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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: mozar on December 23, 2015, 04:00:58 PM

Title: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: mozar on December 23, 2015, 04:00:58 PM
I want something way more basic than a "home security system." I want to be able to put a camera on my kitchen counter and watch my oven as my roommate tends to forget to turn off the oven. I got a smart battery for my fire alarm and realized I don't have the right operating system on my phone to download the app.
I don't need a motion sensor or smoke sensor. I just want to be able to watch the oven from my phone. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: therethere on December 23, 2015, 04:03:33 PM
Buy an old smartphone off craigslist. Anything with a camera. There's a free app called presence. Have the phone continually plugged in and connected to wifi. You can use it to remotely look at the camera. Or you can set it up to alert you and record a video if it sees movement. I have one set up inside a front window facing at the front door. Works like a charm.
Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: BDWW on December 23, 2015, 04:10:03 PM
https://www.ubnt.com/unifi-video/unifi-video-camera-micro/

$99 Bucks, works over wifi, they have a free phone app, and (biggest point for me) it comes with Linux software (and windows).

Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: mozar on December 23, 2015, 04:16:28 PM
So a phone will connect to wifi without a plan? Sorry I am a noob. I'm going to go to the store because I need it tomorrow.
Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: mozar on December 23, 2015, 04:39:42 PM
I'm looking into using my laptop. Now I just need to figure out where to put my laptop so roommie doesn't notice :-)
Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: lbmustache on December 23, 2015, 07:02:58 PM
So a phone will connect to wifi without a plan? Sorry I am a noob. I'm going to go to the store because I need it tomorrow.

Yep. You don't need a plan or SIM card for wifi to work. It essentially becomes an iPod touch.
Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: redcedar on December 24, 2015, 07:43:30 PM
Are you creative? It seems to me that there could be a way to make your oven wifi or set with a timer.

There are quite a few wifi cams out there with smartphone apps.

Or make your roommate send you a pic every morning when they leave.

Or set a reminder on their pie that goes off a few minutes before they leave each morning. 
Title: Re: Cheap in home security camera
Post by: JAYSLOL on December 24, 2015, 09:16:48 PM
Okay, so your first problem is that if you set up a wifi camera and your roommate has a phone or laptop, they will probably be able to see there is a wifi camera connected to your network.  Second, how about getting a new roommate?!?! I wouldn't stay with someone I couldn't trust to not burn down the place, what else can't he be trusted to take care of?  If you insist on keeping him as a roommate, but honestly can't trust him with the oven, why not talk to him about it?  Or just keep the fuses for it in your backpack or something whenever you aren't using it, that way he can only use the microwave when you aren't around.