Software with motion activation capability lets you turn standard Web cameras into part of advanced home security and pet- and nanny-monitoring systems. Depending on the software, movement within the camera's field of vision can signal for a computer to record video, snap a photo or send a notification to the owner of the webcam.
Active Webcam
Active Webcam lets you both record and broadcast video from your Web camera. When triggered, its motion activation feature can capture images, send a text message or email to a predetermined recipient, or broadcast the webcam feed live over the Internet. Additional features include date and time stamps, simultaneous recording and playback, multiple camera support, password protection and encrypted broadcasting. Active Webcam is compatible with computers running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 2003 and Windows XP. Computers require at least a gigabyte of RAM, 10 gigabytes of free hard drive space, a color monitor and an Intel processor with a clock speed of 2 GHz or faster.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a video surveillance and Web camera monitoring solution with motion-activated recording support. Its features include IP and Web camera compatibility, a customizable alert system and a programming feature that lets you set multiple areas within your camera's field of view as triggers to begin recording. Vitamin D is compatible with Macintosh computers running OS X 10.5 or later, and PCs running Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP. All computers require 1 gigabyte of RAM and a processor with a clock speed of 2 GHz or faster.
Webcam Zone Trigger
Webcam Zone Trigger lets you use your Web camera and computer together as a security system. Like Vitamin D, it uses what the software's developer refers to as Hot Spots. Hot Spots are user-defined areas that turn the camera on when movement is detected within them. Once the camera is activated, can take a photo, play a sound, capture video or execute a variety of other available commands on the computer. Webcam Zone Trigger runs on Windows PCs.
iSpy
ISpy is an open-source webcam application with a variety of potential applications, including home surveillance. In addition to native motion-activated recording support, iSpy features face detection capabilities and remote sound and video triggering. ISpy can also be configured to automatically upload captured video to a YouTube account for viewing. In order to run iSpy, computers require Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, and a processor with a clock speed of 1 GHz or faster. To make use of the software's automatic YouTube upload capabilities, the developer recommends that your computer has a high-speed Internet connection.
Tags: Webcam Zone, Webcam Zone Trigger, Zone Trigger, Active Webcam, clock speed, clock speed faster