Advantages of video eyelets
Unlike conventional optical devices, an electronic eye with a camera has a number of significant advantages.
- In order to see who is standing in front of the door or what is happening on the landing, it is not necessary to come close to the door and look through the eyepiece of the peephole. The video peephole will allow you to view everything that happens on a remote monitor, using the transfer of information, as in video surveillance systems.
- Cameras that use video eyes are highly sensitive. This ensures that the picture can be viewed even in low light conditions. If an infrared camera is used, surveillance can be carried out even in complete darkness.
- Electronic video eyes have a large viewing angle. it can be in the range from 90º to 180º, which will allow you to control even the side parts of the staircase.
- Video eyes have an autonomous power system, which cannot be turned off from the outside. Therefore, they will remain functional as long as their battery is functioning.
- Most modern video eyepieces support the ability to record what is happening on the media. This will allow later to see who came to the house, what happened near the door when no one was at home.
Therefore, making a video peephole for the front door with your own hands will be the task, the solution of which will increase the safety and protect residents and their property from “uninvited guests”.
To make a video eyelet from a phone with your own hands, you first need to disassemble it and separate the camera from it, which will be installed in the place of a conventional optical eyelet. Since the camera has a smaller diameter than the standard peephole, you will need to use a fixture to fix the camera inside the door.
To supply power to the camera and transmit video information from it to the phone screen, lengthen the loop, with which it connects to the phone module that processes video. For this, a special cable is used, which must have as many conductive cores as the standard cable connecting the camera and the phone had. By soldering the wires to the camera and phone, you can reattach them. The camera is located in the hole in the door, and the phone with the screen is located at a distant distance, where it will be convenient to view what is happening behind the door.
A power supply unit is connected to the phone to ensure its functioning. If you turn on the phone in video mode, you can watch what is happening on the staircase. Using a cable for connecting to a computer or a Bluetooth adapter, it will be possible to transfer the broadcast information for subsequent recording on the media.
Installing a video eyelet
Many are wondering how to install a video peephole with their own hands. The installation of a homemade peephole should be performed in the finished hole that remains in the door from the optical peephole. If it was not in the door, then a hole should be made using an electric drill.
The most difficult part of installing the peephole will be to position it so that the lenses do not obscure the edges of the opening in the door. You will also have to think about how to securely fix a homemade peephole, since its dimensions are likely to be smaller than the hole for a standard peephole. After installing the device in place, connect a cable to it, through which power supply and video signal transmission will be carried out. The cable should be laid in such a way that it does not break when opening / closing the door, and does not interfere with passing through the doorway.
- working web-camera;
- USB extension cable;
- personal computer or laptop;
- camera mounting tool kit.

In this method, the role of the video eye will be played by a Web camera connected to a personal computer, to which the video broadcast of what is happening behind the door will be transmitted.
First, remove the standard optical peephole from the door and prepare the camera for installation in the resulting hole. Install the camera so that nothing falls on the lens and does not limit the viewing angle. You should also normally fix the camera in the standard hole of the optical eye, excluding the possibility of it falling out and turning.
Connecting the camera to a remote computer or laptop uses a USB extension cable of a certain length. In order to be able to work with a laptop or computer camera, you need to install a special program for working with a Web camera. After that, you can view what is happening on the staircase, as well as record on external media. Leaving the laptop turned on, you can record using a web camera everything that happens on the staircase and near the door during that period of time while no one was at home.
Advantages of video eyelets
Unlike conventional optical devices, an electronic eye with a camera has a number of significant advantages.
- In order to see who is standing in front of the door or what is happening on the landing, it is not necessary to come close to the door and look through the eyepiece of the peephole. The video peephole will allow you to view everything that happens on a remote monitor, using the transfer of information, as in video surveillance systems.
- Cameras that use video eyes are highly sensitive. This ensures that the picture can be viewed even in low light conditions. If an infrared camera is used, surveillance can be carried out even in complete darkness.
- Electronic video eyes have a large viewing angle. it can be in the range from 90º to 180º, which will allow you to control even the side parts of the staircase.
- Video eyes have an autonomous power system, which cannot be turned off from the outside. Therefore, they will remain functional as long as their battery is functioning.
- Most modern video eyepieces support the ability to record what is happening on the media. This will allow later to see who came to the house, what happened near the door when no one was at home.
