visual monitoring via wifi

I use 3 foscams at the house while we at the river. We also use it to spy on the puppy while in town. You just have top have wifi.

Yes, its possible and its simple & cheap if you just want to view the live feed over the internet. I do it at both my summer & winter homes that I leave vacant for months.
If you want to record 24/7 for viewing via a DVR after the fact, then it takes more equipment and a bigger hit to your wallet.
There are dozens of quality wireless IP cameras on the market. Spend a little more to get a quality day/night cam.
All you need for basic remote viewing are: an active internet connection, a wireless router, one or more wireless IP cameras. Setup/configuration is a 5 min process of following the step by step instructions that should come with the camera.
The possible complication is, what happens if your electric power goes off momentarily while you're 1000 miles away? Depending on your internet service, you may get a different IP address on reboot, which means you can't connect using the old IP#. some routers can be configured to email you the new IP#; or you can use a UPS to power the router during short outages.

Here is an article with some useful links...


http://lifehacker.com/5860538/how-to-turn-your-webcam-into-a-streaming-motion-detecting-surveillance-system

BJ's has a 2 pack of Lorex cameras. Very easy set up and they can take a 32gb micro sd card that you can record to. The 2 pack was around $180 after $50 off. Just set mine up about a week ago and so far, very pleased. They don't pan or zoom but they have a thermometer built in that shows the temperature of the room. Also, there are no monthly charges.

http://www.bjs.com/lorex-wireless-security-system-with-hd-night-vision-720p-cameras-2-pk.product.273636?dimId=

We use a bunch of D-Link 930 wireless IP cameras. They communicate wirelessly to our router and require an AC plug nearby. They cost $40 and you take them out of the box and in connect them and you're good to go. No monthly fees or any other cost. They don't pan or tilt and are cheap basic cameras. They don't record. That's a major step up in price. They are a great starter camera. Foscam's are good also.

We've used them for 4 years and are about to upgrade to Dropcam's.

fcooper wrote:
A lot of good posts above.

I think the OP needs to consider whether they simply want the ability to see what is happening at the camera(s) at that time, (camera and internet) or do they want the ability to see what happened for the last two weeks (camera + DVR + internet). There is a big difference.

Fred

The reason I mentioned security camera WITH DVR system is the fact that the DVR will act like a Internet server and provide the remote login capability without the need for a paid online IP camera server.

DVR will allow you to view one or all cameras at the same time, review recorded video of all cameras, manage the DVR features. Many security DVRs also have motion detection which you can have the recording start and even send you a email alert!

The downside is it is a bit more complex to setup as a DIY (it can be done) project.. It will require making some changes to your router by opening a specific port for the system plus a few other things..

The IP cameras may not have the Internet server built in (for external connection outside your home) and typically requires a paid external server (some will give you the server access for free but then you are taking chances that the manufacturer in the future quit supporting the product)..

Sams club sells a eight channel DVR with 4 cameras for around $350, Harbor Freight sells one similar for $299 and is typically on sale for $259 or you can use a 20% off coupon off the regular price and get it for about $239..

A lot of good posts above.

I think the OP needs to consider whether they simply want the ability to see what is happening at the camera(s) at that time, (camera and internet) or do they want the ability to see what happened for the last two weeks (camera + DVR + internet). There is a big difference.

Fred

dtappy3353 wrote:
DW wants a camera in house in OR and one in AZ home so we can log on to laptops (we have FIOS in OR and AireBeam in AZ)

1. Is something like this possible?
2. How simple can we make it?
3. What are dependable camera's?
4. Only want wireless as we have WIFI routers in each place.
5. Am extremely limited in knowledge and installation.
6. Would be nice Holiday present for DW when she visits AZ in Jan.

Any feedback is most welcome!

I understand standard wifi cameras record at 15 fps (frames per second)
and that those same cameras, when connected with a Cat 5 cable,
will give you a much better picture as they record at 30 fps.

Anyone have experience with this?

Thx