What's the cheapest way for me to record activity in my front yard?

December 11, 2019 12:06 AM

I have a spare laptop I could use, I don't want to be able to view the videos online, I can aim a camera out my front window. I'd just like to see what's happening during the day when I'm not around. Apparently I have a pet vandal and I'd like to know who it is, but it would really irk me to have to spend a lot of money because of this creep. Got any simple suggestions on how to make this happen?

Someone has been messing with my front garden. It started small years ago, with a few branches snapped that overhang the fence, but it's been slowly escalating, branches broken well into my yard, lawn signs kicked over, and recently they have gone too far. A few weeks ago they went all over the yard and sawed off all the low branches on one tree, cut down a sapling, and left the discarded branches on the lawn. Most of the people in my neighborhood are really nice, so I'd hate to accuse anyone falsely, but I'd really like to politely tell whoever has been doing this to stay the hell off my property. I imagine that I could aim a camera out the window, capture the images on the laptop, and review the video whenever I notice something has been disturbed. So, what hardware/software should I use?

posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 to Technology (13 answers total)

You could look into getting a trap camera - they’re made for photographing wildlife so are robust enough to use outdoors and are triggered to start filming by movement.

I think they record onto memory cards, which you then transfer to your computer. My mum’s used one for a while to photograph wildlife in the garden overnight with reasonable success.

You’d want to frame it where it wasn’t instantly visible and wasn’t getting constantly triggered by passing traffic, I guess.
posted by penguin pie at 2:07 AM on December 11, 2019 [3 favorites]

Reading along for the answers because I would like to figure out who doesn't pick up their dog's crap in my driveway.

That said, OP, you're well within your rights to talk to the police about trespassing and vandalism. As a gardener myself, that's serious damage. Cutting down a sapling!
posted by Sublimity at 4:28 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]

I'd start with the laptop, a usb camera, and camera software that has a motion-trigger capability.

I can't suggest a particular software product because the one I have is too sensitive and it detects every moving leaf and would save the whole day. The way it works is that it monitors continuously, and if it detects motion, it saves a block that begins a bit before the motion and continues for at least 5 minutes.

In my yard I'd capture every passing car and pedestrian, i.e. a lot, but I guess you dont have to review it unless you see new damage.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:40 AM on December 11, 2019

If you have an old phone laying around, you could download a time lapse camera app, set it for 1 pic/min (or 30 sec), set the phone up so it doesn’t power down, and aim it out the window. Total cost: $0.
posted by sexyrobot at 6:14 AM on December 11, 2019

Also you’re going to need bait. Hit the thrift store and pick up the closest big breakable thing to a garden gnome or pink flamingo or whatever. Get a big (cheapest) bush with big tacky flowers. One of those big rainbow pinwheels from the 99cent store, anything that says "I <3 my garden"...you get the picture.
posted by sexyrobot at 6:23 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]

I just saw this software which turns old devices with cameras into security monitors. I have not tried it yet.
posted by Mo Nickels at 6:32 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]

For the record, the software I mentioned above is iSpy. It's open source. Somewhat geeky and fairly flexible. For Windows only, I think.

I see there is the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor trigger. You can save either video or single pictures.
posted by SemiSalt at 7:08 AM on December 11, 2019

I know you said you don't want to be able to view the video online, but these Wyze cams are dirt cheap and work surprisingly well. Very good image quality, but the motion detection is a little weird unless you subscribe to their cloud storage ($1.49 a month).
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:25 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]

Does the laptop have a built in camera? If so then this is the first guide that google turned up. Maybe get a telephoto lens made to attach to cell phones if the angle is too wide. Dollar stores usually carry them, or 5Below.
posted by Sophont at 11:05 AM on December 11, 2019

This recent Gizmodo article might be relevant to you: "How to Give Ring and Nest the Boot and Set Up Your Own Home Security Camera"
posted by JD Sockinger at 12:07 PM on December 11, 2019 [3 favorites]

Came in here to also recommend Wyze cameras. The image quality is really excellent for the price and they've been pretty reliable. We set them up as home/pet cams when we're traveling and they're awesome.
posted by caitcadieux at 2:35 PM on December 11, 2019

Response by poster: you're well within your rights to talk to the police about trespassing and vandalism

right?? it feels like a pretty big violation

I'd start with the laptop, a usb camera, and camera software that has a motion-trigger capability.
I can't suggest a particular software product because the one I have is too sensitive

that's probably the route I'll go - I'd still like to hear what software you use, I don't mind if it records a lot of stuff, there's lots of space on my old laptop.

Also you’re going to need bait

oh yea, I have definite plans to do that. pink flamingo glitterbomb maybe?
Really appreciate all the suggestions everyone, thanks so much! I'd particularly like to hear more about specific motion-trigger software anyone knows about.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:43 PM on December 11, 2019

I asked a question a few years ago about how to record my dog's activity in the house when I was gone. I downloaded OnCue and it works great. I think you can set it to be triggered by motion or sound or both. I just used my laptop camera, but you would probably want to get a USB camera which I imagine you could place in the window more unobtrusively.
posted by radioamy at 8:13 PM on December 11, 2019