Internet Accessible Home Security Systems?

PenguinRadio asks: "I'm about to embark on trip and while the thousands of dollars of computers are protected by a PIX firewall and whatnot from viruses, I'm now kind of wondering about the physical security of my 'server room' that I've built in my house. Basically, an Internet accessible burglar/fire alarm. Has anyone found a good residential security system that can be remotely checked or monitored from the other side of the world? I'd especially like the capability of look in on any security cameras (rather than setting up a simple webcam) and monitor any alarm logs. ADT and Brinks didn't seem to have anything readily visible on their website, and I'm not quite up for an X-10 version of a security system."

Comments

here you go!

[XO]

Linksys Wireless-B Internet Video Camera

• Sends high-quality live video wirelessly to a Web browser anywhere in the world
• Broadcasts over Wireless-B (802.11b) network or over 10/100Base-T Ethernet cable
• Built-in stand-alone Web server for remote video viewing from anywhere
• In security mode, it automatically e-mails an alert with images to your designated addresses
• Supports up to four users simultaneously
• Access the camera anywhere in the world via the Internet
• Dimensions: 3.35x6.1x3.15" (8.5x15.5x8cm) (WHD)
• Weight: 0.53 lbs. (0.24 kg)
• Warranty: 1-year
Specifications:
• Ports: one 10/100 RJ-45 port, one power port
• Control: one reset button
• LEDs: ready, act/link, LAN, wireless
• Security: user authentication & WEP encryption
Minimum Requirements:
• PC with 550MHz or faster processor
• 64MB RAM memory
• Microsoft Windows® Internet Explorer® 5.5 or higher for Web viewing and Web-based configuration
• Cable/DSL connection for Internet viewing
• CD-ROM drive
• Windows® Media Player 7 or higher
• Wired or wireless network adapter with TCP/IP protocol installed
• Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, XP
What's in the Box:
• Wireless-B Internet video camera
• Setup CD-ROM with User Guide
• Quick installation guide
• Power adapter
• Ethernet network cable
• Camera desktop stand
• Registration cards

avermedia linux pvr

[adamshelley]

this looks sweet

Re:avermedia linux pvr

[adamshelley]

oh yeah, and some cool stuff from here. You'd have to program it tho.

motion

[�berhund]

The first thing that comes to mind is the "motion" project. It's a nice motion detection program for webcams. Saves drive space by only saving frames where something seems to be moving. You can also have it make movies of the motion frames, which makes it really easy to "check the logs".

Re:Why not webcams again?

[Anonymous Coward]

You're talking out of your ass. Webcams are cheap plastic toys with plastic lenses, with plastic bodies mostly optimized for a 'look'. A real security camera works outdoors, has an auto iris, a C-mount, a metal body, several power supply options, standard lens mounts so can change them for a particular field of view, standard camera filters can be used on them and a warranty.
Unless you want to entrust the security of your house to a 5$ made in China made-from-reject-parts dollar store special, that is.

Monitoring Alarm System

[timbos]

My alarm system has the ability to add a remote kepad, which offers a display of the alarms status and the possibility of looking through the last 50 events.

My plan is to hook the 4 lines (2 in/2 out) into the serial port of my server and then hack up some sort of program to send the required pulses back to the alarm system.
It might not be a particularly pretty solution, but I think that it could be rather useful.

Another possibility is using the control for the autodialler to get the network to warn me by email/SMS that it has been activated.