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Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools

Home monitoring is important even if you live in a traditionally safe neighborhood. You never know what can go wrong, and when it does, it's nice to have video evidence. Unfortunately, dedicated home security camera systems decorate your home with these 7 stylish security cameras Decorate your home with these 7 stylish security cameras The first generation home security cameras had many flaws, including problems connection and poor video quality. They were also pretty boring. Here are 7 stylish alternatives! Read More

A way to save a a lot of money is setting up a network of webcams instead. Cheap Webcams A Guide To The Best Cheap Webcams Under $60 A Guide To The Best Cheap Webcams Under $60 If you don't have a webcam, you should get one ASAP. It's one of those things that seems unnecessary until you have one, then suddenly becomes useful for all sorts of things. Read More You can also set up old smartphones as webcams. How to Use an Android Phone as a Webcam for Your Computer How to Use an Android Phone as a Webcam for Your Computer Need to record video on your PC but don't have a webcam? Use your Android phone as a webcam with these nifty apps! Read more around the house.

The hard part is managing all those webcams. The good news? The software can handle all of that for you, along with providing some much-needed security features like permanent recording, motion detection, intruder notifications, etc. Here are the best home surveillance apps for webcams.

Free Webcam Surveillance Apps

1. Ivideon

Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools

Ivideon is a webcam surveillance solution designed for homes and businesses. The business version is obviously more powerful with more features, but that doesn't mean the home version is weak! I found it surprisingly effective and easy to use.

Just install the Ivideon server software on a computer with webcams. Ivideon Server runs in the background and controls all webcams, which you can view using the Ivideon web interface or one of the Ivideon mobile apps. IP cameras are supported, in addition to webcams.

Notable features include:

  • Continuous and detection triggered recording modes..
  • Schedule with 1 hour blocks, where each block can be continuous mode, detection triggered mode or no recording.
  • Motion detection support with 3 sensitivities..
  • Sound detection support with 3 trigger thresholds..
  • Unlimited local images. Subscription plans are available for full image cloud storage for up to 24 hours ($4/mo), 10 days ($9/mo), or 30 days ($19/mo).

Download: Ivideon (Windows, Mac, Linux)

2. ZoneMinder

Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools

ZoneMinder is a complete surveillance solution for Linux systems that is capable of monitoring, recording and analyzing home cameras of all kinds. It's powerful enough for business use, yet easy enough for home users. And true to its Linux roots, ZoneMinder is open source software!

Notable features include:

  • Remote access from the web or mobile applications..
  • Supports most advanced features of modern webcams (eg 4K video, night vision).
  • All data is under your control, don't worry about privacy.
  • 100% freeware!

Download: ZoneMinder (Linux)

3. iSpy

Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools

I spy is the most feature-rich of the free options on this list and consists of two parts:first, iSpy software that runs on your computer, and second, iSpyConnect to remotely connect, view your webcams from anywhere. place and receive alerts.

Notable features include:

  • Set up cameras to record videos or take photos..
  • Advanced motion detection options, including high-precision firing range and region-based detection zones.
  • Upload recordings to Dropbox, Google Drive or even YouTube.
  • Supports microphones as well as cameras..
  • Supports email, SMS and Twitter alerts.
  • Unlimited local images. Web, remote and cloud related features require a subscription:Basic ($8/mo), Pro ($20/mo), Pro Plus ($30/mo), Ultimate ($50/mo).

Download: iSpy (Windows)

4. ContaCam

Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools

ContaCam is a simple application that is designed for light resource usage, making it a viable option for older machines. Although you'll miss out on some nifty features like cloud storage integration, don't think of it as barebones. ContaCam is more than enough for most.

Notable features include:

  • Continuous recording and motion detection modes..
  • Motion detection events can be viewed remotely as animated thumbnails.
  • Motion detection events can be sent as emails or uploaded to FTP.
  • Supports unlimited cameras and can record in parallel.
  • 100% freeware!

Download: ContaCam (Windows)

Paid webcams from surveillance applications

5. blue irises

Use your webcam for home surveillance with these tools

Blue iris It is our recommended home monitoring software. The interface has a bit of a learning curve, but it offers a variety of features not available in free alternatives or other paid options in this price range.

Blue Iris is $30 for the light version (which only supports one camera) and $60 for the full version (which supports up to 64 cameras).

Notable features include:

  • Continuous, periodic and detection triggered recording modes.
  • Supports motion and sound detection..
  • Detection alerts via email, instant message, voice call or speakerphone.
  • Remote viewing of cameras on the web or mobile devices..
  • Digital zoom and pan in case you need a better look.

Buy: Blue Iris (Windows)

6. Sighthound Video

Video of the night it's prohibitively expensive for casual home users, but if you're dead serious about home surveillance and can afford multiple high-quality webcams, then there's no better solution. However, it does require a powerful machine.!

Sighthound Video is $60 for the basic license (which supports up to 2 cameras) and $250 for the professional license (which supports unlimited cameras).

Notable features include:

  • Advanced programming for advanced recording patterns.
  • Live remote viewing on web or mobile apps..
  • Search engine to sift through hundreds of hours of footage..
  • Detection alerts with rules and flexible zones so that it is not spam.
  • Powerful Automations Through IFTTT Integration The Ultimate IFTTT Guide:Use The Web's Most Powerful Tool Like A Pro The Ultimate IFTTT Guide:Use The Web's Most Powerful Tool Like A Pro If this is you , also known as IFTTT is a free web-based service to make your apps and devices work together. Not sure how to build your applet? Follow along with this guide. Read more.
  • Upload images to Dropbox, Google Drive or other cloud services.

Buy: Sighthound Video (Windows, Mac)

Key tips for an effective home security camera

Regardless of what software solution you go with, it's important that you avoid these common security camera setup mistakes How to Setup Security Cameras and Avoid Common Mistakes How to Setup Security Cameras and Avoid Common Mistakes In this article, I'll explain Five of the most common mistakes people make when installing their security cameras. Hopefully it will help you avoid making the same mistakes. Read more . In particular, you need to be aware of where you are pointing your cameras. 5 Dangers to Consider When Pointing Your Security Camera. 5 Dangers to Consider When Pointing Your Security Camera. It is important to carefully consider where you place your cameras and what parts of your camera. At home you write them down. Keeping things secure is important, but so is keeping your privacy. Read More Clearly this is not an acceptable state of affairs. To combat this, you need to secure your security cameras. Let's find out how. Read more.

That said, it's also good to be aware of all the practical ways you can use a surveillance camera. Practical uses for your home. Surveillance cameras. Practical uses for your home. Surveillance cameras. Home surveillance cameras are becoming more and more popular as technology advances. prices drop Here are some practical uses for home security cameras, some of which may surprise you. Read More 6 Creative Uses for Wireless Surveillance Cameras in Your Home. 6 Creative Uses for Wireless Surveillance Cameras in Your Home. Security cameras are useful for more than just surveillance. With a bit of creativity and effort, you can improve your quality of life with these unusual ideas for your security cameras. Read more . Of course, you want to keep your home safe, just like watching your babysitter The 6 Best Hidden Cameras To Monitor Your Babysitter The 6 Best Hidden Cameras To Monitor Your Babysitter Looking for a discreet security camera so visitors won't know you're being watched? Try these hidden cameras throughout the house. Read More

What software do you use to manage your webcams? How many webcams do you have in your home surveillance network? Share with us in the comments below!

Article originally written by James Bruce on November 7, 2012