ESP32-Cam-Simple-Videostream

Features

Pre-configured and easy to use basic videostreaming web page
Capture still image or start a stream
Toggle the flash on and off

Power

For best results have at least 5V/2A input
While connected to WiFi, total power draw hovers around 160-170mA
While streaming, power draw is around 200mA

Instructions

Create a file named WifiCredentials.h and add
```
#define SSID "your-ssid"
#define PASSWORD "your-password"
```
- Alternatively you can fill this info in on lines 8 and 9 in ESP32-cam-simple-videostream.ino
Uncomment the correct board for your use case in the definition section (CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER is selected by default and usually works the best)

Optional

Configure static IP settings starting on line 11
Change clock speed on line 123
Change camera resolution on line 157

Tips and Tricks for Performance

The ESP32-cam is known for having performance issues in the sense of very low FPS. I have found that the trick that helped the most was reducing the clock speed from 20mhz to 8mhz. Most of the problem comes from GPIO0 which acts as both the boot pin and the clock pin. When running at a high clock speed, this pin seems to cause interference and destroys FPS. Reducing the clock speed will lose some video quality, but the FPS will be much better.

The other trick that can help is to use an external WiFi antenna. The onboard WiFi antenna also seems to cause issues with interference, so having an external antenna helps to fix this. Make sure you change the resistor! Information on this

Another trick that some people have had luck with is using aluminum tape as a grounding plane for the noisy clock pin

Sources

Code originally from here (didn't see a gh link): https://www.hackster.io/KDPA/esp32-cam-video-surveillance-smart-camera-7f9a63
- That code is based off this example code: https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/tree/master/libraries/ESP32/examples/Camera/CameraWebServer
WiFi and clock interference