Monitoring my home while away

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Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
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I'm going to be out of town for 3 weeks, and I don't really want to call in a big favour for someone to stop by my place all the time.

I was thinking of trying to set my web cam up so it faces a thermometer (in case the furnace broke) and the doors so I can see if anyone broke in or whatever.

I'd probably have to set a lamp on 24/7 so I can actually see the thermometer and such at night... as well as having to leave my HTPC running for 3 weeks straight.

Otherwise maybe I'll ask my neighbour.. but he's a young guy that I don't know very well so I'm reluctant.

Prudent? Just suck it up and ask the neighbour?
 
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wiredspider

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2001
5,239
0
0
Not sure, but might want to turn off the water, had my pipes freeze and explode while I was away for a month. I had people checking in weekly, so it must of happened just before I got back, but was still a PITA...
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
wiredspider said:
Not sure, but might want to turn off the water, had my pipes freeze and explode while I was away for a month. I had people checking in weekly, so it must of happened just before I got back, but was still a PITA...
Click to expand...

That's my chief concern.. which is why I want to aim the webcam at a thermometer so I can monitor the temps.
 
SandEagle

SandEagle

Lifer
Aug 4, 2007
16,809
13
0
Get a cheap h.264 dvr with 2 cameras that have IR sensors for night vision. Min. 480 tvl works great. Monitor over internet or on smartphone. Thats what I did
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,212
10,667
126
Instead of using a camera looking at the wall, you could use a temperature probe on your computer to determine ambient temp. That would free up a camera for more important uses.
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
lxskllr said:
Instead of using a camera looking at the wall, you could use a temperature probe on your computer to determine ambient temp. That would free up a camera for more important uses.
Click to expand...

I've tried to find one for a reasonable price. I bought one but it doesn't work on W7... I even posted here last year and nobody could find me an inexpensive one.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,212
10,667
126
Scouzer said:
I've tried to find one for a reasonable price. I bought one but it doesn't work on W7... I even posted here last year and nobody could find me an inexpensive one.
Click to expand...

What about something that hooks to the mb? I think there's temperature monitoring apps that can be accessed via network. The real temperature doesn't matter, only the change. If your case temperature is always 30C when the house is 70F, you can determine the house temp that way.
 
911paramedic

911paramedic

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
9,448
1
76
I did this about seven years ago and it sure makes you more at ease when you are away. I just left my camera on and viewed it over a website that I uploaded the pics to every minute. (seven or so years ago) Today there are some much better options, like everybody is saying. Price will be the only limit on how elaborate you can be.
 
skyking

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,788
5,944
146
I ran a linux server with zoneminder and three wireless axis webcams. The cams do motion detection and tell the server to record events with a TCP notification.
It was amusing to log into the server and go over events, there was this monster orange tomcat that would trigger the motion light just about every night at the same time.
 
lokiju

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
0
Do you have a Costco membership and $300 to spend on a solution?

I just got their newest coupon book in the mail yesterday and they're selling a 8 camera system with DVR, web, iPhone/Android/Blackberry viewing and night visions for $300 after discounts.

Which is a crazy good deal. You could spend $150 per Logitech security camera alone, this is a huge "bang for buck" set up.

If I wasn't on a insane budget right now trying to take care of some debts, I'd get it myself.

It's a hell of a lot easier of a setup also than messing with a computer set up. It's all self contained.

I think it's this system but $299 after discounts.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...S&Sp=C&topnav=
 
caddlad

caddlad

Golden Member
Jan 14, 2002
1,248
0
0
Webcam and 2 yahoo accounts. Free solution if you have the cam. I monitor my boiler this way.
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
What do you guys think? :)

Bucksheet solution, but I feel good about it. Celsius obviously.

It's setup as a web server I can view with my cell phone. Works great. Updates instantly when I pull the page.

 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,212
10,667
126
Looks good. Move that chair, and you'll have a good view of the door also. Set something up to fall over if disturbed, and you'll know if someone came through the door while you weren't there.
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
lxskllr said:
Looks good. Move that chair, and you'll have a good view of the door also. Set something up to fall over if disturbed, and you'll know if someone came through the door while you weren't there.
Click to expand...

Good idea. I'll do that.

My only issue now is if we get a power failure, toast goes this system. I'm going to leave a key with a coworker and call him to do manual checks if I lose the cam.
 
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lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,212
10,667
126
Scouzer said:
Good idea. I'll do that.

My only issue now is if we get a power failure, toast goes this system. I'm going to leave a key with a coworker and call him to do manual checks if I lose the cam.
Click to expand...

Get a nice UPS to run that stuff if the power goes down. They're good to have anyway, so it isn't a frivolous waste of money.
 
G

gophins72

Golden Member
Jul 22, 2005
1,541
0
76
after doing all that you should still leave your keys with a neighbor/friend for emergencies or if your camera gets turned off for some reason. just say that most likely you wont call them.
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
lxskllr said:
Get a nice UPS to run that stuff if the power goes down. They're good to have anyway, so it isn't a frivolous waste of money.
Click to expand...

I set my BIOS so the PC automatically boots back up when power returns after a power failure. Problem solved. :)

gophins72 said:
after doing all that you should still leave your keys with a neighbor/friend for emergencies or if your camera gets turned off for some reason. just say that most likely you wont call them.
Click to expand...

Yeah I left a key with my coworker.

Now one of my other coworkers suggested I shut off the water into my house.. so if something sprung a leak, the worst case scenario is the water tank dumps into the unfinished basement (big deal). Thoughts? Risks?

I was worried what if the tank emptied itself so the heating element is trying to heat an empty tank. Fire hazard?
 
Zebo

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
sounds paranoid. I've always looked at it as why do I pay all this insurance and leave my house unlocked. I guess it depends on area. VIP items are in walk in safe you need a skip loader to move.
 
Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
Zebo said:
sounds paranoid. I've always looked at it as why do I pay all this insurance and leave my house unlocked. I guess it depends on area. VIP items are in walk in safe you need a skip loader to move.
Click to expand...

My area is definitely not the best. No other opinions on shutting off the water?
 
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