Make Your Own Mac Video Surveillance System on the Cheap
Low End Mac Reader Specials
Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core Memory 4GB kit $192 / 2GB kit $109. MacBook Pro / MacMini / iMac Intel Core2 DUO 2GB $44 1GB $23--Free shipping available.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
LA Computer Company: LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, Apple Displays, MacBooks, iMac's, MacBook Pros, Laptop and iPod accessories and more. Apple A/C Adapters for laptops starting at $25.00 Call 1-800-941-7654 or Click Here.
OtherWorld Computing: NewerTech miniStack FW400+USB2 up to 750GB + Built in Hubs. Ultimate in performance storage + saves space with built in FW/USB2 Powered Hubs - all in convenient & sleek 6.5" x 6.5" x 1.5" profile. SPECIALS: 500GB now $219.99; 250GB now $139.99!
Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.
NEW MacPro Memory 800Mhz With Apple Spec Heat Sink 2GB Kit $104 / 4GB Kit $184 / 8GB Kit $362 Click to Maximize your Macs...
- 2005.11.22 - Tip Jar
This week it's Mac security time. But I'm not talking about network security; I'm talking about physical security.
What good is it to have the most secure OS and best firewalls if anyone can simply come in and steal your Mac.
That's why it's good to lock all your doors and windows, but sometimes even that isn't good enough. Don't worry, the solution to this problem lies right there in front of you - your Mac.
I'm
going to teach you how to setup a home surveillance system using
your modern or older Mac.
Before I start I will show you my current Mac Video Surveillance System (MVSS). From top to bottom:
- Old Multilite Black and white Monitor
- Sharp VHS VCR
- Apple keyboard and mouse
- Bay Networks 8-port hub
- Power Macintosh 6500/250
- Cheap black & white security cam from Wal-Mart
What You Need
- Any Mac that can run Mac OS 8.5 and above
- A camera, either composite or USB
- A camera interface (composite video input or USB)
Optional:
- Network interface
- VHS VCR
- Monitor
Once you have everything you need, it's time to start.
First you need to get a copy of EvoCam. If your not running Mac OS X, you'll need to get version 3.4. EvoCam is shareware, and I recommend you pay the $25, because it's stable and the best for our application, which runs 24/7.
Go ahead and connect you camera(s). In my case, I got a cheap home surveillance cam from Wal-Mart for $25 and connected it using my Mac's built-in A/V ports. Next start up EvoCam and adjust it to you needs.
Once you get all the bugs out, you can set motion detection spots on the image. This is for automatic recording when motion is detected.
I also added the VCR to both record and transmit the image
to a closed-circuit television. How? I just put a splitter on the
composite video connection (RCA) coming in from the camera and fed
it to the VCR - and then connected a TV using the coax video out
from the VCR.
You can upload images to your website, run a web server, email pictures, and even record with a VCR so you will have your evidence when crooks break in. My system is in a closet to protect it. Like the old military saying, "Out of sight, out of mind"
This is a simple setup, but it's efficient. You can add more cameras, better machines, or a color monitor.
It will run a lot better with the latest version of EvoCam on
Mac OS X, but I like mine low-end style.
- Link: EvoCam software
- Link: EvoCam 3.4 for Mac OS 8/9
If you find Joe's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Recent Mac Fallout Shelter articles
- My Newton: Why I won't buy an iPhone or iPod touch, 09.07. The iPod touch and iPhone sound wonderful, but I love the handwriting recognition, fax support, and email abilities of my Newton MessagePad.
- Network administration tools for Mac OS X users, 06.25. Thanks to Mac OS X, today's Macs are great network citizens and excellent tools for doing network administration.
- Apple's secret battery reset utility for WallSteet and Clamshell iBooks, 07.05. If your old 'Books battery isn't taking a charge like it used to, Battery Reset 2.0 could help recover its useful life.
- More in the Mac Fallout Shelter index.
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Apple's eMate still a great tool in the classroom, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 05.09. How one teacher equipped his classroom with eMates with his own money - and plans to keep using them as long as possible.
- $199 iPhone coming?, iPod not a Walkman, crosswalk danger, iPods taking over cars, and more, iNews Review, 05.09. Also the iPhone is a second-rate phone, iPhone 2.0 may introduce handwriting recognition, Kensington battery pack and chargers, new iPhone apps, and more.
