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Amp'ed RF WiFi Camera Module - WFV3918
The WFV3918 from Amp'ed is a small footprint, low cost RF video module, supporting 720p video resolution, both live streaming and SD card storage, with up to 300m range line-of-sight (5Ghz band). Easily accessible via the VLC mobile app, the WFV3918 can be used to transmit video and audio remotely from your next project!
This module combines an HD camera sensor with the ACC1340, Amp'ed's fully integrated WiFi Radio single chip solution, and the AK3918E HD IP Camera SoC. It also includes a MEMS microphone and speaker output.
We have 2 version's of the board in stock currently, a version with a button and one without. The product page and photos reflect the version without the button. If you do receive the version with the button please go to https://www.ampedrftech.com/prod_vm.php to find the proper documentation for this version
- Hardware
- WiFi: ACC1340
- CPU: AK3918E
- 25mm x 45mm
- MEMS microphone
- Speaker output
- Video
- 1280x720P, 25 FPS
- H.264/MJPEG encoding
- WLAN
- 802.11a/b/g/n
- High Band: 5GHz (2.4GHz optional)
- Output Power, +24dBm for 5GHz
- WiFi Direct
- Soft Access Point
- Security: WPAI/WPA2, AES, WEP
- 300m line-of-sight range
Amp'ed RF WiFi Camera Module - WFV3918 Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels
Comments
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Customer Reviews
3.5 out of 5
Based on 2 ratings:
Tried twice. Won't work.
I tried the setup procedure per the documentation but it failed to work. I exchanged it for another one, same problem. I contacted the manufacturer and they are sending me an updated unit. Hopefully it will work. They said the 3-cell battery pack is too low in voltage, and all the newer units they are producing have a 4-cell pack. Also the unit doesn't match the documentation. SW1 is non-existent. Sparkfun has old stock. Make sure it has the 4-cell pack before you buy it.
Good camera for the money
The WiFi feature works well. Good image quality and range when hooked up with my iPhone. I have been using it as a second point of view hooking up my camping trailer. The image latency trough the VLC software is too much to for backing the trailer but the EasyPlayerRTSP that AmpedRF recommended worked fast enough.
The flex cable for the camera is easily damaged at the board. I built a simple camera holder to protect the cable and doubled it back to the back of the board. Disconnect the camera If you are handling the board at all. The sooner you mount the camera, board and battery into a holder the better. Add some stress relief on the power plug while you are at it so you don't rip the wires out at the plug.
I have had excellent support from AmpedRF by email. They have helped me turn on the record to micro SD function, do firmware update and even sold me a new camera at a reasonable price when I damaged the flex cable (hence the advice).
The data sheet is terse, to say the least. Can this be configured to join an existing WiFi network, instead of running on its own?
The data sheet has been updated to hold more info and their is a 2nd supporting document that explains how to configure for an existing Wi-Fi network. https://www.ampedrftech.com/appnotes/WFV3918_mode_selection_app_note.pdf
Thanks for linking... I added it to our documentation tab.
Since there has been a bunch of updates within a short time span... for the most up-to-date documentation, please double check the product page on the manufacturer website https://www.ampedrftech.com/prod_wf.php and select the WFV3918 product.
Had issue with 1-2 second lag in the video stream using VLC player on Windows 10 laptop. Amp'ed support responded quickly after they saw I was trying to send them a message. Turns out the preferences in VLC player needed to be changed (Tools->preferences->Inputs/Codecs->Default Caching Policy->Lowest Latency). Now the latency is about half. There is also an http interface for configuration so you don't have to use USB which seems to need a serial converter to work.
Great tip.
To amplify the previous comments--the documentation on this is poor. The delivered package has no documentation with the device, just a postcard with a QRS code--scan it and it just takes you to the same documentation here on the Sparkfun site. Just clicking around on the downloaded app, it was easy to get streaming video that works very well--good resolution picture with a connection that doesn't rely on some hosted WiFi connection. But how do I get it to record video and audio? I put in an SD card, hoping that some functionality would be enabled on the VLC app--but no, nothing. To answer several previous questions, I see no way for it to join an existing WiFi network--the connection is an independent local one, direct from the camera device to your phone or tablet device.
This SD card feature will be switched on soon - please check back for a firmware update to enable this feature.
I have the same question as saccade. The datasheet is bare bones. It is not clear that this can be configured to join a wifi network. Can it? The datasheet only describes a direct connection via its soft access point.
Check the new data sheet and 2nd supporting document on changing networks. It's supported in the product. https://www.ampedrftech.com/appnotes/WFV3918_mode_selection_app_note.pdf
I cannot get this to work. Can attach at 192.168.60.20, but how to get video? the magic incantation doesn't work.
Are you typing in HTTP when it should be rtsp://192.168.60.1/main_ch
Link to datasheet not working...
@tangobravo, thank you for passing this along! The datasheet link has been fixed. Happy reading and happy hacking!