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At 09:58 PM 28/10/2003, you wrote:

>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Benedikt Kost wrote:
> > Search the CONFOCAL archive at
> > http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
> >
> > please excuse a question that is somewhat off target:
> >
> > is there a way to control the nikon coolpix 4500 digital camera by a
> > computer (not just to download images, but to control camera functions, to
> > get a live image on the computer screen etc)? if not, is there a comparable
> > camera on the market for which this option is available?
> >
>
>About 2 years ago, I found that the only high end consumer camera  that
>allowed computer control of the camera functions was the Canon G2 (and I
>suppose
>also the G1), At that time, the Nikon coolpix cameras did not offer this
>possiblility. However, I would assume that the state of the art has advanced
>since then, so you should scan the specs of the 4-5 megapixel cameras to see
>if any others offer computer control of the camera functions.
>
>--aryeh

Hi Benedikt

Aryeh is not quite correct here (sorry Aryeh). The Coolpix series allowed
remote control of many or all camera functions via serial or USB port
certainly since the 950 model (that must be 4 or 5 years ago now), maybe
even earlier. The only problem is that Nikon refuses to publish the
protocol. However, since many digicams are using microcontrollers and
firmware libraries from the same company (Sierra Imaging) the protocols are
related also. Some people have "hacked" the protocols by trial and error
and written software which can control many camera parameters. Probably the
best known by far is the open-source freeware photopc, originally developed
by Eugene Crosser and extended by many others. Have a look at
         http://photopc.sourceforge.net/
and specifically for the Coolpix series
         http://www.math.ualberta.ca/imaging/

There are others such as Snapixx
         http://www.ruwebit.net/article/81
or CoolCom
         http://vyskocil.free.fr/coolcom/
The latter allows you to use a Palm PDA as a remote control for Coolpixies.

As far as live video goes, you can use the video signal from the Coolpix
and digitize it using a video card to get a large live display on your
computer screen.

hope that helps,

Beat