US Relay's Webcam Blog

Live Streaming Surf Cams: The Ultimate Viewing Experience

Have you ever wanted to check out the surf conditions prior to heading out? Now you can with the use of IP cameras along with our eLiveStream service. This is one of the fastest growing trends being deployed with the use of network based cameras. Now you can simply go to a one of our customer websites, and watch surfers in action “real-time” via laptop, cell phone or any other remote device.

It’s been proven that web cams can increase both the traffic to your website and to a specific surf location. This technology is being deployed around the world, and is on the leading edge when it comes to delivering content management

The use of PTZ cameras coupled with our custom flash player allows viewers immediate access, and easy navigation through the use of our custom controls. We have also integrated our new "Click to Play feature" which is being utilized on one of our cameras deployed in Fiji. We have Surf Cams deployed throughout the world in such places as Hawaii, Costa Rica, and both the East and West coast.

Online Marketing Managers have embraced this technology to boost both the amount of traffic to their site, and increase value to their marketing campaign. With summer fast approaching get ready for a great surf season.

Why doggie daycare cameras are getting so popular?

Dog owners are worried about their dogs when they drop them off some place for the day so it gives them some peace of mind when they are away and they want to check on their dogs.

Dog owners aren't the only ones watching pups. Some people who don't even have dogs get on doggie daycare webcams and watch it because it’s almost like watching a fish tank. It helps to relax.

Gatorland Park - Watch out for the alligators

See the gators' menacing jaws at this natural preserve in Florida. The Gator webcam build viewer excitement about the alligators much more so than a static brochure ever could. It's what viewers expect when they watch the alligators open and close their jaws, launch into the water, or chomp on a meal.

Images of the sharp teeth of the gators appear in stark contrast to the calm marsh waters and the peaceful flight of the Herons and the Egrets overhead, a testament to the diversity of nature found at this preserve.

Why network cams are important in today's tourist market?

People are busier than ever with constant interruptions from cell phones, pagers, emails and the demands of their professional and personal lives. Busy people need a mind vacation and more importantly they need to experience what it would be like to visit the resorts and attractions of their choosing. With the competitive tourist industry web cameras are now an integral part of marketing.

All kinds of tourists find webcams appealing from wealthy individuals, to adventure seekers, business travelers, the young and hip and anyone in between. Web cameras are a dynamic way travelers can include colleagues in their plans by showing the web link for video images at their favorite tourist destinations.

Resorts with web cameras often show their most pristine beaches, challenging ski runs, spectacular golf greens, the weather conditions, and the beauty of the natural environment whether it's a spectacular view of mountains, lakes, or animals in the wild. This is just to name a few of the many kinds of locales where you'll find professional-level web cameras.

US Relay launches new website

US Relay has officially launched its new website. The company provides live video streaming and archiving for network cameras around the world. The new web site features a very new   “look and feel” and provides a much improved user experience.

The US Relay site is focused on solutions for each target market along with case studies, news, and live interactive demos powered by eLiveStream. The new site release coincides with a new market focus and vision for the company. The site is very easy to navigate with products, services, and customer tabs across the top.

The main thrust of the company is making headway into new markets which include Costa Rica, Fiji and Hawaii. Besides having cameras deployed throughout the United States we have now gone global with our latest deployments.

Feel free to check out the latest news releases, technology advancements, and our customer gallery featuring case studies. We have made it much easier for clients to check their account now with the ability to log into their account right on our website. It’s a seamless approach so we wanted it to be more intuitive, exciting, and at the same time help prospective and existing customer navigate through the site.

US Relay is committed to be the leader in video streaming for ski resorts, surf sites, construction markets and web attraction.

“Click to Play” Feature

We have just incorporated several new features which include the “Click to Play” feature. This enables users to start the live video feed with one click, and view real time video which is all powered by eLiveStream. The advantages are numerous with conservation of bandwidth, improved security and ease of use.

Marketing Managers which have utilized this feature are seeing the benefits in both presentation and control of the video. In conjunction with the value added interface, and implementation of the anti-hijacking protection which has proven to be invaluable. The added security is crucial to keep individuals from unauthorized camera access.

