Best web/security cam for capturing the catfights?

February 16, 2016 1:30 PM

Looking for something simple that will let me see on my phone a) that the garage door is closed (its usually dark in there) and b) capture video (and audio would be awesome) when motion triggered of our cats scrapping at home. I'm thinking this would be 3 cameras, if something is easier to manage a set of cameras thats a plus. Would love something that alerts me to motion, then I get to see the video hoping for a crazy match. Suggestions?
posted by H. Roark to Technology (9 answers total)

Best answer: Nest Cam does everything you're talking about (app will alert you when there is motion/sound, and show you a video clip, and you can go back and watch more video if the clip is not sufficient, and of course you can view live video anytime). I use it to monitor my cat when we're away for a short time.
posted by thefoxgod at 1:38 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]

Best answer: We also use Nest Cams/Dropcams for watching our cats when we're away. They work pretty well, including night vision and motion detecting. The image quality is MUCH better than the cheap Foscam cameras we have (those also have horrible security holes, but that's a separate issue). Do be aware that if you want archiving, you have to pay for their service. Also, there's no way to pan/tilt the camera remotely, if that's important to you.
posted by primethyme at 2:01 PM on February 16, 2016

Best answer: We just got an Arlo set up that has 3 cameras and night vision and would recommend it.
posted by soelo at 2:11 PM on February 16, 2016

Best answer: *nods* at Dropcam suggestions. That is why I use to spy on my cats.
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 2:15 PM on February 16, 2016

If by "best," you mean simple with minimal investment, Alfred would work if you have some spare phones lying around.
posted by sageleaf at 2:47 PM on February 16, 2016

Best answer: If you aren't up to spending a lot of money, I have one of those Foscam fi9831w and I am quite satisfied with video quality. You can do all those things you suggest, including notification of motion. You can pan/tilt with any computer or smartphone. I bought an overpriced dropcam(nest) cam, having already owned netcams, and was pleased with picture quality but nothing else. Saving video online is expensive. Netcams like Linksys, Foscam can email a motion video right to you. Nest and Dropcam you're paying for the brand.
posted by nogero at 2:47 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: was pleased with picture quality but nothing else. ... Nest and Dropcam you're paying for the brand.

With a camera, picture quality is kind of the thing. This is like saying a beer tastes better, but nothing else is better about it, so you're just paying for the brand. Obviously YMMV, but I have both Foscams and Dropcams, and it's really no contest with respect to which actually allows me to best see what's going on in my house, which is the reason I bought them.
posted by primethyme at 3:02 PM on February 16, 2016

If you have privacy concerns (and if you don't, that's OK too) make sure to investigate any options you consider. Even Nest has had security leaks (for the thermostat.)
posted by DarlingBri at 4:00 PM on February 16, 2016

I moved one of our Arlo cameras to point out a window that has a screen on it and it does work. It focuses on the yard beyond the screen, but I have only checked it in broad daylight.
posted by soelo at 12:28 PM on February 29, 2016