[Hidden-tech] Motion-detectors, camera suggestions, safety

[nestor at fuzzy-math.com]

The security industry has moved largely to IP-based systems, wherein  
each node(camera) encodes and streams video over the network.  These  
cameras are very expensive.  I'm sure you can find cheaper, obsolete  
cameras on ebay.  the earlier generations are usually BNC-composite  
based, so you'd need an A/D box.  The cheapest solution may be several  
USB webcams and a computer that is as local as possible.


On Dec 30, 2009, at 11:20 AM, Chris Hoogendyk wrote:

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> Perhaps also of interest -- http://www.bensoftware.com/ss/
>
> I've played with that a bit, and it worked quite nicely. I could  
> access
> the built in camera on a computer in a server room across campus. It  
> has
> software capabilities for motion detection and can initiate capture  
> to a
> remote server based on motion. Somewhere on their site I recall seeing
> some references for digital security cameras that could tie into the
> computer and thus be used by this software.
>
>
> ---------------
>
> Chris Hoogendyk
>
> -
>   O__  ---- Systems Administrator
>  c/ /'_ --- Biology & Geology Departments
> (*) \(*) -- 140 Morrill Science Center
> ~~~~~~~~~~ - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
>
> <hoogendyk at bio.umass.edu>
>
> ---------------
>
> Erdös 4
>
>
>
> nestor at fuzzy-math.com wrote:
>> Why not combine the two and use motion-activated photo/video.  If you
>> already have a canon camera, this can be accomplished via the
>> alternate firmware package called CHDK.  With CHDK installed(does not
>> replace your original firmware, and is easily uninstalled), you can
>> load scripts which will detect motion and snap shots or videos.  You
>> may want to consider IR illumination for "night vision"  which will
>> not be visible to the intruder, or pair this with motion activated
>> lighting. You also have the option of purchasing a camera suited to
>> CCTV and security applications and hooking it to a vcr, DVR, or
>> computer.  Some security DVRs have motion detection, but you could
>> also record at a low framerate and get hours of footage out of a few
>> gigs of storage.
>>
>>
>> On Dec 30, 2009, at 10:01 AM, Owen Freeman-Daniels wrote:
>>
>>> In light of the recent fires that have taken place in Northampton
>>> that are suspected arson, there has been much chatter about the
>>> installation of motion-detecting flood lights on the porches and
>>> homes of Northampton residents. Another suggestion has been the use
>>> of video cameras running during the night. Some are talking about
>>> positioning them inside their homes looking outward, others are
>>> talking about setting them up on their properties looking into the
>>> street.
>>>
>>> Does anyone at Hidden-Tech have suggestions for a good video camera
>>> useful for these types of purposes?  Outdoor ones might need some
>>> durability to withstand the elements. I also have heard about a
>>> video camera that only turns on when it detects motion-- I wonder
>>> how well those work or if anyone has had experience with them.
>>> Another matter to consider is the duration of a recording-- possibly
>>> 6+ hours. Again, if anyone has any suggestions or experience with
>>> observation video cameras, it would be greatly appreciated.
>>> Owen Freeman-Daniels
>>> Ward 3 Neighborhood Association
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