Viewing a USB webcam over a LAN

Viewing a USB webcam over a LAN

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Discussion

Goochie

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

218 months

Monday 25th January 2010
quotequote all
We have a small test room at work that we like to keep an eye on (to make sure nothing is on fire!) We have remote smoke alarms in there but it would be nice to see what is going on.

There is a networked PC in there and we have ample USB webcams around the place.

Is there anyway I can view the USB webcam over the LAN ? I dont really want to use MSN messenger or anything like that.

I know you can buy IP webcams but they seem quite expensive when we already have the hardware and network here.

I have googled but un-surprisingly, searching for anything involving the word "webcam" brings up thousands of "alternative" websites.

Goochie

Original Poster:

5,663 posts

218 months

Monday 25th January 2010
quotequote all
We dont want to spy on people, we just want to view our products on-test.

FourWheelDrift

88,382 posts

283 months

Monday 25th January 2010
quotequote all
When you say you don't want MSN Messenger or anything like that do you just mean the social networking things?

Because I use http://www.orb.com/ I can if I wanted to see what my webcam sees from any PC I have Orb installed on or even my iPhone if I should choose to. It's main function for me is to stream music to my iPhone so I don't have to clog up my entire memory with it all.

Webcam setup - http://support.orb.com/kb/entry/135/

All you have to do is make sure the Webcam is not being controlled by it's own software (it's not currently on) because Orb turns it on and controls it. And that it is a compatible Webcam in that it can handle DirectShow.

TooLateForAName

4,728 posts

183 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Just buy an IP Camera. using usb cam you're going to have to have some device to run the camera, IP cameras are pretty much standalone

philthy

4,689 posts

239 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Set the webcam software running, and watch it over VNC ?

holmzy

52 posts

185 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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Could try Yawcam http://www.yawcam.com/index.php , it will let you stream over a network connection, with a username and password to protect the stream, plus you can view it from any computer if you need to just using a web browser and the computers ip address.

Mr_S

414 posts

198 months

Monday 25th January 2010
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webcamxp works well and is free for private use

http://www.webcamxp.com/home.aspx