Webcam security monitoring system

adamjthompson

adamjthompson

New Member
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
 
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

THE PRO VERSION said:
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.
Click to expand...
THE PRIVATE VERSION said:
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.
Click to expand...

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...
 
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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... :)
 
DCIScouts said:
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... :)
Click to expand...
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?ModuleNo=46113&doy=2m4&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... SECURITY CAMERAS&FromMenu=y&worldid=&doy=2m4

dragon2309
 
logically thinking

dragon2309 said:
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...
Click to expand...

is there free software for webcam securities/monitoring?
 
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..
 
logically thinking

SubDude199 said:
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..
Click to expand...


yeah me too! maybe one at the backyard,one infront and 1 on the side...:D but is there a freeware for this? (do i get banned for asking it?):confused:
 
(im not a mod or anything) but why would you get baned for asking if theres freeware for this.. freeware means its FREE.. and legal to download and use and in some cases distribute. I am not aware of any free programs at the moment. but a google search may bring up somehting.. Check your PM's asap (Top right, Click on private messages. I see your kinda new.. just a little runthrew. lol)
 
No, asking if there is freeware is perfectly fine and not against forum policies at all. Asking if there is a location where you can download a particular problem that is not freeware, is. See the distinction? :)

As for your actual question, I'm not sure if there is any freeware that would do this, I would be surprised if there was, though...
 
logically thinking

Well thanks to you guys for the replies;) ,im just being nice and abide the forum's rule,I want to be very careful on that mattter:)
 
Just review the forum's rules if you are unsure about anything, there aren't all that many, and generally common sense will get you by... :)
 
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