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  • Author Author: doctorcdf
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Pi NoIR and Catch Santa Challenge

doctorcdf

Table of contents

The Raspberry Pi NoIR Camera Module is a custom designed add-on for Raspberry Pi that does not have an 'IR cut filter' installed.image Like the regular Pi camera, it attaches to Raspberry Pi by way of one of the two small sockets on the board upper surface. This interface uses the dedicated CSI interface, which was designed especially for interfacing to cameras. The CSI bus is capable of extremely high data rates, and it exclusively carries pixel data.
The board is tiny, at around 25mm x 20mm x 9mm. It also weighs just over 3g, making it perfect for mobile or other applications where size and weight are important. It connects to Raspberry Pi by way of a short ribbon cable. The camera is connected to the BCM2835 processor on the Pi via the CSI bus, a higher bandwidth link which carries pixel data from the camera back to the processor. This bus travels along the ribbon cable that attaches the camera board to the Pi.
The sensor itself has a native resolution of 5 megapixels, and has a fixed focus lens onboard. In terms of still images, the camera is capable of 2592 x 1944 pixel static images, and also supports 1080p30, 720p60 and 640x480p60/90 video.
The Bundle & the Challenge
For the purposes of this "RoadTest Plus", we have bundled the Pi NoIR camera with these other products:image
  • Raspberry Pi 8 GB Bundle with NOOBS
  • Wi-Pi Wifi Networking Module
  • PiFace Control & Display
  • Carbon Fibre Enclosures for both the camera and PiFace Control & Display.
This bundle represents an ideal package for anyone assembling a "Catch Santa Project", i.e. a low-light camera which will capture the activities of December 24th's most famous nocturnal visitor.  Enrolees for this test should sketch out their plans for how to use these components in assembling such a system in their application.
The selected RoadTesters should provide the following:
  • A standard RoadTest Review of the Pi NoIR camera
  • A blog post (in the Raspberry Pi Projects group) about their "Santa Catcher": build and set up.
  • A video of "Santa caught in the act".  The film should be based on footage shot with the Pi NoIR and also posted on Raspberry Pi Projects community; appropriate software may be used for post-production editing.
The RoadTester who provides the best combination of these elements by January 13, 2014, will receive a Grand Prize.
Second Chance
Even if you aren't picked as one of our RoadTesters, you can still enter the challenge: merely purchase your own Raspberry Pi and Pi NoIR, blog on the Raspberry Pi Projects group about your "Santa Catcher" using these products, and submit your film by January 13, 2014.
Terms & Conditions
  • Testers will be selected on the basis of quality of applications: we expect a full and complete description of why you want to test this particular product and your approach for meeting the requirements of the challenge.
  • Testers are required to produce a full, comprehensive and well thought out review of the PiNoIR camera, we also expect a minimum of 1 blog posts about the "Santa Catcher" in the Raspberry Pi Projects area of element14 and a video as per the brief above. These elements are due by January 13, 2014.
  • Failure to provide the review, blog and film within the above timescale may result in the enrolee being excluded from future Road Tests.
Comment List
Anonymous
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  • Good morning -
    Firstly, a big thank you for the many detailed, thoughtful applications that have been sent in.  Indeed, we've had so many that we've expanded the number of challengers from 5 to 7.  After careful consideration, we have selected the following applicants for this RoadTest Challenge:
    • Mark Beckett
    • Greg Fenton
    • Bert Freeman
    • Gerrit Polder
    • Frederick Vandenbosch
    • Jason Wier
    • Eric Willson
    I am pleased to announce that John Alexander will kindly be providing technical support through the challenge; please direct any questions to this discussion thread.
    Many thanks to all who applied; I encourage those who weren't successful this time to apply again. Happy Holidays.
    Best Regards, Christian
  • in reply to doctorcdf

    Thanks for selecting me image

    I will try to catch Santa in the act, but I am unsure whether I am on the naughty list image

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