Therefore, making a video peephole for the front door with your own hands will be the task, the solution of which will increase the safety and protect residents and their property from “uninvited guests”.
Application area
The video peephole refers to security devices that are designed to be installed on the front door. The presence of these devices will allow residents to safely observe what is happening near the door and on the staircase. Video eyes can be used in any premises. it can be apartments, country houses, cottages or summer cottages.
5.8GHz Wireless Detachable Peephole Door Camera and advanced DVR for home Surveillance Remote View
Application area
The video peephole refers to security devices that are designed to be installed on the front door. The presence of these devices will allow residents to safely observe what is happening near the door and on the staircase. Video eyes can be used in any premises. it can be apartments, country houses, cottages or summer cottages.
To make a video eyelet from a phone with your own hands, you first need to disassemble it and separate the camera from it, which will be installed in the place of a conventional optical eyelet. Since the camera has a smaller diameter than the standard peephole, you will need to use a fixture to fix the camera inside the door.
To supply power to the camera and transmit video information from it to the phone screen, lengthen the loop, with which it connects to the phone module that processes video. For this, a special cable is used, which must have as many conductive cores as the standard cable connecting the camera and the phone had. By soldering the wires to the camera and phone, you can reattach them. The camera is located in the hole in the door, and the phone with the screen is located at a distant distance, where it will be convenient to view what is happening behind the door.
A power supply unit is connected to the phone to ensure its functioning. If you turn on the phone in video mode, you can watch what is happening on the staircase. Using a cable for connecting to a computer or a Bluetooth adapter, it will be possible to transfer the broadcast information for subsequent recording on the media.
Installation of a video peephole
Correct installation of the camera will provide a good view and prevent the device from falling out. Many do not know how to independently install the video eye. First you need to draw out the old optical model. A modern device will be installed in this hole. If the door was without an optical peephole, then a corresponding hole must be made. It is best to use an electric drill here.
The most difficult stage of installation is the location of the peephole. The lens must not be obscured by door elements. In addition, the peephole should be fixed as much as possible. Most often, the size of a self-made structure is much smaller than a prepared hole in a door. At the end of the installation of the homemade device, you need to go to the cable. Through it, electricity is supplied and video is broadcast. Correct cable routing is very important at this stage. When opening and closing the door, it must not be damaged. It is also important that the cord does not interfere with the passage.
Where is the video peephole installed??
The device is one of the elements of the security system, it is mounted on the front door. A video peephole allows residents to observe the situation at their door. Recently, people are increasingly installing such a security system. Installation can be carried out in apartments, private and country houses, summer cottages and cottages.
How to make a video peephole from a mobile phone camera?
Almost everyone has an unnecessary mobile phone. It can be used to make a video eye with your own hands. First, you need to get the camera out of your mobile device. It will be installed in the hole from the optical eye. It is important to consider that the diameter of the chamber is much smaller than this hole. Special tools need to fix it from the inside of the front door.
Then you need to take a cable with the same number of cores as in a standard loop. Through it, electric power will be supplied to the device, as well as video information to the monitor. If the cable is too short, it must be lengthened. Using a soldering iron, the wires are fixed to the camera and phone. The camera is installed in a hole on the door. The smartphone can be in any room of the living space. On the screen of a mobile device, you can remotely observe the picture near the door.
The power supply ensures the operation of the mobile device. You can view the situation behind the door using the video mode. To do this, you can use Bluetooth or a computer cable. The information obtained can be recorded on a specific medium.
On a video peephole from an old mobile phone.
How to make a video eyelet with your own hands from a webcam?
In this case, instead of a phone camera, you need to use a web camera. It is not difficult to make a video eyelet with your own hands. This will require:
This method involves connecting the webcam to a computer or smartphone. In this case, the function of the video eye is performed by the webcam. The video is broadcast on the monitor. Residents can remotely monitor the situation on the staircase and near the front door.
The obsolete optical peephole must be pulled out. A camera is mounted in its place. When installing the camera, it is important to check the cleanliness of the lens as well as the width of the viewing angle. The camera should fit well into the hole. It is important that in the future the webcam does not scroll or fall. The camera is connected to a computer or smartphone using a USB cable. To interact with the camera with a computer or smartphone, you need to download a special program. After completing the work, you can remotely view the staircase, as well as record information on the media. If tenants plan to leave home, they can watch the video when they return. To do this, leave the computer on.
