Mini Spy Cam Recommendations

[Santa Fe Guy]

Jim looks like they are on ebay now. I just searched replayxd and up they popped.
Lots around but have got pricey, some used available.
Rod.

[jereising]

I ordered one of the cube types from Amazon.  I buy stuff on eBay, but for something like this I want the ease of returning to Amazon...

[NtheBasement]

Definitely look forward to seeing a cab video of the Oakville Sub!

[jereising]

Me too!!!    Soon, the camera is enroute...

[C855B]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-USB-IP-Camera-Wireless-WiFi-IP-Security-Camcorder-HD1080P-Hidden-Cam-Indoor/233009922607

Cheap enough to throw away if I can't make it work.

It works! Damn! Live HD video via WiFi, in a package small enough to live on an N scale piggyback flat. Huzzah!

Received yesterday, I had to poke around on the web for hints on how to intercept the broadcast stream without their smartphone app. Granted, I've been doing internet video systems since 2006, so there was that knowledge base to draw on. Haf'ta use the app to configure, but once going with all the right settings it operates independent of the app. It does not require connection to a mothership; I was running it all evening on my closed network and routing the video signal to the 60" big screen. So...

...the one thing left to do is power. It draws power from a USB 'A' connector, so I have a cheap cig-lighter USB adapter I should be able to adapt for pickup from track power.

With distractions this and next week I might not be able to get a fully demonstrable live "in-cab" setup going, but it's close. I can taste it already!   

[Chris333]

And now China will know how the layout is progressing   

[C855B]

And now China will know how the layout is progressing   

Not at all. This is on a completely closed WEP-secured intranet with no connection to the outside world.

I should mention if anybody else wants to try this for themselves, there are some minor geek-level settings you'll need in configuration, such as fixed IP over WiFi and an undocumented initialization file to add after setup. They're easy... sort of... if you've been there before... if you know what I mean.   

Anyway, PM me for instructions after successful setup and I'll guide you through the geeky stuff. It shouldn't hurt much.

[CRL]

For power, you could add another flatcar with a small portable power bank charger wired to the camera on the first flatcar. Easier than wiring to run off track power.

[C855B]

Good idea. Thanks!

[NtheBasement]

It works! Damn! Live HD video via WiFi, in a package small enough to live on an N scale piggyback flat. Huzzah!

Can you post a video?

[C855B]

Once I get the power source straightened out. Pieces are on their way, but just received notice it might be a week or two on a key part.

[Cajonpassfan]

Fun stuff!
Mike, is there a way to twist the neck such that it would fit on a shorter car?
The shorter the better as far as the angle of view on curves...
Otto

[eric220]

I’ll be very interested to follow along. I also grabbed one to play around with.

[C855B]

Mike, is there a way to twist the neck such the it would fit on a shorter car?

So far it doesn't look like it. That stalk is really stiff, just enough to bend around to aim and have it stay in position. At the risk of needing another one - probably one or two more, anyway - I'm looking at peeling back the shield over the internal connection point to see if it is a plug/socket, insulation displacement, or hard-soldered to the board. The latter two mean there may be opportunity to shorten the stalk. There is also the possibility that the thickness of the stalk is all in the gooseneck structure, that inside is just a bundle of three or four #24 or #26 wires. Discovery there will for sure break something.

Like I said, they're cheap, so two to use and one to reverse-engineer will likely be the end game.

[peteski]

Mike, there are several cameras mentioned in this thread. Exactly which one are you using?