Near Intersection of I-35 & I-90 Southern Mn. | Expensive Hobby - 9/13/2024 12:30
Let me try my question a different way.
For people running wireless cameras that are linked to an iPad - can you switch between cameras easily in an app, or do you have to go into the bluetooth/wifi settings to switch cameras (more than you'd want to do every time you turn at the end of the field).
Thanks,
From my limited experience, I believe that switching WiFi connections may be necessary when trying to work with two different wireless cameras and your iPad.
With my combination of cameras and equipment this involves a few steps. It would not be out of the question but not as smooth as one might want.
I have two older cameras from Larsen Lights. They each require a 12V power source but communicate with my iPhones and iPad through what some people call an Access Point. This means that the phone or tablet communicates with a WiFi type connection directly so access to the internet is not necessary. The phone/tablet and camera do need to be reasonably close to each other. The range seems to depend on the distance and obstacles. My cameras could be setup to use an internet connection but I chose not to go that route.
Larsen suggested using an app called CamHi. There are many camera apps with various features. Other apps might be better suited but I continue to use CamHi. based on Larsen's suggestion.
To view a camera, the connection on the phone/tablet must be the active WiFi connection for that camera. This means I may have to go into settings and change the choice since the phone may have "locked" on to another choice such as a different camera, my shop door opener, my InCommand 1200 etc. Once the WiFi setting is set to the camera I wish to use, I go into the CamHi app. Within it, I can choose the camera I wish to use.
This generally works fine but suppose I want to view the other camera. Assuming it is in range, I must go into settings and force the WiFi setting for the other camera to be active. I could then return to the CamHi app and view that camera.
I have just one of these cameras on my combine which I use as a back up and obstacle camera. I do not need one for unloading on the go since I can easily see the grain cart as my driver pulls along side. I can use the camera as a rear view camera for road travel or navigating around crowed areas.
The first year I used my iPhone 6 for the camera and also for phone calls. Later, I purchased a slightly newer used iPhone 8 from the folks at Back Market. I kept the old iPhone 6 as it had minimal value. I physically moved the SIM card from the old iPhone 6 to the newer iPhone 8. This made the switch to the iPhone 8 rather painless with no need to change the data plan, contacts, etc. I can no longer "talk" on the iPhone 6 but all other features such as the camera, music, Bluetooth, Wifi and many apps continue to work as before.
I now carry both phones in the combine. The newer phone is my regular phone and is used for talking and other day to day tasks. The old iPhone 6 is used just with the camera in the combine. Having a second "old" phone just for the camera works fine and the two phones are separate. However, the app or camera phone "times out" on me fairly soon. I would like to be able to view the camera which I am using for a rear view mirror while driving to the next field on the road. Either the app or phone times out before I reach the destination. There is likely a setting I can change to improve this.
A camera can be viewed by more than one phone or table at the same time if that is useful. Just yesterday, my Great Nephew was helping me with the combine. I was able to view the combine camera on my iPhone while he was able to view the same camera on his Google phone. Both were using the CamHi app.
We also have a wired camera system in the grain cart/tractor. This is an Overview camera system that uses the Overview display and two Overview cameras. One camera is mounted on a stand on the grain cart tractor and helps with loading the trucks. Another Overview camera is mounted on the rear of the grain cart and is used as a rear view mirror. Since these cameras are hard wired to the display, it is possible to view one camera, the other camera or both cameras at the same time.
So in summary, being able to view both cameras at the same time or being able to switch easily between cameras may require a wired connection.
Edited by tedbear 9/14/2024 07:30
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Wireless Cameras
