Web Cams

[glenshellee]

We have been looking at putting some web cams on our cabin for the last couple of years to check out snow levels and what's going on outside while we are back in the Bay Area.  Everything we saw was either too costly or too complex to set up.  About two weeks ago I purchased and installed a set of Vue Cams that do exactly what they say they do... kind of a rarity in the tech world.

Within 10 minutes from opening the box, I had set up the receiver and the wireless cams, registered for a web account and was looking at streaming video from four cameras.  So far, I am very pleased with the set up, quality and price. 

If you are thinking about some web cams for your cabin, I would recommend taking a look at this option from this new company.  Their website is pretty good and gives a fair assessment of what you will get.

http://vuezone.com/

Happy viewing - Glen

[hjf]

I set up a couple of web cams using an old computer and two $20 dollar web cams. I mounted the web cams outside in bird boxes to protect them from the weather. They are USB web cams so were not too hard to configure.

I than signed up with a free service to host them. One is on www.camstreams.com the address for it is http://campconnell.camstreams.com
The other is a program I downloaded that was free http://www.yawcam.com/

These programs will only allow one web cam at a time and will not work with IP cams.

I configured the computer and programs to start and shut down automatically. So I do not have to do anything. When we were on our trip to Europe this year I was able to check out our place everyday.

These do require a little computer knowledge but not much and they were cheap.

Here is the address http://campconnell.camstreams.com
There is a link to the other web cam on that site.

The down side is you have to have a computer running all of the time.

[Snowshoe1958]

Can anyone recommend a night vision capable IP camera?  I want to install a cabin security web cam for inside use.  We currently have Comcast cable modem for internet access. I don't want to dedicate a PC for data buffering.  I have used daytime camera's in the past that store (30 seconds prior to motion activation) video locally on the camera and then send the video (to my server in SoCal) after motion detection, I would also receive an email that an event has occurred. Budget was under $300 if possible.  Can't hope to stop someone from breaking in - but if it happens I would love to see their smiling faces!  Anybody done something similar?

[phabib]

I hope you share what you find.  I'm looking for an IP cam myself and as usual I'm finding the intersection of decent resolution, low cost, outdoor friendly to be essentially nil.

There is some very nice stuff out there for $700-1000, but keeping the price down to $200-300 really restricts options.

[tatonka]

I also installed the vue cams over the holidays in our home in Arnold.  I am very happy with the performance. Easy set up. All you need is a high speed internet connection. Just be aware that if you are looking for security cameras, this is probably not for you. Although a couple of weeks ago when the big storm came, I viewed my driveway with about an inch of snow...an hour later viewed again and their were tire tracks down the drive. This caused me some concern, so I call my neighbor for a check. Must have been PG&E all was well.

Although the cameras are not weather proof, I have mine installed outside, under eaves. They stay dry and don't seem to be affected by the cold.

Within the last week, Vue had a software upgrade which enhanced the color and added some new options. It is a gateway system, no need for computer running.

I am looking forward to some new features like motion detection recording or night vision with recording. Bought from Amazon for $299.00

[dhumph]

Hubby installed a Panasonic IP cam from Fry's.  Refreshes every 3 seconds.  Can be set to motion detects. If I recall, price range was in the $100s.  Will get more information and post.  Can control from your computer at home.  Was very "plug and play."  Fry's has a whole wall of them.

[phabib]

I may have found the holy grail of IP cameras.  Waterproof, motion sensing, sends email when motion is detected, has infra red LEDs for night vision, good resolution, $100.  The camera is $70 direct from China and the other $30 is for shipping it.  I will report back when I get one and install it.

[Snowshoe1958]

phabib-
I'd like to look at the camera spec's - can you share the mfg/model?

[phabib]

If you go to Ebay and look for this, you'll get the scoop

Waterproof Wire IP Camera/IPCAM DAY/NIGHT 36LED Outdoor

[Sandi]

If you ever see anything on your web cams that needs to be checked out and your neighbor isn't available-just let me know. I'm "feet on the ground" here in Big Trees.
Sandi Pearce
SierraSentry
sandi@sierrasentry.com
209-795-7618

[bigtreestechman]

I just read about this camera on a forum I subscribe to.  If you have an indoor location for it it might suit your needs.
http://www.amazon.com/Astak-Night-Vision-Network-Camera/dp/B002V92X9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1265376492&sr=8-1
It has remote control of pan and tilt, but not zoom.
joe

[cheyenne26]

Any feedback on the Ebay IP camera? I'm concerned about the cabling shown in the picture. Are there extensions available? I'm ready to buy this camera if there is some positive feedback.

Thanks

[phabib]

The good:

It cost 1/2 to 1/3 of what similar cameras go for at Fry's.

It arrived very quickly within a couple of weeks, maybe 10 days.

My email for support was answered with 15 minutes of having sent it, with good advice on what to do when I had a problem.

The night vision feature works great.

There is additional I/O on the plug, although I don't know how to use it.

Build quality is nice and the housing looks very robust.  The case is an aluminum extrusion, not plastic.

The bad:

The documentation is only on a 3" CD.  No paper.

The English is tortured at best and verges on incomprehensible.

The mass of plugs at the end of the cable require a fairly large hole to pass the wires inside.

It requires a decent amount of network setup knowlege to get it all set up.  I'm not there yet.

In all, its a great deal if you're confident you can handle the setup and configuration.  If you want a turnkey experience, this isn't the right product.