Regardless of your location, discussions about burglaries and thefts are commonplace. You or someone in your family may have experienced it at some point.
That’s why it becomes crucial to enhance the security of your homes and offices. While installing CCTV cameras might be the first thought when upgrading the security system, they have a significant flaw. They are visible to everyone, and the small light on them indicates that they are recording everything. There are stories where burglars disabled CCTV cameras during their activities.
So, what are the other options available? By using one of the tools in the market, you can transform your webcam into an effective security camera. People are unlikely to notice that a webcam is keeping an eye on them, and using your webcam as a security camera will cost much less than installing CCTVs. Interested in learning how to make this happen? Keep scrolling below.
What is a cam?
For those unfamiliar, a webcam is a built-in camera on your laptop or desktop, typically located at the top of the screen. It is primarily used as a communication tool for capturing videos during virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom or Meet. If your device lacks a built-in webcam, you can purchase an external webcam, which serves the same purpose.
Benefits and drawbacks of utilizing a web cam as a security cam
Using a webcam as a security camera comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Let’s explore the benefits first. You can establish a security measure by spending a fraction of the money required for installing CCTV cameras. Additionally, there are open-source tools available. Secondly, the entire process is easy to implement and doesn’t require any expertise. All you need is a PC/laptop, software, and, of course, the webcam.
However, amidst the pros, there are also several cons. The footage captured by the webcam may be less clear than that recorded by CCTV cameras, depending on the quality of your webcam. Since webcams lack a night vision feature, they become ineffective as security cameras after dark.
Actions to turn a web cam into a security video camera
Transforming your camera into a security camera is a straightforward process that involves a few simple steps.
Firstly, position the PC/laptop with the webcam (or the external webcam) in front of the area it needs to surveil. If using an external webcam, connect it to your PC via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or USB cable.
Download and install the webcam to security camera software tool of your choice. There are several options available, and we will discuss them later.
Install the software and connect your camera to it. You can assign a name for easy identification purposes.
Ensure that the camera is functioning as intended. Adjust the viewing angle until you are satisfied.
There you go! Your webcam is now ready to serve as a security camera. As expected, the webcam to security camera conversion tool is the cornerstone of the process. It also provides additional features, allowing you to customize your DIY security camera. Curious about which webcam software will be the best choice? Keep reading to find out.
Yawcam
Developed in Java, Yawcam is a free webcam-to-motion-sensitive security camera conversion software. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features suitable for surveillance, it is an excellent choice for Windows laptop owners.
Yawcam allows you to capture time-lapses, stream footage online, and upload images to an FTP server. It includes a built-in web server for remote webcam access. The software supports encryption to prevent unauthorized access to stored footage. Unlike some other software, Yawcam effectively detects motion, reducing the chances of false alarms. It notifies users about detected motion via email.
While Yawcam offers multi-language support, it lacks cloud storage functionality for file storage. Additional features include text and image overlays, an online time scheduler, and time-lapse shooting capabilities. As a background service, Yawcam continues to operate even after being closed.
iSpy Connect (Agent DVR)
Agent DVR is an open-source security camera software compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and ARM. What sets Agent DVR apart from other solutions is its ability to operate without the need for port forwarding. This eliminates the requirement to configure the router or risk network security breaches during remote access. Users can conveniently access recorded footage from their desktops and tablets.
The advantages of choosing Agent DVR as your security cam taping tool are as follows:
- It works with a number of gadgets, consisting of IP video cameras, ONVIF gadgets, regional USB cams, and audio gadgets. Additionally, there is no limitation to the variety of gadgets you can include at a time.
- The software application can tape in MP4, VP8/9, GPU, and even the RAW file format to reduce the CPU use when required.
- It is equipped with a number of movement detectors that track items, tripwires and acknowledge things. Additionally, its incorporated AI abilities assist lessen incorrect informs.
- Representative DVR supports Home Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, DeepStack AI, and License Plate Recognition by means of PlateRecognizer.com. Besides, you can utilize your API to incorporate with IoT platforms.
Camlytics
Camlytics is an advanced software application that transforms any web camera into a smart analytics tool. It intelligently combines video tracking, audience intelligence, and location analytics services to provide real-time statistics such as the number of people and vehicles, occupied areas, line lengths, heatmaps, and more. The tool offers the following highlights:
- No Special Hardware Requirements: Camlytics does not require any special hardware to run. You can connect a video capturing device, an IP camera, webcam, or an NVR.
- On-Premises Video Analysis: To maintain data privacy and minimize bandwidth impact, Camlytics analyzes the video on the premises. This ensures that the captured footage is not accessible on cloud storage.
- People and Vehicle Counting: Camlytics can be used to count people and vehicles in multiple locations. It also enables real-time monitoring of location occupancy to ensure compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
- Cloud Storage and Reporting: Users can store counting data from various locations on the Camlytics Cloud. This data can be used to generate reports and custom charts.
- Integration and Customization: Camlytics can integrate with any tool and adapt to business needs through customization tools like API and webhooks.
- Cost: Camlytics Cloud is priced at USD 9 per month, billed annually, for a single camera stream.
ContaCam
ContaCam is a video monitoring and webcam tool designed for compatibility with Windows PC. Its lightweight nature ensures it doesn’t consume unnecessary resources, making it an efficient and resource-friendly solution. ContaCam is user-friendly yet versatile, catering to various privacy-related requirements. Its suitability for machines with older configurations makes it a practical choice, and its streamlined design avoids unnecessary bloatware.