On How to connect a camera from a laptop to a phone. Alternative video eye.
Today there is a wide variety of security systems. They provide maximum protection for living spaces. One representative of such devices is the video peephole. The electronic video system is designed to view the area in front of the entrance door, as well as the staircase. The video peephole is one of the modern devices for ensuring the safety of a living space. It effectively replaced the outdated optical model.
There is a large selection of electronic video systems on the market. Their cost depends on functionality.
If there is no possibility or desire to buy a ready-made mechanism, then you can make a video peephole with your own hands. You can create a device from scrap materials.
Dignity
An electronic video eyelet has many advantages over a conventional optical device:
- The tenant does not need to go to the door and peer through the peephole to see the situation in the hallway. The electronic model of the peephole transmits information through the camera according to the principle of a video surveillance system. You can now view what is happening behind the door on the laptop or smartphone monitor in the room.
- Many manufacturers use cameras with maximum sensitivity. Thanks to this, you can see the picture even in poor lighting of the corridor. Video eyes with an infrared camera allow surveillance in the absence of any lighting.
- The main advantage of the video eyelet is enhanced viewing. The viewing angle ranges from 90 to 180 degrees. Thus, the corridor and stairs are as visible as possible.
- The autonomous power supply system is located inside the building, so it cannot be turned off outside. The video peephole will work until the battery is discharged.
- Most models of modern devices perform video recording on a specific medium. This model is convenient to use during vacation or business trip. Upon arrival home, you can view who came and what happened near the door.
Nowadays, a video peephole is a reliable protection of property from burglaries and thefts. You can make a device yourself from materials that are in every home. There are two ways to create a device with your own hands. The first method uses a camera from an unnecessary mobile phone, and the second uses a webcam.
Making a video eyelet with your own hands is not difficult. The device will help residents to control the situation on the staircase and near the front door. Streaming from the device is available even at a distance. In order for a homemade device to function similarly to factory models, you need to correctly install it. In addition, the creator can, if necessary, independently repair the video peephole. The skills gained during the creation of the device will help you to easily carry out repair work.
On the video peephole from the old DVR.
Application area
The video peephole refers to security devices that are designed to be installed on the front door. The presence of these devices will allow residents to safely observe what is happening near the door and on the staircase. Video eyes can be used in any premises. it can be apartments, country houses, cottages or summer cottages.
Installing a video eyelet
Many are wondering how to install a video peephole with their own hands. The installation of a homemade peephole should be performed in the finished hole that remains in the door from the optical peephole. If it was not in the door, then a hole should be made using an electric drill.
The most difficult part of installing the peephole will be to position it so that the lenses do not obscure the edges of the opening in the door. You will also have to think about how to securely fix a homemade peephole, since its dimensions are likely to be smaller than the hole for a standard peephole. After installing the device in place, connect a cable to it, through which power supply and video signal transmission will be carried out. The cable should be laid in such a way that it does not break when opening / closing the door, and does not interfere with passing through the doorway.
To make a video eyelet from a phone with your own hands, you first need to disassemble it and separate the camera from it, which will be installed in the place of a conventional optical eyelet. Since the camera has a smaller diameter than the standard peephole, you will need to use a fixture to fix the camera inside the door.
To supply power to the camera and transmit video information from it to the phone screen, lengthen the loop, with which it connects to the phone module that processes video. For this, a special cable is used, which must have as many conductive cores as the standard cable connecting the camera and the phone had. By soldering the wires to the camera and phone, you can reattach them. The camera is located in the hole in the door, and the phone with the screen is located at a distant distance, where it will be convenient to view what is happening behind the door.
A power supply unit is connected to the phone to ensure its functioning. If you turn on the phone in video mode, you can watch what is happening on the staircase. Using a cable for connecting to a computer or a Bluetooth adapter, it will be possible to transfer the broadcast information for subsequent recording on the media.
Advantages of video eyelets
Unlike conventional optical devices, an electronic eye with a camera has a number of significant advantages.
- In order to see who is standing in front of the door or what is happening on the landing, it is not necessary to come close to the door and look through the eyepiece of the peephole. The video peephole will allow you to view everything that happens on a remote monitor, using the transfer of information, as in video surveillance systems.
