Cool things to do with IP Cameras

Posted by ttblogger on 01/09 at 01:28 PM Permalink

As technology marches forward, things that once cost boatloads of money or that were only used by businesses, find their way into the mainstream consumer arena for a mere pittance. One of those items is IP cameras. In this Tech Tip, we are going to take a quick look at IP camera features as well as take a look at some of the cool things that can be done with IP cameras.

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Posted by Keith on 01/09 at 09:18 AM

I would have hoped that the tech tip on IP cameras would go a little further and actually state HOW to set one up. It is very difficult and a step by step process would have been very helpful and truly a tech tip. Perhaps a follow up tech tip could be the actual instructions on setting up the IP camera. I have tried several times and failed. It is not as easy as people make it out to be.

Posted by Frank chapman on 01/09 at 09:41 AM

Interesting article,

You mentioned cameras for night vision for monitoring babies. Is there any concern or has anything been published with regards to the effects of infrared light on babies’ eyes?

I know that since infrared light is not visible to the human eye, the pupils cannot react to infrared light pointing directly at the baby’s face.

Thank you.

Posted by Sean Mahoney on 01/09 at 10:15 AM

I’m using a 5MP Arecont camera pointed at the sky to record air traffic over our home, and perhaps catch a UFO or two.

Posted by Jerry Isenhart on 01/09 at 10:33 AM

Nice artilce on IP Cams ..

The Canon that you show in the story is not identified as to model / price. What is it?
DO you sell them?
I clicked on the link to your IP Cams .. but didn’t see many ...
What do you have for sale?

Posted by bill neill on 01/09 at 11:55 AM

The pix of the burg was sent to a remote location - how and was it recorded there?

We need more info please 619-281-2200.
Thanks.

Posted by Rob M on 01/09 at 12:34 PM

Don’t forget about iSpy. It’s free DVR software for your PC.

Posted by wstarkga on 01/10 at 11:25 AM

Thank you for the post. I have been in IT for many years and have enjoyed your articles. This one a lot. There are so many people who view web cams as social tools when as you pointed out they can be so much mare and IP cam even more.

Posted by Bryan Lambert on 01/12 at 04:59 PM

Hi all and thanks for the comments on the Tech Tip. To answer some questions:

Keith - usually the setup instructions are packaged with the camera - though more generic the camera, the more arcane the instructions may be (or they may be missing all together). Manufacturers will generally provide a setup disc that walks you through setting up the camera directly by plugging it into an Ethernet port on a computer BEFORE deploying it on the network. You can certainly look for a manual on a manufacturer’s website or contact the place where you bought the camera.

Frank - I don’t know of any direct publications that have been written in regards to defused near IR illuminators in relation to infants, and there are kits that have this type of illumination sold specifically as baby-cams. Though there are general warnings about being “too close” to the camera - so, I’d definitely advise mounting a camera right next to a baby. See for example:
http://www.axis.com/products/cam_irillum/files/Eye_Safety_with_Near_Infra-Red_011107.pdf

Jerry - We strive to try to make the Tech Tips encompass more than what might just be sold on Geeks.com and I don’t believe that that particular camera is sold by them - that it was used more for illustrative purposes (I generally do not provide the images - the editors of the blog do).

Bill - the best place to check on that would be the website that ran that newspaper story (San Diego Union-Tribune - http://www.signonsandiego.com)

Posted by Keith on 01/12 at 05:14 PM

One follow up regarding setting up the IP camera -I appreciate the response but I have tried the instructions with the camera and talking to my ISP provider. While setting up a camera to view WITHIN one’s home network is fairly easy, trying to view the camera from a remote location over the web requires porting, DHCP, bridge ot unbridged routers, dynamic dns and other techno babble things. These things are not easy and my experience has been that the camera makers blames the ISP and its router and the ISP blames the camera maker when things don’t work. I finally just gave up. Can’t technology just make them plug and play for stupid people like me?

Posted by Frank Chapman on 01/12 at 05:46 PM

Thank you for the link to the very informative article regarding considerations when using infrared light.

You have a slight error in your response, however.
I believe you left out the word: “against” as in “I’d definitely advise against mounting a camera right next to a baby.”

Thanks again!

Posted by anto on 01/27 at 12:16 AM

You mentioned cameras for night vision for monitoring babies… as Sean I can confirm that infrared light is not visible to human eye…
thanks a lot for your post! Very very interesting…

Posted by Richard P on 01/27 at 07:27 PM

Hi Guys, Just wanted to ask if it is possible for you to add some preferences or suggestions on what software can be used for trial, advanced. I think it would be helpful. Also I think when mounting a camera in a room with a small child, you really would not want to install it right next to the child, across the room above the doorway would be sufficient enough to observe the child’s movements, without causing any harm.