ContaCam possesses the following functions:
- ContaCam works with Windows PC operating on Windows 7/8/8.1/ 10/11
- It supports the following languages: English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
- The CCTV video camera is geared up with a movement detection function.
- The movement detection is represented as thumbnails within the web internet browser,
- You can set up the software application to send out e-mails with the video accessories whenever it identifies motion.
- Set up the software application to send out an everyday video summary on e-mails.
- Likewise possible to acknowledge the number plates, thanks to the number plate acknowledgment function
- ContaCam can utilize the DeepQuest AI or the DeepStack to acknowledge individuals.
- Considering that ContaCam is a video service, it keeps running in the background without requiring you to visit.
- Contaware is a Donationware, so you require to contribute USD 10 for every single setup.
Ivideon
Ivideon is cloud-based video security and analytics tool that can transform your web cam into a security video camera to meet your organization and house requirements. You can utilize it to watch on your child’s activities even when away at work or utilize its facial acknowledgment function to evaluate the video recordings for job-related functions.
What differentiates Ivideon from other software application security-based functions that guarantee your video footage stays personal at all expenses. Other noteworthy functions of Ivedion are as follows:
- You can access Ivideon software application from another location and modify its settings utilizing an app.
- It utilizes the Transport Level Security procedure to guarantee the personal privacy and security of video files sent out online.
- Ivedion works even in low network locations and provides good outcomes, even on 3G networks.
- The software application keeps track of the things, motions, and sounds and wisely sends notices if the electronic camera goes off.
- Ivideon has an instinctive and easy to use user interface and is geared up with a quick gamer.
- Ivideon provides a big collection of software and hardware with a service warranty extending as much as 3 years.
SecuritySpy
Another software application worth pointing out is SecuritySpy, a multi-camera to CCTV software application suitable with Mac. Being a Network Video Recording software application, SecuritySpy can be beneficial for establishing a full-fledged video monitoring option that is extremely scalable. It appropriates for CCTV cams put in houses and workplaces, and you can likewise establish a massive expert system consisting of a number of video cameras.
The user friendly tool utilizes the industry-standard ONVIF procedure, making it possible to incorporate an IP electronic camera following any compliance. SecuritySpy supports versatile recording that provides premium-quality constant along with motion-triggered recording. You can likewise establish the software application to send out e-mails, alerts and even activate alarms when movement is spotted.
SecuritySpy likewise uses a remote tracking ability that allows you from another location access the security cam recording. Powered by AI, its wise movement detection tool utilizes deep neural networks to analyze the video footage and start taping and sending notices if it records something suspicious. Therefore, SecuritySpy provides precise outcomes by decreasing incorrect alarm activates.
SecuritySpy works with Mac and utilizes the hardware-accelerated video processing, multi-threading, and other functions to provide impressive outcomes.
NetCam Studio
NetCam Studio is a video recording software application that leverages innovative innovation to make establishing security simple for the users. Based upon a sophisticated video buffering innovation, NetCam utilizes the recording sync includes to automate the video recording on NetCam.
Using a user friendly user interface, NetCam Studio can be the very best option for satisfying the security requirements of houses, workplaces, stores, and even external properties. Wish to go on a journey and need to leave your delicate files unprotected? Use NetCam to set up house security to prevent theft of the valuables.
The distinct functions of NetCam Studio are as follows:
- You can access the cam recordings from another location by linking the video camera to the web. Additionally, you will likewise get e-mails and alerts when NetCam records uncommon activities.
- NetCam can manage numerous camera, and you can link approximately 64 electronic cameras at the same time. Nevertheless, it can depend upon the processing power of the hardware.
- You can likewise produce your own guidelines that can trigger among the other actions. Furthermore, you can likewise utilize the inbuilt scheduler to develop timeframes.
- Thanks to HTML5 and JSON file requirements, NetCam can be set up based on your requirements.
You can utilize NetCam Studio totally free for approximately 2 video sources. The premium prepares start from USD 49.
Electronic camera FTP
CameraFTP is a leading platform offering advanced cloud security and recording services to satisfy various requirements. Video camera FTP provides Virtual Security System (VSS) software application utilizing which you can transform your Windows PC/Laptop into an effective CCTV/ DVR security system.
The software application catches and shows the live video on the display and waits in the cloud. You are totally free to see the recording from another location at any time. Other functions are as follows:
- Using Virtual Security System (VSS), you can establish and see the recordings of 25 CCTV cams on the screen.
- You can conserve the recording video on the regional disk and even wait on the CameraFTP cloud storage.
- VSS supports regional and remote playback at any time and any location.
- The tool supports a number of video resolutions and frame rates. You can select a strategy that satisfies your requirements and spending plan.
- VSS works with web cams, IP cameras/DVRs, and more.
- VSS runs as a service in the background and instantly begins after a reboot.
- Its locking function avoids other users from customizing the cam settings and disabling the software application.
Virtual Security System (VSS) rates prepares start from USD 2.95 each month.
Conclusion
Given the rising incidents of thefts, break-ins, and burglaries, ensuring the safety of your family and belongings is paramount. However, not everyone can afford a CCTV installation due to its high cost. Fortunately, you can opt for one of the tools mentioned above to transform your webcam into a security camera. This allows you to enhance the security of your family and assets at a significantly lower cost.
