Webcam surveillance system - Tech Support Forums

FatalException · July 9th, 2004, 05:48 PM

I have a Logitech Quickcam 3000 (USB model) that I rarely use any more. What I would like to do with it is set it up in my apartment to take a picture whenever motion is detected in the apartment and then upload the image to an FTP server.

I have an FTP server available to do this, so that is no big deal. I just can't find a free program that will interface with a webcam and upload pictures to the internet via FTP or some other method.

The reason I need this is I think my landlord has been coming into my apartment when I'm not there to show it to other, prospective tenants without telling me he is going to do so.

I really would prefer this program work on motion detection or some other detection mechanism rather than snapping a picture every 30 or 60 seconds (as I have seen some programs can do), since as we all know, server space is not cheap and neither is bandwidth to get the pictures uploaded.

Any ideas on a free program out there to help me do what I want? Thanks in advance!

LeftCoast · July 9th, 2004, 05:54 PM

A six-dollar deadbolt from Home Depot will serve your purpose, and take @ ten minutes to install in place of the existing lock. It's the first thing I do in a new apt(and the last thing I do when I leave), as you have no idea who has or how many keys are out there in circulation.

I do, however, live in Florida, which is kind of a magnet for dirtbags!

FatalException · July 9th, 2004, 06:04 PM

That's cool and all, but I'm only in the apartment for summer school (2 months). Doesn't seem worth ripping the place apart and installing a new bolt just for 2 months. I only have 3 or 4 weeks in the building left, so I figured this would probably be a far cheaper and easier solution.

My alterior motive for wanting to catch him on film (digitally, I guess) doing this is he is not a particularly nice guy and I have a feeling he's gonna slam me on refunding my deposit because of things the previous tennant did. I'd be able to hold this over his head as breach of contract (since it says he'll notify me before coming into the apartment) and get my money back no matter what.

LeftCoast · July 9th, 2004, 06:10 PM

This should keep you busy tonight!

http://www.billssoftwarepicks.com/so...ware_gmbh.html

http://www.ispy.nl/

http://www.win-spy.com/

FatalException · July 9th, 2004, 06:14 PM

Awesome, looks like Win-Spy is the one I'll use. Thanks for the help. If anyone else has other programs they know of to do what I want, please feel free to post them. More options is always better.

LeftCoast · July 9th, 2004, 06:29 PM

I just googled <webcam spy software>, and a quarter of a million sites came up...I didn't check them all! Of what I saw, though, win-spy looked right-on your parameters

Shenkoa · July 10th, 2004, 11:19 AM

http://www.download.com/SupervisionC...ml?tag=lst-0-1

Siliconjunkie · July 10th, 2004, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoast

A six-dollar deadbolt from Home Depot will serve your purpose, and take @ ten minutes to install in place of the existing lock. It's the first thing I do in a new apt(and the last thing I do when I leave), as you have no idea who has or how many keys are out there in circulation.

I do, however, live in Florida, which is kind of a magnet for dirtbags!

Just an FYI on this, if they need to get in for a legitimate reason I hope you are ready to pay. They will/can bust the door down and send you a grossly inflated bill.

On topic, I used to have some software that did just what you want, but I can't recall the name. Been thinking about doing it again, but may look into new software.