- Best Power Mac G4 deals, Low End Mac Deals, 05.09. Used Cube, $479; 400 MHz PCI, $70; 450 AGP, $105; 733 DA, $150; 867 QS, $200; 1 GHz, $250; 450 dual, $295; 1 GHz dual, $400; 1.42, $600; more.
- Best 15" MacBook Pro deals, Low End Mac Deals, 05.09. Used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $1,100; 2.16, $1,295; refurb, 2.2 Core2, $1,449; 2.4 Penryn, $1,699; 2.5, $2,149; new 2.2, $1,525 after rebate; 2.4, $1,685 a/r; more.
- MacBook sales explode, MacBook Air reviews, several new hard drives, and more, The 'Book Review, 05.09. Also silver-zinc batteries may outlast lithium-ion, Bell Aliant bundling MacBook with Internet access, notebook drives benchmarked, bargain 'Books from $150 to $2,699, and more.
- Best iPod touch deals, Low End Mac Deals, 05.09. Refurb 8 GB '08, $249; 16 GB '07, $329; '08, $349; new 8 GB '07. $269; '08, $280; 16 GB '07, $330; '08, $369; 32 GB, $475.
- Apple tops in tech support, Penryn iMacs and Psystar Open Computer reviewed, and more, Mac News Review, 05.09. Also the iMac philosophy, OpenOffice 3.0 going Mac, MozyHome backup comes to Macs, weather in the Dock, and more.
- More G4 upgrade advice, secure disk wipes, 500 MHz iMacs with Tiger in action, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 05.09. The importance of securely clearing your hard drive before you pass on your Mac, Pismo and closed lid mode, G3 iMacs in the classroom, and more thoughts on upgrading G4 Power Macs.
- 140 million copies of Vista sold (yawn), Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 05.09. It sounds like a lot, but over 85% of Windows users are staying away from Vista. 20% of Mac users have embraced Leopard in one-third the time.
- Mac of the Day: Macintosh IIsi, Oct. 1990 - The most compact Mac II was underclocked and designed not to compete with IIci.
- List of the Day: MacBooks covers Apple's new Intel-based 'Books such as the MacBook Pro.
- May 11 in LEM history: 99: Fixing, preventing drive crashes - 00: Macintosh sound: The great and the pedestrian - Gaming on '030s - 01: Macs keep going and going - Mini optical mouse for laptops - 05: Used Power Mac G4 value - Benchmarking Tiger vs. Panther - OS X freeware I wouldn't want to be without - 06: Why I will probably buy another Mac - The Low End Mac value equation - 07: LED backlight coming to MacBooks - Future of the Mac mini
- Why one Mac user chose BlackBerry over iPhone, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 05.08. The advantages of OS X, Safari, Mail, and iSync don't outweigh the familiarity of BlackBerry, its excellent software, easily replaceable batteries, and a camera-free option.
- 500 MHz iMac with Panther great for Internet, watching video, and more, Carl Nygren, My Turn, 05.08. At $65 with upgraded RAM and a bigger hard drive, it was too good to pass up, and it works very nicely with Mac OS X 10.3.
- Boomerang: The Blue and White Power Mac G3 that kept coming back, Charles Webb, The Webb Chronicles, 05.08. Over its nine-year lifespan, this Power Mac had at least five owners before it finally gave up the ghost.
- Best Intel iMac deals, Low End Mac Deals, 05.08. Used 17" 1.83 GHz, $699; 20" 2.16 Core2, $885; refurb 20" 2.16, $949; 2.4, $1,099; 24" 2.16, $1,199; 2.4, $1,399; 2.8, $1,599; Penryn from $1,049 after rebate.
- Best 17" PowerBook G4 deals, Low End Mac Deals, 05.08. Used 17" 1 GHz, $790; 1.33 GHz, $850; 1.5 GHz, $859; 1.67 GHz, $889.
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals, Low End Mac Deals, 05.08. Mac OS X 10.5.1 single user, $99; 5 users, $139; 10.5 Server, 10 users, $450; unlimited, $899.
- More links in our archive.
About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts


