Hi there,
I'm moving in a new place right in front of the beach at the end of the week. I've got ocean view from the balcony, and I am thinking I should set up a webcam so I can escape work when I see that conditions are good for a surf or a kite...
I have no idea where to start, has anybody set up a cam like this before ? I have heard of ip webcam...?
In the future I would even consider setting up a wind meter on the roof...
Thanks for your help!
there are some free android apps that turn your phone / tablet into a web camera, then it broadcasts the imges/video using an HTTP link. Very easy to setup. I can't remember if there was any kind of password protection though.
Set up a complex array of mirrors along the route to work and you will be able to watch it without internet.
Select to expand quotePitbull said..
Or you could try using www.seabreeze.com.au
because theres so many webcams on sea breeze u ning nong
Haha thanks for all the replies, most of them useless at this point though, at least they gave me a good laugh.
I am not a pro hence my genuine question, but I would probably have figured out the link to the Mangocam page. By the way I did search on google but didn't find much. I thought somebody here would have maybe done it before and given me some straight forward tips on which cam to buy, how to set it up, what website to use to get the live image etc.
The mirrors idea is very good too, I should have thought of it myself, but the idea is also to share the footage with my friends and anybody else interested, so that would imply a lot of mirrors.
Yeah, sorry about that.....I set up an ip camera a while ago. Here's what I used:
Camera is a FOSCAM F18906W $110. Set up instructions are pretty straight forward. Mine's been in action for a couple of years with no issues.
Veiwing/recording site is Mangocam. The site has all the camera set up data you'll need in the form of 'how to' tutorials. Costs me $6/month.
If you use the F18906W, you'll need to get a 240V supply to within a metre of the camera position. There is a 'Power over Ethernet' camera option, but I have no experience of that model, and therefore can't comment on its performance.
The F18906W has the option of connecting to your house router via either a wireless link, or ethernet cable. I've used both methods in the past, both have been reliable. A cable will allow for greater distances between camera and router.
Forwarding the camera image onto a site will require a bit of port forwarding to tackle on your router, but information on that will be available on your router manufacturer website.
If your router is a few years old, it may be worth checking you have the latest firmware installed. It's been my experience that later revisions of my Belkin router firmware have been a little more user-friendly.
Once you've succesfully set up an account with a recording/veiwing site, you can give the password to whomever you wish, and they can view the live images on the tinterweb....
you could also point a normal webcam out of the window (if that is an option) and set up skype to automatically accept video calls from specific people (you and your friends).
Obviously you would need to leave your computer/tablet/cheap smartphone on all the time.
The benefit is that webcams are generally little cheaper than IP cams (or you may already have one) and there is no additional network set up required and no ongoing subscription fees.
Or as above - most IP Cams can be set up to stream over the net, usually some level of network set up (firewall & DDNS) is required in order to stream over the net.
From memory there are some IP Cams which already have some of this built in or preconfigured or have an app for your smartphone (try Logitech, D-Link etc.) but these tend to be little more expensive to buy
Select to expand quoteok said..Pitbull said..
Or you could try using www.seabreeze.com.au
because theres so many webcams on sea breeze u ning nong
There's four for the Perth metro area.
www.seabreeze.com.au/cams/default.asp
Why are people talking about monthly subscription fees?
You buy an IP camera for about $50 on ebay, connect it to your wi-fi, and watch it for free from anywhere in the world whenever you want.
No need to connect it to a computer. No need to leave a computer on. All you need is wi-fi in your home. Simple.
This is the one I use. I can pan and tilt the camera remotely, and can talk into the phone or computer that I am watching on, and the sound will come out of the camera (if I attach a speaker to it.). Cost me a little bit more because I needed it in a hurry and bought it from a shop.
http://www.msy.com.au/security-systems-/13928-edimax-ic-7001w-wireless-day-night-pt-network-camera.html
Select to expand quoteeYann said..
but the idea is also to share the footage with my friends and anybody else interested
Why would you want to bring the crowds? If you are fortunate enough to live on the beach and get all the benefits of that - why would you want to encourage "anybody else who is interested" 
Madness.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..
Why are people talking about monthly subscription fees?
because someone suggested mangocam, which I believe is subscription based. Agree with you that you can hook up any IP cam and stream from it, some level of network set up will be usually required ( I can stream live HD video from my home security system - 4 cameras, took a while to set up firewall rules and port forwarding)