- Cameras that use video eyes are highly sensitive. This ensures that the picture can be viewed even in low light conditions. If an infrared camera is used, surveillance can be carried out even in complete darkness.
- Electronic video eyes have a large viewing angle. it can be in the range from 90º to 180º, which will allow you to control even the side parts of the staircase.
- Video eyes have an autonomous power system, which cannot be turned off from the outside. Therefore, they will remain functional as long as their battery is functioning.
- Most modern video eyepieces support the ability to record what is happening on the media. This will allow later to see who came to the house, what happened near the door when no one was at home.
Therefore, making a video peephole for the front door with your own hands will be the task, the solution of which will increase the safety and protect residents and their property from “uninvited guests”.
- working web-camera;
- USB extension cable;
- personal computer or laptop;
- camera mounting tool kit.
In this method, the role of the video eye will be played by a Web camera connected to a personal computer, to which the video broadcast of what is happening behind the door will be transmitted.
First, remove the standard optical peephole from the door and prepare the camera for installation in the resulting hole. Install the camera so that nothing falls on the lens and does not limit the viewing angle. You should also normally fix the camera in the standard hole of the optical eye, excluding the possibility of it falling out and turning.
Connecting the camera to a remote computer or laptop uses a USB extension cable of a certain length. In order to be able to work with a laptop or computer camera, you need to install a special program for working with a Web camera. After that, you can view what is happening on the staircase, as well as record on external media. Leaving the laptop turned on, you can record using a web camera everything that happens on the staircase and near the door during that period of time while no one was at home.
A self-made video peephole will become an auxiliary device that will allow homeowners to discreetly monitor who comes to their home. The important thing is that the peephole allows you to do this even when no one is at home. If you carefully carry out all the installation work, then a homemade video peephole will practically not be inferior in functionality to many simple factory devices, and in many ways they will even happen. For example, it will be easy to repair the video eyelet with your own hands. After all, who better understands the design and functioning of the device that was created independently, if not its creator?
Eyepieces and focal length
The eyepiece is the basis of 90% of homemade surveillance devices. In its simplest form, it is a converging lens and a tube equal in length to the focal length. For use in self-assembled structures, spare parts from a conventional, analog peephole are well suited. It is collapsible and only a part is required from it, installed on the outer surface of the door.
In the absence of a ready-made one, the eyepiece can be assembled on your own, taking as a basis a small lens from a stationery magnifier or other optical device. Any piece of plastic or metal tube, or even a folded sheet of paper many times will serve as a connecting tube for the construction. The main thing is that the diameter of the light transmission channel is equal to or slightly larger than the dimensions of the lens itself. Using the method of gluing with hot glue or silicate sealant, it itself is placed inside the case of the future optical device.
It is recommended to make two channels themselves, so that one enters the other with little effort. The camera itself is attached to the second. A similar design is performed for the purpose of subsequent fine-tuning of the optical system. By slightly varying the distance between the lens and the capture device, you can achieve more accurate convergence of light beams on the receiver, which will have a beneficial effect on the sharpness and quality of the final image.
In essence, the entire eyepiece is made with a length equal to the focal length of the lens. This is the interval in which the rays passing through it are collected into a point. And to use the camera with an eyepiece, its receiving hole must be located at the point where the light flux descends. Determining the focal length itself for each lens is quite simple. light through it, from a bright source, is directed onto a sheet of paper. And by moving the optics itself, they achieve the convergence of the beam to the minimum point size. The measured distance between the lens and the result of the beam path will be the focal length for a particular optics.
Small inaccuracies in the interval will be smoothed out by the camera itself, which at its core is a rather complex device capable of adjusting sharpness and sensitivity.
Another advantage of using an indirect connection to a computer or laptop is the ability to transfer information from the video eyelet to all home network devices. TVs, media consoles, game consoles or other cell phones or tablets. Such a connection is carried out based on the IP Webcam program (and not only. there are many similar ones) installed on the intermediary, as well as any Internet browser on the client equipment.
Another nuance that requires intervention when using a peephole from a WEB-camera is its fastener or leg. These are devices that initially provide fixation of the device on a monitor or table. In the use of equipment as a door peephole, there is no need for them, and even more, they interfere with the normal fixing on a flat surface. Getting rid of this detail is easy. If it is movable, then after disassembling the case, this structure is removed from the device. Otherwise, you need to physically saw off the mount from the rest of the device.
