Web cam used for computer security?

[Mr Bob]

I have a Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 and wanted to have it setup 24/7 so it will record and then upload the video onto an FTP server.

Anyone have suggestions for a program for an XP Pro OS?

 

[Mr Bob]

bump!

 

[Mr Bob]

bump!

 

[Mr Bob]

bump!

 

[ttown]

i have some old intel "create and share" webcam sw that would allow you to post images up to a site. you could even have it trigger based on motion detection, or every X seconds.

it was very configurable, and extremely impressive for the low-end cam I got it with (I guess it was "mid-range" at the time). it's on my win98se machine... so no idea if it works with xp-pro. it probably would.

 

[rh71]

plenty of apps will snap and upload to an FTP real-time every X seconds, but I don't know of any that will "record" it all day....

 

[Mr Bob]

Well it seems almost pointless to have a bunch of images unless they are taken a few every second. I think a movie recorded would be the best solution imo.

 

[Mr Bob]

bump

 

[episodic]

Why record hours of nothing. Just motion detecting and a snapshot program.

The bandwidth alone would be oppressive.

 

[AdamSnow]

Just get some software that starts recording when it detects motion. when motion stops, 10 seconds later it will stop recording and upload to FTP.

This is the best route - and as stated before... most software will do this.

Can you imagine the bandwidth needed to constantly transfer, plus the space on the server required to store 24x7 video from your web cam?

 

[Mr Bob]

I could check it daily, plus the server is just a personal computer setup to only accept connections from THAT computer. A snapshot program doesnt sound like it will work well, because they might be some times that it doesn't pick it up, or the person moves too quickly between the snapshots.

 

[AdamSnow]

With what I was speaking of - it does not take snapshots... it starts recording full length video...

There are also sensitivity settings in the program that you can set... I used this method for my apartment worked great... if the sun went under clouds and made the room get a fraction darker it would start to record... so I'd have 30 seconds or so of my room with nothing going on just because it got a bit darker...

In reality - You are not going to be watching 24/7 video from your web cam when you get home from work, so why have it there and make yourself delete it? If you see a file there - That means there is a reason to look.

I understand your concerns with software - but that's why you test a few... download and try it... the software I used (not even sure what it was now - but doesn't matter) would catch the cat moving in the middle of the night with only a bathroom night-light on...

 

[spherrod]

Webcam xp is fairly good and inexpensive - has a wide range of options. I would go for Motion Detection though

 

[Mr Bob]

Well it sounds like I need motion detection then, which I guess is better to have so you only have to review something when there is motion. However, I still need it to upload the motion to an FTP server.

What happens if someone decides to turn off my computer, or steal it? It does no good if it doesn't get uploaded to an FTP server.

 

[AdamSnow]

Originally posted by: Mr Bob
I could check it daily, plus the server is just a personal computer setup to only accept connections from THAT computer. A snapshot program doesnt sound like it will work well, because they might be some times that it doesn't pick it up, or the person moves too quickly between the snapshots.

What if they steal the server as well?

If you are this concerned with security in your house - perhaps you should invest in some ADT security or Brinks or a real video camera recording to a VCR in a secure room...

A computer with a web cam can only be so good...

 

[Mr Bob]

They will be hundreds of miles away from the server.