[HH] web cams as security cameras

[Tom Metro]

I noticed one of these:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0332677

selling for $15 in the latest Micro Center flyer (price not reflected on
their site for some reason).

I don't recall seeing web cams before that incorporated night vision
LEDs. Better picture of the model here with the LEDs illuminated:
http://www.pcgearhead.com/webcams-all.php?PrdID=1071

If you can get 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution (720P HD) image sensor
packaged retail for $15, makes you wonder why $200 IP cameras barely can
do 640x480 (and most that produce that resolution still have a fuzzy
picture). (Actually you can get a pan/tilt IP camera claiming 640x480
from China for $70. The sensor budget is probably $2.)

I would expect to see several limitations with using web cams as
security cameras:

-The lens angle for a web cam may be too wide or narrow when you
position the camera 10 feet away from your area of interest, instead of 2.

-As above, focus may be off, but the lens may already be designed be
focused at "infinity" for anything that is more than a foot away.
(Looking at a large JPEG of the camera, it looks like it has a manual
focus ring and the markings F/#2.4 f:80mm-infinity.)

-The "night vision" LEDs appear to be visible white, rather than IR,
which diminishes their value for security applications. If the camera
needs visible light, then you might as well just use general lighting,
and you likely would need that in a security application where you need
to illuminate a larger area. No specifications for the minimum light
level required by the camera.

-This is a wide aspect ratio HD camera. The extra width may or may not
be useful in a security application. The slightly cheaper 800 x 600
resolution model might be better.


I know there are some people on the list that have experimented with
using web cams as security cameras. Have you had success using higher
resolution web cams to produce a better image than what you'd get from a
$200 IP cam? If so, what did you pair it with? ShevaPlug?

Ideally I'd like to see a ShevaPlug-like device that:
-Has a hardware watchdog timer (IP cameras are very crash prone).
-Has a USB port.
-Has an input port that you can wire a passive IR motion detector to.
-Has a hardware H.264 (or similar) encoder.
-Has an Ethernet jack.
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 -Tom