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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Alarms, Phones, Aerials, CCTV & Datacomms >> webcam as security camera https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1231599505 Message started by scotspark on Jan 10^th, 2009, 2:58pm

Title: webcam as security camera
Post by scotspark on Jan 10^th, 2009, 2:58pm

I want to cover a room with a camera that operates if anyone enters

is it possible to get a plug in camera (like a webcam) that will start recording when movement is detected?????????

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by CWatters on Jan 10^th, 2009, 4:22pm

Certainly. Many webcams come with motion detection and recording software of some sort. Check the specs.

MPEG video compression actually works by recording just the parts of a picture that are changing - so adding motion detection isn't that hard for them to do.

Ideally you want the system set up to email video clips off site. Otherwise if the crook steals the computer he takes the evidence as well.

See this story..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/4272041.stm

One thing to note is that the quality of the picture recorded is sometimes pretty poor when using cheap webcams in poor lighting. The system in that news article above used a video camera not a web cam. Try a cheap webcam and see what happens. Googling will find you clips from other peoples cameras so you can see what's possible with specific cameras. If the results aren't good enough try pointing the camera directly at the doorway.

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by CWatters on Jan 10^th, 2009, 4:36pm

I can't vouch for the quality but for <£10 here is a camera with motion detection...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320315667016&cguid=c94599fc11c0a0e2044282e2ffb9e8ab

Tempting to play with something like that, download free recording software to try out - then upgrade to a better system when you know the problems.

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by Zambezi on Jan 10^th, 2009, 9:53pm

You could also use something like this PIR camera that records movement onto a SD card...
http://www.spycatcheronline.co.uk/memory-camera-p-334.html

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by londonman on Jan 11^th, 2009, 9:39am

Or indeed use something like this which delivers your captured video elsewhere and safe from sticky fingered thieves.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews73003.html

And I just happen to have a couple that I want to sell at a really low low price !

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by scotspark on Jan 11^th, 2009, 3:30pm

cheers guys

zam that looks great but a bit expensive for what i want to do

londonman it doesnt seem a very good review for that dlink

how much you looking for inc p&p??

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by Zambezi on Jan 11^th, 2009, 6:30pm

SS you may find them cheaper, I just linked to the first one I found on Google. Try eBay, CCTV stuff is cheap as chips...

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by londonman on Jan 11^th, 2009, 9:18pm

Read the review. Depends on his definition of 'I know a lot about computers'. Clearly he didn't! It is capable of doing an awful lot and is streets ahead of a puny webcam. For example as long as you have an internet connection (and it can be wireless) you can view your camera from anywhere in the world and from any PC. You don't need a PC at home either as it has a webserver built into it. It can send pictures to an email address plus loads more. But may be overkill for what you want to do.

Title: Re: webcam as security camera
Post by scotspark on Jan 11^th, 2009, 9:53pm

depends how much your looking for???????

can pm me if you prefer