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WiFi Camera Adapters

The Canon EOS 40D SLR, a 10 Megapixel SLR ($1299, body only), features the new Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3A a wireless transmitter as well as remote control. It can also be connected to various GPS receivers or Hi-Speed USB 2.0 external storage devices such as flash drives or high-capacity hard drives with much larger storage capacity than the memory cards in the camera for instant back-up as images are captured.

The WFT-E3A wireless transmitter doubles as a vertical grip and requires its own BP-511A battery pack in addition to the battery installed in the camera body. The WFT-E3 supports various protocols including FTP, PTP (remote control) and even has a built-in web server for HTTP browsing of images and remote shutter release.

The WFT-E3A has an expected street price of US$799. DP Review has more on the Canon 40D. With a 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens, it runs $1,499. Then add $800 for the WiFi.

Or you could get a Nikon Coolpix S50c that uploads directly to Flickr for less than $350.

Nikon’s new Wireless Transmitter 4 (WT-4), supports 802.11a/g and connects with the new Nikon D3 or D300, for wirelessly image transfer or using Ethernet cable. Furthermore, wireless transfer of images taken with up to 5 cameras connected to the WT-4 is possible.

Nikon’s earlier camera, the D200, supports WiFi using the earlier WT-3, but lower cost cameras, like the D80, D70, D50, and D40 don’t support WiFi.

Nikon’s Camera Control Pro 2 software remotely controls most functions of Nikon digital SLRs from a computer that is connected via USB cable or through wired or wireless LAN using a wireless transmitter. In addition to the D3 and D300, Camera Control Pro 2 is compatible with the Nikon D2 series, D1 series, D200, D100, D80, D70 series, D50 and D40 series.

Canon’s Wireless File Transmitter (WFT-E1) was previously replaced by the WFT-E2 which supports two-way communication via peer to peer (PTP) and HTTP protocols. Remote users can trigger the shutter button or download images from the camera via an internet browser window, dramatically reducing the time it takes from capture to publication. The Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E2 offers users a greater degree of security by allowing up to 4 types of WEP encryption as well as WPA2-PSK, which supports high security AES encryption.

USB host functionality means photographers can shoot directly to external storage media on longer shooting assignments. The unit also supports recording of GPS data - when connected to a portable GPS device, the location and time of capture is automatically added to each image as EXIF data.

I can’t wait for a WiMAX-enabled Nokia Webtablet running ShoZu for Webcasting Concerts. Of course ShoZu isn’t really live and doesn’t really run on the N-800 — yet. Mobiola’s Webcam phone software runs on Nokia phones with a Bluetooth connection to a laptop, while PocketPC Webcam software might eventually run on a WiMAX smartphone with Marvell’s PXA320 processor.

Here’s Dan Kaufman of CrankMyChain.com who webcast live from his bike at Portland’s Tour de Fat this weekend (which also featured The Yard Dogs Road Show, a wonderful cabaret). Dan feeds his Firewire camcorder into his Macbook Pro and backhauls with a Verizon EVDO USB dongle to Stickam.

I’d hate to see his phone bill.

[Sorry about the 20" of extraneous stuff at the start of this video, my editing software is kaput]

Last week Verizon announced the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U USB modem, a Rev A upgrade, for faster uploads. They claim customers can expect average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps with download speeds 600 kbps - 1.4 Mbps. The AirCard 595U modem is available for $179 through Verizon after a $50 rebate and a new two-year contract. It also works on Sprint’s EVDO Rev A network.

Sprint’s Linksys EV-DO/Wi-Fi Router costs less than $250 (plus monthly service charge).

Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router (left) announced a free firmware update for faster Revision “A” upload speeds.

The $219 access point now supports a variety of EV-DO Rev. A devices, including the Kyocera KPC680 ExpressCard as well as other Rev A devices including Novatel’s S720 PCMCIA card and U720 USB device, Pantech’s PX-500 PCMCIA card, and UTStarCom’s PC5750 PCMCIA card. Sprint’s Novatel Ovation U720 USB Rev A modem is only $50 (after rebates).

The $700 Junxion Box provides a similar cellular backhaul solution. It’s used on Seattle buses to provide mobile WiFi, so a static (or bike-mounted) webcam shouldn’t be too difficult.

Next year, it’s hard to imagine any significant event NOT being WiFi-enabled.

Consumer hotspots like Zyxel’s box with WiMAX backhaul (right) could enliven any gathering by continuously uploading live still and video coverage to event blogs.

Who will excel at event blogging? Independents and entrepreneurs, of course. That would be you.

Osprey video capture boards are a good fit for live webcasting and mobile streaming. Couple a Niagara Streaming Server with a Niagara streaming encoder and you have a complete turnkey solution for delivering digital media content. The Stretch IP Camera, a reference design, is capable of performing H.264 compression at 30fps with up to 1.3 Mega pixels and simultaneous audio encode.

Flash Player is installed on 98% of Internet-enabled desktops worldwide. Flash and H.264 are together at last. Adobe Flash Media Encoder and popular video editing software now supports H.264 as does the newly updated Flash Player 9. Flash Player now supports 480p, 720p and 1080p with either On2 or H.264. Embedded videos may soon resemble DVDs (H.264 demo).

Mike Arrington’s TechCrunch reviews Web 2.0 companies offering Live Video:

Stickam (blog) is the oldest of the bunch, launching back in February of 2006, Stickam lets you host your own live show stream and chat on their site or embedded in your own. When you’re show isn’t live, you can show a pictures, audio, or recorded shows on a MySpace-like profile page. The front page of the site features the most recent show and their number of live viewers, which currently are floating around 3,000.

Blogtv.com (blog) launched back in May, and also lets you start your own live show and chat. Every show you record is broadcasted live and then archived. You can subscribe to each show on your account, embed, rate, and recommend them. Live shows are shown on the front page, but you can also review the archived footage in their library.
Mogulus (blog) is yet to get out of private beta, and is focused on live video production tools. Using their tools, you can see how many viewers are waiting for your broadcast and storyboard the show you’re about to broadcast on your own Mogulus URL. With storyboarding, you can drop recorded videos into your feed at cue and even overlay graphics such as logos or titles. You can even collaborate with another producer and cooperatively shape the storyboard.
Justin.tv (blog) is he oddest of the bunch, launched with a splash and then again when police raided their apartment. The novelty of the site centered around one of the co-founders, Justin Kan streaming his life 24/7 from a head cam. Justin.tv has yet to launch an open network, and has instead opted to expand slowly by adding a select number of dedicated “lifecasters”. Each caster gets a live feed, video archive, and chat channel. Instead of just featuring what’s live on the front page, they’ve also developed a “tips” service that lets users dig up key moments.
Ustream.tv (blog) launched back in March, Ustream is another lifecasting network letting anyone plug in and start streaming, similar to Stickam. It’s caught on in the tech crowd with people like Robert Scoble and Cris Pirillo streaming their own shows from offices or on the road at conventions. Each caster gets a profile page where they can post their videos, photos, and thoughts. The player comes with live chat, the ability to archive footage, and embed it on your site.

Robert Scoble compares Kyte.tv and PodTech.net (although neither are “live”). Both support mobile phones like the Nokia N95, but Kyte.tv lets you upload your own videos and you can chat while PodTech is more of a distribution channel. Social media applications like Twitter link through “updates”, up to 140 characters long, via IM, SMS, RSS, email or website. Here’s a Twitter tour. WebCamera Plus for Smartphones or Pocket PC handhelds, is compatible with Skype, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, and other IM chat clients, and uses a USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi link to your laptop.