webcams

[leon-b]

Right im in the market for a webcam for the garden, maybe two but thats price dependent lol
how much are they roughly and can anyone recommend one ?
i would like to connect it to our PC, do i do this through cables or are they wireless ?
thanks leon

[eeyore]

cabled webcams are between 10 and 20 notes tho you will also need an extension usb cable which will be another fiver or so

wireless ones are anything from 30 - 100 depending on brand and quality, wireless range etc - i dont know much about them as only used cabled

it is also relatively simple to make a webcam see in the dark by removing its IR filter and lighting it with a couple of IR leds or lamps

webcams are widely available from pcworld , staples , tescos and loads of other outlets.

bear in mind that most webcams arent weatherproof , but you can cheaply waterproof them by sticking them in a tupperware type box with a hole cut for the lens

another option are cctv cameras from places like screwfix thes are more expensive - from 70-200 depending on how many cameras etc , but give a slightly better picture quality

[leon-b]

right, it sounds like a cabled one would suit me
i would have to put it in a box by the sound of it
more questions:
so i just get a normal webcam theres no sort of special one i need ?
how do i get the wire in the house without drilling a hole lol ?
how do i change a normal cam to one that can be used in the dark ?
can an adapted one be used day and night ?
thanks leon

[eeyore]

so i just get a normal webcam theres no sort of special one i need ?

I just use a basic one - cybertech -10 notes from tesco - cos if it gets damaged its no big deal you just buy another - dont expect movie quality or great resolution though

how do i get the wire in the house without drilling a hole lol ?

I run mine through an open window - i dont leave it out all the time as they arent meant to take that kind of abuse - you could also put the laptop in a tent or shed if you wanted to sit with it

how do i change a normal cam to one that can be used in the dark ?

thats too technical to explain here - i'll try and find the link to the site which explains it
can an adapted one be used day and night ?

and nope i think you need one for IR and one for daylight - though there are more expensive systems that can do both

[leon-b]

ok so i will get two tesco ones, one for the daytime and i will adapt the other one for the night
do tecos sell extension cables aswell ?
how long do you leave your cam out for ?
what program do you watch your cam in?
thanks for all your help
leon

[eeyore]

this is the link for making an IR webcam instructables : Making a Night-Vision Webcam : intro its not that hard but if you arent that technically minded you might want to get some help from a more technical freind ( also note that i wouldnt guarantee that all the content on instructables is 100% young person freindly - for example i think there are some comments about other uses you could put a see in the dark webcam too , if you get my drift - so please avert your eyes from these as i dont want your mum mad at me.)

How long i leave the cam out for - how long is a piece of string , depends what i'm doing sometimes i leave it out overnight , sometimes for a few hours etc - the key is to bring it in when yu are finished - unless of course you mount it inside a bird box or something in which case it is stuck til the nesting season is over.

program wise , most webcams come with basic software to watch / record in , tho i actually use abobe premier (elements) to cut mine into video files - one of these days i'll get round to opening a utube account and putting some on line

[leon-b]

ok thanks, is there anyway i could leave the webcam outdoors for a long time ( fe months at a time ?
leon

[eeyore]

see this page for water proof weather prroof and day and night webcams / cameras - the only problem is that they arent cheap - you are talking between 50 and a hundred notes each

Maplin> WEBCAM

alternatively you cpould put a bog standard one in a waterproof container with a hole cut for the lens in a sheltered position and it might be alright - you would also need to put plenty of sachets of silica gel in the box to absorb damp and change these on a regular basis - if you ask your local camera shop they will probably have loads of them.

if you go that route i would definitely disconect it from the computer when not in use so that it isnt powered up and so if it shorts it doesnt damage the computer - in the winter it would also need lots of insultation such as loft insulation or bubble wrap to stop it from freeezing - and a cover over the lens if frost is due - note that normal webcams arent meant for this sort of treatment so you will probably kill it relatively frequently

[leon-b]

well i cant afford that so i will try and adapt one, i will post again when i have all the parts, do you have a list of what i need ?
leon

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by leon-b

well i cant afford that so i will try and adapt one, i will post again when i have all the parts, do you have a list of what i need ?
leon

for the IR project check out the link above

to weather proof a bog standard - first decide where you want to put it, there are numerous option - inside the roof of the bird table facing down is a good un as it is partially under cover here

what you use will depend on the size , shape , etc of your webcam

btw I'd be happy to talk you through this and to answer questions by phone but you better check with your mum first - i think i gave you my number already if she wants to ring me. (but not tonight as i'm going to bed in a minuite - early start tommorow )