Backyard Birding Technology Update
Hope you're enjoying the new eBirdseed.com hummingbird cam. There's been a bunch of activity today. Also, we've added the "Chat" feature. (You'll need "Flash" version 7 (free) to chat. Instructions on how to get the new Flash are available on our cam site.)
So far, we've had 2,295 hits on the webcam... Not bad... But I'd also like to set up a live, streaming bird-song microphone. (At first glance, the obvious solution would be to use the mic built into the camera. Unfortunately, there are two problems with that theory. First, the camera needs to stay indoors. And secondly, the camera's mic lacks the quality we're looking for.) So how are we going to pull this off? Take a look at one possible way to introduce bird songs into the system via a cardioid mic.
It will be tricky, but it might just be doable. The big hurdles are going to be:
- Finding a microphone of sufficient range and quality
- Keeping the mic within 15' (max for USB) of the kitchen computer
- Making the instrument waterproof
- Finding a hosting service for the streaming sounds...
- The unknown stuff...
Well... It is in fact a plastic test tube filled with alcohol... Ya see, the networking dongle tends to run a little hot and fail. But if we use the test tube/alcohol as a heat sink, all is cool and works perfectly. (Don't try this at home! If the alcohol leaks out of the tube and into the hub, you could have a short and possible electrical fire.) Anyway... It's just weird how old technology and new mesh together...
Getting late...
See you by the feeders... Be sure to check out our Webcam!
CapeCodAlan
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