Setting up a motion detecting webcam

[WaxHaX0rS]

Recently I've had 2 portable CD players, my Xbox and all of my Xbox accessories stolen out of my car. Another person was robbed the same night. I would like to set up a webcam that I never use and set it by my house window pointing at my car. I have plenty of USB cable to connect to my computer on the other side of the house. Since the camera would suck at night as far as picture quality goes, and would just be able to pick up general shapes, anyone know of a program that would sense motion on the camera and alert me to when some bastard is trying to get into my car? I would love to be able to catch some bastard in the act. Thanks.

P.S. I know I could probably buy a motion sensor cheaply to set off some alarm, but I'm already out over $250 bucks.

 

[T101]

You can buy a cheap motion sensor garage light and set in your window. That way the area get lit up if they go to your car. You just have to calibrate it to react to motion in the area you want. Should not cost that much.

 

[FeuerFrei]

The Logitech Clicksmart cam I bought back in '02 came with software that detects motion. I thought it was a standard feature on webcams. As far as sounding an alarm when motion is detected, I don't know.

Also I believe you can't have a USB cable over something like 12'. Perhaps someone can back me up on that. I think you'll need a wireless solution.

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
The Logitech Clicksmart cam I bought back in '02 came with software that detects motion. I thought it was a standard feature on webcams. As far as sounding an alarm when motion is detected, I don't know.

Also I believe you can't have a USB cable over something like 12'. Perhaps someone can back me up on that. I think you'll need a wireless solution.

A wireless solution is much more practical. There is a limit to the USB cable, it may be 12' I'm not sure.

 

[jkoon]

For what its worth I used webcam32 with my webcam a long time ago and it has motion detection features. It should work with most webcams, but I don?t know how well (I never actually messed with it).

 

[WW]

another program with motion detection

but yeah, most webcam are horrible in low light conditions....

do you have a camcorder with nightshot or something?

there are cheap car alarms available....are they breaking the glass or popping the door open?

of course, the real answer is: don't leave anything in your car!