I found this forum after some internet searching, and was hoping for some insight.
I want to set up a CCTV setup in my apartment. I have had a break in recently, and besides being paranoid, this gives me a chance to flex my geek side lol.
Right now I have 3 webcams, IR lenses removed and modified so they can see only IR light. In daylight the webcam see black and white, and a night, I want to have a IR spotlight in my living room, my room, and the backyard.
My question is, is this a really feasible, cost effective way to go about things? None of the cameras are wireless, so I imagine I will need a lot of USB cables to run to my 'server'. I already have a laptop I can dedicate for the server to host the cameras, and am looking at software that has multi camera support, email notification, and motion detection. So aside from the software, the cables, mounting, and a IR spotlight of some sort, I am set. I was thinking for rummaging around garage sales and finding a bunch of remotes, and taking the LED's off and making a low draw set of spotlights, although the backyard will be the hardest. I might just end up illuminating the window that was broken into, since my motorcycle is parked in a shed next to it.
I am basically just looking for any and all tips to make this as easy as possible. I'm not new to computers, love to tinker, so while I love a challenge, that doesn't mean I want a sh*tstorm of problems and complication. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!