Webcam/Software - Whats good?

[dawks]

I have a buddy that wants a webcam in his store so he can check up on it from home, and possibly stream the video to the net, just for the hell of it..

What is a good webcam.. for like around $100-150.. and what are some software programs for putting the stream on the net.. Windows Media Encoder could prolly do a resonable job?

 

[Joemonkey]

Camarades is pretty good software

netmeeting, even MSN Messenger audio/video chat work well

 

[amnesiac]

I have the Logitech Quickcam Pro 3000. Works pretty damn well.

I use Yahoo Messenger for talking w/ webcam but it's pretty lame (low res)

I found a program called Birimsoft Webcam that will stream your webcam so it's viewable by anyone who types in your ip in their browser

 

[flexy]

if you want 'the best' webcam, then go on ebay and try to get ahold of the
Philips Toucam Pro 740K or
3com homeconnect

The Philips is normally not available in the us (for whatever bizarre reason)..and 3com stopped producing the homeconnect.

However, you cannot go wrong with the better models from Logitech, but you have to make sure that the camera
you want has a CCD and NOT a CMOS sensor. I *think* the clicksmart 510 should be a decent camera.

I personally got a deal on a Logitech Quickcam Traveler (not available retail anymore either, i wonder why ???)

This is an excellent web camera with very good low-light sensitivity, it has a CCD sensor and it can be detached and serves as a very cheap
digital camera for snapshots. (But dont expect too much image quality compared to a 'real' digital camera, but as said as web cam it's outstanding !)

And personally i am very happy with the logitech software. There is also software integrated in their package (Imagestudio) for setting up a webcam and
streaming and stuff....and it has other gimmicks like a motion detector....

greets

 

[vegetation]

Highly consider getting a capture card and using an analog video camera. Security shops usually have all sorts of analog cameras in your price range and the quality is far beyond any typical webcam out there. A capture card uses vfw drivers which would make it compatible with any type of webcam software.

 

[LaLaLand]

Originally posted by: amnesiac 2.0
I have the Logitech Quickcam Pro 3000. Works pretty damn well.

 

[manly]

For 3rd party software, I read that Inetcam makes a good software package for security automation.

When I was looking into home automation/security, Xanboo seemed quite interesting. But they required a monthly service fee, the hardware was not cheap, and all their webcams were initially wired. Their web-based services were attractive, although I question if their business model is viable.

x10's wireless webcam has surprisingly good video (I played with it briefly) but no audio at all.

In the end, I decided that do-it-yourself home security was a pipe dream. I think vegetation's advice is the best of the bunch. Consumer webcams are designed (mainly the software) for remote video/chat, not security applications. Although you could try pairing a good Logitech webcam with Inetcam's software.