Security cameras aren't just for big corporations anymore!

Thanks to the dropping cost of camera technology and the proliferation of broadband connections and home LANs, affordable solutions are now available for the average consumer. In this article we look at a solution using the D-Link DCS-900W IP camera and a Pocket PC equipped with a program called ViewCommander-Mobile. Why create a remote viewing system? Here are just a few possibilities:

• Keep an eye on the kids in the backyard while they are playing.
• See who's at your front door before you answer it.
• Keep an eye on your pet while you're at work.
• Find out who's raiding the refrigerator late at night.
• Look in on an elderly relative to see how their doing.
• Find out if the babysitter is doing his/her job correctly.
• Keep an eye on your vacation home.
• Present the police with a video of the thief who broke into your home while you were away.

What's an IP Camera?

An IP camera (Fig. 1) is a camera that has a CPU and a Web server built into it, which lets it connect to the Internet without going through another computer. It is different from a Web camera, which must be connected to a computer to work. IP stands for "Internet Protocol," the technology used on the Internet to route traffic between every computer on it. Most IP cameras have SMTP (e-mail) servers built into them, which allows them to send images at preset intervals, or when motion is detected, to other computers on the net.

Fig. 1: The D-Link DCS-900W wireless IP camera is available for under $120.

What you'll need

You'll need four things to set up your remote viewing solution:

• A broadband connection: You'll need a broadband connection (Cable/DSL) to the Internet with a "static" (non-changing) IP address. Most broadband IP addresses don't change very often, but if yours does, you'll need to ask your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to make it static. To find out if your address is static, visit the IP Chicken Web site (http://www.ipchicken.com). When you visit this site, it displays your IP address. Write it down and visit IP Chicken a few times over the next week. If your address doesn't change, you're in business. If it does, you'll have to contact your ISP to make it static.
• A home wireless network: Many home networks are already equipped with "wireless routers," allowing you to connect to them with a Wi-Fi equipped computer. If you don't have one, they are readily available at most computer stores for under $100. Popular brands include Linksys (http://www.linksys.com) and D-Link (http://www.d-link.com).
• IP camera (LAN connector or wireless): Most IP cameras have jacks that allow them to connect to a LAN via a cable. If you have extra LAN ports available on your router, you can use less expensive IP cameras and connect them to your network via a cable. You can also use Wi-Fi equipped IP cameras like the D-Link DCS-900W IP camera. Wireless IP cameras are simpler and quicker to set up, and because you don't have to run cables, they can go just about anywhere.

Another important consideration when choosing an IP camera is its "Lux rating." This measurement tells you how much light they need to produce a viewable image. For example, a camera rated at 2-3 Lux will work outside during daylight, but not very well at night. A more expensive 0.5 Lux camera would work very well both at night and indoors.

Other features found in IP cameras include color or monochrome video, optical or digital zoom, pan and tilt capability, and fixed or auto focus. The more features in your IP camera, the more it will cost you. Normally, a fixed-focus, non-zoom IP camera is all you'll need. An excellent source of information about these devices is the IP Camera Reports Web site (http://www.ipcamerareports.com).