Web cam type iPad2 camcorder

Question

I want to develop an application that requires wired communication between camcorders such as Web cam and iPad2. Basically, I will directly connect the webcam and iPad2 with a cable, and when I launch the webcam, any images (image / video) captured by the webcam should be displayed on iPad2.

Based on my research on this subject, I found that the iPad2 cable is for iPod Program only, so the connector is not a traditional USB port. I cannot communicate directly between the webcam and iPad2. Did I miss something?

We are going to use a Vivotek camera, and they mentioned here that we can use safari to get a Motion-JPEG stream. I wonder if this is possible on the iPad 2 and is it reliable?

Next, I found the Apple MFi Program for developing electronic accessories that connect to iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Has anyone here used this already and find out more about it if I can go for it?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You can get jpeg motion stream in mobile Safari or in UIWebView in user application. I cannot (yet) successfully receive a jpeg motion stream through AVPlayer, AVPlayerItem or AVURLAsset.

Become an official MFI company non-trivial (I tried once). They need larger companies that have demonstrated that they have the skills and production know-how / contacts to produce quality accessories.

Curious if you can step back from your original requirement and see if you can figure out how to do it wirelessly, at least in the last step, to iPad 2. You can connect wiring up to 2 feet from the iPad and use a local private Wi-Fi network -Fi for the last 2 feet (say).

Answer 2

I recommend that you add (use an existing or buy) a wireless gateway. Connect the camera to the gateway, and then connect the iPAD to the wireless network, and then go on safari to the camera, and then you can view the image. There is no “hard” way to make it work.

As for the "hard wired" part of the question, I do not think that this is impossible without a lot of work and equipment. There is no "video" on the ipad to make it a monitor for the camera.