I would like to set up a camera (or two) to record the (1) front door and (2) back door of my suburban house. Here is what I have learned so far. I hope this helps people trying to get a sense of how this all works.
I have have a question at the end about saving video / image files to the Internet.
a. Indoor or outdoor
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Outdoor camera require a protective shell, which can cost $100 to $400 dollars. Also, they are more involved to set up as you have to drill holes to get power and/or network LAN wires to the camera.
I'm not sure if I want an outdoor cam or if it will be easier to place one at the window and have it peer outside. I guess an outdoor camera might scare away burglars, so you want them to see it outside. On the other hand, your friends might be freaked out by the outdoor cameras and think you're in the mob.
The guy who owns this camera installed it inside his home at the window. It looks pretty clear to me (in the daytime):
b. Audio
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Some camera have audio. Some don't. I don't see the need, unless you want to have some kind of intercom system at your front door.
c. Nightvision and motion detection
--------------------------------------------------- Again, some cameras have the ability to record in low light (low lux), which is a useful feature if one assumes many burglaries happen at night. Some cameras can see further into the distance at night than others.
Motion detection is usually a function of the computer software you install with whatever camera you buy. You can define an area in the view of the camera and if there is movement, the computer can record or save a still photo. See section "e" for more info.
d. Connecting to computer
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There are a few choices.
i. You can connect the camera to the computer using an Ethernet (LAN) wire. In some cases, you can also get the electrical power to the camera in this way (Power Over Ethernet, or PoE). This is probably the best way to do it if you constructing your new home and can place wires wherever you want.
ii. If you already have electrical power near the camera but no Ethernet wire, it's likely better to just get a wireless Ethernet camera (WiFi) and wirelessly connect it to your 802.11g wireless network router.
iii. The easiest method for existing homes, however, appears to be HomePlug Technology. Basically, you connect your camera to your computer via your home's A-C power wiring. A USB adapter is plugged in near and connected to your PC and your camera. Somehow, the video signal moves through your wiring. Amazing. (Although I guess the video signal moving through the air is amazing too, when you think about it.) Logitech has a subsidiary called WiLife that sells stylish cameras that connect to your computer like this.
e. Recording
------------------ Here is the key part. Some cameras like the Logitech WiLife simply record to your computer hard drive. Which is okay as long as the burglars don't steal your computer.