Panda Cam: Why No Audio?
Posted at 4:58 pm December 13, 2005 by site admin“Why doesn’t the Panda Cam have audio?” It’s a question that many of our Panda Cam fans have wondered (not to mention posting it on our blogs). I know, I know…the National Zoo’s panda cam has audio and, admittedly, it’s pretty cool to be able to hear Tai Shan and his mom vocalize while interacting. Believe me, we’ve wrestled with this question ever since Panda Cam went live in 1999. It’s not for lack of desire or ability that we haven’t provided audio. But to do so would come with a trade-off. Let me explain.
The video that we stream live is a little different than the video you see at the National Zoo site, which uses Microsoft’s Windows Media Player encoded stream. Our system uses a unique streaming process provided by our streaming partner, Camzone, which allows us to provide live video streaming without the necessity of a proprietary plug-in such as Windows Media Player or Real Player or Quick Time installed on your computer. To us, that was and still is a huge consideration in making the Panda Cam (as well as our Polar, Ape, and Elephant cams) accessible to as wide a range of our site visitors, regardless of operating system platform or Web browser.
Now, with that in mind, the Camzone system allows us to stream video at a higher quality and it allows everyone to experience the same quality, regardless of connection speed. This frees us up from having to employ multiple encoders to accommodate different connection speeds (which, with our Web site traffic, can get costly). So, a person who has a dial-up connection isn’t penalized in terms of picture quality just because they don’t have broadband access (the motion may be a bit slower but the quality will be the same).
That’s all very well and good, you’re saying. But why can’t you get audio of Bai Yun and Su Lin? Simply put, if we were to incorporate audio with the Panda Cam video, we would have to switch to traditional streaming methods, meaning likely using Windows Media Player, we would have to install multiple encoders to accommodate the different bitrates, you would be required to install up-to-date plug-ins, and the picture quality would suffer. Oh, and did I mention, you would have to encounter the dreaded “buffering” interruption, given our heavy traffic. Yep, now that I mention it, you’ll notice how none of our Web cams buffer while streaming. Another benefit of our system.
Another added benefit to our foregoing audio is that we are able to offer you the two popular Panda Cam features, the postcard image capture and e-mail, and the time-lapse video. Switching to more traditional streaming would mean we couldn’t offer these two features, and that wouldn’t sit well with our friends on the East Coast and in Europe who use the time-lapse feature to catch up on things.
So, those are the reasons why we don’t offer audio with Panda Cam or our other live cams. We just don’t feel we should sacrifice the ease and quality of viewing that you all have come to expect when you come to our site. But streaming technology continues to move forward, and we’re working with our partners at Camzone to try and come up with more interactive features, while at the same time keep the operation cost-effective for us and for you.
Because some of the best things in life are, indeed, free.
Happy viewing.
Inigo Figuracion is the Web manager for the San Diego Zoo.
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December 13th, 2005 at 5:20 pm
As an Apple user without Windows Media Player, I thank you very much for your choice!
December 13th, 2005 at 5:36 pm
I love being able to do the postcards. I have many pics of Su Lin growing up, and her and her mother’s interaction that is much more valuable to me!!!!
Deb
December 13th, 2005 at 5:41 pm
Thank you so much for the very clear and logical explanation, Inigo. When I feel the need for audio, I click on the videos of Su Lin’s exams, and have been able to hear numerous vocalizations. I’m so grateful for the PandaCams and the others as well. My biggest thrill, actually, is when I’m on the ElephantCam and get to see baby Moose carefully following his mother up a welll-beaten track!
December 13th, 2005 at 5:46 pm
I’ve often wondered why there was no audio, because I, too, would like to her Bai Yun and Su Lin interacting with each other. But thanks for listing what we’d have to sacrifice in order to get audio. . .I’m happy with it just the way it is!
)
December 13th, 2005 at 6:01 pm
Thank you so much for this information – and for giving us the overall best quality and features available. I notice a huge difference in the image quality at SDZ over NZ, especially in the indoor areas where the moms and cubs still spend a lot of their time, and I love the postcard and time lapse features. I agree, the best things in life are free. Thanks again to all the staff at SDZ for allowing us such great access to the pandas, and to other critters, too.
