You don’t need expensive software or a new camera to keep an eye on things at home. Whether you’re looking after your dog or trying to catch burglars in the act, you can put together a home security system with a regular webcam and your PC.

We’ve talked about home security software a few times before, but after seeing the above video on Boing Boing — in which a woman is able to detect, call the police on and apprehend two men robbing her house — we thought it would be a good idea to give a more definitive answer on which software we thought was the best. we tried a number of different programs out, and here are the two we think are most worth your time.

The Cheap, Easy Method: iCam

Previously mentioned iCam is undoubtedly the simplest of the bunch, and at only $US5, it’s a steal for how many features it gives you. Set up iCam with any webcam and you can view an ongoing stream from your iPhone, Android phone, or even a web browser. It can also send a push notification to your phone whenever it detects motion, and take a number of quick snapshots so you can see what was moving around.

The best part about iCam is that it couldn’t be simpler to set up. You just install the iCamSource app on your Windows PC or Mac, download the app to your iPhone or Android device, and select your camera from iCamSource’s menu. Give it a username and password (so no one but you can access it), edit the motion detection sensitivity if need be, and get on with your day. You can even set up multiple cameras if you have a number of different areas to monitor. Check out the video above for a demonstration on how it works, and see our previous tutorial on iCam for more info on setting it up.

The more Expensive Bells-and-Whistles Method: WebcamXP

The only real downside of iCam is that you can’t record and save video. You can watch it live, but if you see that someone’s entered your home, you can only save snapshots of it on your phone. If you want a few more features (like saving video, uploading saved video to the web or only monitoring certain parts of the frame for motion), WebcamXP is the most user-friendly program we tested. the basics are pretty easy to set up — just start up the program, right-click in the video frame to choose your webcam, and tell it to alert you via the Security tab. You can also set up more complex schedules, telling it when to record, when to monitor for motion, and when to upload videos to the web.

The main downsides to WebcamXP are its price ($US60 for single-camera use), its Windows-only availability, and the few extra steps it takes to forward the necessary ports and set up DHCP reservations. You don’t need to do any of that in iCam, but if you want to view WebcamXP’s stream from the internet, you’ll need to fiddle with a few router settings. neither is especially hard to do, it’s just an annoyance you have to deal with when you first set it up. For more information on setting up and using WebcamXP, check out its very thorough documentation.

Note that WebcamXP does have a free version, but it doesn’t offer the ability to alert you when motion’s detected, making iCam a better choice than WebcamXP Free. Grab the Pro version if you want the full set of features; otherwise, iCam’s probably fine.

There are a ton of other webcam-based surveillance tools out there, but these are our two favourites. If you like a different program better, let us know which one (and why) in the comments below.

i have a wireless outdoor ip surveillance camera. i want to use it as a webcam. does anyone know how i can do this ?

Have you ever felt watched? no, don’t dismiss that feeling as paranoia. maybe you are being watched. In light of recent tragedies – terrorist attacks, illegal activities, and the onslaught of crime, petty or otherwise, people from both the public and private sector have been obsessively setting up digital video surveillance systems everywhere possible. these days, it’s almost impossible to enter a building or even stand on the sidewalk of a busy street without being under surveillance.

Video Surveillance with Hot Fudge, Please

Digital video surveillance systems are designed as a security measure to apprehend criminals, and maybe even act as a deterrent to crime. there are several digital video surveillance systems available nowadays and choosing the right one can be like a trip to Baskin and Robbins – you simply don’t know which flavor to pick. Digital video surveillance systems also come with hefty price tags, so before you waste time shopping for a system, make sure you can actually afford it.

The most common digital video surveillance system is the lowly webcam. You’re probably thinking that it doesn’t make a very good surveillance system and you’re right. it doesn’t. If you’ve seen the movie American Pie, however, you know it can be done. it does not stop there, though. Digital video surveillance systems can be a complex labyrinth of wires, cameras, and monitors, so whatever you do, don’t attempt to set it up yourself. Contact a reputable company that specializes in digital video surveillance systems. Otherwise, you’ll do no better than Jim and his pie.

