Wireless Camera for Baby Monitoring?

cwinterb asks: "A friend of mine and his wife are expecting their first born. My friend is a commercial airline pilot flying all over Europe and frequently spends two or three nights away from home. He already has ADSL (256Kbps up/512 down) and 802.11b in the house, via a Draytek Vigor 2600We (draytek.co.uk). What he wants is a wireless webcam, with a built in server, so that as long as he can get web access he can see his wife and child. Streaming video would be nice but bandwidth and cost rule it out. A good quality static image that updates a few times a minute would be ideal. Audio is not required. A camera that works well in fairly low light conditions would also be a bonus."

"Privacy is obviously important. The camera should not have to be on all the time, his wife should just be able to switch it on and point, maybe with the camera on a mini-tripod. Username/password protected access to the server would be good, but SSL is overkill. One option is to use the VPN facility on the router. He already has a domain registered so we ought to be able to sort out access via an easy to remember URL and a dynamic DNS service (static IPs cost extra on most UK residential ADSL services).

What cost effective, secure and simple solutions have other Slashdot readers deployed?"

Ethernet camera + Bridge

[moosesocks]

Why not get one of the increasingly-popular self-sufficent wired ethernet camera devices (which I have seen for about $300), and add a wireless 802.11b/g bridge onto it?

Re:Most Important Question

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't worry. If he is running MS, we will all soon know.

Follow the ads!

[Tyrdium]

An X20 camera with ninja mount will do perfectly! And since we've stuck this in your face, you obviously want to get one! If you order now, we'll throw in a free multi-tool kitchen doohickey!

;)

Privacy? who needs it?

[zcat_NZ]

I had 6 webcams around my house for almost two years. Then my computer died and it took me a while to sort it all out, but I'm back. You can view my mailbox and loungeroom on a 15 minute refresh any time you like.

You know what's surprising? I listed all these cameras on various web directories and they rank #1 on several google searches, but I still don't get all that many hits. I've got one regular viewer, and a few people a day drop by but mostly nobody gives a shit.

You're never as interesting as you t

Re:Privacy? who needs it?

[karnal]

Maybe you can answer my question then -- how do you make long runs for webcams?

Seems like a simple question. I understood that USB length was about 15 feet, so that's out of the question. I'd like something that runs about 50 feet (at most) so I can monitor my house. Not necessarily when I'm away, mostly to see if someone's at the front door.....

Of course, webcams are ideal since they're fairly inexpensive. What I don't need is a 300$ solution to a not so important problem. And I'm not afraid to hack

Re:Privacy? who needs it?

[zcat_NZ]

Buy a cheap 'composite' camera (NTSC or PAL) and BT878 capture card on ebay. You can run the signal 100m or more through cheap audio coax with no visible degradation.

Re:Privacy? who needs it?

[orthogonal]

You know what's surprising? I listed all these cameras on various web directories and they rank #1 on several google searches, but I still don't get all that many hits.

Somehow I'm not surprised.

Invite over some hot young chicks.

I can look at a hairy geek who'd wire his house for no good reason with a much more convenient low-tech device with a far higher frame rate. It's called a mirror.

Re:Privacy? who needs it?

[zcat_NZ]

Oh yeah.. in reply to your question!

I'm using a cheap PAL camera, bt878 capture card, and motion [sourceforge.net] software, plus a cron job to copy the fixed picture to the web server. I used to use a java applet at the client end, but I haven't really got around to setting that up again yet.

At one point I also restricted access using .htaccess and .htpasswd, which is trivial to set up and probably all you need.

The cool thing about motion is that it detects when there's changes in the picture, and can record full-motion mpeg clips whenever something happens. It can also beep, page you, email you, or anything else you care to put in a script, so it'd make a pretty good baby-monitor.

I don't know about wireless.. the same setup would work with one of those 2.4GHz X10 cameras I guess, but be aware that the signal is unencoded and travels for miles, so your pervy neighbours might have access to the full video and sound..

He's casing your joint electronicly.

[acomj]

So you set up webcams all around your house, post them on the internet..?

If you get robbed, I'd put the regular viewer as one of the top suspects.. He's casing you joint electronicly..

Three points

[orthogonal]

1. The X-10.com video cameras (yes, the ubiquitous pop-up adds) apparently broadcast over the same spectrum as 802.11b, and 802.11b receivers can monitor them.

2. The above comes from a Slashdot article on "war watching": monitoring other people's wireless camera transmissions, but I can't seem to find it searching Slashdot. An important point comment made in that article (not by me) was that without encryption, a camera can reduce your security, by showing a potential intruder what the inside of your home looks like, when you're not in it, and how to avoid vbeing captured on camera.

3. It's still unresolved what wireless transmission in the 802.11b bandwdth can do to human brains. I'd hesitate to use on in a baby's room, even though it's probably safe, preferrring to err on the side of caution where the developing juvenile brain is concerned.

Addressing point 2, does anyone know of a feasable way to encrypt an X10 camera? I have one I bought on a whim just to see what it could do, but I've never used it except for testing, becuase of point 2.

