Ethernet-Based Security Cameras?

detritus asks: "I own a few acres of woods and am wondering if there is some sort of camera that can be networked via ethernet instead of the standard video connectors? Preferably, a telnet interface and the ability to control and transmit live feeds/snapshots to a remote server on a LAN/WAN would be awesome. I am looking to mount them in specific areas on my property and running 10Base2 (BNC), repeaters and power to each camera, and then be able to remotely manage the cameras from the comfort of my computer. It evidently would have to be weatherproof. Any ideas on where one could find something like this?" For anyone looking for something like this, you might want to check out Axis.Com. Is there anyone out there who can comment on the performance of such devices?

Comments

Comments on the axis camera system

[Echo|Fox]

When my parents opened a daycare here in Edmonton earlier this year, one of my jobs was to get a web camera system set up. After looking at all the options, I eventually turned to Ask Slashdot myself, and the overwhelming response was to go with the Axis system. We've been highly pleased with it, thus far. We picked up two Axis Camera Server 240's, which connect to our LAN via normal ethernet, and each can take coax input from four seperate video cameras (we use normal CCTV cameras with auto-irus lenses). These badboys have their own webserver built in, which you use for configuring the device, as well as viewing images (the java push one is particularly cool). Since we're running so many cameras and serving to multiple people, we didn't want to have people directly hitting the camera servers, so we use the Eye_get script they make available on their webpage (its for Linux, but works just dandy on FreeBSD) which I have set up to grab images every 5 seconds. Basically, for the last 7 months, every 5 seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 8 images are downloaded to a SCSI disk on our FreeBSD webserver and made available to the web (password protected, of course). That's pretty damned reliable if you ask me =) We haven't had a single hiccup during that time frame, and we're planning on adding another camera server (along with another SCSI disk to reduce the load on an individual disc) in the near future. I give them my wholehearted reccomendation. Now, it seems to me you want a self contained unit, not a server + cameras, and they do sell one of those ... can't recall its exact model name, but its the same deal, an integrated camera and webserver with an ethernet port. If you've got any other questions, feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Go with standard video

[cr0sh]

Why? Because it will be less headache in the long run, and cheaper. But don't go with regular video cabling - use Cat5 - hook 3 of the pairs up in parallel for the video (1-3-5 for video, 2-4-6 video ground shield), use pair 7&8 for power (don't combine the grounds). You should be able to run 12 volts easily over the pair for each camera (use a hefty power supply with several amps - A PC power supply might be OK, but a benchtop supply would be better). Weatherproof the connections (silicone sealant). Run the lines back to a multi-input card (see http://www.lechner-cctv.de/ for more detail - these are BT878 adaptors, so you might be able to use Linux with some custom coding!), or to a homebrew camera switcher/video capture card setup (you know, ring counter driven by parallel port, driving relays to switch the vid, or pport-driven analog multiplexer chip setup - if you don't know what I am talking about, then this project isn't for you - go with the multi-input board).

Such a system can be built for under $1000 if done right - cheap PC, Linux, the card/switcher - heck, the camera's will be the most expensive parts!

Hope this helps...