You can demo our “click to play” feature right on our website, and realize the full range of capabilities. The Dotworkz System website is utilizing the latest technology for their Training Center.  If done correctly the experience can be very engaging, secure, and help drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Skiing on ice

With no snow, the flurry of postponements from ski resorts continued all week. Vail put off today's scheduled opening, but still hopes to be hosting skiers and snowboarders by Wednesday.

In the meantime, it's hard to say how the slopes are shaping up from checking the resort's webcams on Vail.com. They're all turned off and won't be operating until terrain opens.

Steamboat has a Mountain Cam aimed at several spots on the mountain - bare spots that is. Two other cams are not working. There's almost no snow to speak of, which is probably why the ski area isn't even trying to open until Nov. 30.

Webcams at Telluride Ski Resort, the latest to postpone its opening "until conditions improve," show wide swaths of brown, with few patches of white.

"Unfortunately, conditions on the mountain do not make an opening day of Wednesday realistic at this time," said Dave Riley, CEO of the resort. "On the other hand, we will not set an arbitrary new scheduled opening date and simply remain flexible and adaptable. We will open as soon as conditions allow."

Winter is coming – Are you ready?

The first sign of snowfall is upon us along with a change in the air at Squaw Valley.

All eyes have been on the Ubercam with the ski season fast approaching. The latest technology which has been deployed utilizes eLiveStream which enables anyone to remotely view many of the top ski areas.

Many ski fanatics are already gearing up for a promising season. Have you ever wanted to check out the conditions prior to planning a trip? Now you can with the latest advances in streaming video powered by US Relay eLiveStream.

With the use of laptops, cell phones and pod-casting you can now check out the ski conditions prior to heading out. Having the ability of taking ‘camera snapshot’ of a friend, colleague or family member from miles away can be priceless. So whether you’re into skiing, riding, sliding or enjoying the snow it looks like a great ski season ahead.

Some of the most popular ski sites include Park City, Squaw, Aspen Snowmass, Killington and Steamboat. These are just a few of the great destinations which have realized the value in marketing using live interactive video at their ski areas. The benefits of remote access have been recognized by online marketing managers throughout the country. With the increase in web traffic to their sites, and a boost in tourism the return on investment has proven to pay great dividends.

Live Surf Cams – Growing in Popularity

If you’ve ever gone surfing you know how much fun it can be. Have you ever wanted to check out the conditions prior to hitting the surf?

Surf webcams are growing in popularity around the world. We have several IP based cameras deployed on both the West and East coast. What a great advantage it is to remotely go to a website and check out the surf conditions. Whether it’s from the convenience of your home, iPod or cell phone you have the ability to view the waves live.

With the use of eLiveStream as the ultimate solution you can accomplish this goal. With a click of the mouse you can now go directly to a site, and evaluate surf conditions, live events and contests. Just some of a few of the more popular client sites include Sun Diego Webcams on the west, and OBX Rodanthe Webcam on the east coast.

The use of PTZ cameras coupled with our custom flash player allows viewers immediate access, and easy navigation through the use of our custom controls.

Online Marketing Managers have embraced this technology to boost both the amount of traffic to their site, and increase value to their marketing campaign. The future is upon us so whether you surf, or know someone that does then get ready to “hang ten”.

Network Cameras at Construction Sites

Construction sites around the world are adopting the use of network cameras to remotely monitor their sites. What if you could quickly log into your website, and check to see if an employee is at work? How about if you could check the status of your equipment?

What does this all mean to a contractor? It’s a great way to ensuring productivity, reducing liability and increase efficiencies across the board.

These are just some of the advantages of having network camera onsite. In addition, there is the value added solution of eArchive which enables a contractor to capture the images of a structure under construction. Also, the use of time-lapse has proven to be a great feature which allows you to watch an entire project from start to finish in a matter of minutes.

The use of eLiveStream enables a contractor to quickly scan their job sites activities real time. This technology is being deployed around the world and is on the leading edge when it comes to content management delivery.