Surveillance of a room, a room, a street or an entrance, in the home or office, can be done by anyone by installing a trivial webcam and a microphone on their computer . The problem then is finding the right free program that allows you to manage homemade video surveillance.
In particular, you need software that is not limited in its use, that is simple to use and configure, that activates automatic recording when motion is detected and that can send notifications or warnings.
In two past articles I had already listed some of the best programs for video surveillance (including the excellent YawCam) and how to turn the webcam into a security camera.
On this occasion, however, we see what is perhaps the best program that you can download and use for free to monitor a room using the webcam and microphone connected to the computer .
iSpy is an open source program that can be installed on one or more computers that has all the features of a professional video surveillance and security software.
iSpy uses the webcam and microphone to detect and record the movement in front of the lens or the sound detected in a room.
Each movement is recorded by the computer and saved not only by taking several photographs but by generating a video that is compressed in a Flash or mp4 file.
Obviously the capture of images and videos is activated and stops automatically depending on the choices.
iSpy can be configured to work on multiple computers simultaneously and has a system of alerts and notifications via Email or SMS .
It also supports surveillance by using multiple webcams and microphones simultaneously and allows you to manage them remotely or even from a mobile phone (iPhone and Android).
The requirements to use iSpy Monitor are essentially two:
- That the Windows Media Video 9 VCM codecs that are included in the program installation package are installed on the computer.
- That the computer is enabled to function as a server if you want to access the management of the cameras remotely or from the Internet and to view the recorded videos also from your mobile phone.
If this is not possible, you can still create a free account on the iSpy website that allows you to access, via the web, the video recordings made by the computer .
There is also the possibility of using the iSpy Intranet server which is sold if you want to install a more complex surveillance system in villas, schools or businesses and offices.
Reading the main features of iSpy Monitor we find that it is possible:
- configure the degree of movement detected in front of the webcam lens;
- Record audio from microphone;
- Configure the start of any program, the automatic sending of an Email or an SMS when a movement or sound is detected or even if it is not detected.
- Receive via Email images taken during surveillance;
- Monitor a room live and in real time also from the internet.
The problem with iSpy, which seems truly a marvel and which offers functions that cannot be found in free software, is that some time and patience is required for the correct configuration of the video surveillance (even if it is not difficult to use).
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