FreeTrack Forum

hi all,

i descided to give freetrack a go.
before i started modifying and breaking the cam, i wanted to do a simple test setup with white LEDs in a dark room, to get a general idea about the software and to check cam-compatibility.

amazingly i discovered that (once i flat-filed the ultrabright 5mm white LEDs) i got *perfect* tracking even in daylight conditions.
i have a window (curtains) behind me and a 75W bulb in view ~3m behind - and i get perfekt tracking (all 3 tracking indicators stay green all the time, no problems ^^)

this worked with 2 different cams:

a very cheap, old "Creative Live! Cam Notebook Pro (VF0250)"
and a quite high-end "Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD"

(i had to dismiss the creative because of driver-problems once a game was launched, it acted totally weird and useless then. however inside the freetrack-setup-app i got perfect tracking with it)

the microsoft cam works perfectly!

btw, i ripped the white LEDs from a cheap flashlight that you can get in any hardware-store. you might find a 9LED model for ~5$, that is enough for 3 tracking-devices

so, if you find matching IR-LEDs hard to purchase, you might give it a try with common white ones

btw, you can use your tracking-cap as a headlight if needed ,-)

glad to hear of your success! i think its cheaper to buy LEDs from component stores/ebay tho, you can easily get 50-100+ LEDs for £5, i would imagine you would get a similar amount for $5 (seeing how everything in the UK is so ridiculously overpriced)  

i'm in the EU, it's overpriced here too ,-) you're absolutely right, there are cheaper LEDs out there.. but: working with visible-light white LEDs is the way to go for "i have 3 hours off, do it now or do it .. ummm.." types like me :P

i know about freetrack for ages, but purchasing IR LEDs online (no shop near) and waiting days for them and breaking a webcam always kept me from starting the projekt..
now, this time i was to desperate and just took what i had at home, or could easily buy around the corner.. and, see see, it worked

i'm just writing this to encourage folks to try this out even without IR-LEDs and cam-mods.. it's even easier than they say ,-)

i know what you mean, i am only waiting for resistors to arrive now, i didn't realise but I ordered them from a Chinese seller so i am foaming at the mouth with impatience waiting for them to arrive  

You should include some pics of what you did to your lights

I am also using my unmodified webcam (Microsoft VX-6000) and white leds.... only modified the webcam settings... and it works perfect... 30fps