Re:Three points

[bobthemonkey13]

802.11b receivers can monitor them

It's my impression that, while 802.11b and X10 cameras use the same 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum technology (as do many other devices like cordless phones), they don't have anything in common at higher levels -- it's not like X10 cameras implement the Ethernet spec or anything (are they even digital?). The Slashdot article I remember about "warwatching" mentioned an apparatus made from an X10 reciever module and a small LCD TV -- no 802.11b equipment or computer involved at

Re:Three points

[darkonc]

X10s or other wireless cameras may not use 802.11b, but if you want this thing for security reasons, then the last thing you want is some random schmoe/ voyeur/ burgler watching what's going on in the baby's room. (Your wife may not always remember to turn off the camera).

If your friend is an airline pilot, then he should be able to afford to spend #50 on an old P1/200 that you can use to run the camera. Stick it in a closet somewhere with a small fan to suck the warm air out, then run an ethernet to your

Re:Three points

[Kalak]

While Babies may actually find the sound of the computer relaxing, I'm guessing the parents may want to set the camera up in different locations, at different times w/o having to lug a PC around to do it!

An old notebook w/ a 802.11b card in it might work, but that's still adding to the number of things that can fail, and the amount of stuff that has to be lugged around the house. Also, when the kid grows, it adds to the number of cords that you have to "Child Proof". (Adult proof is more like it, the kids

Dlink DCS-100W

[philosophyandrew]

The Dlink DCS-1000W [dlink.com] network camera is a great option for this: the camera is inexpensive (under $300), has a built-in 802.11b connection, uses interchangable standard (CCTV) video lenses, and is robust and reliable. We've used this camera for over a year so that grandparents who live far away could view their granddaugher; the camera has made a real difference, and has performed flawlessly. This page [andrewcarpenter.net] contains some sample images from the camera.

Dlink also makes a model that streams audio in addition to video, the DCS-2100+ [dlink.com]

LinkSys

[MImeKillEr]

As much as I hate LinkSys, they actually have a wireless 802.11b net camera with a built-in webserver. Supports 4 connections

See it here [linksys.com].

Re:Security?

[Anonymous Coward]

...are you considering some form of password access?

Of course he is. Password access will be granted for a mere $19.95/month, billed discreetly to the credit card of your choice.

uhhh what?

[nocomment]

Why does the cost rule it out again?
Why doesn't he just download paltalk or something? Does he use windows? what's wrong with the standard video conference utilities?
To be completely honest VNC uses more traffic than those types of utilites.

-_-

[pmsyyz]

Sure, saturate your newborn with electromagnetic radiation.

D-Link DCS1000w

[carpediem55]

I use the Dlink DCS1000w (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=41) in my business. Its a IP based webcam with built in 802.11b. It supports encryption to whatever base station that you use, and you can access it from anywhere on the web, with a username and password. You can get decent streaming over a good dsl connection. Or simply look at a screenshot. Its a very nice device, if you are willing to spend the money.

Axis

[200_success]

You don't want to put a lot of noisy equipment in the baby room. Axis [axis.com] makes an all-in-one solution. Their webcams [axis.com] include the camera and webserver, with password protection. Output is JPEG, which is easily viewable from any browser.

The 2420 model [axis.com] looks promising. Let's review the requirements:

• UK compatibility: yes. Needs 9-15V, 10A AC or 8W DC power supply, which should be possible. As a bonus, it has analog output in PAL (or NTSC).
• Wireless: optional [axis.com].
• Built-in server: yes.
• Good quality static image: up to 704x536 at low frame rate, or up to 25 frames/sec at low resolution.
• Audio: optional
• Low light bonus: down to 1 lux. Infrared version also available for 0.5 lux.
• Not always on: It has motion detection. Or, the wife could just disconnect a cable. (If you really need privacy, why are you using 802.11b?)
• Username/password protection: yes

Plus, it runs Linux inside!

I've never used one, but I think this has everything that you want, and more, for a low low price of USD 1240! It comes with a 30-day trial period. If it's out of your price range, you might want to compromise a bit on your requirements and check out their other models.

A few remarks

[Kj0n]

Being the proud father of a nearly three month old daughter, I'd like to add the following:

When you need electronic devices to monitor your child, you're simply too far away: when your child needs you, you will hear it, even when you're at the other side of the house. When you want to see your child, sit next to it instead of watching a webcam.

What about your wife? She now needs a caring husband instead of someone in the basement messing around with cameras and web servers.

Re:A few remarks

[UncleRoger]

Okay, so maybe you're rich and can afford to simply laze about while your child is pampered by the servants...

For those of us in the real world, naptime can be an opportunity to get some work done. As can early mornings or late nights when the kid's asleep. Unfortunately, at least in my case, I can't hear the kid downstairs when working in my attic office. So I have a standard audio monitor. When I hear the kid waking up, I zip downstairs. (Two and a half flights of stairs takes only a few seconds.) I would love to supplement the audio with video over the network.

