Webcam CCTV setup

[Machina 0]

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!

[scorpion 0]

What you have described is feasible. Using the IR leds from remote controls is very effective to light up very short distance. Allthough you will need to group them together in a group.

 

We will need to test the IR leds to see how far they will throw, or how wide they will throw. If you can find some that throw a wide pattern, and some that throw a long pattern, and combine them as a group, then you can illuminate an object wide, and far.

 

Do not forget the resistors in the circuit. Keep the resistor to the original IR LED. You can push a little more voltage through them if you do not mind losing longevity of the LED lifespan.

 

You can measure how far an LED will throw by using an IR sensitive camera at night. You can point them at a bush, and then move them back until you can no longer illuminate the bush.

 

When you set up the IR illumination, you will not want them to close, as they will wash out the scene. You do not want them to far away, as the scene will not be illuminated.

 

Do not forget the photocell to switch the IRs, on, and off.

 

When you set up the illumination you will want to think like a director of a movie. Direct IR lighting is harsh. If you can reflect off an object, such as a ceiling, or a wall it will soften the scene. You may want to illuminate the scene from more than one angle. You can illuminate head on, and illuminate from the side.

 

If someone breaks in to your apartment you will have their face no matter which way they are standing.

 

Do not depend on this system as a full proof video surveillance system. This is for hobby purposes only!

 

If you need video surveillance, then you need to hire a company, and have them design a system, and install it correctly.

 

Your cameras need to match the DVR (stand alone, or PC based).

 

Good luck!