16 STREAMPUNK Wild, wild life
FROM YOUR GARDEN TO THE WEB BadgerTube! Birds Gone Wild! Breaking Newts! OK, maybe we’re not the best at suggesting a name for your wildlife channel, but we can tell you how to create one. With affordable and readily available technology, setting up a camera trap and creating your own wildlife channel is easy. The tricky part is getting the critters in your backyard to play their roles. Although commonly used for surveillance, IP cameras are the easiest way to live stream content. Axis is a leader in IP cameras and offers a range of solutions to suit everyone’s needs. Depending on your budget, you can invest in 4K, 360-degree and microphone- enabled cameras. When recording wildlife, it’s recommended by the RSPB that the equipment you’re using blends in with the surroundings. For this, they recommend fitting the camera into the crook of a tree or inside a bush. You can also fit a nest box up with an internal camera, or purchase one with a camera already installed. Now you need your connection to the internet. IP cameras work over Wi-Fi, so your household broadband may do. But if your channel becomes a hit, you may want to invest in a content delivery network to enhance the video’s streaming potential. At this point, you should be able to view your live stream by searching your camera’s IP address, but to stream to other platforms, you’ll need an encoder. An encoder takes the data from your camera and converts it into a format that will allow you to embed and stream the content to your own website or other platforms. We recommend doing a bit of homework to find an encoder that’s compatible with your streaming platform, that offers the best option for your shooting and editing needs, and has the right pricing plan for you. Open Broadcasting Studio (OBS) is an open source software encoder which enables simple live streaming to most major platforms. It’s a great starting tool for those new to livestreaming and is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. OBS Studio features real-time video/audio capturing and mixing from multiple sources, including window captures, images, text, browser windows, webcams and capture cards. The software can record multiple audio tracks while streaming or recording, and includes an audio mixer with per-source filters such as noise gate, noise suppression and gain. It also supports Virtual Studio Technology plug-ins.
AS THIS IS BEING WRITTEN, OSPREYS AT LOCH GARTEN AREBEINGOGLEDBY75,000VIEWERS
using either solar energy or methanol fuel cells, as this allows them to be standalone or remote for several months unattended.” Ideally, the cameras are fitted to face north, as this direction provides a view with the most sunlight falling on the subject; they are also camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings. The live video streams are monitored daily and many of the cameras include remote access software running, so admin changes can be made whenever required. FAME AND FUTURE The live video streams are broadcast to the RSPB webpage, RSPB social media channels and Carnyx.tv, and the videos inevitably receive tens of thousands of comments, likes and reactions. As this is being written, ospreys at the Loch Garton reserve in Scotland are being ogled by 75,000 viewers. The RSPB also hosts forums on its site for visitors to comment, discuss and share screengrabs of the live video streams with others. “These forums have opened up
a dialogue with the wider public from all across the world,” says the RSPB. Carnyx Wild are constantly monitoring new technology to see how it might help and what opportunities it could open. They’re currently working on adapting and trialling the use of VR. “Imagine being able to put on a VR headset and be right in the middle of an osprey feeding its chicks,” says Peter. The RSPB hopes to deploy more cameras in its reserves and broadcast the footage to more platforms in the future. The organisation is also working with Microsoft AI to develop a camera that can identify species of birds. New camera and networking technologies have drastically upgraded what were once just simple camera traps, enabling live streaming of HD and 4K video from even the most remote locations. Scientists and organisations like the RSPB are using these to draw attention to research and conservation efforts, while fulfilling the human need to get up close and personal with animals in the wild.
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