Webcam/Security

Assuming you have mains so that you can leave a laptop running you could try "Vitamin D Video" with a webcam. (plugged on the gadget show during the week) The basic version is a free download and will spot movement within its field of view and send an email to your nominated email account to report it.
 
As mikemonty said, you will need to run the webcam through a laptop or similar so that the signal can then be uploaded to where ever you chose. You might need some web space too.
Well that is what I thought, unless there is some more modern way of doing it ( I am a bit slow on these webcam things)

Yes there is motion sensing software out there as mike said above and can be configured to send you a text, or maybe even a picture or live link to wifi enabled phone.

That way you can watch the criters ever time they **** on the deck too.;)
 
A webcam running realtime 24/7 is a real bandwidth hog. Unless the marina has a big pipe [ bandwidth ] you may upset your fellow wifi users if you have a web cam running all the time. Anyway are you going to watch it 24/7?.

There are ways of having an alarm system that

1 phones or emails you to alert you that there is a problem.

2 switches the webcam on AND RECORDS WHAT IS GOING ON [ The polis just love this ]
as well as allowing you to have a look from home.

Look at this as a starter.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-build-a-wifi-home-surveillance-system-with-your-pc/


N.B. this field is changing weekly.
 
Last edited:
You can get an IP camera (google that) which is basically a security camera that streams straight to the web, no pc required. They dont consume much bandwidth, it all depends on the quality, images per second/minute, etc but nothing to worry about really. The only remaining question is who youre gonna dispatch there if you see someone breaking in..
 
idpnd said:
You can get an IP camera (google that) which is basically a security camera that streams straight to the web, no pc required. They dont consume much bandwidth, it all depends on the quality, images per second/minute, etc but nothing to worry about really. The only remaining question is who youre gonna dispatch there if you see someone breaking in..
Click to expand...

That seems to be the sort of thing I would like to try. It's really to get to the bottom of some strange goings on, ie. fenders being moved, zips being undone, cables being unplugged, kids sitting on the boat etc. I may just be getting paranoid but to be able to see my pride and joy that I paid 3x more than my house for would be nice.
 
idpnd said:
You can get an IP camera (google that) which is basically a security camera that streams straight to the web, no pc required. They dont consume much bandwidth, it all depends on the quality, images per second/minute, etc but nothing to worry about really. The only remaining question is who youre gonna dispatch there if you see someone breaking in..
Click to expand...
The prob is that to use one of these you have to have control of the router (to set it up so that it allows the webcam to be accessed thru the router)
Plus they are bandwidth hogs, trust me, I have one running to cover the yard at my premises. It allows me to look at the yard thru my phone or any PC in the world. It also requires a fixed IP address for the router. You type in the address of the router and the internal stuff passes thru to the IP address of the camera.
Stu
 
skipper_stu said:
The prob is that to use one of these you have to have control of the router (to set it up so that it allows the webcam to be accessed thru the router)
Plus they are bandwidth hogs, trust me, I have one running to cover the yard at my premises. It allows me to look at the yard thru my phone or any PC in the world. It also requires a fixed IP address for the router. You type in the address of the router and the internal stuff passes thru to the IP address of the camera.
Stu
Click to expand...

Yup without access to the router you are snookered and any savvy wifi operator will soon shut you down because of the bandwidth useage. I have a IP camera with pan and tilt control but without access to the router you will need to set up a pc as a server and use a service like no-ip. Then what you do is get the camera to monitor motion, record it to the pc and send you an email with a snapshot when it detects movement. The email will show whether its a false alarm ( expect lots ) and you can then log into to the server and either see the live feed for a while ( before the marina cuts you off ) or review the recording.

The other alternative is simply to record stuff on the PC and then review it at the weekend.
 
A second hand pc with a camera card connected preferably by co-ax cable (wireless is subject to too many gremlins) to an inexpensive night vision camera (they run on 12 volts) will do it. You will need to download LogMeIn (free) to enable you to access (and control) the pc on board from any location in the world to see what's going on. The camera card software can email you when it detects movement. You can blank out areas where movement would send you false alarms and you can control the sensitivity from within the settings menu. You can set it to record to the hard drive.
You may wonder how I know... I supply and fit this stuff.
You can go to Maplins, but I wouldn't. They're not too good when it comes to returns.
If you've got an old pc running Pentium 4 or above I can sell you the card, infra-red night vision camera, cable with connectors for £200 plus VAT. It's pretty much idiot proof and plug n play.
No need for expensive web cams.
 
beyondtheblue said:
My marina has just had wifi hotspot installed. I assume it's possible to fix up a camera on the boat that I can use from any PC to keep my eye on things.

How can this be done?
What hardware/software is required?
Roughly what will this cost?
Click to expand...

Don't do it! Or you'll be forever checking it.
Imagine if we all had Ip cams at home, car, boat, caravan - paranoia'd be rife!

Surely the marina operator would contact you if there was a problem?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

F
Emtrak AIS transponder configured and working, not showing my position in Navionics unless
Replies
5
Views
291
FairweatherDave
F
Lightwave395
Raymarine ST5000+
Replies
0
Views
121
Lightwave395
Lightwave395

Share this page

Top