WEBCAM

[LunarMist]

I'm searching for a cheap web camera that will upload jpegs periodically through FTP to my web space. I want to see what is going on around here during some extended travel.

There are many webcams in the local stores to choose from. However, the pictures on the boxes tend to show goofy looking youths communicting directly with each other. Do these type of cameras do what I need, is extra software required, or what? Thanks.

 

[ddrueding]

If you want the camera itself to have direct FTP capability, then you need something more advanced.

 

[LunarMist]

My question was unclear. I want a USB camera that connects to a computer which is connected to the internet. I would be using an old Pentium M notebook (XP) to minimize power use.

 

[ddrueding]

In that case, any webcam will do. You are looking for a software solution. Actually, let me qualify. As I'm sure you are aware, the sensors and lenses on these things really suck. That is what you are looking for hardware-wise, and I don't know how to suggest you shop for it. I have many pro-level surveillance systems in current use, and the sensors and lenses all suck.

 

[Mercutio]

As far as "uploading" goes, you know you can map a drive letter to an FTP site in Windows, right?

It sucks because it doesn't support Resume, but anything that will write to a file in Windows can be made to write to an FTP location.

 

[LunarMist]

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping for a product to simply buy, plug in and install, but nothing is ever simple.

 

[ddrueding]

The ones I linked to can really be that simple. You don't need a laptop at all. Plug the camera into power and the network, configure it to send directly to FTP via the web interface, and be done.

 

[LunarMist]

Thanks. That would probably be fine in normal situations, assuming that I had a network.

 

[ddrueding]

Thanks. That would probably be fine in normal situations, assuming that I had a network.

So you were going to be uploading via dial-up?

 

[LunarMist]

No, the connection to the computer is always on.

 

[ddrueding]

No, the connection to the computer is always on.

Then you have a network; unless the connection to your machine is USB. All you would need is a switch.

 

[LunarMist]

The stupid modem does not like me. A couple of years ago I tried connecting it to three different wireless thingies and no dice. I searched on the internet and disovered that I was not the only victim of incompatibilities. There was some esoteric (to me) solution, but I lost interest.

Anyway, it is time to move on to the possible and practical.

 

[P5-133XL]

As far as "uploading" goes, you know you can map a drive letter to an FTP site in Windows, right?

It sucks because it doesn't support Resume, but anything that will write to a file in Windows can be made to write to an FTP location.

No I didn't, but it is a neat feature to have.

 

[MaxBurn]

Anyone know of a halfway decent forum for security camera equipment like Storageforum is for storage and computers here?

I am on my condo board and we have some security concerns that need to be addressed with a camera system I may be called upon to advise, purchase and manage. I admit ignorance on it but I'm best suited to figure it out with the rest of the non-technical people on the board.

Heck, I didn't know these things could upload stills to a remote site as a stand alone device. That's pretty cool.

 

[blakerwry]

We use Axis cameras at work. They are stand-alone IP cameras. We use them with linux based centralized collection software, but Axis also sells its own software.

I believe all Axis cameras run on linux, and access to many of the internal functionality of the cameras either through console/telnet/ssh, ftp, http is allowed.

Axis has been around a while, you can pick up used gear on ebay fairly inexpensively or purchase some of the newer stuff directly from them/reseller.

 

[ddrueding]

Thanks for the tip, blakerwry. The 223M is the most bad-ass surveillance camera I've seen yet.

 

[LunarMist]

I'm revisiting the subject again as I will be travelling for an extended period in December and January and then again around February. I understand the software better now, so it is mostly a matter of getting a decent camera. Is the Logitech still a good brand?

 

[ddrueding]

I haven't gotten anything new since we last spoke about this.

 

[LunarMist]

I did not buy the webcam yet. The main drag was completely clogged, so I retreated homeward. :frusty:

 

[blakerwry]

The logitech quickcam pro series has been pretty good for several years. Good resolution and clarity at low light compared to other web cams I've seen.

 

[LunarMist]

I picked up the Logitech today. It is decent for the sale price and has a native 1600x1200 output. Unfortunately the software is useless unless one uses the Facebook, Twitter, or other social nervewracking sites. Does anyone have suggestions for a basic app that sends jpegs to an FTP site at timed intervals?

 

[ddrueding]

Something like this?

 

[LunarMist]

No, I'm not doing videos. Searching for googling for software is scary nowadays. I found several pages with malwares. :eek3:

After trying five apps and many reboots, I'm becoming quite cross. :rambo:

Assuming I can find an ape that actually transfers files and does not hang after a while, how long can Windows operate continuously? I remember reading somewhere that more than 10 days straight was likely to cause a Windows crash. :dunno:

 

[ddrueding]

Assuming I can find an ape that actually transfers files and does not hang after a while, how long can Windows operate continuously? I remember reading somewhere that more than 10 days straight was likely to cause a Windows crash. :dunno:

My system at home (7 Ultimate x64) hasn't been rebooted in a couple months. I have some servers that have been up 1.95 years (bit late on some updates)

 

[LunarMist]

Damn, that is a long time. 8)

 

[ddrueding]

Basically:

1. Build them right
2. Don't install anything you don't have to
3. Don't touch them unless you have to

I would certainly be testing all these software programs on one machine, then nuke it for a clean install and just put on what finally decide on.

 

[LunarMist]

I can't do a clean install, but at least the computer does not have a self destructo timer. I will be using a laptop to minimize power consumption. I've not run a personal computer continuously for more than a couple of days ever.

Meanwhile, I hope the internet does not crap out. :batman:

 

[ddrueding]

I wouldn't expect that kind of uptime from a laptop; they are thermal timebombs. I have yet to find one that can run indefinitely without thermal throttling or crashing. None of them seem to have enough cooling to do the job right.

 

[LunarMist]

It has an ULV Core 2 Duo and the thermostat setting will be lowered during our absence. The little CPU fan may not even turn on. I hope to get close to 4 weeks of Windows operation.

 

[ddrueding]

4 weeks shouldn't be an issue, particularly on a machine like that in those conditions. The built-in UPS may actually be a benefit.

Just in case, you might want to configure the app to run on startup.

 

[LunarMist]

Of course the notebook is connected to a UPS along with the modem and network switch.

 

[Mercutio]

Basically:

1. Build them right
2. Don't install anything you don't have to
3. Don't touch them unless you have to

Server 2008 is pretty solid for file/database stuff, but I have yet to meet an application server that didn't need to be administered into a bloody pulp on a fairly regular basis.

 

[ddrueding]

Server 2008 is pretty solid for file/database stuff, but I have yet to meet an application server that didn't need to be administered into a bloody pulp on a fairly regular basis.

I suppose that depends on the app. We have an construction-industry-specific piece of software (Harddollar) that requires 3 2008 machines (DB, App, Web). Typically industry-specific stuff is the worst, but these machines have are only touched for software updates once every 6 months. It is all SQL, .NET, and IIS.

 

[CougTek]

It is all SQL, .NET, and IIS.

The true axis of evil.

 

[ddrueding]

The true axis of evil.

Certainly not a recipe for speed and stability, but these folks certainly know what they are doing and pulled it off.

 

[LunarMist]

There is no way I would buy a server OS for the webcam.

 

[Handruin]

The true axis of evil.

Hardly.

 

[LunarMist]

I found one software that seems to work, but costs more than the camera. :rabbit:

There is so much nasty stuff on the internet.

 

[ddrueding]

There is so much nasty stuff on the internet.

Indeed. And a lot of it involves a webcam.

*cough*chatroulette*cough*

 

[LunarMist]

The webcam failed today. Of course that was after I purchased software for it. Logitech is useless. What a waste.