Webcam security monitoring system

adamjthompson · 04-01-2007, 07:00 PM

I'm wanting to setup a webcam system to monitor a large building (I think it is 20,000 square feet). We would need as many as 10 cameras - the cameras would be monitored on a computer in the building.

I have several questions I'm trying to figure out:
What software do I need to run and view multiple webcams on one computer?
How should I connect the webcams? (wireless?)
What is the width of the field of view on the typical webcam?

Thanks,
Adam

**dragon2309** · 04-01-2007, 07:38 PM

From personal experience i can recommend - http://www.webcamxp.com/ - I've only ever had 3 webcams hooked up.

It does cost, there are two versions, Private and Pro... Private can support max of 10 video sources and is $39.95. Pro is a bit better at 100 video sources max, but costs $79.95

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE PRO VERSION

this is the most advanced version of the software. it has all the features of the Private versions plus 100 sources support, motion detector, alerts manager, possibility to log all traffic to files, remote administration and external server notification when going offline / online.

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE PRIVATE VERSION

this is the basic product for home-users. it allows you to stream via http or upload via ftp up to 10 video sources at a time. it also lets you add cutting-edge effects, insert overlays over your video streams, and manage your own galleries, lets you password protect your cams and manage your users through custom logins / passwords.

This software is extremely powerful, online browser so you could theoretically view the cameras from anywhere in the world, also it can authenticate users or allow guests, so its fairly secure, it has local viewing as well, so you don't HAVE to be in a a web browser...

Hope this helps, dragon2309

*EDIT* - oh i forgot... connecting 10 cams up to a PC might be a little taxing, dpending on the PC, lets say it has 6-8 USB ports, you CAN use USB hubs to get more but you really dont want to, bandwidth limiting and everything... I strongly suggest buying, say, 3 or 4 USB PCI cards, each with 4 ports on them, this will give you enough USB ports to jack in all of the cams... install the drivers for them, then in webcamXP you simply select the cameras and assign them to the source numbers, and voila, you're done...

*EDIT 2* - it does have a 21-day free trial in case you're wanting to test it out first...

adamjthompson · 04-02-2007, 05:22 AM

What's the maximum length I could run USB cable from the webcam to the computer?

PabloTeK · 04-02-2007, 08:04 AM

Infinately long with extenders.

**DCIScouts** · 04-02-2007, 08:40 AM

Actually, the recommended length for a USB cable signal is about 16 ft. While it is true that you can get extension cables, I wouldn't recommend it. I'm not familiar with the program that dragon has suggested here, but I believe that a wireless print server or something like it may do the trick. Or perhaps convert the USB to your standard CAT5 connection and then you can go much, much further...

**dragon2309** · 04-02-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCIScouts

Actually, the recommended length for a USB cable signal is about 16 ft. While it is true that you can get extension cables, I wouldn't recommend it. I'm not familiar with the program that dragon has suggested here, but I believe that a wireless print server or something like it may do the trick. Or perhaps convert the USB to your standard CAT5 connection and then you can go much, much further...

Wireless print server idea might be good, how big (in metres) is the building at its largest point across..?

And to elaborate on the USB cable limit, you can buy active extenders which receive and replicate the signal, so its basically just a USB repeater. With those you can go infintely far (costly though)

Ok, now a bit of pushing the company i work for, lol, Maplin's do a 4-port BNC card (PCI of course) buy 3 of them, it comes with security software which would do the job a lot better than my previously suggested application (WebCamXP)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...c=so&U=strat15

You would need about 3 of these to get the job done, the only thing is you cant use a USB webcam, you need to buy actual security cameras, any will do, the cheapest Maplin's do are about £25 a pop

Any of these would work fine

http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?...rldid=&doy=2m4

dragon2309

spitviper · 04-04-2007, 12:07 AM

theres also network cameras
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881121010

onesandzeros · 04-05-2007, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon2309

From personal experience i can recommend - http://www.webcamxp.com/ - I've only ever had 3 webcams hooked up.

