What is the changing number on the bottom left caption line of the video?

Question: What is the changing number on the bottom left caption line of the video?

This number is the number of video kilobytes per second streaming onto the web from the camera. A good smooth video stream is usually under 1500.  With bright sun and small choppy waves, this number greatly increases and tends to bog the camera down. This number is constantly changing with the changing lighting conditions and the scene. That is why you will see this number usually increase as a boat approached and fills the screen.

There are many setting within the camera that I can use to control this number and every one is a compromise of image quality and streaming smoothness.  So, my job is to keep playing with the settings to find a compromise that works for that time of day and time of year. Some days will be better than others and often the issue is not with your device.

The second # is the frame rate, this also can be throttled to improve smoothness or quality.

Hope this helps you understand why this venture is like a dog chasing his tail -- never seems to catch it.

Edwin H Gott arrived Two Harbors 05/30/2018

Edwin H Gott arrived at Two Harbors Wednesday evening.



Music by: Eric Matyas

http://soundimage.org/

Harborcam Replacement/Upgrade

The harborcam is four years old starting to fade at night. I would like to replace it with with a new updated model by July 4th.  This will leave us with only two cameras older than 4 years (Bayfront and Hillside) The replacement model for the Harborcam would be able to cover Bayfront and Hillside if needed because it would be able to pan, tilt and zoom. 
I hope to start a new Harborcam fundraiser on Monday.

Thanks,
Den

Palabora arrived Duluth 05/30/2018

Hillside Cam in service

I was able to use a bunch of parts from the old Bridgecam to get the Hillsidecam up and running.

Should be good for now.

Den

Stewart J Cort arrived Duluth 5/30/2018

Camera Update!

Hillside Cam
The Hillside cam went offline a few days ago.  I will take a closer look at it today after I feed the chickens and cut the grass. Hopefully, I will get it back in service soon.

Wisconsin Point Cam
The camera placement is not the best, but, was the only place with power. The signal gets blocked for a few minutes as the boat goes by. Being so close to the water often load up the images transmission path causing it to pause. 
With all of its flaws, the Wisconsin Point Cam gives us a view (occasionally) that we never had before.
If and when the area of Wisconsin points is developed more, there will be more options for improvement in quality.

Marine Scanner
The marine scanner quit working after the last Windows 10 update, I will eventually get it back up, but, not sure when.

 Overall Camera performance
The quality of the camera image stream depends on many factors, but bright sunlight and choppy waves cause the video to really bog down. That's the nature of the beast. I had hoped that some of the technology in the newer cams would help with this, we'll see.

On another note, I'm just an old retired guy who likes tinkering with technology, but, I really (I mean really) don't know what I'm doing most of the time. (just ask my lovely wife)

My motivations for operating the cams is the enjoyment that I see that so many people get from this little window to the world.  I apologize that I'm not able to answer a lot of questions or have the cams often adjusted to acceptable viewing standards. I often make things worse by trying to make small improvements.

I really appreciate all of you and all the support for this site. I'll keep at it, and hopefully, things will get better with time.

Have a great day!
Den

Summer Storm 05/29/2018

Thunderstorm roll through with amazing force and beauty. The harborcams captured this early evening storm as it moved into the Northland.

Paul R Tregutha 05/27/2018 - Stuck Horn?

Paul R Tregutha departed Duluth Sunday afternoon.

Sunda arrived Duluth 05/27/2018

Sunda arrived Duluth this evening loaded with cement.

Presque Isle arrived Two Harbors 05/27/2018

Presque Isle arrived Two Harbors this morning.



Music by: Eric Matyas

http://soundimage.org/

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth 05/27/2018

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth this morning in heavy fog.

James R Barker arrived Duluth 05/26/2018

James R Barker arrived Duluth this afternoon to load iron.

Algoma Transport arrived Two Harbors 05/23/2018

Algoma Transport arrived Two Harbors Wedneday. Interesting slide into home plate.

Algoma Transport departed Two Harbors 05/24/2018

Algoma Transport departed Two Harbors early this morning with lightning to the south.

Stewart J Cort departed, Algoma Guardian arrived Superior 05/23/2018

Stewart J Cort  departed, Algoma Guardian arrived Superior this afternoon.

Mesabi Miner arrived Duluth 05/22/2018

Mesabi Miner arrived Duluth at noon today to load coal

Canal Cam outage

Update 12:00 -- installation of the new Canal Cam complete -- I still need to make final adjustments.  
Den
FYI,

The Canal Cam will be offline today between 10:30 and 12:30 while I install the new camera.

