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CommentAuthorBill
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2008
I want to install a few webcam's around the house. I've often wondered what kind of mischief my dogs are getting into while I'm at work. I also want to be able to check on the house when I'm on vacation. The wifes a bit nervous about leaving the kids in charge of her dogs (feel free to substitute babies for dogs. I'm sure she does).
The thing is I haven't any real idea what to look for, other than price. The more expensive the better quality or so you'd think. I'm not sure if what I want is actually a web cam or maybe surveillance cameras. I want to set up high in a corner or on a book shelf and pick up most of a room. I'd like to run 4, 3 in house and 1 at the entry to the house.
Any suggestions would be welcome. -
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CommentAuthorLolly
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2008
You probably want a CCTV system with remote access - try http://www.iviewcameras.co.uk/
They sell PCI cards with cameras and remote access software. It's not cheap, though. You might try getting cameras with direct LAN access and setting up a web server to access them instead.
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CommentAuthorBill
- CommentTimeFeb 20th 2008
the web cameras are by far cheaper. The trade offs in picture quality and night vision. For in house I'll probably go web and out side cctv.
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- CommentAuthorMike
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
I think setting it up with webcams would be extremely difficult and fiddly and not neccessarily any cheaper than a dedicated CCTV system - a good webcam is about £45 and your wanting 5/6, so thats £270 just for the cameras. Also, they'd be relying on constant running of several computers, something we're really not supposed to do these days.
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CommentAuthorSpode
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008 edited
I'm toying with the idea of setting something up myself, to monitor my front door. Simplest thing for me to do would be a USB extension lead - I think you can go up to 25m without repeating. Otherwise I might consider an ethernet camera and use ethernet over power.
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CommentAuthorLolly
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
Posted By: Mike
I think setting it up with webcams would be extremely difficult and fiddly and not neccessarily any cheaper than a dedicated CCTV system - a good webcam is about £45 and your wanting 5/6, so thats £270 just for the cameras. Also, they'd be relying on constant running of several computers, something we're really not supposed to do these days.
Or you can just plug them all into the same computer.
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CommentAuthorSpode
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
You can buy PCI Cards that take composite cameras, so you are essentially setting up a dedicated CCTV system. Loads of people do that. I imagine most CCTV systems are just embedded machines with one of these in anyway!
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- CommentAuthorMike
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
Posted By: Lolly
Posted By: Mike
I think setting it up with webcams would be extremely difficult and fiddly and not neccessarily any cheaper than a dedicated CCTV system - a good webcam is about £45 and your wanting 5/6, so thats £270 just for the cameras. Also, they'd be relying on constant running of several computers, something we're really not supposed to do these days.
Or you can just plug them all into the same computer.
But then you could only position them the same distance away, you'd need a hell of a lot of extension leads etc.
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CommentAuthorSpode
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
Surely any CCTV system you're going to have to cable them in?
Most use BNC cabling.
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- CommentAuthorMike
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
True, but I wouldn't have thought web cams would come with very long cables, where as actual CCTV units I'd think have very long cables for various positioning.
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CommentAuthorSpode
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
Up to 25M for USB extending, but with hubs, further.
PCI CCTV cards as mentioned above, use the same BNC cabling...
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CommentAuthorLolly
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
And we are running such a system in our pub/restaurant. 4 cameras, 1 old computer (running an Athlon 700MHz!), Windows 2000 and a 250GB hard drive which will hold 2 weeks' worth of recordings. Total system cost was about £200.
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CommentAuthorSpode
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
I'm with Lolly on this one. A lot of people are going down the same route.
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- CommentAuthorMike
- CommentTimeFeb 29th 2008
Go for it, I was just bringing up some issues I thought worth mentioning!
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CommentAuthorBill
- CommentTimeMar 1st 2008
The network camera arrived today. It uses an rj45 cable to hook up to the router, from there to the computer. It can be accessed on your laptop or even your cell phone. I don't have time tonight but I'll set it up tomorrow and let you know how it works.
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CommentAuthorSpode
- CommentTimeMar 1st 2008
How much did you pay for it Bill?
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CommentAuthorBill
- CommentTimeMar 2nd 2008
The camera ran $80.00, I've been a little busier than I'd hoped so have not installed yet. Yes change it, I never paid attention to it. thanks
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CommentAuthorBill
- CommentTimeMar 2nd 2008
I installed the camera in less than half an hour. The camera itself is in the kitchen area up in the doorway. It's an extended archway with a small ledge. The wiring is exposed and a little ugly but I will run it in the wall when I start the living room remodel. I wasn't able to do the full install, I need to talk to tech support at ATT, I used the router that runs our computers. I'm able to access the camera from all the computers in house. Once I work the access issue out I'll be hosted elsewhere and able to access it by remote. Cell phone or any computer with IE on it.
The picture quality is ok, the motions a bit jerky but over all what I expected. I like what I got for my money. I will definitely buy a couple more. -
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