The gripper can be used without a housing at all, making your own version. Any web camera is a small board with an electronic part soldered on it and placed in a protective casing. It is quite possible to get rid of the latter using only the device itself. By the way, some models already have a ready-made lens that can be used as a door peephole.
How to make a video peephole with your own hands
Knowing who came to visit and is located outside the threshold of the home has always been one of the greatest interests of every owner. At all times, many means have been used for this.
If we take into account an ordinary apartment, then the peephole has always been the simplest way to determine the type of visitors. In essence, this is a small opening in the door through which you can see the staircase and the corridor. Often a small optical eyepiece is built into it, expanding the viewer’s field of view, while masking his actions. The initial prototype of such a system was the small closing embrasures on the gates of castles and ancient cities, which were used for interrogating and examining visitors.
The development of technology has made it possible to automate the observation process. Modern door peepholes have built-in miniature cameras that send images to nearby playback devices. In addition, it is allowed to combine video capture equipment through a home computer network with the rest of the equipment located in other places. For example, it is not necessary to go to the door to look at the visitor, it is enough to turn on the display of the image from the capture device on the computer, laptop, tablet or TV.
Installing video surveillance through a peephole, with your own hands, is easy and quite accessible to any zealous owner worried about the possible visit of unwanted guests.
Using a cell phone or tablet
For ease of use, in order to refuse to mount the device itself. an intermediary on the surface of the door, where it will be subjected to constant vibrations and shocks, it is highly desirable to lengthen the camera itself by separating it from a phone or tablet. The procedure is performed by disassembling them, disconnecting the camera loop, along with it, from the main device. After that, the cable connecting the device with the receiver is built up with thin conductors, which in turn are connected to the contacts where the camera was previously located. You can use officially released extension cords, instead of self-soldering.
Important device characteristics
The megapixel resolution of the camera is of the greatest importance for the video eye. The higher it is, the clearer and brighter the picture will be. In principle, for the minimum quality, 0.3 mpx is enough, but in this case, you need to have bright lighting at the entrance, otherwise the visitor’s faces simply cannot be distinguished.
As for the focal length, here it is required as small as possible to ensure coverage of the maximum field of view. The functions of the approach. removal at will, there is no special need for them for the door eyes. Night mode is a bonus. Unfortunately, the latter is difficult to implement for web and telephone cameras. you need to separately output the LED backlight from the device by eye. Some officially produced devices with a similar function are good here.
Pros and cons of video eyes
As for the disadvantages, an electronic surveillance device is subject to the same problems as a conventional analog peephole. you can simply cover it with your finger, excluding its intended use.
All other features provided provide a strong advantage over classical optical devices:
- The ability to record video coming from a high-tech peephole allows not only viewing it, but also saving it for later playback. This opportunity can be especially useful if the visitor, without waiting for the owner, tries to break or open the door.
- Night mode, which is featured on many consumer webcams, smartphones, and capture devices from the industry. Even if it is dark in the corridor or on the staircase, the device will increase the brightness of the image, making it accessible for observation.
- Less need for movement. video, from capture equipment, can be played on tablets, modern TVs, computers and laptops. Accordingly, to view it, you do not need to go somewhere, if someone rang the doorbell, you just need to press a button on the TV remote control or click a mouse to find out the guest’s appearance.
- Capture and play audio. Many modern webcams are equipped with a microphone. If you use them as the basis for a peephole, you can not only get an image, but also sound. A very good function for those who are lazy or physically difficult to walk to the door. It is especially useful if the device also allows feedback. Why a small speaker is built into the camera body (yes, there are such models produced by the industry). Then all communication with the visitor can be carried out without getting up. In addition, during recording, not only the image will be saved, but also the accompanying soundtrack.
Equipment installation
Actually, the installation is carried out either instead of the usual peephole, or by drilling a hole for the format of the device case and installing it in the place designated for this. But do not forget about the possibility of placing such equipment on the wall next to, in order to better cover the viewing area.
There are small nuances depending on what type of capture device will be used. The commercially available ones are ready for immediate installation. Their set contains both fasteners and all the necessary spare parts. Homemade ones, based on a phone or tablet, may require a little modification to fix the gripper and the device itself. Also, it may be necessary to manufacture an optical system, as in the cases of using web cameras.
