Older CCTV systems relied on dedicated monitors, but newer systems can make use of PCs and video software.
Closed-circuit television cameras capture video signals and relay them to secure video monitors. To view CCTV signals on your computer, you will need to obtain compatible video capture software. Video capture software solutions have been developed for most major operating systems.
ZoneMinder
ZoneMinder lets you view and capture CCTV, network and USB video signals on your computer. Features include zoom, pan and tilt support, video analysis daemons, multiple regions of interest, user-defined filters, optional uploading to the Internet and external triggering. ZoneMinder is a free application available for download from the developer's website, but it is only compatible with computers running the Linux operating system.
iSpy
If you're running a Windows-based PC, iSpy is a robust, open-source video-monitoring application designed for home and business surveillance. Its features include motion activation, optional automatic video upload to YouTube, face detection capabilities, remote sound capture and remote video control. ISpy is compatible with PCs running Windows 7, Vista and XP. You'll also need a 1-GHz or faster processor and a broadband Internet connection if you want to upload videos to YouTube.
Active WebCam
Active WebCam allows you to record CCTV, IP and webcam video directly to your computer. Its features include multiple camera support, encrypted broadcasting, time and date stamps, simultaneous playback and recording, and password protection. Active WebCam also features built-in motion trigger support, which can be programmed to make your cameras snap photos, start broadcasting a live feed or send notifications to a prearranged recipients. Active WebCam is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. To run Active WebCam, computers need 10GB of available hard disk space, 1GB of RAM and a 2-GHz Intel processor.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a video surveillance application compatible with both PCs and Macs. Its features include motion-triggered video capture, a configurable alert and mobile notification system, and webcam support. Vitamin D works with Windows 7, Vista and XP, and with Macs running Apple's Macintosh OS X 10.5 or higher. You'll also need at least a 2-GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. To pair Vitamin D with an analog CCTV camera, you'll need to run it through a compatible analog-to-digital converter, many of which are listed on the software developer's website.
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