Thanks,
Den

Daybreak on the Beach - American Century departing Duluth

American Victory

Federal Rhine

Camera Update -- New Bridge Cam is installed

The new Bridge cam is installed. As usual, I will be tuning the setting over the next few days. I am hoping to get the new Canal Cam up tomorrow.

Federal Rhine arrived Duluth 05/21/2018

Federal Rhine arrived in Duluth early this morning to load grain.

American Century departed Duluth 05/21/2018

American Century departed Duluth early this morning

Cason J Callaway departed Superior 05/20/2018

American Century arrived Duluth 05/20/2018

American Spirit arrived Superior 05/19/2018

John G Munson arrived Duluth 05/19/2018

John G Munson arrived Duluth Saturday evening to unload limestone.

Edgar B Speer departed Two Harbors 05/19/2018

Edgar B Speer departed Two Harbors this morning.



Music by: Eric Matyas

http://soundimage.org/

American Victory takes its first step to the boneyard!

The American Victory was towed to Fraser Shipyard today where it's boom and other equipment will be removed for spare parts. The rest of the boat will be towed to Greece where it will be cut into scrap.

This distinguished boat had a good long life. You can read more about this interesting part of our nautical heritage  HERE.

Stewart J Cort departed Superior 05/17/2018

Sudden wind switch brings near disaster to sailboat

The usual Wednesday night sailboats races turned into near disaster as the temperatures dropped from 80 F to 48F in 20 minutes just as the sailboats entered the big lake. 10 minutes later a sailboat was swept into the Lift Bridge as it attempted to make safe harbor.

Fortunately, it turned out OK with help from bystanders along the canal.

Burns Harbor Departed Two Harbors 05/16/2018

American Integrity arrived Superior 05/16/2018

Roger Blough arrived Two Harbors 05/16/2018

Burns Harbor arrived Two Harbors 05/15/2018

CSL Assiniboine arrived Superior 5/14/2018

CSL Assiniboine arrived Superior this afternoon.

Canal Cam Donations List

Thank you to all who donated to the recent Canal Cam fundraiser.

CSL Tadoussac departed Superior 05/14/2018

American Century departed Duluth 05/14/2018

American Century departed Duluth this morning

The Walter J McCarthy Jr. Duluth - by Jeff Doty

Cool blue image by Jeff Doty. See more of Jeff's work at : https://www.facebook.com/dolbybearphotography/

American Spirit departed Two Harbors 05/13/18

Happy Mother Day!

The Michipicoten early morning departure bu Jeff Doty

Great photo by Jeff Doty of the Michipicoten. View more of Jeffs work at: https://www.facebook.com/dolbybearphotography

James R Barker departed Two Harbors 05/12/2018

James R Barker departed Two Harbors this morning

Saginaw arrived Superior 05/12/2018

James R Barker arrived Two Harbors 05/11/2018

James R Barker arrived at Two Harbors Friday evening

VLIEBORG arrived Duluth 05/11/2018

VLIEBORG arrived Duluth this evening to load beat pulp

CSL Niagara departed Superior 05/11/2018

CSL Niagara departed Superior this evening.

Roger Blough departed, CSL Niagara arrived Superior 05/10/2018

Roger Blough departed, CSL Niagara arrived Superior late last night.

Edgar B Speer arrived Two Harbors 05/10/2018

Edgar B Speer arrived Two Harbors this afternoon.

Wisconsin Point Cam -- Area View

I have set the Wisconsin Point Cam to do a scan of the area once every 15 minutes during daylight hours unless there is a ship scheduled. We'll see how this works. I can always make changes.

Two Harbors Twilight -- By Christian Dalbec

There is amazing beauty to be found just after sunset as in these photos by Christian Dalbec.  You can catch more of Christian's wonderful work at: https://www.christiandalbecphotography.com/

Stewart J Cort departed and Roger Blough arrived Superior 05/09/18

Stewart J Cort departed and Roger Blough arrived Superior this evening'

Wisconsin Point on rotation for a few hours

FYI,
I put Wisconsin Point Cam on rotation until 18:00 today so you can have a look around.

Den

Presque Isle departed Two Harbors 05/09/2018

Presque Isle departed Two Harbors this morning.

Indiana Harbor arrived Duluth 05/09/2018

Indiana Harbor arrived Duluth this morning to load coal.

Canal Cam Upgrade -- Plus

Since we overshot our fundraising goal by $300 for the Canal Cam, I have decided to extend our fundraiser a bit more with a goal to replace the Bridge cam also, as long as I was working on the roof of the Marine Museum anyway.  So here we go up to a new goal of $2000 for both cams.