The specialized gripper devices produced by the industry are available in two types. mounted and through. The first ones are placed on the outer surface of the door and are connected to the rest of the equipment by means of a radio signal or a contact wire (the placement of which must also be foreseen in the case of using similar structures). For the second, a through channel is required through the thickness of the door. Actually, the latter is done when installing the rest of the described types, including homemade ones based on web cameras or telephone capture devices.
All through-hole industrial types are supplied as an eyepiece with a long tube connecting it to the camera itself. Often, the design is collapsible so that one part of it can be placed on the front side of the door, and the second, connected, on the back.
In the case of using a web-camera, you can mount it, both outside the door, in a kind of reamed groove in its surface, and on the inside, connecting it to the viewing hole using a simple eyepiece. Fixation of all parts of the device is carried out using silicone or hot glue.
There are two possibilities for use as a gripping device for a phone or tablet. One is simpler and does not require soldering, but the main apparatus itself will be subject to constant vibration when opening and closing the door. The second is more difficult. you need to remove the camera from the phone, lengthen the cable and connect it to the main device. The nuances of the latter will be discussed further. Otherwise, the installation is carried out according to the following schemes.
The fixation of the equipment in the given case is carried out in the same way as in the previous one, on silicone sealant or hot melt glue. The only caveat is that it is a little wasteful to fix the device itself tightly in the third use case. A regular cover is well suited here, the fixation of which is carried out on screws or glue to the surface of the door. And the phone or tablet itself is installed in it.
Industrial devices
Industrial video eyepieces often have more features than homemade ones. There is autofocus and night mode. Plus, there are frequent cases of the presence of a microphone in the design. A peephole kit often comes with a small device to display and record what the camera sees. And the communication interface itself may differ from amateur models. If the previously described high-tech door peepers had only digital outputs, then in their industrial versions there is also an analog signal. A camera with such capabilities can easily be connected to a regular TV through standard AV connectors. There are also combined systems that can produce both digital transmission and classical.
Nevertheless, if you like to create everything yourself, then it will not be difficult for you to assemble a video eyelet with your own hands, and what to use for this already depends on your goals and wishes.
What is needed for this
Several key points should be noted right away, namely:
- The given guide is relevant for cameras (popularly “DSLRs”, digital ones are not considered in this case) of the middle price category and / or those that have already left the category of “modern models”.
This is due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of modern gadgets have been supplied with the built-in function of working in the “web-camera” mode for quite a long time.
Older models cannot boast of such functionality.
- It is possible to connect DSLRs to a computer and use it for video calls only if it supports streaming video. In other words, the camera must be able to display the resulting image directly on the screen of the receiving device, for example, a TV or monitor.
In order to check the availability of this functionality, do the following:
The rest is simple. If there is a picture, then your camera is suitable for the manipulations in question, if not, then alas.
Similar “tulips” were supplied, just with the models, the category of which was announced above. Currently, most of the camera is equipped with HDMI support.
- Not only the camera must meet the above requirements, but the computer itself.
If such use of a “DSLR” is planned in the future, then the best option would be to purchase a special “TV tuner”, which will be the main link between the camera and the computer.
So, taking into account all of the above, it is worth noting that the “transformation” in question is not a “five-minute” business, since it requires certain money costs and time for delivery / receipt.
In addition, you should ask yourself once again the question: “Do you really need to do this?” The most common webcam costs the same money as a “TV tuner”, but it does not require other investments and any complicated settings. Therefore, it may be worth considering purchasing a specialized device. Question, question.
If your determination has not faded away, go to the direct settings for displaying the picture and recognizing the device.
Webcam Plus!
There are 2 versions of this program: Webcam Plus! and Webcam Plus! lite. The second of them is free, although slightly reduced in functionality. However, for home use it will be quite enough.
To get photos, you need to follow these steps:
- run the program and make sure that the image from the capture device appears in its interface;
- select the file type in the File / Image types menu (only individual images are available in the free version);
- in the window that opens, specify the FTP server settings, the path to the folder, the refresh interval and the size of the photo;
- after saving the settings, you must click on the “Web page” button and specify the path to save the link to the page from which you can view the resulting images in the browser;
- after the desired photo is taken, you can stop the broadcast and save it to disk.
