The technology behind the webcam side from November 2000 until August 2004:

For four years I had to live with a small picture of 352 x 288 size. The USB interface didn't transmit greater data sizes. During this time the computer had been attacked several times by viruses. The sharpness had been depending on the outside temperature. The web program had delivered only one to three pictures a day during the last months and then it got out of order, although it had been to transmit 9 pictures. Finally, the pictures became first green and then black. Unstrung, from April 2004 I begun searching for a webcam. 

For the realization of the Samothrace weather webcam a lot of points had to be taken into consideration:

1. Files and data have to be transmitted to the WWW.SAMOTHRAKI.COM host via modem all the time.
2. For the case of a power failure that might arise and which happens rather often here, shall be bypassed with a non interruptible power supply.
3. The web cam shall create a picture of the vicinity hourly, during the day.
4. At night the camera shan't transmit any data.

Die Philips webcam Vesta Pro PCVC 680K ought to take very good pictures according to a test report of the Chip magazine. But after having found different test pictures of different web cams in the internet, in conclusion we have to say that all web cams deliver a more or less bad picture. The given resolution of 800 x 600 is reached by the device only in picture format. While the resolution is given on the packing, the picture information is documented only in the manual. I decided for the  picture format 320x 240, because with this the bad resolution is not that
noticeable. Also a much too short cable which is firmly mounted on the device is annoying. The driver software has a screw loose, too. The web cam forcibly starts with 30 pictures per second. By switching it manually with the software to 5 pictures a second, the pictures become much sharper and the light gain is higher. Unfortunately, Philips couldn't help after having contacted the support in the Netherlands, to change the cam starting immediately with 5 pics/sec. In spite of that, I hope that you are satisfied. I have covered the cam's case with tin foil to protect it against heat (50 degrees Celsius in he sun is nothing unusual) and excess voltage caused by lightning.
The program to provide the pictures is also interesting. During the visit of the sites of www.webcam-center.de I found a choice of some programs, with which I could transfer the produced pictures from the web cam to the internet. After having tested most of them, I decided for Ispy Version 2.0. Unfortunately, someone doesn't only buy the program Ispy at the producer, but also the program Web cam 32. Both of them are a bit tricky. The have a high processor consumption, which means they slow down the PC enormously. Of course not, if there is enough memory and a modern, fast PC. But latter has been too expensive for us. We preferred a second-hand PC and we hope that it will last the longest time possible. After all, the PC runs 24 hours a day, if the technic plays along.         Here's a list with all bought devices for the Samothrace web cam

Additionally to the purchasing costs, monthly running costs of about 100 Euro for current, internet and phone charges have to be taken into consideration. 
As you can see, I spare no expense and pains, to make the Samothrace internet sites more attractive for you. The only thing I am asking for is  an entry in our guest book. Thanks a lot!

But maybe you would like to have a look at our room and hotel offers. Or discover which delicious meals are offered by our restaurants. The owners have financially supported this weather site.

If you like to support us

Here you can see the tests of the web cam and the weather station in chronological order.

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