December 13th, 2005 at 6:08 pm
Thanks for taking the time to explain this to us. I wouldn’t trade the time-lapse loops for sound. Sometimes that’s the only way I get to see the ” action” , since I’m on the East coast and Su Lin apparently likes to play during ” my” night time.
I did just look at some clips of Mei Sheng’s early days, and there’s enough sound on those videos! He was quite the little noise-maker!
December 13th, 2005 at 6:13 pm
Thanks for the explanation. I actually understand a little of it! But I get that there are trade offs, and instead of sound we get postcards, time-lapse, no buffering pauses and better quality pictures. You and the Panda staff have been remarkably responsive to the flood of questions, advice, and wishes from out here in cyberspace, and creative about finding other ways to let us hear Bai Yun and Su Lin — not to mention changing Su Lin’s photos regularly and getting the video and slide shows of her exams on the web so quickly, and keeping the blog responses posted. That’s the important stuff, of course (!!) but I bet someone somewhere is expecting you do equally well about other areas of the zoo?? I’m sooo thankful to be able to see the Pandas just any old time I choose. Someday when we can hear your pandas — then could you work on a way I could reach out and scratch Su Lin behind the ears, from Ohio? Looking forward to it!
December 13th, 2005 at 6:32 pm
I, personally, value the time line feature well above having sound. I also appreciate the ability to always having access and not timing out.
December 13th, 2005 at 6:43 pm
Thank you for explaining the reasons for not having audio. I appreciate that you took the time to tell us and the reasons why it’s in our best interest currently. The picture quality on the San Diego Zoo Panda Cam is better and it’s very nice to have the time-lapse feature. Not having to add plug-ins means fewer chances for people to have problems on their computers. You really have thought this through and it works for me. (;-) Keep up the good work!
December 13th, 2005 at 6:51 pm
Well, It don’t matter to me:)! All I can hear is WHoossfdfshl from the Nzp Cam!
December 13th, 2005 at 7:02 pm
Thank you for answering our questions about ‘why no audio?’. Personally, I really enjoy the postcard and time-lapse features. Perhaps some day we’ll have those features and audio, as well. In the meantime, thanks for the opportunity to watch our beloved pandas. This, in itself, is miraculous!!
December 13th, 2005 at 7:19 pm
In reference to the different types of panda cams I vote to DC all the way round. I watch the cam in SanDiego and its like watching slo-mo. I still haven’t been able to figure out if a person can enlarge the video like you can do from DC. The enlarged pictures and sound make a person feel so much closer to the little one in DC. Also I’ve been trying to figure out why the dens are so different or is this because of the different types of cams? San Diego’s den is so small and mom often obstructs the view. I vote for DC.
December 13th, 2005 at 7:24 pm
This gives me an opportunity to say thank you for allowing me to watch our little pandas grow and interact with their world. I am one of those stubborn old computer users that avoid sites that force feed certain proprietary software to me as though I am unable to know what I like and trust . Sites that use computer technicians that truly know their stuff allow for a variety of browsers and operating systems and I have held you and your technicians in the highest esteem from the beginning. The old saying is ” If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” . In other words don’t change a thing. Audio is not needed to understand what your eyes are seeing. Thanks again for the pleasure you bring into my life and your no-nonsense approach. Julie Benson in the heart of Alaska.
December 13th, 2005 at 7:25 pm
We ooh and ahh about the babies, we admire the wonderful mothers, we envy the keepers and vets who are lucky enough to get to spend so much time with these wonderful creatures. We sometimes appear to forget that there are people that make the webcam and the blogs a reality for us. The web developers, editors, managers and such are just as important to us as all the other non-pandas. You guys make this seamless, you make it possible and you are an important part of making us pandamaniacs both happy and united in a common love. Thank you.
You’re very welcome!!
