Using GoPro in a building with live viewing from outside

[sutts]

Hoping someone here with more knowledge than I can answer this!

I am looking into a project at work that will involve sending a camera (Hero Session 5) into a building. I would like to view what is being seen by the camera from outside the building, at a distance of no more than approx 30 metres, on a linked phone or tablet via the Go Pro Capture app.

That camera obviously has its own wi-fi and Bluetooth built in, and the tablet or phone will have a 3G or hopefully 4G signal to work with.

I am interested in knowing whether the distance or in particular the walls of the building will heavily adversely affect the quality of the image (or even block it completely?). Would a wifi dongle plugged into the tablet assist with this in any way?

Also how good re these cameras in low light, I.e. an unlit building?

Many thanks.

[AndrewEH1]

Not sure about WiFi connectivity issues as that will completely depend on the structure of the building but if the building is completely dark inside the GoPro will struggle. Perhaps add a light source to whatever is carrying the GoPro?

[sutts]

Thanks. An additional light source is a possibility, although the buildings are unlikely to be in total darkness. How do they generally perform in dim/low light?

I presume when you say building structure you mean wall thickness/density and presence of metal etc.?

[AndrewEH1]

sutts said:

Thanks. An additional light source is a possibility, although the buildings are unlikely to be in total darkness. How do they generally perform in dim/low light?

I presume when you say building structure you mean wall thickness/density and presence of metal etc.?

It's okayish in dim light, you can change some of the settings to improve it like using the lower frames per second setting.

Yeah, you might be able to get 500m in a open field but no line of sight/walls/etc will reduce it, much like the WiFi in your house.

[Digitalize]

The wifi of a GoPro barely makes it through a decent wall. You need a camera that will output live video (I don't think a GoPro does) and then a video transmitter/receiver similar to what a drone would use.

[micracbr]

Is this the sort of thing you're after? He's using Go Pro and Teradek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpfXmcL7Ox0

Short explanation from 1.40

[sutts]

Digitalize said:

The wifi of a GoPro barely makes it through a decent wall. You need a camera that will output live video (I don't think a GoPro does) and then a video transmitter/receiver similar to what a drone would use.

Interesting thanks - I don't suppose you have a link to such products?

[sutts]

micracbr said:

Is this the sort of thing you're after? He's using Go Pro and Teradek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpfXmcL7Ox0

Short explanation from 1.40

Thank you, interesting video. I don't need to stream it on to the internet just have a reasonable live picture on a handheld device as simply as possible.

[Digitalize]

sutts said:

Interesting thanks - I don't suppose you have a link to such products?

I haven't used anything but you'd be looking for something that's used for video production, or possibly in FPV drones, depending on the quality you need an analog transmission will be cheaper to get the required range.

If you know anyone with a drone their cameras can be operated and recorded without actually flying, and it would have the required video transmission equipment built in.

[sutts]

Cheers, I do know a couple of people properly licensed to fly them for business use and will have a chat.

[gp1699]

I have a Hero 3, using the iPhone GoPro app I can use live view via wifi .

However when I have it stuck to my front bumper the signal is weak.

So im guessing it wont work on the distances you need.

[Fordo]

As others have pointed out - the built in wifi in the gopro, is really just designed to help you set up and frame a shot, but not for monitoring at a distance.

The solution someone mentioned above - using a terradeck system, is the good solution. Essentially, you need a wireless HDMI transmitter / receiver. Terradeck make all sorts of pro wireless transmitters. In that video, they were using it to take the HDMI output from the gopro, into the transmitter.

You'd be able to hire wireless video systems from TV / Film hire rental places (like procam, promotion). - you'd need one with HDMI input, you also need a way to power the receiver and transmitter. Usually wireless systems in the film world, are setup to take DC power from a D-TAP - A battery port found on V-Lock batteries, which are a common large rechargeable battery used in the production industry. You'd also need the right HDMI cable - i think the gopro has a mini or micro one, so you'd need a cable that goes from that size, to regular size HDMI. A friendly hire house would be able to supply what you'd need.

Another option, is there are some consumer grade wireless HDMI transmitter / receiver systems. (http://www.nyrius.com are a company i've heard of.). Similar to the terradeck systems, but not really designed for field use. With these, again you'd need the right HDMI lead, and then you'd need a way to power the transmitter from a battery. I've seen some people use a nyrius system, with a portable phone recharger brick - as the voltage is about right.


Alternatively, Does is need to be wireless? is this something you can run a long cable to? HDMI can only go 10 metres, as its not designed for long distance cable runs. - but SDI cable can run a lot further, up to 50 metres. You can hire a HDMI to SDI converter box, and also an SDI to HDMI converter for the other end and a long SDI cable drum. Then you'd wire it Gopro - HDMI cable to - HDMI to SDI converter. then long SDI lead to where you want to monitor from. - then into SDI to HDMI converter box - then into a TV or monitor that you want to watch from. This method is actually used a lot in TV studios or live events, where you want an image going into a very large LCD screen which is far away from where you are supplying the image from.


Sorry - went full nerd there, but hope theres some useful information for you