Modern smartphones, even those from a few years ago, have everything you need to become a monitoring device: a good quality camera, a microphone, the possibility to connect to internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data and a processor that can manage videoomas. In comparison with a traditional video monitoring system, you can use an old phone to save a device and recycle that would otherwise remain unused. An external environment can be checkedIn case of suspicious movements, receive notifications or simply check that the dog or cat is left alone.
What is needed to start
- A working smartphone that will be the camera: It doesn’t matter if it is a bit dated, as long as the camera is in good condition and supports the necessary apps. Android and iPhone phones are great.
- Our smartphonewhat we use and take with you every day
- An internet connection: Having stable WiFi at home would be ideal, but mobile data can also be used if the phone has an active SIM.
- A support or tripod: to place the phone stably.
- A charger: The phone must always stay, so better to connect it to an exhaust or a power bank.
Choose the video -monitoring app
- Alfred Home Security Camera available Per Android e iOSIs one of the most popular thanks to the simplicity. It offers movement of movement, night view and the possibility to keep videos on the cloud. The free version is more than enough for basic use.
- Athome camera Perfect for those who are looking for a versatile app. It works on multiple devices and allows you to check multiple cameras at the same time. It also has an option to program registration times.
- Tinycam monitor for freeFor Android, easy for video control and recording, even if the reviews are contradictory.
- Presence Ideal for iPhone users, with an intuitive interface and functionality such as bidirectional audio, useful to speak over the phone.
- RankingAlways for iPhone, it can be used for free with some restriction, but it can be fine for a single video supervision smartphone.
Special mention deserves, in this category, the are the Apps that drive suspicious sounds and movements in a room I talked about in another article.
Download the app both on the phone that will act as a camera, both on the device you use to look at the feed. The configuration is usually led: simply create an account, connect the devices (often via a QR code) and choose whether the phone is “camera” or “controller”.
How to configure the system
Once the app has been chosen, it is time to use everything. Here are the most important steps:
- Install the app On both devices and follow the instructions to register, with the same account on all smartphones to synchronize them.
- Place the phone that makes video -wire In a strategic point, such as the entrance to the house, the stay or the bedroom of the children. Make sure the camera has a good view and that the phone is stable. An economic tripod or wall support (they are online for a few euros) makes the difference.
- Connect the phone to the power: The device must always start for continuous monitoring. Use a charger or a thin power bank, especially if you position it from a socket.
- Connect it with the internet: A stable Wi-Fi network is fundamentally, if you use a mobile subscription, check whether the tariff plan supports high consumption, because video streaming can consume different giga.
- Go the system: Open the app on the operating device and check that the video citizen is clear. Try functions such as movement or bidirectional audio, if available.
Internal use of security camera
If you want to use the phone to check a roomThe configuration is fairly simple. Place the device at the top, perhaps on a shelf or attached to the wall with a Wrapper or use Biadimeter ribbon. Do not focus the camera towards windows or mirrors, because reflections can confuse the detection of the movement. If the app allows this, activate push notifications: you receive a warning on your headphones every time a suspect movement is detected.
Use the “Night Vision” mode to check an environment, even in the dark, if the app supports it and the smartphone has a sensor that adapts to poor lighting.
External supervision
The use of a smartphone outside is slightly more complicated, but not impossible. The most important obstacle is the weather: rain, wind or direct sun can damage the device. To protect the phone, invest in one Waterproof (You will find good for less than 10 euros). Place it on a repaired point, such as at a balcony or in a covered angle, and make sure it is high enough not to be easily reached.
Another aspect to consider is food. Outside, one power bank Water resistant can be a practical solution, but check whether it has sufficient capacity to keep the phone on for a long time. Finally, check that the Wi-Fi connection is also stable in the chosen point; If the signal is weak, you may need a WiFi repeater.
Extra functions that must be exploited
Video -Surfing -Apps often offer functions that make the system even more useful:
- Motion detection: only warns if there are activities, which stores battery and data.
- Cloud registration: Some apps enable you to save videos online so that you do not treat your phone memory. Check if the free version contains this option.
- Bidirectional audio: You can listen to the sounds in the area and even speak by phone, useful to communicate with those who are at home.
- Program: Set specific times to activate or disable surveillance, for example when you are working.
If we are also planning to record filming, buy a fairly large enough micro SD and use it to save the files generated by the apps every day.
Then take the IP address and the door of the smartphone that is used as a camera (the surveillance app will communicate this data) and use it from the same app, but on another smartphone or by type the IP address and the door number in a web browser, you can connect to the recovery in remotely stream.
Do not forget to connect the smartphone (which will work from surveillance camera) to the WiFi Home Network, so that you have access to us when you are at home (via other connected devices) but also outside the house through the IP address and the door used by the Surveillance app.
Some apps can offer advanced functions, such as registration on cloud computing, the motion detector with real -time notification via SMS or E -mail and an advanced face recognition system, to manage the access of all known people and immediately report the presence of intruders at home with the only recognition of the face.
Also read: Video -monitoring with webcam and IP cameras: best programs
Creative ideas for use
In addition to home control, a smartphone that has been converted into a camera can be used in many ways, as explained in other articles:
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