What if you could check your jobsite in real time, without the cost and energy drain of streaming?
On-demand photo access delivers exactly that.
Most teams think live video gives them better visibility - but here’s the bottom line: Live view might look impressive, but it’s rarely necessary. For most field needs, such as checking progress, confirming deliveries, or verifying safety compliance, live video is overkill. This post compares live streaming/live view vs on-demand photo access to help project leaders choose the most effective and efficient method.
Both have distinct differences in power usage, data consumption, and operating costs. CamDo’sDataLensoffers on-demand photo capture because it meets visibility needs while avoiding the overhead of continuous streaming.
Compare Costs/Benefits:
|
Feature |
Live Streaming |
On-Demand (DataLens) |
|
Setup Cost |
$5,000+ |
Under $1,000 |
|
Operating Cost |
$6,000+/year |
$1,500/year |
|
Data Usage |
300+ GB/month |
~5 GB/month |
|
Power Use |
Always-on, high |
Ultra-low, solar-ready |
|
Use Case Fit |
Control rooms |
Field monitoring, progress checks |
- Teams often assume live streaming is necessary
- Most tasks don’t need continuous video
- Compare on-demand vs. live view/streaming
- Focus: data, power, and setup trade-offs
- CamDo’s DataLens uses on-demand for efficiency
Live view and live streaming both push images or video from the camera to the cloud on a schedule or continuously. While 24/7 live view sounds ideal, it drains your budget and your batteries. Streaming a single site in HD can chew through 300+ GB of data monthly, burning $299–$499/month and requiring constant power. And for what? Most teams don’t need minute-by-minute footage, just up-to-date proof of progress.
On-Demand Photo Access: Control Without Overhead
Overview
- Image captured only when the user requests
- ~2–3 MB per image; <6 GB/month
- Monthly costs: $59 to $159
- Minimal power use; sleeps between requests
- Ideal for low-bandwidth and solar-powered sites
CamDo DataLens: Built for the Field
DataLens uses this smarter method, on-demand 4K photos, combined with built-in cellular. It’s fast, simple, and field-proven.
What You Get:
- 4K camera with cellular already built-in
- Works anywhere, no Wi-Fi, no modem
- Captures & uploads images in under 30 seconds
- Uses under 5 GB/month in data
- Priced under $1,000
Whether you're managing five sites or fifty, DataLens gives you visibility on demand, without live streaming's cost or complexity.
Ready to Cut Costs Without Sacrificing Visibility?
✅ Plug-and-play install
✅ Instant 4K images from the field
✅ Under $1,000
FAQs
Q: Does CamDo DataLens support live video streaming?
A: No. DataLens uses on-demand photo capture to provide immediate site visibility with lower cost and power requirements.
Q: How fast does on-demand photo upload?
A: Images typically upload and display in 10–30 seconds after the user request, depending on signal strength.
Q: Can I use DataLens on remote or solar-powered sites?
A: Yes. But check with your cellular provider for signal strength for remote locations.
Q: How much data does on-demand photo access use?
A: Typical usage ranges between 1 and 6 GB per month, depending on how frequently users request images.
Q: Is scheduled image capture available with DataLens?
A: Yes. DataLens supports both scheduled and on-demand image capture for flexible site visibility.
Q: Can I create time-lapse videos with DataLens?
A: Yes. It captures high-resolution 4K images at regular intervals for seamless time-lapse generation.
Q: Do I need Wi-Fi or an external modem to use DataLens?
A: No. DataLens includes a built-in SIM and cellular modem for direct cloud uploads.
Q: What’s included in the DataLens system price?
A: The full system includes the camera, cellular connectivity, and access to the CloudX platform, all under $1,000.
Q: How many sites can I monitor at once with CloudX?
A: CloudX supports multiple devices. Users can monitor several jobsites from a single dashboard.
Q: Is on-demand access limited to business hours or weekdays?
A: No. You can request images 24/7 from any connected device.
