Multiple camera streaming

[sam1275]

Hello, I'm thinking of put several (maybe 6) cameras on a RC copter to capture the scene all around it, and transfer the real-time image through cellphone network (I prefer EVDO) to me, can the Pi do this? Each camera needn't to be HD but I think VGA will be enough. Please also tell me how if yes.
Thanks.

[redhawk]

Hello, I'm thinking of put several (maybe 6) cameras on a RC copter to capture the scene all around it,

The Pi has only 1 active CSI interface so for 6 Pi Cameras you're going to need 6 Pis as well.
USB webcams will work on Pi with poor fps since the CPU must pull data off USB controller and pump into GPU for encoding not to mention using the same USB controller to communicate with 3G dongle (shared bandwidth).
Speed isn't a problem for Pi Camera since it has direct connection to GPU anyway and doesn't use USB or much CPU at all.

If you need all around vision then perhaps a Pi Camera with a fish eye lens would be a better solution??

and transfer the real-time image through cellphone network (I prefer EVDO) to me, can the Pi do this?

There's no such thing as real-time with digital media, compression and buffering of data always adds latency to playback.
As for 3G technology it's okay but upload speeds are likely to be capped and probably (or not) suitable for one HD video feed (not a problem with 6 Pis and 6 3G dongles though).

Each camera needn't to be HD but I think VGA will be enough. Please also tell me how if yes.
Thanks.

I think your project goal is too high one Pi Camera and 3G dongle is doable in theory although a wifi or ad-hoc wifi connection would fair better than 3G.
Also 3G networks are NAT connections you can communicate out but you're not going to be able to create a listening port (just another problem worth being in mind).

Richard S.

[sam1275]

Hello, I'm thinking of put several (maybe 6) cameras on a RC copter to capture the scene all around it,

The Pi has only 1 active CSI interface so for 6 Pi Cameras you're going to need 6 Pis as well.
USB webcams will work on Pi with poor fps since the CPU must pull data off USB controller and pump into GPU for encoding not to mention using the same USB controller to communicate with 3G dongle (shared bandwidth).
Speed isn't a problem for Pi Camera since it has direct connection to GPU anyway and doesn't use USB or much CPU at all.

If you need all around vision then perhaps a Pi Camera with a fish eye lens would be a better solution??

and transfer the real-time image through cellphone network (I prefer EVDO) to me, can the Pi do this?

There's no such thing as real-time with digital media, compression and buffering of data always adds latency to playback.
As for 3G technology it's okay but upload speeds are likely to be capped and probably (or not) suitable for one HD video feed (not a problem with 6 Pis and 6 3G dongles though).

Each camera needn't to be HD but I think VGA will be enough. Please also tell me how if yes.
Thanks.

I think your project goal is too high one Pi Camera and 3G dongle is doable in theory although a wifi or ad-hoc wifi connection would fair better than 3G.
Also 3G networks are NAT connections you can communicate out but you're not going to be able to create a listening port (just another problem worth being in mind).

Richard S.

Thank you very much for your detailed answer!
I want a all around view so even if it's a wide FOV camera, one is not enough.
A little latency will be okay as long as it doesn't affect my control.
EVDO will be the best choice for me as it have a much better coverage and upload speed compare to others, WIFI won't do the work because of the range limit.
Sam