How to: Setup Video Surveillance With Webcams

With the number of rising thefts and crimes, surveillance needs for home or office are a must. Deploying professional security cameras, alongwith digital video recorders for surveillance needs are very expensive. If you already own a webcam (or a number of webcams) you can create your own video surveillance unit at home or office in a very cost effective way. All you need is an application that can handle multiple camera feeds with a motion detection feature.  

IP cameras are preferred over webcams as they can be operated remotely

WebcamXP is one such extraordinarily powerful and yet cheap software, which can help in video surveillance for those on a shoe-string budget. Available in different versions, the WebcamXP 5.3.4.252 free version supports only one web camera and is available for personal use. Download the free version from ‘www.webcamxp.com’. Powerful features such as streaming, monitoring, motion and sound detection, recording and remote monitoring/storage are a few key features of this software. So, let us begin setting up WebcamXP and deploy your webcam(s) to monitor your home or office. 

Here’s what you would need to set up a small scale video surveillance unit: 

• The WebcamXP application (or any other similar application of your choice) HandiAVI is another great software.
• One or more Webcams (IP cameras would also suffice using compatible software 
• A live IP internet connection (if you need the video to be monitored from another location over the internet or stored on a remotely available server).

Get started

Make sure you have your webcam installed on your computer along with the necessary drivers. Install or place the cameras facing the area, which needs to be monitored. Note: USB cameras do not have a lengthy USB cable and hence can be only stretched as far as 1.5 to 3 meters from the computer using a USB hub. If you need the cameras to be installed outdoors or at places at a greater distance, we would advise opting for IP cameras or wireless cameras. Wireless cameras would require a router for the interconnectivity.

Step 1: The Software

Once the cameras are configured and the software is installed, launch the WebcamXP application. Here you will see a large preview window along with four small preview windows for adding multiple camera feeds.

WebcamXP is one of the free to use software, out there

Towards the left are control and configuration icons which will help setting up the software for your surveillance needs. The bottom half gives you information of the camera connected along with options for pan, zoom and tilt. This option will be available only if your camera supports the feature.

Step 2: Connect the cameras

Right-click on the small preview windows (numbered as 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively) and select ‘PCI/USB (WDM Driver) | <your webcam>’ from the respective list. If the camera is an IP camera, you would require entering details such as name, IP address and authentication details. Once done, WebcamXP will detect the camera and the video feed would be available on the main window and the small window respectively. Repeat the same procedure and install/connect all other cameras respectively. Remember, the trial version supports only one camera.

Step 3: Scheduling

Click on the ‘Scheduler’ tab and choose the required action to be taken by WebcamXP from the ‘Action’ drop down list. Choose the camera source number (the camera that needs to be configured) and the schedule for it to run.

Setting up schedules

Click on the activate button and relax. Let the WebcamXP software handle the rest for you while you are away from home or office. It can be beneficial in the night at home or office.