Topic: Wireless camera question (Read 2048 times)

NJAntman · « **on:** February 08, 2006, 05:40:46 pm »

Anybody out there using them for home security? I'd like to set up a simple watch on the driveway that feeds into the computer.

I can find plenty of systems from a $100 on up on the net but hardly any details and they all feed into their own receiver which can then transfer to a TV/VCR. Or "I assume" into a PC by way of video capture card.
I even find DLink wireless cameras that feed into a router and can dump to the net but they're not rated for outdoor and are $200 on up.

My question is if I have a router and video capture card, can I get just a wireless camera to feed into the router and then send the signal to the PC and process through the capture card to a software package? Even my old Creative webcam has a software package that can act as a motion sensor by comparing shots and looking for change, and then email shots as they occur.

It seems easy, but I can't find a thing on the net that even comes close.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2006, 06:42:37 pm »

Umm...I'm not aware of a wireless system that will do this. I'm pretty sure you can do this with a conventional wired system tho.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2006, 06:43:25 pm »

I'm also wondering if you could put in a network storage device..like a network harddrive, and use that to record the footage?

NJAntman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:32:48 pm »

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on February 08, 2006, 06:42:37 pm

Umm...I'm not aware of a wireless system that will do this. I'm pretty sure you can do this with a conventional wired system tho.

By conventional do you mean a camera transmitting over a videocable to a vcr and/or monitor?

NJAntman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:01:24 pm »

Tried searching for ethernet wired cameras and somehow stumbled across this:
http://www.icontrol.com/wirelesscamera.html
A wireless that needs only a router to link to. BUT... it appears the controlling software is a subscription service, its not yet available, and its not meant for outside use.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2006, 08:30:56 pm »

Quote from: NJAntman on February 08, 2006, 09:32:48 pm

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on February 08, 2006, 06:42:37 pm
Umm...I'm not aware of a wireless system that will do this. I'm pretty sure you can do this with a conventional wired system tho.

By conventional do you mean a camera transmitting over a videocable to a vcr and/or monitor?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4337385?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2006, 08:31:34 pm »

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4282924?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2006, 08:32:28 pm »

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4302915?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4338685?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

NJAntman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2006, 10:35:07 pm »

Thanks for the links Punisher. That type of system seems to be the standard setup and price range. Of the sites I've found there is sometimes note of possible interference with PC wireless networks, but no mention of the ability to use a wireless PC networks router.

Seems I'll have to buy a complete setup and plug the AV into the PC capture card.

The search for an easy system was so fustrating I was almost tempted to try an X10 system. Almost.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2006, 06:50:35 pm »

You know, I've had nothing but frustration with wireless cameras. I tried to do exactly the same thing to keep an eye on my driveway. Finding proper line of sight and eliminating interference is a bitch.

Most of the wireless cameras are 1.4 - 2.4 ghz, which is the same frequency range for microwave ovens, cordless phones, wireless networks, etc.

I just ended up using a conventional wired setup with a low-light capable camera.

NJAntman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2006, 10:07:48 pm »

So your using a camera with regular video cable to a tv and/or vcr?

NJAntman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2006, 08:11:15 pm »

Well, finally found some and narrowed it down. Seems there are only two flavors: CMOS wireless cameras transmitting to their own receiver and on to a TV/VCR (no software), running about $100 on up; or CMOS wireless IP cameras transmitting to an established network (ie., router or access point), start about $150 but not outdoor rated until about the $250 range. Found cameras from D-Link, Hawking, and TRENDnet, but I'm going with a Chinese knock-off called GadSpot NC1000-W10. Its only 802.11b but has audio and seems a little more rugged. Runs about $150 but I will need to build a box or cover to keep it dry.

NJAntman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2006, 01:59:03 pm »

Seems that last Chinese knock-off is just sold by Gadspot, and Blu-Wireless, and a place called CCTV Gadgets here on the East coast. Got mine for $154 and works OK. Typical badly written English as a second language manual. And no mention at all that you have to enable Active-X and allow a Windows Firewall exemption for its executable. But other than that quick and easy. Testing it right know, down the hall looking out a window, transmitting back thru 3 internal walls over about 40'.

Now I just have to learn all about DHCP and PPPoE to test the email notification.

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