Programs
Most laptop owners are unanimous in the opinion that the quality of the resulting image directly depends on the software used. They are partly right, because specialized programs provide much greater editing capabilities than the system’s tools.
Most of these programs are completely or shareware free, so you can experiment with them until they give an acceptable result.
Consider the most popular Live WebCam and Webcam Plus applications.
Possible problems
Most often, the connection fails due to:
- cable faults;
- breakdown of the USB receiver;
- incorrectly installed drivers;
- discharged device battery;
- blocking the connection by antivirus;
- viruses.
Modern antivirus programs and a high-quality check of all equipment, scanning for breakdowns and malfunctions will help to understand the problem.
Why the computer does not see the camera via USB
Problems often arise, and even competent human actions do not lead to a positive result. Let’s figure out how to work in this case.
Live WebCam
It is a very convenient and stable program with many useful functions. In addition, it is free, and you can download it from the developer. At the moment, the second version of this application is available.
Installation does not take long and does not require a lot of disk space. After starting the program, a snapshot can be taken with one click, after which it is saved to your hard disk. Everything is simple and does not require unnecessary gestures. In addition to photographing, this program can conduct video surveillance of the selected object in automatic shooting mode, and the built-in motion sensor and the ability to activate other programs (sending a message or turning on the alarm) can turn the computer into a full-fledged security system.
When the window is minimized, it goes to the tray and does not interfere with working with other applications. There is support for high-resolution cameras.
Active WebCam
Active WebCam is a specialized software that deals only with video recording without processing. It is actively used to work with surveillance devices. The program has a motion detector, the ability to simultaneously connect several devices at once, sending records to a remote server.
Active WebCam is quite expensive. 29. It is more suitable for installation on security consoles, since the price is justified by the many possibilities in this area. For home use only the webcam recording option is useful. No processing tools, effects, etc. not provided here.
Download the program for recording from the webcam
The Giant Casey Neistat Peephole
The subtleties of making a video eye with your own hands
Currently, ensuring the safety of your home and property is a priority for most people. Many are afraid to leave their apartments unattended, even for a short time. And there are, of course, reasons for this. Therefore, a device such as a video peephole, which some craftsmen assemble with their own hands, is gaining more and more popularity. It can be built from a phone, webcam, video recorder or tablet, the main thing is to understand the assembly diagrams of such a device and follow the sequence of actions.
What it is?
A video peephole is a simple surveillance system that makes it possible to control everything that happens in the stairwell and near the door of the apartment. If the peephole is equipped with a recording function, then monitoring will be carried out around the clock, even when no one is at home.
The superiority of such equipment over ordinary eyes is obvious, but still it is worth noting the main advantages of these models.
- To see what is happening behind the door, it is not necessary to approach it. it is possible to observe the situation on a monitor installed in any convenient place.
- The ability to conduct surveillance remains even if the illumination of the entrance or staircase leaves much to be desired.
- Video eyes have a fairly large viewing angle. from 90 to 120 degrees.
- The inability to turn off the system from the outside is also a plus.
- Most of the models provide the ability to record, which can be viewed upon returning home.
Such a wide choice is fraught with some complexity and danger. it is easy for an inexperienced buyer to get confused in it.
To avoid this or to make this security device yourself, you need to clearly know which technical characteristics are most important when choosing a video eye. These include the following parameters and features of the video eyes.
- Viewing angle. It will be better to have at least 100 degrees.
- Resolution. Affects the clarity of the picture, so it should be as high as possible.
- A kind of food. Can be standalone or wired. In the first case, you need to pay attention to the duration of work, in the second. to the required voltage value.
- The size and appearance of the monitor, as well as all other devices.
- Availability of additional communication functions.
- Video recording capability and available storage space.
- Infrared illumination. Allows surveillance even in complete darkness. The light sensitivity of the matrix is also important.
- How invisible the external device (the camera itself) is.
And you should also understand what such devices are in general, how they are classified and how one group differs from another.
Video eyes can be frameless, have low sensitivity, black-and-white matrix and small viewing angle, have a black-and-white or color camera with infrared illumination, capable of monitoring even in the dark. Alternatively, opt for a full-color color camera that provides the clearest image.