December 13th, 2005 at 7:37 pm
Thanks very much for the explanation! Even though I personally think NZ’s Windows Media streaming has better video quality, I do like the fact that at work our firewall blocks all streaming video but SDZ’s Camzone video can still come through! I hope my sysadm will never find out, hehe. So during the workday I tune in to SDZ’s panda cam, and when I get home, I let the NZ panda cams run on my PC, but check the SDZ cam reguarly. (But here in New England, Verizon DSL stinks!)
December 13th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
I guess everything has tradeoffs. I LOVE the snap-a-picture feature of Camzone. On the other hand, I have to say that the video quality of Tai Shan I get (with Real Player) from animal.discovery.com is much better than that of Camzone. Nevertheless, having anything is way better than having nothing.
Thank you for all your efforts and please keep up with the good work.
December 13th, 2005 at 10:01 pm
Thank you for the explaination of the broadcast differences! I’ve watched since Hua Mei was tiny and do not need to hear the cries..the replay and e-mail very much make up for the vocals! I adopted Bai Yun from a form at The Nature Company when I worked there in ‘93 or so.. I’m the very proud GrandPandagrammie of Hua Mei’s little ones!!! And these later 2 have been a thrill!!
December 13th, 2005 at 11:16 pm
Thanks for the explanation. I, for one, would much rather see a clearer picture than listen to audio. I can always use my imagination for the panda talk! This web cam is much more reliable than the NZ and clearer, even though I have broadband the quality is not always good on the NZcam. I think the best thing is that a few years back nobody could see these cubs grow from thousands of miles away,we had to wait for media coverage on them, so to be able to see these amazing animals grow just by watching your monitor is fantastic, keep up the great work!
Joanne U.K.
December 14th, 2005 at 12:19 am
I knew nothing about pandas before I downloaded the Panda widget which is available for Mac users. Ever since then I’ve enjoyed the company of your pandas on my dashboard, and at some point I started to read your blog as well. I am very grateful that you have given me this opportunity both to watch and to learn. Had your streaming been more complicated to access I would probably never have seen it. Thanks for choosing something that is for all to see
Lene
December 14th, 2005 at 5:12 am
Well put, Inigo! Thank you for your expert explanation so we can understand. I enjoy ALL the webcams – from National to Memphis – Atlanta to San Diego. It’s a Pandarific world out there and I aim to not miss a step of these wonderful creatures. Thanks for all that you do, I, for one, have no complaints! (except, can someone please try and keep the camera ON the pandas!!! lol! yesterday I had fun staring at a tree stump for about 5 minutes.) oh, the indignity of it all. What else am I going to do when it’s -4 degrees outside??
December 14th, 2005 at 5:19 am
Yesterday, I caught a precious moment of audio at NZ which is why I dream of it for SDZ. Tai vocally fussed several times at his mom about breakfast. Seems the portions were too small. Time for the big boy to figure out that bamboo is not just for entertainment.
December 14th, 2005 at 6:44 am
Since I’m watching the pandas at both zoos at WORK, I’ve got my audio turned off anyway. Audio would be nice, but then everyone around me would know how addicted I am to these guys! I say, ” Panda viewing for everyone!”
December 14th, 2005 at 6:46 am
I enjoy watching all the zoo cams as I would not be able to see the pandas at all as I live in the UK. It is nice to have audio but the bears are worth watching with or without sound. I do not have my own computer and have to rely on using PCs in the library and sometimes these develop faults and don’t interact with the various things on offer like web cams etc. I find that lately I am having difficulty accessing the San Diego cams frequently. I get messages saying ” Microsoft has encountered an error and needs to close” . I thought I would report this to you as well as to my local library. There has also been problems with printing pictures and postcards from the cams.
December 14th, 2005 at 6:48 am
I would just like to say that the timelapse is invaluable to those of us in Europe who have limited access to the site due to the time differences etc. Thanks for providing this service.
December 14th, 2005 at 7:16 am
Thanks so much for the explanation about the cam. I love the postcard feature and wished that the NZ had that but we get postcards on one cam and sound on the other. I think that’s fair. Both cams (SDZ and NZ) are wonderful in their own way and I for one love both of them and what they give me: access to pandas. Isn’t life grand.
