Home Security Question Cameras

[DragonRider]

Looking to hook up a couple security camera's to my computer network, and I don't know where to start. I have a wire and wireless network installed. I have a server with plenty of space and could handle storing camera shots for a number of days before erasing.

I live in the middle unit of a town house. I am looking for 1 camera to cover the front door and walkway, I would like this one to be able to work in lowlight, 1 in back, and 1 inside aimed the length of the townhouse.

Any websites that discuss software or hardware would be appreciated.

John

 

[scromp]

I use some cheap bullet video cameras ($50 or so on ebay) wired into video capture cards in a Linux box. Using v4l (linux kernel video layer) & a program called 'motion' I let the computer watch the front door for motion, and when it detects anything it saves off a movie and optionally notifies me on my cell phone. You can tweak what defines "motion" and how long a clip should be, etc. It works out pretty well unless you have a bunch of windblown bushes in the way or something.. in which case you have to tweak transparency masks to hide the always-moving portions of the frame.

I've got the front door camera hidden in a little decorative wooden birdhouse. If you look at it closely you can totally tell there's a camera in it, but I've never had anyone notice it on their own.

I've also set it up where I can come in with a web browser and stream video off the camera directly (from work or whatever) but that's not even half as useful as the motion detection approach.

 

[dav]

I do my "webcam" software shopping at tucows.

There is a LOT of software available these days. And if you buy a PC webcam from a store, it usually comes with software, too.

Tucows

Video capture cards help ease the load on the PC, but I use USB cams for simplicity.

 

[tommytrauma]

Dragonrider, do you want to spend a little, or a lot? Those cheap-ass x-10 systems are functional, but not great. if you want to spend more, I can put you in tough with a friend who installs security and CCTV systems. I'm sure he could offer some good advice.

We have a 4 camara x-10 set up, and it works well enough for our needs. Cost less than 200 bucks.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

I have some x10 cameras. Even the "low-light" camera demands a lot of light.

Also, the x10 wireless uses the 2.4 GHz band -- same as wireless networking (802.11b and g ) -- and they do NOT get along!

Wired is best. Cameras that really see in the near-dark are expensive.

There are cameras that can see 8 or 10 feet in the dark; they use IR LEDs to illuminate the subject. They can be found pretty cheaply.

 

[Kestrel]

I thought X10 was a (primitive) home automation control protocol and standard - not a type of wireless camera.

 

[foghornl]

I have some x-10 controlled cameras, motion detectors, etc set up. When something or someone trips a motion detector, chime goes off, and camera comes on, VCR switched to 'Record' mode.

Resolution is not the greatest, but they work OK for what I need. VCR is set for 2-hour mode (SP). Some units have poorer resolution in slower speeds.

 

[DragonRider]

Right now I'm thinking more of the Network Cameras since I have a computer in the kitchen and in the Master Bedroom. I also have a motion detector light on the front walk so Lowlight isn't critical. I would like to stay away from the USB cameras since that means I have to have a computer near by for it work.

Looking at what I am willing to pay, I think so far in my research I am going to get 1 Axis 205 Network camera and go from there.

John

 

[Kestrel]

DragonRider,

Where are you finding the Axis 205 network camera?

Steve

 

[c_yeager]

Since you have a wireless network already set up you should be able to use "wi-fi" webcams throught your house depending on how well positioned your access point is.

edited to add: The hard part isnt going to be getting the signal to your system since you can use wireless. The challenge is going to be getting power to the cameras in the first place. Using wall sockets would be kind of obtrusive and also easy for someone to unplug. If you dont have a problem with running wires through your walls you could set up a USB hub and run USB cables to the cameras. That would take care of video signal AND power.

Of course if you want to spend some money you could also get an actual digital monitoring system set up. You can have a LOT of recording time and the ability to insantly search by timestamp.

On the other hand using a 'webcam' based system means that you can set up a server and be able to view the cameras/recorded data from any location with an internet hookup.

 

[igor]

I wonder, how long a distance from the actual computer could be covered with USB cabling/hubs?

 

[Deavis]

usb lengths

USB cables are guaranteed to 5m max in the USB 2.0 standard. Some drivers provide a little more oomph, but to get distance you have to cascade hubs. Cascading hubs is silly, but you could probably get the distance you wanted, maybe 75 feet or so?

