Security cameras

[Guest SUNTZU]

I have security cameras at my house. What I've been wanting to do is have them web-based, so that if I have a break in, the thieves don't just steal the recorder and my tape. Can someone in the know point me in the right direction as to what I need and how to set it up myself? Thanks!

[dunndw]

what type of cameras are they

[Guest Verbal Kint]

With the inconsistency of internet connections, even with high-speed nowadays, I'd still look at keeping the recording device and media on-site. I'd look at options on how to secure said equipment. You can hide them damn near anywhere and pretty much put them into an in-wall safe that would nullify theft. I'm no security expert, but I'm sure there are plenty of better options out there that would keep the system running much more optimally.

Besides, if the camera connections are run through the walls, I doubt any burglar is going to try and guess where the feeds are going to. Especially if an alarm has already been tripped. If they don't flee, they're going to try and get in and out as quick as possible... not trace a camera system. That's why you never see a thief try and take the store video when they hold up a 7-11, even though the recorded is usually behind the counter or in the back room.

Just my $0.02.

[TGO David]

I transmit the feeds wirelessly to a DVR backpack that my 100lb male Doberman is wearing. If the thief wants to try to fight him for the DVR, he's welcome to it but we're going to end up with plenty of DNA evidence and probably a finger (for prints!) or two in the process.

[Guest RISC777]

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[Guest tadams]

I'm all for the idea... but I do want you to be aware that most of us who have signed up for our cable-fed internet in the last several years signed an agreement prohibiting us from doing this, legally speaking.

The truth is that it could probably be seen as a violation of the agreement with them. I'm just wanting anybody who's interested to know what they're getting in to. It would suck to lay out the cashola and then be shut down by your ISP.

For example, Charter states:

"Customer may set up one (1) web page per service account for personal use of the Service, but Customer may not establish a web page using a server located at Customer’s home. Customer will not use, or allow others to use, Customer’s home computer as a web server, FTP server, file server or game server or to run any other server applications or to provide network or host services to others via Charter’s network."

and goes on to say:

"Charter reserves the right to disconnect or reclassify the Service to a higher grade or to immediately suspend or terminate Service for failure to comply with any portion of this provision or this Policy, without prior notice"

I've never heard of anyone being disconnected without being requested to pay more money, first. A few files at a time or temporary streaming to watch it from a remote location and nobody's the wiser. A constant stream uploading for days on end? Probably not such a good idea. I'd claim ignorance and say that it must be some sort of virus that's on your computer.

[dralarms]

I've got a vcr lock box that you can get cheap. I bought 3 of them a while ago and got 2 still sealed in the box. PM me if you want one.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Thanks for the replies. Some of my problems are as follows: I live in an apartment, so no wires are in the walls, except leading to the security camera outside by the door, as I got permission for that from my landlord. Everything else is running on the outside of the walls. I don't have a doberman, so that's out. I will be pm'ing dralarms about the lockbox, that would be a good idea. I've considered bolting a box to the floor.

The reason I'm bringing this up is due to my neighborhood. I have had consistent wannabe gangbangers loitering around my townhouse, either directly across from the front or off to the side. About 1:00 a.m. the night I posted this, I had a lovely seven or eight man brawl in the street in front of my house. When I say street, I mean roughly twenty feet from my front door. The neighbor said she was calling the cops, though none ever showed. I want to add some more exterior cameras, and want to be able to check them while I'm away from home. I can lock the vcr up to where it might take them longer to steal it, but I also want to be able to do a remote sign in and check the cameras. I don't necessarily have to have uploaded images 24/7. Suggestions?

[Guest RISC777]

Hide the wires as well as you regardless of what else you do with the setup so if someone does get in and cuts the wiring after finding them hopefully you have some footage of the perps.

Got any cams in the apt itself?

[Guest SUNTZU]

One, working on adding more.

[saintsfanbrian]

Many of the cameras such as D-link provide you with a web page access that you can get to your camera from any where in the world as long as there is an internet connection. You can store video on your PC and then use a service to upload the videos to on a regular basis.

I don't have particulars but I looked in to setting up a camera when my daughter was born so I could keep an eye on her from work.

I will look in to this again when the kids are tweens and teens so I can keep an eye on them from work (but for different reasons)

[Guest RISC777]

Many of the cameras such as D-link provide you with a web page access that you can get to your camera from any where in the world as long as there is an internet connection. You can store video on your PC and then use a service to upload the videos to on a regular basis.

The thought then comes to mind to box or protect the PC and Internet connection so there's no loss of connectivity. But a bolted down box with a VCR or other recorder would be accessible after the incident at least.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to try a few things and see how that works.

[jeffmem]

Many cameras will do what you need to do. The question is do you have the time to monitor the camera all the time or do you just want to be notified when there is motion? I suspect the latter. Depending on your situation motion detection can be a tricky thing (is the light consistent, how big of an area, etc).

I have some panasonic wv-nm100 cameras which have a web interface and built in motion detection that will upload a picture to a FTP server when activity is detected. The images could be hosted offsite and accesible via the web. I dont use the built in motion detection but instead us a piece of software called zoneminder ( www.zoneminder.com ) which has very flexible motion detection and image archiving.

If you just want to watch a live feed there are a number of ways but be careful of where you watch from. Some of the active-x and java solutions use ports that are not open on many corporate firewalls.

This is what I would really like to get to ... Once the sensor is tripped, you are notified via mobile phone and can monitor the video and talk to the intruder ... this is a demo of linux mce

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2176025602905109829#22m06s

[Guest tadams]

Jeffmem is onto something there with the smarthome stuff seen in the video. The particular hardware being used in that video looks to be a little bit proprietary but the theories are available through several different sources. Sometimes a good starter kit will pop up on eBay. I use some basic level smarthome x10 compatible device controllers, myself.

From what it sounds like you're wanting to do, there would be no problem doing a remote file view from any PC and your ISP wouldn't have anything to say about it either. That would work out fine.

It really does sound like your wanting some fairly basic resolutions, but sometimes things can get tricky. There are components out there that may perform all the tasks you need, but may not do it as well as some that are specifically suited for a single purpose.

If you're gonna be at this place a while and you decide to go wired, there are solutions that you can hide in plain sight, like flat wire: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=100-040

I don't see why wireless wouldn't work, though. Add a good motion sensor w/ variable light sensitivity and you should be in good shape. Matter of fact, the mid-level SmartHome stuff might work out pretty well for you. They have several wireless options and you can get PC software to control most anything for it.