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.

“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”.

Web Attraction – Live network cameras at Theme Parks

Imagine visiting your favorite roller coaster with out leaving the house? How about taking a live in real time trip down the Grand Canyon’s Colorado river? Virtual tourism or live camera broadcasting is defining a new generation of travelers. Using public internet and a network camera, theme parks worldwide are able to broadcast live controllable video to cell phones, iPods, and laptops. With the peak of summer comes great vacations and time with family. Travelers considering a trip to amusement and theme parks can in a way “visit” before they commit to travel and time. One of the fastest growing trends throughout the world is deploying live cameras at these parks. Most online marketing managers are realizing the value in implementing this strategy because it makes sense.

Live cameras are one way to draw more visitors to both your destination and web site. Just one of the Florida’s popular parks is Gatorland which has seen a tremendous pick up in web traffic and a steady stream of visitors. The results have been realized with the use of eLiveStream service which allows visitors to have a live tour of the park with the use of live cameras with the highest level of security, frame rate, quality of service and user experience including video commercials and Ads. It’s a proven solution and provides high value to the visitor. Website analytics tool shows that the live camera page is the hands down most popular page once the camera goes live. Our experience has shown that when deciding what camera to choose- always go with the highest quality you can afford remember this is your parks window to the world a professional presentation pays dividends with traffic numbers and the users online experience. The advantages are numerous with offering a Pan tilt and zoom camera if done right the user controls are easy to navigate and very engaging. So if you want to capture the action of a roller coaster, or live gators then the use of Live Network cameras are the fastest growing trends – so tell your webmaster to keep his or her seatbelts fastened because the web traffic numbers are going to go through the roof.

Web Marketing with Live Cameras

One of fastest and most popular types of online marketing campaigns is through the use of live video cameras. Have you ever wanted to bring more visitors to your destination or website? The use of US Relay eLiveStream coupled with network cameras is one of the most effective tools to accomplish this goal or task.

In today’s advertising market everyone likes the idea of convenience. Wheither it’s checking out the surf or ski conditions prior to planning your trip. Now, we have network based cameras which are accessible remotely from the convenience of your home or if you’re on the road.

Statistically, we have seen traffic triple to some of the more popular sites once a live web cam has been deployed. Case in point, Squaw Valley saw a significant increase in traffic to the Ubercam which helped their online marketing campaign immensely. The average visit to any given site can be anywhere from 1-2 minutes. With the use of live cameras directly on your web page this time can double in terms of how long a visitor stays on your site.

To take things to the next level, there is another facet that needs to be incorporated. Simply, by incorporating a banner advertisement on your site can add value which is converted into cash. Another aspect is incorporating the banner right into the introduction screen which is a great seque into you live video feed. This helps maximize value and increased interest in your web site.

US Relay eLiveStream is one of the most advanced technologies when it comes to integrating video feeds into your web page using Flash streaming. Through the use of the slider controls on the frame you can now activate the PTZ controls with ease. To assist with the navigation PTZ cameras can now store up to 20 presets. This alone makes navigation that much easier for the viewer.