Remote viedo/picture access

November 2, 2005 9:38 AM

Capturing remote video/Pictures on a server for access over the internet.

No, I am not a pervert.
My folks have bought a trailer park as an investment property which is a few hours drive from their current place. The park has a resident manager, and they trust her, however there are a number of stalls for motorhomes which folks might occupy for a night or two. When they do, they pay in cash.
Given that my folks will not be able to actively monitor how many motorhomes are parked there on a nightly basis, they would like to remove the temptation of the current manager to 'skim a little off the top'.
All that being said, the best scenario as far as I can tell is some sort of outdoor webcam, that would take and save a picture of the park every few hours, and store them in some sort of directory so that at the end of the month, when my folks are reconciling the accounts, they can do a random check on a few nights and ensure that the numbers of trailers collected for, match the number that were in the park.
Anyway, my cursory look into the matter has taken me to the x10 website, but I am finding it high on flash, and low on technical specifications. Their products seem a litte low end (read cheap, plastic) and not suited for outdoors. Also does not address the software issues of remote access to the pictures via SSH or some other form of access.
Anyone have experience in this sort of thing?
Can you put me on the correct path?

posted by TheFeatheredMullet to computers & internet (2 comments total)

Axis sells cameras that have an onboard server and appropriate software to do what you want. You provide a network cable connection. A bit pricey, though.
posted by odinsdream at 9:52 AM on November 2, 2005

Panasonic also makes some self-contained webcams for outdoor use that don't require a PC for operation, just power and and an ethernet connection (wired or wireless). They are also kind of expensive.
posted by Good Brain at 10:58 PM on November 2, 2005