web cam at place of business

[TwoBills]

For the sake of discussion, let's say I have a couple of basic computers, one at home and one at my place of business. Nothing fancy: 700mhz, 133fsb, 256mb ram, 20g hd, dvd rw, 56k modem. Basic web cam on the computer at my place of business.

What I would like to do is hook up an alarm system that is programmed to page me. I can then go to my computer, access the web cam at the business, view and record (onto the business' harddrive) what's going on. Burn this recording onto a disc the next day.


I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye, but if you guys can help me design it, I'll build it.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

erm u can remote desktop to another computer......acess the business computers desktop from home, so i presume u can do other stuff as well, tho with 56k modem by the time u actually downloaded the video of the guy messing at ur desk.....he will be dead.....of old age.

dont think id bother trying unless u have highspeed internet

 

[TwoBills]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
erm u can remote desktop to another computer......acess the business computers desktop from home, so i presume u can do other stuff as well, tho with 56k modem by the time u actually downloaded the video of the guy messing at ur desk.....he will be dead.....of old age.

dont think id bother trying unless u have highspeed internet

Yeah, I understand the broadband part. I was setting up a minimalist situation. Remote desktop? Have to google that.

I want to be able to trigger the business computer to record on the business harddrive. Is that even possible?

 

[titanmiller]

Originally posted by: TwoBills

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
erm u can remote desktop to another computer......acess the business computers desktop from home, so i presume u can do other stuff as well, tho with 56k modem by the time u actually downloaded the video of the guy messing at ur desk.....he will be dead.....of old age.

dont think id bother trying unless u have highspeed internet

Yeah, I understand the broadband part. I was setting up a minimalist situation. Remote desktop? Have to google that.

I want to be able to trigger the business computer to record on the business harddrive. Is that even possible?

I know the Logitech web cam i have had for over 3 years has a motion detection mode that will automatically start recording when something moves in the frame. I don?t know about the paging or viewing from your house part, but the surveillance is very possible.

 

[TwoBills]

I know the Logitech web cam i have had for over 3 years has a motion detection mode that will automatically start recording when something moves in the frame. I don?t know about the paging or viewing from your house part, but the surveillance is very possible.[/quote]

I was just about ready to ask that question. This web cam records onto the harddrive? Any idea how much space it uses for, say, a 1 hour recording?

The paging part is easy. That would be done with a stand alone security system.


What I've learned, so far, about remote access, is it's a feature in XPpro, needed only at the host computer. 95 and up will work as the client, if you load the software for remote access from pro. I don't know how, yet.

I am seeing, real quick, that I need XPpro. I think that also means that my business machine is going to need, at least, more memory. Googling logitech now.

 

[SickBeast]

Here's a couple of things that you may not know:

-you can very easily setup the webcam so that it will post a still image of what it's recording to the internet every few seconds or so

-it is simple to set up a webcam so that it will record the goings on at your business during business hours

I don't think XP Pro is neccessary at all for what you're looking to do. If you really require remote desktop it's worth it, but otherwise it's not. You can do the same thing with PC Anywhere.

 

[TwoBills]

Ah, pc anywhere. That's what I was trying to remember. That will probably take care of the remote access.

While I was checking out the Logitech web cams I came across something called PC Witness. This thing look like it'll do everything I want. The only problem I can see with it is the camera/power hookup. They want you to buy they're "special" cables @ $20. That won't do. I've always got a thousand feet of RG59 and jacketed 18/2 laying around. Still looking, but this project is starting to come together.

 

[TwoBills]

OK, I think I've got it. To remote view a web cam all I need is some form of "pc anywhere" software (or winxp pro on the host). Found lots of options while I was Googling. Logitech has a pretty cool webcam that's will do the job as good as any of them. As far as dumping the video onto the harddrive, well, that's just a matter of learning the software. Good job, you guys.

OK, now to step it up a notch. See my new thread: CCTV-PC.......video capture cards.