December 14th, 2005 at 7:23 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the absolutely amazing cams. Please stay with Camzone. The image is always perfect. I have trouble viewing the National Zoo, poor quality picture, being shut out or buffering stops. I appreciate your decision to offer better quality to more people without interuption, the postcard option and the time lapse. Thank you again.
December 14th, 2005 at 7:43 am
I must tell you that you have the BEST cam. It is very hard to see any of the National Zoo’s cams as there is so much traffic – and this is all the time.
Thanks for the great job! I love Su Lin and can’t wait to come and visit her as I’ve watched her since she was born and she is a big part of my daily life! She makes me smile often and fills my heart with joy!
December 14th, 2005 at 8:13 am
Thank you for that explanation. I am so glad you have your own system, as I have an older MAC and cannot use Microsoft Windows so am unable to watch the Pandas at the NZ..I can, however, watch them on Real Player…but, of course, do get the buffering there. Your system is much clearer for me..and I would very much miss Bai Yun and Su Lin if I could not see them. I also would have missed Bai and Mei Sheng, and I did learn so much from that wonderful experience.
Thank you for keeping PandaCam as it is….a wonderful and enjoyable learning experience about the beautiful and much-loved Pandas.
December 14th, 2005 at 8:20 am
Hi!
I enjoy the pandacam very much and follow with joy the evolution of Su Lin. As a linux user I am often dissapointed by only-windows-friendly webpages. I find it very nice that you go for reasonable quality for all (including also those with slow connections) rather than luxury for a few. Thank you very much for the great job and best regards from Berlin.
Maria
December 14th, 2005 at 8:50 am
Thanks for the detailed breakdown!
Although I’ve also wondered before why you guys don’t have audio, I’ve been so happy just HAVING PandaCam to watch!! Both the SD and DC zoo sites are great in their own ways and I’m not complainin’!!
By the way – did everyone see our precious little girl today??? She’s OUTSIDE! And she’s a gloriously dirty little ragamuffin!
So happy to see the little ‘brown’ fluffball waddling around outside…our little girl is finally going on her own adventures. And how big she’s gotten! Hooray baby girl – you go!
December 14th, 2005 at 9:10 am
Thanks for all the information on Panda cam, and all you do to make it so enjoyable to watch. Like today–when it clearly looks like Su Lin has already been having fun rolling around outside.
December 14th, 2005 at 9:51 am
First of all, thank you so much for everything you do for all of us ” pandaholics” all over the world! I wouldn’t trade all the features you provide to have audio. Besides, I remember reading that pandas generally don’t vocalize very much anyway. I’m just thrilled to be able to watch the San Diego and DC pandas whenever I want! They help me get through my day.
December 14th, 2005 at 10:00 am
Absolutely no complaints from me! What you offer us is amazing! I am so grateful for the chance to visit both babies, their devoted moms and all their stages of development. I really know nothing about what makes things work in cyberspace, but I have my personal ” geek squad” in my son and grandson. I love being able to send a postcard and viewing a steady stream of the action wherever it may occur. Thank you so much for your explanation and all the thoughtfulness that you have put into what we see and why–Keep up the wonderful work!! Everything you do brings enjoyment to so many people each and every day! Luv to You All, Judy J
December 14th, 2005 at 5:26 pm
Thanks Inigo for the explanation! The current Pandacam is fantastic. I listen to the audio of the cams in DC and for the most part there isn’t anything worth listening to. There are RARE occasions when Mei and Tai vocalize but for the most part all you can hear is static or background noise (i.e. the construction). And about ” buffering” , it is very annoying even with a fast connection. PLEASE don’t change your format to Windows Media Player. I would much rather have the opportunity to freeze frame a photo and email it than listen to static or other environmental sounds instead of the Pandas – I bet you would be able to hear the comments of visitors instead of the pandas (ugh!). The only place audio would work would be in the den area but the audio sacrifice is just fine because I would rather have the ability to save a cute image of the pandas anyday!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE CREATED A FANTASTIC WEBSITE!
p.s. speaking of the ability to take snapshots – Bai Yun was carrying Su Lin everywhere this afternoon and even climbed up to her favorite perch in the tree WITH Su Lin!!! Bai Yun then climbed down with Su Lin in her mouth and sat holding her just like we humans do with our own babies!!! I had to save these images and would not have been able to if you didn’t have the ability to make a snapshot!
