82 year old Mom and web cam questions

[garys1n2]

I have an 82 year old Mom who is mentally and physically what you would expect an 82 year old woman would be and look like, and I would like to set up a web cam that can be monitored from a remote PC (my brother's in Winter Springs, FL, and/or my sister's in Atlanta, GA), or any laptop with wi fi access, just in case something should happen to her with no one home to "be there". I have two web cams (one by Phillips and one by Creative) that I can use, but unfortunately, I need instructions on how to set them for remote monitoring.

I imagine this has been answered before, but how would I go about setting this up? I am thinking that perhaps setting up a web site from Roadrunner or GoDaddy would be the most "cost efficient", but the foremost requirement I would have would be to have secure, but accessible to my siblings. I already have Skype and Orb set up on my computer, and have the same support question into them, but no one no where has the knowledge base of PC Mech, and I trust this site more than any other.

Any information, direction, suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated, and hopefully, the replies will emcompass an encyclopedia of information.

[mikeL]

Are you looking for something like a security camera that sits in the corner and overlooks a room always streaming, or a web cam for using an Instant Message client, a web cam is usually connected to a computer, and the user must be in front of the computer.

[garys1n2]

Actually, I want to set the web cam in the corner, and stream to the computer, which in turn would be connected to to a web site. Maybe even two web cams because they would be able to cover all the areas my Mom would be in. If streaming is not practical, both cameras have the ability to set them for periodic snapshots. Like I said, it is not for security, but more for "keeping an eye on Mom" while I am not there. My siblings both have embraced the concept, but implementing it is harder than the concept...lol! the web cams are USB, and can be placed anywhere.

[Petef56]

The problem with using the USB Webcams is that you need to
use an instant messaging system on both ends such as Yahoo
messenger and that requires user intervention on both ends
to make the connection.

A simpler approach might be to buy a system like the one
below which includes a PCI card that the included cams hook
up to and the EzWatch software which will act as the
streaming server automaticaly when you boot up the PC.
You need a static IP address (on her end only), so find
about how to get that from her ISP and how much it costs.

http://www.ezwatch-security-cameras....!-p-16391.html

Once it's all setup, you enter the IP adress into your browser
and you will enter a user name and password that gives you
access to the EzWatch software interface where you can
monitor either cam or both.

---pete---

[glc]

Set up a dedicated computer with Internet connection in her house with the webcams connected to it, and leave the software running so the cams are displayed on the monitor. Then get a free Logmein.com account so you can log in and see the computer's desktop when you want.

[garys1n2]

Okay...here's what I know so far.

GoDaddy and Roadrunner really dont encourage streaming video because it uses too much bandwidth, and it is very expensive.

Both web cams I have support periodic snapshots (time set by user).

MacroExpress can upload snapshots periodically to GoDaddy or Roadrunner (hence, called domain) to replace previous snapshots.

Therefore, does this sound correct....

I have my computer on at all times the web cam is taking the snapshots which would be every 15 minutes (+/-), while the Marco Express uploads the snapshots to the domain moments later, replacing the previous uploaded snapshot, which then can be viewed by my siblings or from a remote wi fi addy, which would allow any of us to call 911 if an emergency occurs. Does that sound right?

Also, the web cams can be set to take snapshots at different times and Macro Express can upload them to be replaced in the domain because more than one pic can be displayed on the domains.

Am I on the right track here folks?

Thanks for the info, suggestions, and help!

And yes, I do have enough HD space to store all the snapshots (home network called FRUIT), so only the ones replaced would be the ones on the domain.

Again, you are awesome! I really dont think David knew how good his site was going to be when he lauched it, but NOTHING compares to PC Mech!

(glc---she lives with me because with the way the economy is, I am the only one of her kids that can care for her without having to put her in a nursing home...she love the Golden Retrievers too!)

[garys1n2]

Has anyone ever wanted to monitor their house via webcam, or the nursery, or the nursing home, and be in a totally stealth mode and to be able to do it from ANY computer--desktop or laptop--in the world?

Well, I just have to share this with ya'll, and perhaps it may be worthy of a "sticky"

How well it works for you is predetermined on whether you have a webcam that supports WDM drivers, however, you dont need to worry about this if you are just checking out someone else's webcam (check this out for an explanation, but these drivers are associated with your video card, not the web cam, and only apply if it is your webcam that you are monitoring, and I was able to download the appropriate drivers via the ATI website as I have an ATI Vid card):

Launch Orb, and verify that your webcam is properly detected as a Windows Capture Device in Orb tray icon > About... > System info. If your Webcam only has a Video For Windows (VFW) entry listed, then it may not work in Orb unless you install WDM DirectShow-compatible drivers for this device

That said, thru this site Orb, you can check streaming video of your webcams by following these instructions:

From any remote PC, log on to your Orb account at mycast.orb.com, select Open Application > TV/Webcams > click Webcams in the left Navigation panel: you should see a thumbnail image of your webcam in the main Content panel

Although there is about a five to seven second delay, you can monitor what your web cam sees (as long as the computer with the webcam attached to it is running). I don't know if it allows multiple users to log into the same account, but tonite, I had my friend in Tennessee check to see if he could activate my web cams from his computer,(to check on Mom periodically), and the first thing he said after logging in and accessing the webcams is.....Boy, Gary, you are one ugly dude bro! LOL!

As long as the folks you want to monitor the web cams have the log in info and password, you can check the web cam anytime, or keep it open. It will show the web cam view through your windows media player, or whichever one you have for default, and it isnt snapshots, but streaming video. I know I will be making extensive usage of this, not only to check in on Mom, but to keep an eye on the house also.

Just thought I would share this with my friends in PCMech....and BTW, 911 can be dialed from anywhere in the world to report a crime in progress.

If you want to check it out, and if you want to help me monitor my 82 year old Mom, the log in is: CheckinOnMom and the password is: grabber1 Yeah, I know, some of you are saying what kind of a fool gives out that info? This fool wants as many eyes on Mom as he can get, course, the web cam at my computer is on there too, so you can see why my friend said what he did....lol!

This is something everyone should check out (not me----Mom, or the application and benefits).

[quartet-man]

It sounds cool, but hopefully if someone uses this as a security system and someone breaks in to their house, they won't steal the computer first.