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Let's talk [Webcam] Security!
1ddqd
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok, so let's say (hypothetically) I wanted to mount a camera in a car, hooked up to a CarPC. I want the webcam to take still pictures every .5 seconds from the moment the computer turns on to the moment it turns off. I want the quality to be very high, and I want 2 cameras (front and rear angles).
I'm looking at the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 ($50) and the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 ($75). I read the CNET reviews. The CarPC has a 250gb drive, so I'm not worried about running out of space.
However, here's the kicker. At the end of the day, when I return to home, I can remote into the CarPC to update files, etc. I want to grab the folder from said hard drive.
I've never used a webcam before, so something like this has me scratching my head.
I'm looking at the Microsoft LifeCam VX-5000 ($50) and the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 ($75). I read the CNET reviews. The CarPC has a 250gb drive, so I'm not worried about running out of space.
However, here's the kicker. At the end of the day, when I return to home, I can remote into the CarPC to update files, etc. I want to grab the folder from said hard drive.
I've never used a webcam before, so something like this has me scratching my head.
1ddqd on
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Never mind, I thought you meant something rigged to take pictures of the inside of the vehicle. Still, sounds weird. You planning on getting into an accident, or are you just really paranoid?
The XP Powertoy "Webcam Timershot" can do this, but I think it's a one-second timer at slowest, and you'll have to run two instances, one per camera.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
As for reasons, they are two-fold. One, yes, in the event of an accident, two, in the event I catch something interesting. The rear mounted camera will be tucked in at the ceiling, while the front mounted camera will be mounted right behind the rear view mirror (in the middle). Both will be stealthed as much as possible.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
There is a reason that stills aren't used by security DVRs/NVRs. They become a nightmare in terms of management. You end up with lots of pictures to look through and there isn't really an equivalent for fast forward. A 40 min drive is going to net you 5600 pictures over that period of time. Individually they aren't very big but you'll note that there will be a lot of volume.
With a web cam, you won't be seeing much from the something interesting category. The Logitech doesn't give specs on the lens but the Microsoft one does. You're looking at a max focal distance of 5'. If you try looking much beyond 8' you're just going to have a lot of blur. With the Logitech camera you're going to end up with a lot of blur anyway. With video applications, low end megapixel sensors don't handle rapid motion very well.
At night these camera are going to be blind from the combination of poor low light ability and poor ability to handle light from headlights. This is pretty much true of most cameras. There are some technologies like WDR that can help a little with that but those are mostly likely well outside your planned budget.
You may also find glare to be an issue.
It's also possible he could be doing it as some kind of art project or just as something interesting. You guys jump on the creepy girlfriend stalker angle so quickly!
That's with an iSight. Check out the videos - pretty good quality.
Specs for Logitech: Specs for iSight:
Yes, it will be a video stitched together with all of these pics. I can't imagine NOT having the option to seperate each new session into a new folder. The date modified will serve as a timestamp if I can't find anything to do it for me. That webcam timer looks very promising - it even runs as a service!
*edit* b/c I suck at quotes
I saw those stats on Logitech's website. But they don't actually say anything about the lens beyond the manufacturer. It doesn't say what the options for focal distances are or the size of the lens. Great low light vision makes me worry since they don't have a lux value stated. You can have a great manufacturer of the lens but it doesn't mean you're using the right lens for the job.
It's generally much easier to start with recording with something like an MJPEG codec then to stitch them together after the fact.
Personally i think anyone who can afford it is crazy not to have something like this in their cars.
I really recommend against the audio option. The laws covering video recording and audio recording are different sets of laws and the laws covering audio are fairly broadly written. And while they are straight forward, most people's expectations of what is legal and what isn't don't jive very well with them. And violations of those laws are generally felony matters.
The other thing that comes to mind is that 1ddqd needs to check to see if his local jurisdiction requires signs for areas being recorded. If they do, then just drop the project. Or suffer with your car having very visible signs attached to them. I would check with a lawyer or the state group that licenses CCTV installers. In some states it falls under low voltage licenses, in others like Texas the licensing comes from the DPS.
Texas is a one party consent state for audio and doesn't require the posting of signs. But the laws aren't lax. Texas does require a license for any installation of security equipment. They will turn a blind eye if you do it for yourself, but they won't if you do it for someone else.
Yeah I'll be doing it myself for sure.