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Summary: You'll need some tools to get yourself started, but it is possible to use a webcam as a motion detector and security monitor.
The email part is a little unusual, but webcams are inexpensive these days and so is the software to monitor them. Several software packages support motion detection as well as publishing the results in different ways. Let's review the pieces you need. • First, of course, you need a webcam. That's nothing more than a video camera attached to your computer. Many digital video cameras, for example, can be used as webcams. More realistically, webcams from popular manufacturers like Logitech are not only inexpensive, but often come complete with the drivers and software required to do everything you need. Once you have a webcam, the next step is software. Most will actually come with software that will allow you some sort of webcam functionality, but possibly not motion detection. It's often an option - the default might be the more common behavior of taking a picture every so many seconds. Look for options under surveillance or motion detection to see if the accompanying software has this feature. If it does, you're almost done. If not, there are some very good packages out there. One I've used in the past is ISpy. A quick search also turns up WebCam Monitor - while I've not used this product, it promises to do pretty much everything you might want. In fact, quick search for "webcam motion detection software" turns up many possibilities. If you're on a budget, "free webcam motion detection software" also has several hits, but I'm always very cautious downloading so-called "free" software. Finally, there's what to do with the motion captured images. Realize, of course, that your computer needs to be on and connected to the internet in order for you to be able to view your web cam remotely. The most common approach is to have the webcam take a snapshot every few seconds and automatically upload that to a website. With motion detection involved, the cam might only upload the snapshot if, or when, motion has been detected. You would then simply visit the website periodically to see what your cam's been looking at. (If you don't already have a website of your own, check with your ISP. You may already have space available from them that you can use for things like this.) The scenario mentioned in the original question is an interesting one: once motion is detected, take a snapshot and immediately email them to you. Not all webcam software supports this, so make sure to check for the feature as you evaluate what package to use. The aforementioned WebCam Monitor, for example, lists email as one of its options. All in all, using a webcam for some simple surveillance is fairly inexpensive, quite possible, and quite popular. Related:
Article 2342 | Posted February 17, 2005 |
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I`ve downloaded a program from a company called NCH. The motion detection software is free and you can connect 100+ Webcams to it. (Not tested that out yet ) THE DETECTION SOFTWARE IS CALLED EYELINE
Posted by: Robo at December 21, 2007 05:51 AMMy software does pretty much what you are after, and is freeware and open-source (Delphi).
Features: email/FTP upload, play a sound, run an external program, lock PC, customize frame rates/sensitivity, set up monitoring zone.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/wuul/moveaction/readme.html
Posted by: Wuul at December 21, 2007 06:17 AMthe short article is very good, but i found the comments most helpful
Posted by: Mark at April 2, 2008 04:49 AMi need motion detector program free to notify and connect with telephone
Posted by: farzad at April 23, 2008 08:31 PMCan I use my Webcam as a Motion Detector and Security Monitor in jsp ?
Posted by: Aiswarya at April 28, 2008 02:30 AMI've tried just about every motion detection software out there. One of my favorites is justrecorded.com They're a recent a startup that does webcam motion detection. Its different from most of the programs out there in that the pictures are stored online in your account, so you can view them from anywhere.
Posted by: Alan at May 10, 2008 01:40 PMplease help for technical support.. can i put up web cams onto a room and monitor it about 50 meters from the computer...
Posted by: christian pablo at July 23, 2008 01:56 AMdo i need to be connected to the internet to record the movements seen on the web cams....
please need urgent reply..tnaks
I have a Netrome system that came pre-installed on Vista operating system that also has Internet Explorer. I have been using the internet just as I believed anyone would do. Netrome has told me that I have corrupted the system and have to re-image. Is it true that I should not be using the internet as usual?
-Leo
Posted by: Vickie at August 7, 2008 09:07 AM
Good program, I am using it to monitor my daughter while she is sleeping!
Posted by: Sam at August 22, 2008 02:30 AMFor me best and simplest motion detector software is from this site http://noeld.com/programs.asp?cat=video#mdetect
Posted by: smarkies at September 4, 2008 07:55 AMwith a File Size: 187 KB ZIP file