Recommendations

[Bobz]

I need a wired cam (to avoid any wifi/cordless phone/ect... issues) a way to review what the cam has recorded. Also how to view on the internet 24/7.

I need to be able to check on my sons care.

[Jeff M]

Here is a link to a page on Amazon.com.  It shows both wireless and wired IP cameras, that can be viewed over the internet.  Even the wireless cameras have an ethernet connector so it can be connected directly to a network router.  I have a Chinese clone (much cheaper) of the wireless tilt/pan camera that works perfectly.  I can monitor my home while at work. 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ip+camera

[Bobz]

very cool thanks.
what about recording?

[Jeff M]

My camera will record one minute of video each time it senses motion, but I assume that you want to record video for longer periods of time.  It is up to the software that comes with the camera to provide recording features.  My suggestion is to read the descriptions and reviews of the IP Cameras on the Amazon site.  Sometimes the reviews provide better information on the camera functions than the product descriptions.  Also check out the manufacturers sites.

[Deemar]

For recording software use Zoneminder.

[hawk1]

Be advised that the last time I checked Zoneminder was for Linux only.  If you have Linux thats the program you would use.  If your using Windows than there are a lot of programs that you could try.  Blue Iris is a favorite of mine, Vitamin D, among others.  Just google these to find them.

[Jeff M]

Vitamin D has a free edition that supports one camera.  I just installed it and have been playing with it for a little while.  From what I can see, it only records video clips if it senses movement.  You can set up rules to have it detect either objects or people moving, as well as detect specific movements (anywhere, into the scene, out of the scene, etc.).  I did not see an option to manually turn on recording.  It does not support pan/tilt cameras.  You can view them, but just not control the movement. 

Correction:  Vitamin D does record continuous video, and has options for how long the video is retained.  When you close Vitamin D, there is an agent that runs in the background which countinues to record video.  This one may work for you, and it's free for the single camera edition.

[Deemar]

Be advised that the last time I checked Zoneminder was for Linux only.  If you have Linux thats the program you would use.  If your using Windows than there are a lot of programs that you could try.  Blue Iris is a favorite of mine, Vitamin D, among others.  Just google these to find them.

Ya but I assume he's setting up a separate server for his video, why wouldn't you?

[hawk1]

Basically because a lot of users here probably don't know how, much less know anything about Linux or Zoneminder.  That is why the forum has a Linux thread.  If they did know anything about this they would be posting in it instead of here.

[Bobz]

thanks guys.
have any idea how big of drive i'd need for 12 to 14 hrs of recording?

[systemdm]

Bobz,

Depends on quality and compression.  I usually allow 1GB for each hour with standard quality video.
I have a Foscam camera recording video on a windows system using this amount.

[Bobz]

ok thats not bad, does that include audio?

[systemdm]

No, but the audio shouldn't add that much more to it.

[Bobz]

does your Foscam camera have audio?

[systemdm]

Yes it does.  I haven't used it in a while, but the last I remember, it works ok.