How to create a Video Surveillance System with the Webcam

Through the specific software to use the webcam as CCTV, it is possible to view and record live video detected by a webcam. The webcam security cameras also allow for motion detection, sending email alerts, and uploading a video to FTP.

When you are out, you can remotely access the webcam security camera to stay informed about your home and loved ones. In this guide, I will explain step by step how to turn your PC into an efficient video surveillance system.

All you need is a webcam and management software. This system is beneficial for monitoring a room in your apartment or simply knowing who is that thief who makes your things disappear from your room. Here’s how to create a video surveillance system with a webcam.

Download

First, open your Internet browser and enter the www.sighthound.com website address. A software presentation page will open, which you will need to download to achieve your goal.

Then click on ” Download ” and wait for the relevant web page to open, with the notice of the download form. Now enter your e-mail address in the field where it says, ” Enter your email address,” and finally press the blue ” Download ” button. At this point, the software download procedure will begin, which has a size of 25.6 MB. It is a rather ” light ” software.

Run the installation

When the download of the setup file is finished, open it by double-clicking on it. A window will open in which you will have to search and click the ” next ” button. A screen will appear again that will dictate the rules for using the software and the privacy policy.

To put the checkmark on the words ” I accept the agreement, “click on ” next ” twice in a row. Finally, click on the ” Install ” button to start the installation procedure. Once the installation process is complete, click on ” Finish,” The software will be ready to be used.

Turn on the webcam

The software you downloaded will start automatically. At the first screen, you see click immediately on ” Next “; in the field that opens, enter the name of the room you want to control with the webcam and press ” Next ” again.

You will then find a drop-down menu from which you will have to choose the ” webcam ” item and press ” Next ” again. At this point, the webcam will be turned on by the software, and on the monitor, you will see a preview of the image coming from it; press once again on ” Next ” and then on ” Finish. “

Position the webcam

To start making the webcam do its job, position it in the most congenial way so that it can frame the whole room or most of it. Once this is done, you can put the checkmark on ” Rec. “

At this point, the surveillance system is activated, but the software will remain on standby until something passes in front of the webcam; in this case, it will start recording everything that happens in front of it.

Register

To block the recording, you have to remove the checkmark that you put on ” Rec. “ If you want to review the recordings made during the video surveillance of the room, click on the button with the symbol of a magnifying glass; you will find the list of all the moving things captured by the software. To delete the recordings, select them and click on the ” tools ” menu and finally on ” Delete Clip. “

Use iSpy

Another method is to use iSpy, which turns the webcam into a security camera to detect sound or motion to provide home surveillance. This security webcam app is free, but some of its features are excellent, like remote viewing. Recently iSpy only works with the Microsoft operating system (Windows 7, 8, 10, etc.). Some users say the video quality is horrible.

To use iSpy for video surveillance, you need to keep your laptop on all the time. So you should turn off your computer’s sleep function to make sure it’s always on. Put your webcam in a place where video surveillance is needed.

You can use it to monitor and secure your front door, back door, etc. You may also decide to monitor your children and pets. Prepare a long enough USB cable and connect the webcam to the computer. Install the webcam security camera software on your Windows or Mac computer.