[XCSSA] help: IR webcams?

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

On Friday 05 August 2005 03:50 am, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:
> Hey folks,
>
> First the general question:
>
> Does anyone know a good way to detect intrusions in a [normally]
> unoccupied attic?  There is a person-sized hole in my attic wall that
> I share with a neighbor, and there is a flimsy trapdoor that leads
> down into the living areas.  I don't think PIR sensors will work due
> to the high ambient temperature.
>
> Now the specific question:
>
> Does anyone know where I can find an IR or low-light wireless camera
> that either does motion detection internally or can interface to a
> computer running e.g. motion* to detect the motion and take pics?
> Ideally it would be IR with an active IR illuminator.  I can't seem to
> find one.

I've used a PIR X10 camera/light combo.  Used it to detect if/when we get 
critters in the attic (have had raccoons and stuff):
http://www.x10.com/cameras/vt38a_s_k_ps19.html

The RF receiver can then be pumped into a USB/Video capture device (via 
v4linux) or into a mythtv's video in and into motion.

BTW.. Motion make a great little "intrusion detection" system.  I used to use 
it at Rackspace to monitor who checked out books from our tech library:
http://theweeks.org/tmp/RACKSPACE/2002-05-21_18-50-00-00.jpg
http://theweeks.org/tmp/RACKSPACE/2002-05-21_18-48-51-00.jpg
hehe...

As for a non-PIR camera systems, cyber-guys has a good selection of wireless 
cameras:
http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchproducts.asp?s=SP&dept=lch7&search=&child=&across=2&sort=new

Combine one of those with a simple IR LED panel light:
http://www.pinecomputer.com/pinecom/ilinledilpa.html
or in kit forms:
http://www.allthings.com.au/Catalogue/Illuminators/illum-diy.html
http://dalewheat.com/ir.php

The combined IR self illuminating security cams go for a bit more though.  
Smart Home seems to have a few to choose from:
http://www.smarthome.com/7537B.html
http://www.smarthome.com/7538.html
http://www.smarthome.com/29091.html


Tweeks
-- 
Thomas Weeks, Lead Sys. Engineer          The Managed Hosting Specialist(TM)  
Rackspace Managed Hosting                 http://www.rackspace.com/