So, I don't have the luxury of being able to sit next to my kid 24/7. Perhaps my work during naptime will get me there someday though. Until then, I too am looking for a camera.

As for my wife, she works too, and certainly doesn't want me hanging out in her classroom all day. Her home office is three stairs from mine, so if we're both working at home, sitting with the servers is near enough, yet out of her hair. Again, I would love to have your life where the three of you spend every hour of every day together, walking white sand beaches hand-in-hand... but I live in the real world. Sucks to be me.

Actually, my wife knows that the most caring thing I can do right now is work to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. Sitting on my tuckus all day wouldn't help the kid or the wife, either in the long or short term.

Re:A few remarks

[Hillman]

Actually, my wife knows that the most caring thing I can do right now is work to pay the mortgage and put food on the table

At least she gets the sex she needs from me.

DV325 SIP Videophone from 8x8

[sipmeister]

The worlds first SIP compliant videophone, DV325 from 8x8 [8x8.com] works great over broadband. Might be a little big to carry on the road though. Nice thing is that it's standards compliant using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which makes it a futureproof investment.

What is SIP you ask? Think of your e-mail address being your phone number! Just like domain names maps to IP's, a SIP address (sip:[e-mail]) maps to any number of SIP endpoints (e.g. the above phone) and can be called that way.

Panasonic makes one too...

[UncleRoger]

The Panasonic kx-hcm10 offers pan/tilt... I think they have a newer model also. Not wireless, but you might not really need that.

Re:Panasonic makes one too...

[UncleRoger]

Here's a mfr link [panasonic.com] and a write-up [tomshardware.com] at Tom's Hardware [tomshardware.com]. Here's a website detailing one person's experiences [edcheung.com] with it.

Some more links...

[UncleRoger]

There are a lot of options [iapplianceweb.com] at this store, and here's another store with a bunch of choices [cctvproducts.com].

Static IPs con't cost extra

[BenjyD]

Getting a static IP doesn't cost any more with some UK ISPs. Plus.net give you one for free, as do Demon (but then you couldn't pay me enough to use Demon again).

Re:Static IPs con't cost extra

[Scorchio]

I've been with Demon for about eight years. They've had their ups and downs over that time - just like every other ISP - but lately service has been fine.

I tried Plus.net for a while when they were offering free weekend calls before surftime became available. They messed up badly with charging my credit card, racking up about UKP600 in repeated charges, them made me jump through hoops to show that they'd screwed up. I personally wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.

But yes, static IP address, no probl

Re:Static IPs con't cost extra

[BenjyD]

My experiences of Demon are nightmare like. They were my first ADSL provider, back before the Thus takeover. Back then they were efficient, fast connection and the tech support knew what they were talking about.
Their current service is very poor. From my own experience before I left, the experience of my parents and from comments on adslguide, the connection speed is very poor for many subscribers. Demon don't give the same excuse twice in a row for why the connection is bad, alternately blaming "routing tr

Re:Static IPs con't cost extra

[Scorchio]

Maybe you folks blessed with ADSL are freeing up resources for us dial-up users. I've noticed no dips in my - admittedly feeble - connection speed, and the last routing problem I encountered about six months ago was quickly solved when I phoned what I thought to be a reasonably clueful tech support line.

Hmm... I think we're talking about the same Demon!

Re:Static IPs con't cost extra

[StaffordBeerIsMyHero]

Demon still owe me 160 for the 2 years between the time I cancelled my account with them and the time when I had the offending credit card cancelled (which was apparently the only way to prevent them from charging me month after month after month for dial-up access I never used). Demon Internet are thieves, plain and simple, and if this post prevents just one person signing up with them then at least I will have hurt them back to the tune of 160 or possibly more.

"thieves"?

[adb]

If they managed to "owe" you $160, that means you didn't even notice that they were charging you, much less call them up and try to correct the mistake, much less dispute the charge, for several months. Sounds like you're leaving a lot out, which weakens your position a great deal.

Re:"thieves"?

[StaffordBeerIsMyHero]

No I didn't. So what? And why does leaving stuff out of a Slashdot post "weaken my position"?

Streaming from the camera

[azlondon]

for viewing the streaming images from the camera, take a look at Cambozola [charliemouse.com] - an example is here [charliemouse.com]. As for bandwidth, it's not too bad, and is able to serve up a stream over DSL. [FYI: I'm the author]

Another Contender...

[UncleRoger]

In today's Fry's ad, I spotted another netcam called the Veo Xirlink [outpost.com]. It's $180 with a $25 rebate -- net of $155. It's also available at the same price from Outpost [outpost.com].

The specs look pretty good:

• Built-in Webserver
• Pan/Tilt (120 degree Pan, 80degree Tilt)
• Built-in Mic
• 1 lux low light sensitivity (I'm told that means it's good in dark rooms)

I'm pretty sure I can talk the wife into approving the purchase of at least one this weekend for our needs [sinasohn.net].