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Webcams for home security

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  • Z ZurdoDev

    Basildane wrote:

    he rang the "doorbell", I

    No one does that anymore. Not UPS, not FedEx, and not USPS. They just leave it at the door. No door bell ringing where I live.

    There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

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    B Offline
    Basildane
    wrote on last edited by
    #19

    All I can say is that I have video of it. And pushing the button initiated a VOIP call to my desk at work, which was logged. I live out in the country, so your mileage may vary. UPS and Fedex are very professional here. However, it took MONTHS to get them comfortable enough to get out of the truck as I have Russian Dobermans. I was able to make the introductions and convince them that they could leave with all their body parts still attached, and we are all friends now. They used to sit in the truck and honk until I went to them.

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    • B Basildane

      All I can say is that I have video of it. And pushing the button initiated a VOIP call to my desk at work, which was logged. I live out in the country, so your mileage may vary. UPS and Fedex are very professional here. However, it took MONTHS to get them comfortable enough to get out of the truck as I have Russian Dobermans. I was able to make the introductions and convince them that they could leave with all their body parts still attached, and we are all friends now. They used to sit in the truck and honk until I went to them.

      Z Offline
      Z Offline
      ZurdoDev
      wrote on last edited by
      #20

      Basildane wrote:

      I have video of it. And pushing the button initiated a VOIP call to my desk at work, which was logged.

      Ya, I've seen some commercials online for a product that does that. Can't recall the name. Cool stuff.

      There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

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      • Z ZurdoDev

        Basildane wrote:

        I have video of it. And pushing the button initiated a VOIP call to my desk at work, which was logged.

        Ya, I've seen some commercials online for a product that does that. Can't recall the name. Cool stuff.

        There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

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        B Offline
        Basildane
        wrote on last edited by
        #21

        We use Asterisk, with FreePBX as the front-end for communications. All the video and security integration is custom.

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        • B Basildane

          We use Asterisk, with FreePBX as the front-end for communications. All the video and security integration is custom.

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          ZurdoDev
          wrote on last edited by
          #22

          That's pretty awesome you did it all yourself. I found the one I had seen ads for, Arlo by NETGEAR: Wireless & AC-Powered Security Cameras[^].

          There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

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          • P PeejayAdams

            I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

            98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

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            Z Offline
            ZurdoDev
            wrote on last edited by
            #23

            I've seen ads for this, Arlo by NETGEAR: Wireless & AC-Powered Security Cameras[^], but do not know anything about them.

            There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

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            • P PeejayAdams

              I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

              98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

              M Offline
              M Offline
              Marc Clifton
              wrote on last edited by
              #24

              Get a rottweiler. ;) Marc

              Latest Article - Merkle Trees Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

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              • M Marc Clifton

                Get a rottweiler. ;) Marc

                Latest Article - Merkle Trees Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802

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                B Offline
                Basildane
                wrote on last edited by
                #25

                My boy Luke would throw a Rottweiler around like a chew toy. :)

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                • P PeejayAdams

                  I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

                  98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

                  D Offline
                  D Offline
                  dandy72
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #26

                  As I understand it, [Ring](https://ring.com/) is a motion-activated camera that effectively replaces an existing doorbell and installation consists of hooking it up to the two wires that should already be there. I'm not shilling for them, I just keep hearing it advertised on some podcasts I listen to. And it sounds to me like sometimes--as others have pointed out--it's just not worth trying to reinvent the wheel when simple ready-made solutions already exist.

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                  • B Basildane

                    We use Asterisk, with FreePBX as the front-end for communications. All the video and security integration is custom.

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                    N Offline
                    Nelek
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #27

                    Write an article? ;)

                    M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.

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                    • L ledtech3

                      Remember that if you can see the camera from over the internet so potentially can others. Disable any non needed items and change any default passwords.

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                      jeron1
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #28

                      You sound paranoid, and um...hold on a sec....yes, you look paranoid as well!

                      "the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment "Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst "I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle

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                      • J jeron1

                        You sound paranoid, and um...hold on a sec....yes, you look paranoid as well!

                        "the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment "Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst "I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle

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                        L Offline
                        ledtech3
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #29

                        I do malware research, what can I say. I don't trust anything connected to the internet. Oh soot I need to disconnect now. ;)

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                        • L ledtech3

                          I do malware research, what can I say. I don't trust anything connected to the internet. Oh soot I need to disconnect now. ;)

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                          jeron1
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #30

                          ledtech3 wrote:

                          don't trust anything connected to the internet

                          Truth! :thumbsup:

                          "the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment "Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst "I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle

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                          • P PeejayAdams

                            I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

                            98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

                            M Offline
                            M Offline
                            milksama
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #31

                            I've been playing around with ip cams the past several years and there has been a dramatic improvement in both quality and affordability. In fact, I picked up a few ip cams last week capable of recording at 1080p/30fps for about $62 each. Almost everything I've seen includes integrated IR, which makes night viewing/recording possible (in black and white). Just be sure you don't put this up against a pane of glass, as there will be a reflection. Also... to back up what others have mentioned, POE is really helpful to have (especially if you're going after an outdoor solution), as well as a battery backup.

