If you have not heard of a website called Ustream, it is basically a site that allows a user to broadcast live video on the internet. You can achieve this simply from a CCTV camera that is connected to a DVR. In this blog post, I’ll be demonstrating how to use an existing camera system to broadcast live video on Ustream.
It’s actually pretty simple to setup live streaming. In a nutshell, the only thing that would need to be done is to get a BNC splitter that would split the connection from the camera to the DVR and to the capture card. Here is the equipment that would be needed for this project. If you do not have a DVR and you just want to use an outdoor security camera to stream a video online that will also be covered.
Equipment
Capture Card – Ustream is very flexible on what video capture card you can use. Most of the capture cards in the market will work today. The only requirement I would recommend is to make sure the capture card has a video composite connection.
Security Camera – Any security camera with a BNC connection will work. If you don’t have one, make sure you visit our site and check out the security cameras we have in stock!
BNC Splitter *– If you have an existing DVR system, you need a splitter. If you just have the camera with no DVR, there is no need to get a BNC splitter.
BNC Video Cable – If you are using a splitter to stream an existing camera that is hooked up to a DVR, you will need two additional video cables (RG59 cable to be exact) with male BNC twist. This is not including the existing wire that you have run. If you are NOT using a splitter you will only need one video cable with male BNC twist.
BNC to RCA – Just one BNC to a Male RCA Adapter
Setup with an Existing DVR
Step 1: Install the capture card to your computer and install the drivers. If you don’t install the driver there is no way that Ustream will be able to recognize the video feeds coming in.
Step 2: Choose which camera you want to stream, disconnect the existing video cable from the DVR, and connect it to the video-in on the BNC splitter.
Step 3: Connect a video cable on the BNC-out on the splitter to the video-in on your DVR. If you do not have a DVR and are just connecting an analog camera to a computer, move on to the next step.
Step 4: Get the last video cable and connect the BNC to the RCA to the cable and connect it to the capture card.
Step 5: Sign up for an Ustream account and it should pick up the camera automatically!
You’re done!
As you can see, setting up a live broadcast with an analog security camera is very easy to do. If you have further questions, we’ve assisted multiple customers through the entire Ustream process, so get in contact with us and we’ll be glad to assist – http://www.2mcctv.com
Loc Nguyen is a technical support engineer in the security industry for 2M Solutions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Before launching a new career in security technology, Loc was a technical support engineer for a corporate electronics retailer.
Wow, very nice article and helpful. I was planning on connecting an existing security camera in my office to live stream the show room and the traffic we have. Cool, thanks.
How about if we need audio. We don’t have a dvr, just a camera and we bought a haupage tv-tuner.