Ez V4 Camera

Question

Do I have to use the camera sold with version 4 ez board or can I use a different usb wifi camera?

Sudo the Banned · Answer

The only wired camera that works with the EZ-B is the EZ-B v4 camera. But if the camera has a USB dongle / bluetooth, then it should show up in the camera list (if memory serves correct) EDIT: When I mean wired camera, I mean one that hooks onto the EZ-B.

CardboardHacker · Answer

You do not have to use the v4 camera. If the camera is wireless(Bluetooth, wifi) and works with windows then it should work in ARC. If you have a robot large enough to put a laptop/netbook in you could use a wired camera.

Dunning-Kruger · Answer

Is there any reason you don't want to use the included EZB4 camera? It's a unified system, which should make it work way better... Besides, anything has to work better than the old Bluetooth camera I have been using from EZB3... The video lags behind so much, it is all but useless in driving a remote robot... Maybe a higher class Bluetooth module might help, but ultimately I hope the wifi, unified version in EZB4 will seriously reduce or eliminate video lag...

Rich · Answer

Yep, you are all correct, any camera detected by the copy of Windows running ARC can be used regardless of if it's wireless, wired, V4 camera, Capture card running an old Hi8 camcorder... whatever, if windows detects it and can see the image then it can be used. You can also use IP cameras or any source which provides a jpeg stream such as Foscam IP cameras, just point it to the correct URL for the image stream. That said, if you plan to run the V4 from an android or ios device then you will be limited to what cameras are available. In this case I wouldn't be surprised if it was limited to the V4 only.

Ings175 · Answer

I haven't decided if I am getting the v4 camera yet. I want to integrate it into my robots head but not sure if it will fit. That is my only hold out. Ordering my brain today

Dunning-Kruger · Answer

@Ings175... You better have a good quality camera (with a fast transfer rate) in mind, because I am seriously disappointed with the video frame rate on the Bluetooth one that comes with EZB3... I am sticking with the WiFi version designed for EZB4... I am praying that the higher speeds of wifi will performs way better than EZb3 Bluetooth camera...

Sudo the Banned · Answer

In the wire length test video DJ made, he leans in and the camera feed almost looks like a mirror. I'm positive that it's extremely fast.

Dunning-Kruger · Answer

I hope you're right dude. That's what I am hoping for... I need high frame rate for my remote robot project...

Ings175 · Answer

I just want it to simply be able to see my face and objects. I almost for sure am going to have to modify the robots head/neck though. I am pretty sure my eco only can move its head left and right. Will have to look into how to make it go up and down as well. Anyone have an idea what the camera looks like without the case? After studying my robots head online there is very very very little room in there.

Dave Schulpius · Answer

I know DJ showed a picture of just the camera board without the case a few months ago. I tried to do a quick search but came up empty. You or someone with more time may be able to find it. I know it here somewhere. While I was searching around for the camera I did find where DJ said that the V4 EZB would have 3 processors. One would be dedicated to the V4 camera that will attach directly to the EZB : "One 80Mhz 32-Bit STM32F3 Arm Processor runs the EZ-Robot Camera" @rryerson , is the camera your using the one I sent you? I was wondering if it arrived OK. I have tried to contact you to see if it had arrived and how you like it but I've not received a reply. Sorry it's not performing as you had hoped. I hope you don't feel it's the camera and I sold you a clinker. If so let's talk. I also experienced the lag and found it to be unacceptable as I was truing to use it for object tracking. There were many discussions on the forum about getting the tracking to work better but I just couldn't make it work for my application. Others here were having better luck and actually had it working good. I thought it was just me or the way I was trying to use it.

Dunning-Kruger · Answer

Dave... actually I did relpy... guess the email got lost... Anyway the camera is fine and my disappointment is not with you (camera works as you said it would)... Just that the frame rate is too slow to use in my project...Sorry, again my disappointment is not directed at you whatsoever my friend....edit... I also am having trouble with the tracking ability.... Fingers crossed that Ezb4 addresses this too...

Dave Schulpius · Answer

I'm glad we're OK. Sorry I missed your reply. I had a computer melt down a few days ago and lost all my saved emails all the way back to 2011. Yours must have been in that lot. Hope you find your troubles are over with the v4. I'll be trying my luck with tracking on the V4 and it's camera also. If that doesn't work Tony (Toymaker) has given me a few ideas and some hardware that may work better. Cant wait to bet back to work on B9!

Nomad 6R · Answer

i found this plug.looks like its for a camera. discounts

Ings175 · Answer

I am at a delimna pver this camera thing. I don't want to only have the option of the ez one if I can't make it fit where I need it to go when there are very small ones on the market.

Nomad 6R · Answer

you can find on ebay many mini cams. dj is jd head comming out whit the new camera instalt.

Ings175 · Answer

I swore DJ said the ezbv4 only works with their camera. That's my concern

Sudo the Banned · Answer

As in wired cameras that plug directly into the board. If it's wireless (like bluetooth) or wires to the PC then it shows up on the list.

Ings175 · Answer

I haven't had much luck finding too many wireless cameras

Dave Schulpius · Answer

From what I understand it is true that V4 only works with the EZ Robot camera because you attach it directly to the board. The board processes and streams the info to your computer over Wifi then on to ARC. However your still going to be able to use other cameras because EX Builder will be backwards comparable with using computer devices like USB Cameras.

In case you still need to know the size of the V4 camera hare's a pic. Looks like it a little larger then a Canadian Quarter:

Hope this helps.

Ings175 · Answer

Ohhhh that may fit! Looks like I need to add to my order

rb550f

Ez V4 Camera

Upgrade to ARC Pro