Nuts and Volts - November 2014

can use it for any monitoring application. Some of the features of this unit are: • Day or night vision. Camera has infrared (IR) lights that illuminate a dark room and the camera has IR sensing. It can see up to 16 feet in total darkness.

• Motion detection. Alerts you if motion is detected in the viewing range.

• Digital zoom remotely and manual lens focus.

• Sound detection. Camera also contains a microphone that picks up any audio in the viewing area.

• Two-way audio. Unit has a speaker that lets you talk to someone in the viewing range via your smartphone or tablet.

• Temperature measurement. The antenna-like appendage on the camera in Figure 2 is a temperature sensor that lets you remotely view the temperature in the camera environment.

• All camera features and settings can be controlled remotely on a cell phone.

• Mounting hardware is provided if you need it.

Most other Internet cameras have similar features, but a lot are bare-bones units with no frills. Check before you buy.

To set up the camera, first download the app. For this camera, there is both an Apple iPhone app and one for Android phones.

Store or Google Play to get the free app. Open it and begin the installation process. Step-by-step directions are given to link the camera to your local Wi-Fi network. Once the setup is complete, click on the appropriate icon and begin monitoring. You will probably have to adjust the focus manually to get a clear view, While no babies were involved with my camera, my wife and I have used it to check on the house while we were away for the weekend. We were able to discover what was mashing the flowers on the front porch during the night. The camera clearly picked up the stray cat doing the damage. Overall, the camera gives you some sense of security and control when you are not at home.

WHAT IS AVAILABLE?

The D-Link unit I used cost under $200, but it is a high-end unit. You can easily find lower cost units. Here are a few other Internet cameras I have discovered. One widely promoted camera is the Dropcam ( www.dropcam.com).

It comes in two versions: one with a 130 degree field of view and an 8x zoom for $199; and a 107 degree field of view with 4x zoom for $149. It too has both iPhone and Android apps. Samsung also has a comparable camera called the SmartCam. Both the Dropcam and Samsung units are 1080p HD. Another source is X10 -- the company that makes a variety of home automation gadgets. They have some low cost video cams for around the $100 range. Check them out at www.x10.com. For lots of resources on video cameras and surveillance, go to www.ipmv.com

CONNECTING ANYTHING TO THE INTERNET

Connecting almost anything to the Internet is getting easier as practically all semiconductor and electronics companies are seeking

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THE LATEST IN NETWORKING AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES

Remote home monitoring can be achieved with a low cost camera and a remote viewing device like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

; FIGURE 2. The D-Link DCS-825L Internet camera is sold as a baby monitor, but you can use it for many other applications. It includes IR dark viewing, as well as two-way voice communications.