A Star with CCTV Systems

You’ve probably heard of CCTV systems, or closed circuit television systems. This is just an example of a digital video surveillance system and is probably the most popular, too. In the days of yore, CCTV systems were grainy and in black and white, and have brought about many a case of mistaken identity. recent developments, however, have since improved the quality of CCTV systems, and all digital video surveillance systems for that matter. You can now be watched in full color on high-tech LCD monitors while you rob a bank or steal your neighbor’s underpants.

Video and Voyeurism

Virtually unheard of just 15 years ago, night vision security cameras are now the talk of the town. Don’t let the name fool you. This type of digital video surveillance system is no night owl. it works as well in daylight as it does at night. for the voyeur who is looking for material for a reality television show, DVR, or digital video recorder, surveillance is just the thing for your viewing pleasure. With DVR surveillance, you can save your footage and watch it as you please. It’s almost like recording your favorite television show on the VCR. If you or a family member is clumsy, you can minimize wiring-induced accidents by investing on a wireless home security system. You’re not only safe from crime; you get to keep all your limbs.

So before you surreptitiously scratch an itch on your privates or floss your teeth with your hair, you might want to think twice and wait until you’re in the safety of a rest room. come to think about it, rest rooms might not be safe anymore so you might want to wait before you get to your own house. If you’re lucky, nobody has set up surveillance there yet.

Posted at: 08/29/2011 3:18 PM | Updated at: 08/29/2011 9:15 PM by: Lynette Adams | WHEC.com

A Rochester man whose home was burglarized is taking matter into his own hands. He has armed himself with electronic equipment and captured the suspects on camera.

?While I?m working away, they?re busy stealing things I?m working for. So it makes me feel like I have some sort of control,? Two weeks ago, John Champlin?s home was burglarized. His computerized security system alerted him at work. He could tell the police not only what was taken, but the exact time and other pertinent information.

?They came through, they just smashed and grabbed. they took a backpack of mine, a laptop, Playstation 3 anything electronic that could go quick and just walked out,? said Champlin.

Champlin decided to arm himself with even more electronic surveillance and incredibly, it happened again Sunday. less than two weeks later, someone burglarized his home again, but this time, his webcam captured the images. ?There?s five or six minutes of them walking around the house, they went through every closet. they knew where to go. they walked around like they knew the place; they took anything that wasn?t bolted down that they could get through the door.?

Now Champlin is showing pictures around the neighborhood. He thinks somebody might know these people and could help police solve the burglaries.

Champlin says it?s not the break-in that upsets him the most; it?s the fact that the thieves threw things at his little dog and hurt him. in addition to that, Champlin says he?s gonna have to cut down some of his beautiful trees in his yard for safety.

But he?s not giving up without an electronic fight. the burglars even stole his web cams, but he?s installing more and other security features. He thinks his activism could somehow benefit the neighborhood. ?I?m trying to make life better for everyone around here and that?s just communication and talking and letting people know your next door neighbor is a person too. I don?t know if it?s anything grandiose. I?m just trying to be a good person.?

Champlin is asking if you recognize the suspects in the video, please call 911. 

For more Rochester, N.Y. news, go to whec.com

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have you ever watched extreme home makeover when ty pennington has a wireless video camera to show the family demolishing their home? how does he connect that to the computer? because its not a webcam he has its a video camera?

We’ve discussed setting up a home surveillance system with Apple’s FaceTime before, and it’s even easier with Google+ hangouts (and cross platform, too). There’s no need to hack around anything, since once you start a hangout it’ll automatically answer other users that join:

You can use Google Hangouts as an on demand remote camera viewer. First, create a second Google Account, and put the alternate account in its own circle. then, start a hangout with just that circle. when you want to checkup on how everything’s going along in your house, you can just join the hangout with your alternate account, and you should see what’s happening. of course, for more complicated and long term camera solutions, you would need some specific software. This is just a no additional software approach to quickly checking up on your house while you are away.

The only hitch is that you’ll need more than one Google account, but you might already have one around anyway. Now, with it, you can keep an eye on your house, see if that package has been delivered, and more. we tested this and it works even if your screensaver is turned on, which is pretty nice. it won’t work if you set your computer to go to sleep, though, so be sure to turn sleep off if you want your surveillance!

