Wireless Survelience cam

[ac777]

Hi, I am looking for a camera to put in my barns to check on sheep during lambing season (NOW). would save a lot of trips. i want it to be able to be viewed online. The house has internet but is a couple hundred yards away or so. Maybe only 100. Any ideas on what to use in this situation? thanks.

[pureinsanity]

I would say if at all possible to get internet out in the barn you could put a computer in the bar that has a webcam. You could just run the webcame and view it from another computer.

I am sure there are wireless systems available too. Or if you can find your hands on a cable video camera from someone. I know my buddy has just a plan old black and white camera the runs to his tv with a cable. If he wants to see it he just flips a channel.

[ac777]

True, but I dont really want to have a designated computer to leave in the barn. Would rather have just a camera.

[spearchucker]

They make network enabled cameras. They just plug into ethernet, some are wifi too. Your biggest problem will be getting internet to the barn that is that far away. May have to go with something other than WIFI internet cameras, but they will be much more expensive.

[pureinsanity]

I think your best bet would be find an older coaxial cameras system. One you can just lay down some coaxial cable on the ground all the way to the house. or string it up from the house to the barn...

Also you should come get that bear out of my freezer now that its cold

[ac777]

Insanity, I just thought of that when I read your post. I am setting a goal to come get it in the next week or so. Just gotta convince the wife we need to go to the cities. maybe take her shopping?

[pureinsanity]

  ac777 said:

Insanity, I just thought of that when I read your post. I am setting a goal to come get it in the next week or so. Just gotta convince the wife we need to go to the cities. maybe take her shopping?

No Problem! I can work something out with yah. Could maybe even meet you half way if need be. Shoot me an email with your location again. I will work something out. Just got a 1/4 of beef so things are tight in the freezer! having the bear gone would be great even thought its small.

[CAMAN]

AC777, do a search on Amazon for "mini wireless color camera". The one I found is only about $28 and has a 150' broadcast range(without obstructions). Comes with the camera, receiver, and everything needed to hook to the TV, and actually has pretty good reviews. Might be worth a try.

[SkunkedAgain]

If you're going to run a coax, you could alternatively run a Cat5 and just put a hotspot in the barn.

[ac777]

  CAMAN said:

AC777, do a search on Amazon for "mini wireless color camera". The one I found is only about $28 and has a 150' broadcast range(without obstructions). Comes with the camera, receiver, and everything needed to hook to the TV, and actually has pretty good reviews. Might be worth a try.

Well that would work, but im really looking for one that i can use as a web cam so that i can view from anywhere.

[CAMAN]

Quote:

couple hundred yards away or so. Maybe only 100

Oops, I misread this, I thought you said feet. 100 feet is pushing the limits of a quick and easy setup. 300+ feet is going to start getting pricey with WIFI repeaters and such.

Do a search for "IP Camera" there are a bunch of them out there and run about $50 and up, some of them are even capable of being controlled from the computer(pan, zoom, tilt, night vision, etc). They run off either your WIFI or LAN. Most likely you will need at least one maybe two repeaters between the house and barn to get a reliable signal.

[delcecchi]

You can go 100 meters, about 110 yards, with an ethernet cable. Going that far wireless will be difficult or expensive, although with some antenna finagling it might be possible. See the thread about getting internet to a church.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ork#Post2675552

[ac777]

I may have found the solution, http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-...3089&sr=8-2 this should get me internet out to the barn i have line of sight to the house. anyone use these?

[spearchucker]

  ac777 said:

I may have found the solution, http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-...3089&sr=8-2 this should get me internet out to the barn i have line of sight to the house. anyone use these?

I think you would need 2 of these though. One for the house and one for the barn.

[ac777]

ahh yes, looks like it now that i read the description closer, still may go that route tho.

[simple1]

Please report back with your experience with these. I will be curious how they work as 900 feet seems like a long distance. Also I would recommend that you look at dropcam.

Simple 1

[spearchucker]

He only needs to go 600 ft if I read correctly, but these will still be pushing it. Would be best with a directional antenna if possible.

[upnorth]

If it is a straight line of site antenna to antenna it may go 600 ft. A booster may help. Also there are wireless devices you can add an antenna to so that you can put the antenna in a better spot.

[pureinsanity]

Has anyone put tomato on their router for its firmware. It is suppose to increase your wireless range. Not sure by how much but if anyone has dabbled in firmware upgrades for their routers. perhaps they know how far a signal will reach.

[upnorth]

The internal radios are only so powerful. I know some can get a little better performance with better firmware, but can't get past the restriction of the radio.

[spearchucker]

  pureinsanity said:

Has anyone put tomato on their router for its firmware. It is suppose to increase your wireless range. Not sure by how much but if anyone has dabbled in firmware upgrades for their routers. perhaps they know how far a signal will reach.

I have DD-WRT loaded. It allows you to increase the power output, but I have never had the need or measured how much it really increases things. Even if you increase the power output of the transmitter, you can still need a receiver sensitive enough to receive a signal coming back.

[ac777]

I paced it off the other day and to my surprise its only 75 paces which is about 225 feet. Much closer than I thought. May just look for a booster that can shoot it out that far.

[spearchucker]

Just remember that you have to get the signal back as well.

[delcecchi]

Cheapest way is a spool of CAT5 or CAT6, unless stringing a wire would be too painful. There is wire that can be buried as well.

[simple1]

225' gives you many, many more options. I would also just go with Cat5 cable and look at the dropcam or other cheap camera. You will be good to go now.