie Maker, and save as an MPEG file and then upload. All the films on my nature blog are on Utube and Google Video (and then I just put them on my blog). If you need any help, just give us a shout. Can't wait to see it! I'm still waiting for my foxes... in fact I'm just about to run around in a dark garden to check that my camera is actually working! (my husband thinks I'm stark staring mad!).

yorkie bill · #6 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:09 PM

Thanks all so far for the info, that gives me something to go on. I think using it with a laptop would probably be a better idea. I'll get in touch with Eco Watch.

Thanks again

jennyb · #7 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

That sounds brilliant jennyb. Why don't you load it onto Utube or Google Video and then just give us the link? They are both very easy to upload to. I usually edit my video in Windows Movie Maker, and save as an MPEG file and then upload. All the films on my nature blog are on Utube and Google Video (and then I just put them on my blog). If you need any help, just give us a shout. Can't wait to see it! I'm still waiting for my foxes... in fact I'm just about to run around in a dark garden to check that my camera is actually working! (my husband thinks I'm stark staring mad!).

Yes, I will upload it somewhere and post the link but I have yet to figure out how to convert the video. It is .avi at the moment (a bit big) and I have never used video before.

Watch this space!

Jenny

jennyb · #8 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:35 PM

Okay, I am not sure that it is allowed to do this on WAB, so mods, feel free to delete this post if I am breaking any rules..... I am happy to upload it to WAB if someone tells me how.

I have uploaded the video in wmv format to my web site at
http://www.english-country-garden.co...o/badger-1.wmv (1.5MB)

I will be able to improve the quality from this webcam. I am very much in experimentation mode at the minute.

At the left you will see the steps that come out from my conservatory. I normally leave his supper (peanut butter sandwiches) at the bottom of the steps. Tonight he came before I put his supper out and you can see he is looking around for it. He has also noticed the camera and keeps looking at it wondering what it is!

Jenny

tigger · #9 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:38 PM

Hi. What I would suggest is importing it into Windows Movie Maker (comes free with most PC's or can download the program for free). If you don't want to do anything to the film, just add it to the video storyboard at the bottom of the screen (by dragging the film clip) and then save the film by going to file - Save Movie File. It then asks where you want to save the movie - choose My Computer. Click next and enter a name and where you want to save it on your computer. Press next and choose "other settings" and "video for local playback (2.1 Mbps). This will reduce the size of the file considerably and convert it to a .WMV file. Usually I try to make my online videos about 30 seconds to a minute long (otherwise they are just too big - a 30 second film will be about 7-10 mb). Then go to Google Video and upload (using the online instructions). Hope this helps. I've just uploaded one in exactly this way of a robin having an early bath

jennyb · #10 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:42 PM

I think our posts crossed in cyberspace!

Jenny

tigger · #11 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:47 PM

Yes, I think they did Jenny. Great video - he looks very puzzled!

jennyb · #12 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:55 PM

I had not heard of Google Video. I will investigate that and Utube since it looks like I will be making more videos in the future. I intend to move my camera around to see what is out there.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Jenny

tigger · #13 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 09:59 PM

I've actually found that Google Video makes better quality videos than UTube (they both convert and compress your video files, but Google Video seems to do it a bit more sympathetically).

Good luck with your camera... I'm still waiting for the foxes....