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Google+ Hangouts as a Security Camera | #tips

you can contact Whitson Gordon, the author of this post, at whitson@lifehacker.com. you can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, and lurking around our #tips page.  

I want to use my computer and my webcam or my digital cam corder to stream video over the internet, but I don't want to pay for anything, how can I do it?

Use the software that came with your computer…

I belive it is part of the Office package.

Otherwise, you'll have to find a Video Chat type program if you want to set it up as a server.

Incidentally…99.999% of any freeware of this type will be worth EXACTLY what you paid for it.

Ciao.

Surely the webcam came with software for exactly this purpose?

If you've lost the CD (who hasn't?) then perhaps download the application from the manufacturer's website?

visiongs.de/

It's free.

which is the worlds best wireless hidden security camera for house for outdoor with weather proof and day night continous 30 day or more continous high defination recording facility

A webcam linked to a computer that's on 24/7/365.

I want to set up a webcam at a second home so that I can do security surveillance (ie what is going on there) when I am not there – presumably I will need to link it up to a computer and leave that on all the time, hooked up to the internet? What is the best way of doing this? do you have any tips?

Bonjour madam

there are a few ways i use the last 2 below:

1.metacafe.com/watch/909696/10_…

2.software:
remote-webcam.qarchive.org/window…

3.my prefered complete solution:
ifoxsecurity.com/freeaccess.s…

its kinda makes sense to use these guys above
ifosecurity

another cheap or freeone:

4.
youtube.com/watch?v=8bvtqQsel…

its all about software yahoo messenger does similiar check them out too not sure if they charge, worth while!

good luck!

mail me if u get stuck

aurevoir

CCTV Camera Systems – An Efficient Way to Obtain Surveillance and Security at Your Premises

Closed Circuit Television or CCTV Camera Systems are used in the world for transmitting Video Signals from one specific location to a number of monitors. CCTV Cameras are generally equipped with monitoring specified places such as Railway Stations, Factories, Multi – Stored Shops, Car Parks, Museums, Airports, City Centers and other Public Places. Modern CCTV Camera Systems with Compact Size and with high definition cameras are using for securing your business. Security Systems and SurveillanceCompaniesare specially oriented with production of CCTV Camera Systems that might be able to benefit your Security efforts for protecting your business.

The Main Purpose with the CCTV Security Cameras is to prevent crime and identify people who are occupied with the area. Nowadays CCTV Camera Systems are using various Cameras depending on the angle of signal transmission from the System such as Dome Cameras and IP Cameras. CCTV Camera Systems always aiding police investigations to increase the chances of getting your money or goods back. For example if you own a shop then CCTV System will be installed to enhance Security and to prevent theft. Its main function is to record the footage of a certain area or premises to ensure the prevention of crime or theft. Thus CCTV is of course highly important if you think about Security point of view.

CCTV Camera Systems can be used in Banks and Stock Exchanges to prove safe and clear transfer of money from one hand to other hand. CCTV Camera System protects you and your company. It can aid you for protecting your staff. It will be helping you in such a way to prove that they didn’t steel or performing a wrong action. So you can prevent wrongly accusing them. For a Court Case, if your customers or clients accuse your staff, for having miss-sold something or stolen from them, you can prove the confidentiality of your Staff and Company by using excellent CCTV Camera System. CCTV can protect your company from on-site injuries both from staff and visitors. In this sense CCTV Systems are defensive and protective.

Digital CCTV Surveillance System is composed of        hardware and software components. CCTV Surveillance Systems are supported by the police or Security professionals. CCTV Surveillance System can be regarded as an effective tool for keeping people Safe and Secure. Fixed cameras are usually used for the main purpose of watching the flow of people passing by. While Dome Cameras functioning as a monitor for crime-targeted place.

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My 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva SL will not start because of the security system, how do i bypass it?

My 1998 oldsmobile Achieva SL had a stuck ignition switch and after i replaced it the security light comes on and now the car turns off immediately after start up. Many different people and sites have recommended cutting the yellow wire in a set of three on the passenger side of the steering column to disable the security system. After i did this the security light doesnt blink anymore but instead it remains steadily on and the car still wont start. Im stuck and i need help.

Time to take you car or talk to an auto electric shop.