Thank You so much!
Den

Burns Harbor departed Steward J Cort arrived Superior 05/08/2018

Burns Harbor departed Steward J Cort arrived Superior during the rather stormy evening hours.

Mesabi Miner arrived Duluth 05/08/2018

Mesabi Miner arrived Duluth this afternoon to load pellets.

Burns Harbor arrived Superior05/08/2018

Burns Harbor arrived Superior early this morning

Joseph L Block departed, Hon James L Oberstar arrived Two Harbors 05/07/18

Joseph L Block departed, Hon James L Oberstar arrived Two Harbors this morning.



Music by: Eric Matyas

http://soundimage.org/

Important Camera Update!

We now have 10 cameras as our little windows to the world.

While the cams run great, there is always some tweaking and adjustments to make. Different lighting, wave chop, and atmosphere all affect the camera stream to some extent.

We currently have 5 cameras of the same model - Bayfront, Harbor, Hillside, Canal, and Bridge which are all 4 to 5 years old. The manufacturer no longer supports these cams and they have an upgraded model, which is the same as the new GLA and Two Harbors Boat launch.

These cams have all been reliable through wind, cold, rain and ice.  I would like to begin upgrading the cams over time starting with the Canal Cam. The benefit of replacing the Canal cam now is that the old canal cam can be used as a backup for the other 4 cams of the same model. The newer models also use less bandwidth for streaming.

I will be starting a new fundraiser to raise the $1000 needed to replace the Canal Cam. I hope this is not asking too much as this is the third project of the year and I hate asking for money.

We also have $150 left over from the Wisconsin Point Fundraiser to start with.

Anyway, I hope you understand why it's important to try and stay ahead of the troubles.

Thanks,
Den

p.s. I also don't mind doing this work when it is warm.

CSL ASSINIBOINE departed Superior 05/07/18

Algoma Niagara arrived Two Harbors 05/07/2018

Algoma Niagara arrived Two Harbors Sunday afternoon.

HON JAMES L OBERSTAR departed Superior 05/07/2018

HON JAMES L OBERSTAR departed Superior this morning headed for Two Harbors.

Walter J McCarthy Jr arrived Duluth 05/07/2018

Walter J McCarthy Jr arrived Duluth this morning to load coal.

HON JAMES L OBERSTAR arrived Duluth 05/06/2018

HON JAMES L OBERSTAR arrived Duluth Sunday evening.

John G Munson departed Superior 05/06/2018

John G Munson departed Superior this afternoon loaded with iron.

James R Barker departed, American Spirit arrived Duluth 05/05/2018

James R Barker departed, American Spirit arrived Duluth this afternoon.

Two Harbors Timelapse Dec 15-31 2017

Time always seems to fly by, that's why a look back helps us appreciate what lies ahead.

This 15 day timelapse of Two Harbors from last December shows how busy and beautiful the Two Harbors is.

Michipicoten Arrival - by Jeff Doty

Michipicoten Arrival - by Jeff Doty

Two Harbors Sunset - By Christian Dalbec

Beautiful Two Harbors Sunset - By Christian Dalbec
See more of Christians work at https://www.christiandalbecphotography.com/

James R Barker - Paul Scinocca.

James R Barker departing Duluth with a cargo of coal loaded at Midwest Energy destined for St Clair.
See more of Paul's work at:
https://www.facebook.com/paul.scinocca

CSL TADOUSSAC arrived Superior 5/5/2018

CSL TADOUSSAC arrived Superior this morning

James R Barker arrived Duluth 05/05/2018

James R Barker arrived Duluth early this morning.



note: I added the Barker's Horn audio

Edgar B Speer departed Superior 05/05/2018

Edgar B Speer departed Superior early this morning

Hillside Cam repaired

I used some parts from an older cam to get the Hillside cam going again.  Happy boat watching!
Den

Edgar B Speer arrived Superior 05/04/2018

Edgar B Speer arrived Superior this morning for BN

Roger Blough departed Superior 05/03/2018

Roger Blough departed Superior Thursday evening loaded with iron.



Music by: Eric Matyas

http://soundimage.org/

Michipicoten arrived Duluth 05/03/2018

Michipicoten arrived Duluth this morning to load iron.

Indiana Harbor departed Two Harbors 05/02/181

Roger Blough arrived Superior 05/02/2018

Roger Blough arrived Superior this afternoon.

Stewart J Cort departed Superior and Algowood arrived 05/02/2018

Indiana Harbor arrived Two Harbors 05/02/2018 (narrated)

Indiana Harbor arrived Two Harbors early this morning.

Narew departed Duluth 05/01/2018

Narew departed Duluth this evening loaded with grain.