PiCam Update

After a (4-month) detour writing a web server and playing with GPIO stuff, I have been getting back to the original project which was to make a free-standing web cam.  Last weekend I packed up the pi (complete with its whole GPIO spaghetti tangle) in a small box with the webcam and a 4400mAh cell phone battery (which, in testing, gets me about 6-8 hours of continuous use).  The photo below was taken from in the living room (my wife happened to be in the frame at the time).  

I bungeed the whole setup to the carrier on my bike, set it to record, and took it around the block.  Unfortunately the camera didn't like the sunlight and all of the outdoor footage was whitewashed.  I'm also (still) having trouble with the webcam working reliably with the unpowered USB hub and don't have a way (as of yet) to power my active USB hub remotely.  Once I get the kinks worked out I'll post the bike cam footage.

I did get it to successfully record video inside the house with the powered USB hub, but it's more stunning footage of the ceiling fan.  Truly riveting stuff - before viewing be sure to push back a few feet from the monitor and to hold on to your skull with both hands to keep your mind from being BLOWN RIGHT OUT OF YOUR HEAD.