[mac128k-1984]

I have a rather odd request,

We'll be having some people watching our twins in the house and I thought it might be a good idea to maybe setup a few web cameras to keep an eye on things. This of course means the ability to hook up multiple web cameras in various rooms to a single computer or router.

Has anyone come across any sort of solution that allows this. I saw that there are IP cameras available but I think those might be a little too pricey.

[alligator]

Are you sure you want to know? There are different ways of parenting, and you may not want to see what your sitter will do. Go by the character of the person in question, not a spy cam.

Try SMARTHOME - X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security

[Spliffdaddy]

I spent last winter installing video surveillance systems in homes and businesses. There is no reliable solution that is inexpensive.

The necessity of having web-accessible video is the expensive part. Even at wholesale prices, a hardware-based 4 channel network DVR is close to $500. The cameras are relatively cheap, usually around $70 for something decent. Of course, you'd have to run the signal cables yourself.

You can buy a 4-channel USB video capture thingy that comes with the DVR and webserver software for under $50. (unsure about Mac compatibility) These are limited to about 15 frames per second - shared by all channels. It accepts composite video signals (RCA). Again, you'll need to run signal cables from the cameras back to the video capture box. You can buy wireless cameras, but I have not found any inexpensive models that work well. They aren't terrible, but don't expect to run more than 2 of them before the signal bleeds over and ghosts the video signal of the others. Wireless video requires a lot of bandwidth, so even though the camera system will have 4 or maybe 10 different channels - you won't be able to use that many cameras. Their range, however, is typically very good. The limiting factor being the number of walls between the camera and its receiver.

Bottom line; for about $800 and a day's work you can assemble the components for a very good reliable *wired* video surveillance system using a real network (hardware based) DVR and about 3 cameras. Anything less is a waste of money.

If I were you I would, instead, buy a digital voice recorder that is sound activated. Perhaps buy 2 of them. Hide one in the child's room and one in the main living area, under the sofa. Get the kind that have an AC transformer because battery life will rarely exceed 8 hours. Voice recorders have caught more crooked people and cheating spouses than any other method. I'm guessing that babysitters and nannies do not abuse children silently. Physical abuse is almost always accompanied by verbal abuse.

The only problem with covert audio recording is that it is almost never admissible in court. Most states require that a person be an "active participant" in a conversation before that conversation can be recorded covertly. Otherwise you have to inform everybody that they are being recorded. So, legally you need to place a sign at all entrances in order to legally record audio.

If you are a business owner or a home owner, most states allow you to covertly record video - without having to notify anybody that you're doing it. You cannot legally record both video *and* audio simultaneously in all states. Odd, but true. If you want audio and video you need to post signs at entrances. Also note that it is highly illegal in any circumstance to record video or audio in "areas where privacy is expected". These areas are typically bathrooms, dressing areas, and 'guest bedrooms'. Your nanny's/babysitter's bedroom is off-limits.

All the evidence in the world is useless if your state won't allow it to be used as evidence. It could even backfire and get you in legal trouble. Of course, if you aren't a resident of the USA - then all my advice is worth nothing.


edited to ask:

What sort of price are you finding on those IP-cameras? I might be able to direct you to a better deal. IP cameras do not record, so you'd still need a recording device. Unless you want to sit in front of your laptop or PC all day long.

[Blasphemy]

I used a Sony one time and thought it was quality

[Spliffdaddy]

Sony *is* quality. Some of the best surveillance cameras use 1/3" Sony CCD imagers - or Sony Xview low-light CCDs.

[Uncle Skeleton]

On the software side, I've been impressed with SecuritySpy. It will take just about any camera as input and do all the recording and uploading for you, and has motion-activation and lots of customizable options.

[Seattle]

I have a cheap IP camera and I was surprised by the quality of the picture. I bought it at Frys during the Black Friday sale. It was $49 (Normal price is $99).

Here is the product link

Airlink101 : Products:AIC250

[zro]

Image Capture web sharing?

[TETENAL]

[mac128k-1984]

Originally Posted by alligator 

Are you sure you want to know? There are different ways of parenting, and you may not want to see what your sitter will do. Go by the character of the person in question, not a spy cam.

Try SMARTHOME - X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security

Thanks

While there are different styles of child rearing, I definitely want to see how the sitters deal with the twins. I don't want a person who in frustration spanks the girls, or conversely a sitter that lets them do anything, i.e., play with electical chords etc.