Live Video on Dashboard

[RyanCahoon]

Originally Posted by buchanan

Is there an API for compression?

We used the Flatten Image to String VI, which allows you to specify a compression algorithm (PNG/JPG/TIFF/BMP - but TIFF and BMP probably wouldn't be suited for this application) and in the case of JPG, a quality setting which essentially controls the compression rate/lossiness (those who are familiar with the JPG format are aware of this setting).

This produces a string which we converted to a byte array using the usual String to Byte Array function, then packetized to send over the network.

The one disadvantage to this approach is the compression algorithm takes a little time to run, but this was compensated for by running parallel while loops with 1-element queues to pass the data around.

Unfortunately I won't have access to the code for another week or so, but I can post the code then if anyone is interested.

I do like the idea of just passing through the images from the camera. [writchie] I think you hinted at this, but does the Axis cam supports changing JPEG quality levels?

--Ryan