Advice for camera kits

[Nuzzle]

Hey all! I’m considering using Raspberry Pis to enhance and replace my current internal network of cameras. I am extremely new to Raspberry Pis, but have seen lots of maker projects, am familiar with internal networking, and am familiar with Debian. Working with Raspbian shouldn’t be a problem.

I’m going to be streaming on Twitch and YouTube, and attached is an example of a layout of what I’d like to achieve. Please refer to it first.

layout-example-little.jpg (59.07 KiB) Viewed 696 times

The “frames” in the layout are created from broadcasting software. There are many solutions, including xSplit, OBS, Wirecast (including their new product called Gameshow), TriCaster, and so on. All of these run on Windows and consist of sources. The sources can be anything from webcams, to monitor capturing, to Skype, and so on. As long as the cameras can stream the video to a PC via a web browser, VLC, an app, etc, it will work.

In the screenshot, Webcam #1 and #2, are just that, webcam sources. The IP cameras are similar to https://www.lorextechnology.com/ip-camera/N-ewg3lh. And the screen capture is just a local source.

I have a GoPro Hero4 but it’s basically unusable because the streaming quality is horrid and also is hardcoded for an internal IP of 10.5.5.9, so my 10.0.0.X network can’t see it, therefore I can’t use it as a “source”. Another problem is the IP cameras. They end up taking so many resources (CPU and RAM) that they make streaming from the PC basically unusable, especially when capturing games that have a high demand on resources to begin with.

So I’m basically looking for alternatives to replace the IP cams, as well as sort of kits I can buy to extend the functionality, if that makes sense.

Some examples –

A kit to replace the IP cams. They’re currently connected via Ethernet and are powered.
A kit to put in the kitchen that replaces the Skype laptop. Again, Ethernet and powered.
A kit to put in the kitchen that acts as an overhead camera. Ethernet and powered.
A kit to put in the garage. Battery-powered but Ethernet.
A kit to physically mount on a drone. Battery-powered and wireless.
A kit to basically carry around and shoot footage. Battery-powered and wireless.

As you can see, Ideally the kits should have the option to be Ethernet or wireless, any physically powered or by battery. An enclosure to weather the elements would be preferred (I’m in California, not much extreme weather.. lol) . The camera should be HD and optionally the microphone as well (IE, like a Skype/Laptop replacement).

If I want another kit to watch my living room, I’d want it to be very easily added to the network. If it needs to be battery-powered just buy a battery, if it’s wireless buy a wireless card along with the kit.

A web-based control panel for the Raspberry Pis within my network would be super cool as well, as I’d rather not muddle around in Raspbian to make whatever changes are needed. My end-goal is obviously ease-of-use. I’m not interested in building Pis from scratch, hooking up the camera module/board, etc. A kit would be easier.

Long read I know, with lots of specifics. I’m basically just wondering if Pis would be a good fit for my needs.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Nuzzle]

Can anyone help?

[drgeoff]

With one exception, RPis are not really suitable for people who "don't want to muddle around".

(The exception is using it exclusively with OpenElec or OSMC.)

[Nuzzle]

How is the stream quality? I've seen both horrid and very good from the Camera Board Module.