It does cost, there are two versions, Private and Pro... Private can support max of 10 video sources and is $39.95. Pro is a bit better at 100 video sources max, but costs $79.95

This software is extremely powerful, online browser so you could theoretically view the cameras from anywhere in the world, also it can authenticate users or allow guests, so its fairly secure, it has local viewing as well, so you don't HAVE to be in a a web browser...

Hope this helps, dragon2309

*EDIT* - oh i forgot... connecting 10 cams up to a PC might be a little taxing, dpending on the PC, lets say it has 6-8 USB ports, you CAN use USB hubs to get more but you really dont want to, bandwidth limiting and everything... I strongly suggest buying, say, 3 or 4 USB PCI cards, each with 4 ports on them, this will give you enough USB ports to jack in all of the cams... install the drivers for them, then in webcamXP you simply select the cameras and assign them to the source numbers, and voila, you're done...

*EDIT 2* - it does have a 21-day free trial in case you're wanting to test it out first...

is there free software for webcam securities/monitoring?

SubDude199 · 04-05-2007, 06:40 AM

I would like to set up somehting like that. at my front door atleast.. and maybe driveway (kinda long.. just shooting down it).. I will one day..

onesandzeros · 04-05-2007, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubDude199

I would like to set up somehting like that. at my front door atleast.. and maybe driveway (kinda long.. just shooting down it).. I will one day..

yeah me too! maybe one at the backyard,one infront and 1 on the side...

but is there a freeware for this? (do i get banned for asking it?)

04-01-2007, 07:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
adamjthompson New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12	Webcam security monitoring system I'm wanting to setup a webcam system to monitor a large building (I think it is 20,000 square feet). We would need as many as 10 cameras - the cameras would be monitored on a computer in the building. I have several questions I'm trying to figure out: What software do I need to run and view multiple webcams on one computer? How should I connect the webcams? (wireless?) What is the width of the field of view on the typical webcam? Thanks, Adam

04-02-2007, 08:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
PabloTeK Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Peoples Republic of Nae Butta! Age: 17 Posts: 2,260	Infinately long with extenders. __________________ Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 @ 2.8GHz \| Gigabyte EP43-DS3L \| GeIL 3GB PC2-6400 \| BFG GeForce 8800GT 512MB OC \| Seagate 500GB 7200.11 SATA \| Western Digital 250GB SE16 SATA \| Coolermaster CM690 \| Corsair HX520W

04-02-2007, 08:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
DCIScouts Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Age: 25 Posts: 5,049	Actually, the recommended length for a USB cable signal is about 16 ft. While it is true that you can get extension cables, I wouldn't recommend it. I'm not familiar with the program that dragon has suggested here, but I believe that a wireless print server or something like it may do the trick. Or perhaps convert the USB to your standard CAT5 connection and then you can go much, much further... __________________ In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. -Martin Luther King Jr. The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against wacking them around a little. -Joe Martin FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358 Posting and you - CF Edition Cheers CF

04-04-2007, 12:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
spitviper Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Florida Age: 15 Posts: 265	theres also network cameras http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16881121010 __________________ Luke 15 years old Toshiba a85 1.4ghz 640mb ----------------------------------- Custom build Acer 22" wide screen E6600/2gb ram Radeon X1950GT

04-05-2007, 06:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
SubDude199 Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sheboygan, WI Age: 22 Posts: 606	I would like to set up somehting like that. at my front door atleast.. and maybe driveway (kinda long.. just shooting down it).. I will one day.. __________________ MoBo: Asus PK5 Deluxe WiFi Processor: Intel C2Q Q6600 SLACR G0 3.6Ghz Cooler: ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 20C Idle PSU:* PC P&C Silencer 750W 60Amp 12V Rail HDD: Dual WD Raptors Running Raid0 Case: Antec NineHundred OSS: XP MCE 2005 (With Remote) GPU: EVGA 7900GTO 720/880 Ram: 2 Gigs Corsair TWINX PC6400 DDR2 @ 900MHz 4-4-4-12 Screen:Dell 3300MP HDTV Projector (110" Screen)

04-02-2007, 05:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
adamjthompson New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12	What's the maximum length I could run USB cable from the webcam to the computer?

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