Anthony

 

[DragonRider]

I was doing a search and I think I'm going to get it at CDW.com. I'm looking into how long I can string the USB cable right now.

John

 

[igor]

Oh... it looks like I'm still stuck with saving for Axis cameras to put on 10BaseT cabling. Unless I get one of those wireless cheapo baby-sit CCTV systems... which I doubt.

 

[Firethorn]

I Suggest not going cheap

Inexpensive is fine, but I think that spending the money on systems designed for this sort of thing

Don't count on stringing USB that far, and USB cameras tend to not have the ability to resolve in poor light that you'll need. Enviromental concerns can also be a problem.

I'd recommend running wires personally. You're going to need power anyways (unless you like changing batteries). Wireless can be touchy, and doesn't always play nice. I'm sure that there's setups out there where you have a combined power/data wire.

As far as the Axis goes, keep in mind that it's a indoor camera. You might be able to get a traditional coax/RCA connection type, then run it into a video-in port. Try calling some security companies for advice.

 

[AJ Dual]

FWIW

Harbor Freight is carrying $30 B&W security cameras that work with several feet of phone cord. They also have the infrared iluminating LED's around the lens for night illumination. Converts to normal video signal on the TV end.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47546

They have a color unit for only $15 more...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91202

If you want to get fancy, there's plenty of documentation on the web about hooking cameras into a cheap PC with a video capture card that will only record when motion is detected in the frame. You can also draw boundaries on a sample frame of the area being recorded so windblown bushes etc. won't set it off.

the X10 company also sells a device that will set a standard VCR to record when there's motion as well, if the PC route seems to complicated.

 

[Firethorn]

Called a security company

I called a security company and asked them how much a closed circuit system would run. You can get a weatherproof color CCC for about $200 installed (power&channel line). You would be able to plug this into a tv/tvcard. The complete system would probably run you $700-$1000 (2 weatherproof cameras, indoor ones are considerably cheaper, and a box to combine them). This would give you much more reliability. Most of the other equipment would have it's warrenty voided if you used it outside. Besides, CCTV is a common usage by all sorts of businesses, so the bugs have been worked out.

Better cameras should have more resolution, better low light ability, weatherproofing, long term reliability.

Call a security firm. You should be able to get a free estimate and explanation from them. I'd use this as a base before looking at X10/ethernet cameras.

Sometimes the extra money is really worth it for a system that works right.

 

[MrFreeze]

Depending on the power/data needs of the USB item, you'd be surprised how far USB will go. Nothing like the 300' of CAT5, but it would still be a good distance, especially if you get one of the "powered" cables.

Speaking of CAT5...www.TigerDirect.com has a USB to CAT5 connector. It is fairly expensive ($50+ IIRC), but might give you some other options to consider.

Travis

 

[Dave R]

If you want to add motion detection, recording, and remote access via PocketPC, cell phone, PC, etc, use this software. That's what I use.

http://www.astaskywire.com/products/SkyWireVideo/SkyWireVideoServer.asp

It's cool to be able to check on the kids/pets from the cell phone.

Works with Axis cameras and lots others. A Korean company called Linudix is just about to introduce an inexpensive low-light network camera. Has IR emitters with its low-light lens, so you get a decent picture even with low/no ambient light. Looks like this, but this is not it.

http://www.linudix.com/html_eng/product/junior1.html

It hasn't made it to the website yet, but will soon. My company just got one for testing.

 

[yzguy]

here is a much cheaper software option that I am playing with now:
http://www.pysoft.com/ActiveWebCamMainpage.htm

so far seems to work pretty good. It can take snap shots and upload them to a web server for a web cam (and even has a wizard to make the web page for it, you don't need to even know HTML), plus can connect directly to another pc with the software installed for a higher speed direct connection (and it does not kill your bandwidth on your server if you pay for web hosting).

Also supports multiple camera imputs (any type, web cam, vid card, TV tuner card).

Pretty good for $30

This plus the Harbor Freight weather proof camera, and a TV tuner card (I got one for around $50) can make a system out of your computer that you can check from anywhere for a little over $100