|
Welcome to
TechRiz
Where tech enthusiasts come for the latest tech news,
Free downloads, free tutorials, articles and how
to's.
Description:
This is the TechRiz How to's page. Visit every day to
stay informed about the latest
tech news, from security alerts to Hardware and software
updates. Enjoy your stay.
How to: Setup Video
Surveillance With Webcams by Francis D'sa
With the number of rising thefts and
crimes, surveillance needs for home or office are a
must.
With the number of rising thefts and crimes, surveillance needs
for home or office are a must. Deploying professional security
cameras, alongwith digital video recorders for surveillance
needs are very expensive. If you already own a webcam (or a
number of webcams) you can create your own video surveillance
unit at home or office in a very cost effective way. All you
need is an application that can handle multiple camera feeds
with a motion detection feature.
IP cameras are
preferred over webcams as they can be operated
remotely
WebcamXP is one such extraordinarily powerful and yet cheap
software, which can help in video surveillance for those on a
shoe-string budget. Available in different versions, the
WebcamXP 5.3.4.252 free version supports only one web camera
and is available for personal use. Download the free version
from ‘www.webcamxp.com’. Powerful features such as streaming,
monitoring, motion and sound detection, recording and remote
monitoring/storage are a few key features of this software. So,
let us begin setting up WebcamXP and deploy your webcam(s) to
monitor your home or office.
Here’s what you would need to set up a small scale video
surveillance unit:
The WebcamXP application (or any other similar application of
your choice) HandiAVI is another great software.
One or more Webcams (IP cameras would also suffice using
compatible software
A live IP internet connection (if you need the video to be
monitored from another location over the internet or stored on
a remotely available server).
Get started
Make sure you have your webcam
installed on your computer along with the necessary drivers.
Install or place the cameras facing the area, which needs to be
monitored. Note: USB cameras do not have a lengthy USB cable
and hence can be only stretched as far as 1.5 to 3 meters from
the computer using a USB hub. If you need the cameras to be
installed outdoors or at places at a greater distance, we would
advise opting for IP cameras or wireless cameras. Wireless
cameras would require a router for the interconnectivity.
Step 1: The Software
Once the cameras are
configured and the software is installed, launch the WebcamXP
application. Here you will see a large preview window along
with four small preview windows for adding multiple camera
feeds.
WebcamXP is one of the
free to use software, out there
Towards the left are control and configuration
icons which will help setting up the software for your
surveillance needs. The bottom half gives you information of
the camera connected along with options for pan, zoom and tilt.
This option will be available only if your camera supports the
feature.
Step 2: Connect the cameras
Right-click on
the small preview windows (numbered as 1, 2, 3 and 4
respectively) and select ‘PCI/USB (WDM Driver) | <your
webcam>’ from the respective list. If the camera is an IP
camera, you would require entering details such as name, IP
address and authentication details. Once done, WebcamXP will
detect the camera and the video feed would be available on the
main window and the small window respectively. Repeat the same
procedure and install/connect all other cameras respectively.
Remember, the trial version supports only one
camera.
| 