Security Camera

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Anyone recommend a decent camera that I can connect to my computer to monitor what's going on in my room when i'm not home?
 

funkymatt

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2005
3,919
1
81
do you have a digital camera? most of them can be used as a webcam for streaming. you can find a program that will record that.
 

AdamSnow

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2002
5,736
0
76
Originally posted by: funkymatt
do you have a digital camera? most of them can be used as a webcam for streaming. you can find a program that will record that.

Most digital cameras can be used for web cam streaming?

You would have to have it hooked to power, or swap the batteries all the time... plus other problems...

I'd probably get a cheap X10 or something if I were OP
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Many Digital CAMCORDERS can be used as web cams since you can just plug them in (at least mine can).
 

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Originally posted by: funkymatt
do you have a digital camera? most of them can be used as a webcam for streaming. you can find a program that will record that.

Most digital cameras can be used for web cam streaming?

You would have to have it hooked to power, or swap the batteries all the time... plus other problems...

I'd probably get a cheap X10 or something if I were OP

x10 would be perfect except for the fact I don't see an easy way to allow my pc to store the data...
 

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: Chompman
So who are you trying to spy on and where you going to hide it so it still can see the bed? :p

All depends on how good your mother's eyesight is :Q
 

chiwawa626

Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
12,013
0
0
Sounds like you don't really need anything professional, how bout a webcam? With its half decent quality you could even record hours of your security cam to review later.
 

MX2

Lifer
Apr 11, 2004
18,651
1
0
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: MX2times
Use an x10 with motion detecting software

How would I hook the camera up to my rig though?

I thought x10 had USB hook up devices. You can use a web cam too.
 

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
Sounds like you don't really need anything professional, how bout a webcam? With its half decent quality you could even record hours of your security cam to review later.

A webcam with good software just might fit the bill... The next question is, what software is good?
 

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: MX2times
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: MX2times
Use an x10 with motion detecting software

How would I hook the camera up to my rig though?

I thought x10 had USB hook up devices. You can use a web cam too.

Let me check into that. If that's the case, I just may go for it...
 

Bootprint

Diamond Member
Jan 11, 2002
9,847
0
0
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
Sounds like you don't really need anything professional, how bout a webcam? With its half decent quality you could even record hours of your security cam to review later.

A webcam with good software just might fit the bill... The next question is, what software is good?

Maybe check out windows media encoder.
 

Chompman

Banned
Mar 14, 2003
5,608
0
0
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: Chompman
So who are you trying to spy on and where you going to hide it so it still can see the bed? :p

All depends on how good your mother's eyesight is :Q

Doesn't matter, mine is better then hers...:eek:
 

chiwawa626

Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
12,013
0
0
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
Sounds like you don't really need anything professional, how bout a webcam? With its half decent quality you could even record hours of your security cam to review later.

A webcam with good software just might fit the bill... The next question is, what software is good?

google search ...

Theres a lot of freeware software out there that will do webcam security cameras, many of which include motion detection features ;)

save yourself the money, im sure the novelty of the security cam idea will ware off in a week, no need to spend big money on it.
 

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: Aquaman
dead bolt on the door?

it's cheaper then a webcam & software :)

Cheers,
Aquaman

Already tried that :/ Mother got upset because she feels I shouldn't have to lock the door in my own house. She's right, but it's a good fix! I have found an old webcam laying around and will google the software, thanks again guys :)
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
60,277
15,238
136
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
Sounds like you don't really need anything professional, how bout a webcam? With its half decent quality you could even record hours of your security cam to review later.

A webcam with good software just might fit the bill... The next question is, what software is good?

I've got a Logitech Webcam, and the motion detector software seems to be pretty decent. I've never tried it in the dark, though.
 

Aquaman

Lifer
Dec 17, 1999
25,054
13
0
Originally posted by: arcenite
Originally posted by: Aquaman
dead bolt on the door?

it's cheaper then a webcam & software :)

Cheers,
Aquaman

Already tried that :/ Mother got upset because she feels I shouldn't have to lock the door in my own house. She's right, but it's a good fix! I have found an old webcam laying around and will google the software, thanks again guys :)

Did she find a box that said "male to male connector" ;)

Cheers,
Aquaman