Simple Home Monitor Camera

[BradW]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XN21LX2?psc=1

Anyone use something like this to monitor their home while they are away? I'm not sure I know how it works. I want something simple. Would I have to leave my computer on for this to work? Or does just the wifi need to be on? If the power goes off and comes back on, will something like this come back up on line or does it have to be manually reset?

Thanks for any help,
Brad

[Pirate1]

x3 on Foscams. I have them set via Blue Iris to send me notifications and emails as stated earlier. Mine monitor my driveway too so I can see who is coming/going.

[AllegroD]

BradW wrote:
I want something simple. Would I have to leave my computer on for this to work? Or does just the wifi need to be on? If the power goes off and comes back on, will something like this come back up on line or does it have to be manually reset?

Thanks for any help,
Brad

What are you doing with it? Do you want external access and/or control, such as pan/tilt? Most simple cams will require your wifi to be on. Remember that there are 2 parts to your (wifi) router. LAN for internal resources and WAN for external (internet) reach. Most of these cams are IP dependant and need a router to be on. Many will require either the computer to be on or for external access to store video if you are using that function. You can buy system that have built in DVR and controllers that do not require a router or computer.

[bcsdguy]

I too use Foscams and can see them from my ipad, ipod, phone, computer. They are doing a great job for us and work off the home wifi just fine. The port forwarding is not that hard. The only thing I have found is that if my isp has a glitch or modem problem, I sometimes get a different ip address. Then, I have to reset it in my viewing device to be able to see the cams again. I don't use their dns server and I guess that is the reason why it happens.

[Oldme]

It can be done.
My neighbor can see his cams form anywhere with his smart phone and make it record to his computer HD at will. It will even tell him when someone is is in his driveway.

I do not have that kind of expertise.

I have seen some home security companies advertise that with their alarm system the can set up cams for you to view over a smart phone.

[SCVJeff]

Dick_B wrote:
I'm not sure there is such a thing as `simple' but we have four Foscam model FI8910W tilt/swivel cameras that we use to monitor the inside and outside of our house while we are away. They are connected to the Wifi system in our house (no computer needed) and can be accessed by anything that can get on the internet. We use our smart phone.
The good news is that they work just fine. The bad news is that I have to pay someone to come in to connect it to the wifi system. Something about port forwarding that I refuse to understand.

Ditto on the Foscam's. They too detect motion and email a set of 5 pix when that happens. 2 way intercom, etc.
Port Forwarding isnt a really big deal as it is explained both on the Foscam site as well as many many others. its pretty easy

[John_Wayne]

Look at PIPER a little more but will alert you if some one breaks in and will have a video copy of the suspect.

[BradW]

96Bounder30E wrote:
If you want simple........look at Dropcam........
......

I will look at those. I've hear people talk about "Drop Cams", but I did not know what they were talking about.

Thanks,
Brad

[BradW]

As Clint said in "High Plains Drifter", "I wonder what took her so long to get mad?" 🙂

[DallasSteve]

I used a similar video camera 5 years ago to watch my car at night - after my ex keyed it. And she had been my ex for over a year. And she didn't want me any more. And she already had another guy. And she still keyed my car when I met a new woman. But I digress.

[Dick_B]

I'm not sure there is such a thing as `simple' but we have four Foscam model FI8910W tilt/swivel cameras that we use to monitor the inside and outside of our house while we are away. They are connected to the Wifi system in our house (no computer needed) and can be accessed by anything that can get on the internet. We use our smart phone.
The good news is that they work just fine. The bad news is that I have to pay someone to come in to connect it to the wifi system. Something about port forwarding that I refuse to understand.

[96Bounder30E]

That one might be simpler than ones offered just a few years ago.....the description says it has an app and set up uses a QR code......that's good!


If you want simple........look at Dropcam........


All of my cameras will reset if the power goes out......