December 15th, 2005 at 3:51 am
I know you can’t have streamed sound, but I was wondering if it would be possible to have more pre-recorded sound on the website, perhaps accessed through a little link under the panda cam? Or pre-recorded with the ‘time lapse’ feature? Or maybe included as an extra along with the other weekly exam videos? I notice on the information pages you already have short recordings, but it would be very fun to hear what each bear sounds like and compare them. Also, if you updated it regularly maybe we could hear the different sounds a cub makes as it gets older, or what noises a bear makes in different scenarios (e.g.; during the mating season). Just a thought, though I appreciate this will be a lot of extra work for you all! What you do for the pandas is already amazing, and being in the UK it’s great to be able to see them 24/7 using this technology. Many thanks, Emma.
December 15th, 2005 at 11:19 am
Or perhaps, Camzone needs to develop a more up-to-date service?…
December 15th, 2005 at 1:33 pm
Hi!…on comment 36…What we get now is fantastic! Where can you get such entertainment and knowledge any time you want it? I watch SDZ & NZ all the time & the only regret I have is not being able to send a Panda gram from NZ. I just love to send them to my kids & Grandkids…& they love receiving them. I am 80 yrs old & the Panda cams fill a very important amount of my time each day. Actually my oldest daughter got me hooked about 2 1/2 yrs ago. Now I don’t know what I would do without those lovely creatures. Thanks for caring for them & keeping us up-to-date on all their activities.
Connie from Michigan
December 15th, 2005 at 3:30 pm
Actually I do take snapshots of the NZ pandas – it just takes a bit more work…but it’s worth it (I use the print screen and then paste to Paint). The two sites have their respective benefits though – no complaints about either sites, just grateful we have the Cams!! Thanks!!
December 16th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Your clear explanation of lack of sound helped me greatly and I say do not sacrifice what we have on this beautiful web site. If it were birds singing I might feel differently, but having seen pandas at the London Zoo, their vocalization leaves much to be expected!
December 22nd, 2005 at 5:12 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about why you don’t have audio… and I applaud you for it. I personally love the snapshots I can take (and have my own collection) as I can send them to my mother in Nebraska and other places to friends around the world. I like aspects of both Panda cams (yours and the National Zoo’s)… of theirs, I like the day-by-day account of what their cub is doing/discovering, and that there are two cams for different angles/locations. But in every other way, I love your site! Your picture is clear, you have past videos of many of your animals, including the birth and development of Su Ling and other pandas, and this blog… these alone get my vote for your site as the best zoo site. Because I live in Washington state and am disabled, and will probably never get to visit either zoo, this is a great alternative for me! Thank you so much!!!!
December 22nd, 2005 at 10:10 pm
Inigo, thankyou for your technical explanation. I really appreciate the chance to ” peek through the window” at all the beautiful animals although I must confess to being a Pandaholic. I applaud the efforts of all zoos who so generously allow us access to these animals which we normally wouldn’t have due to our geographic location. Bless you all for enriching the lives of so many and keep up the great work!!
January 3rd, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Something that would be possible is offering your ZoneCam alongside with a streaming of only the audio. Two seperate streams that run simutaneously.
January 4th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
You can make snapshots of NZ by doing Control+Al+PrintScreen and then Control-V which is paste into a graphic program. I love hearing the sound from NZ web site. I have to say Tai is my first panda love as I’m from DC but Su Lin is a real cutie as well. They are both special. I plan to visit tai this weekend hoping to catch a glimpse of him outside. I’m going to be sad when they go back to china. Have they done studies to see how the mothers will feel to lose their child?