I'm also interested in video cameras after doing an embedded systems project and want to build an intelligent security system with one. I've had a look around for a simple camera that will not require a frame grabber. One camera I had a look at was the Logitech Color QuickCam that connects to a PC's parallel port. Another place I found a load of great cameras is: http://www.vvl.co.uk/products/sensors_cameras/home.htm Some of these cameras have an 8-bit digital output. The only use for a PIC in my system would be to position the camera with two RC servos. An old 486 PC would have to analyses the images from the camera. Does anyone on this list have the Logitech Color QuickCam as I would like to know how difficult it would be to write my own capture software before I buy it. If I used one of these cheap cameras on the market that had a video output, how would I go about converting the signal to an bit value for each pixel? What AD rate would it require and has it been done by anyone on this list? Regards Gavin -------------------------- vulcan@ihug.co.nz ICQ# 18675389 http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/2625 -------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: Sean Breheny [SMTP:shb7@CORNELL.EDU] Sent: Thursday, 05, November, 1998 06:51 AM To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: Re: CMOS video camera modules - quite [OT] really! Thanks to everyone for replying. I guess I should have explained what I was intending. Between my HUGH amount of school work and my current projects, I won't be attempting this soon, but I eventually wanted to put a small B+W video camera in my RC plane. I would then transmit the signal to the ground and record on a VCR or camcorder in VCR mode. Being the sort of person I am, I wanted to turn this into a learning experience about video modulation and implement the modulator/transmitter myself instead of using a ready-made chip or module. I was only planning on doing this on a lower channel (like 3 or 4). Since I am so used to cable, I can't remember which channels broadcast in my area (I don't think there is a 4). So, I would really only be dealing with VHF, not really UHF. I also wouldn't need much power, only need to cover about 500 ft or so, and its totally in free space. I would of course have to avoid the 72 MHz RC signal Again, not something I am going to do soon. The thread just got me to thinking and I though I'd ask while the thread was going. Oh, one thing, about the DSB receivers. I had the (probably totally wrong) notion that early B+W TV sets had DSB receivers and that VSB was still used so that they would still be compatible. Am I totally wrong? Thanks, Sean +-------------------------------+ | Sean Breheny | | Amateur Radio Callsign: KA3YXM| | Electrical Engineering Student| +-------------------------------+ Save lives, please look at http://www.all.org Personal page: http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/shb7 mailto:shb7@cornell.edu Phone(USA): (607) 253-0315 ICQ #: 3329174