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                            • D dandy72

                              As I understand it, [Ring](https://ring.com/) is a motion-activated camera that effectively replaces an existing doorbell and installation consists of hooking it up to the two wires that should already be there. I'm not shilling for them, I just keep hearing it advertised on some podcasts I listen to. And it sounds to me like sometimes--as others have pointed out--it's just not worth trying to reinvent the wheel when simple ready-made solutions already exist.

                              M Offline
                              M Offline
                              milksama
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #32

                              I have also heard of Ring and have heard good things -- Skybell is a competitor. When someone rings the doorbell, you can view a live video feed from your smart phone, and if you choose to, reply (audio only).

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                              • P PeejayAdams

                                I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

                                98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

                                K Offline
                                K Offline
                                Kirk 10389821
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #33

                                I bought a RING doorbell. If she has a powered doorbell, it is really easy. It has a camera, motion sensor, and it notifies my on my phone when I am away from the house. If it is powered through the doorbell wires, you can even remotely access the camera and "Peek" outside. Finally, it has, for an extra fee, a record the events and send them to the cloud. A handy feature. My brother now has one, because in MI he is down in the basement, and when someone rings, he can see who it is without climbing the stairs to see it was a package drop. While it's not cheap, I find it well made. And I was able to answer the doorbell when we were on vacation last summer, which is always cool!

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                                • D dandy72

                                  As I understand it, [Ring](https://ring.com/) is a motion-activated camera that effectively replaces an existing doorbell and installation consists of hooking it up to the two wires that should already be there. I'm not shilling for them, I just keep hearing it advertised on some podcasts I listen to. And it sounds to me like sometimes--as others have pointed out--it's just not worth trying to reinvent the wheel when simple ready-made solutions already exist.

                                  K Offline
                                  K Offline
                                  KC CahabaGBA
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #34

                                  Ring and offerings like them LOVE to identify their brand on the bezel of the devices. The entire device concept is to discreetly monitor your entry so lets advertise that we are. Doth!!! On another note I'm really enjoying this thread as I'm very interested in setting up whole property monitoring inside out and y'all are feeding my imagination.

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                                  • P PeejayAdams

                                    I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

                                    98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

                                    R Offline
                                    R Offline
                                    Rollin Shultz
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #35

                                    For this woman's application I would suggest a very simple solution. Her door should as most doors do, have a peep sight. You can buy a camera that is ready made to mount over a peep sight in the inside of the door. with it's own screen. Barring that you can make one with a Raspberry Pi3 and camera and screen modules, or even an ESP8266 and same. Either of those solutions will also allow you to connect the video to the home network.

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                                    • P PeejayAdams

                                      I've been asked for some advice by someone who wants to monitor the area around her doorstep. Whilst I'm sure (or at least hope) that I can handle the IT side of things, I know next to nothing about cameras. Would it be possible to get pictures from an indoor camera pointing through the window that would be reasonably discernible by day or night or would she have to fork out for an external camera?

                                      98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

                                      J Offline
                                      J Offline
                                      jorth3
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #36

                                      For years I've had a Sharx wireless indoor HD camera on the inside of my window with front porch, yard, and some of the street in view. It's worked well and has pretty good quality. I have it setup with a user-defined motion-detection box drawn over the front porch so any movement on the porch triggers 30s of video and 3 snapshots being ftp'd to an ftp site, as well as the 1st snapshot being emailed to me. The capture settings are pretty configurable via the camera's web interface (motion-det-only/constant recording, ftp, email, quality, etc). Since it's on the inside, the physical installation was pretty easy. Attached with bracket to wall, plugs into the nearest outlet, and connects with wifi to my home network. The camera has infrared leds for night vision but I have them turned off b/c they just reflect off the window. Fortunately there's a street light in front of my house that provides sufficient lighting.

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                                      • P Pualee

                                        Why not just go with a COTS product that integrates with the rest of your 'smart home'. No point to re-invent the wheel and risk the investment of time and money for something that may not pan out.

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                                        S Offline
                                        SeattleC
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #37

                                        Because most camera products stand alone, or don't integrate with smart home products, or use some obscure standard not widely in use. The IoT sucks, man.

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                                        • P PeejayAdams

                                          Wow! UPS made a delivery!?! Today gets stranger by the minute :) Pro-grade stuff is definitely not required here (thankfully, considering the price) as we just need to keep an eye on a fairly small space - additionally, we know exactly who is getting up to the shenanigans that have led up to this requirement, we just want a record of her doing it in case the situation escalates. Thanks for the recommendations.

                                          98.4% of statistics are made up on the spot.

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                                          O Offline
                                          onemorechance
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #38

                                          PeejayAdams wrote:

                                          Wow! UPS made a delivery!?!

                                          xkcd: Delivery Notification[^]

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