Webcam for shop

ptben

My girlfriend and I own a small clothes shop which is divided in two by a large chimney breast that runs down the middle. I'd like to install a webcam to monitor the back of the shop which can be viewed on the laptop we keep by the till. This would allow us to see who goes into the changing room etc when we are serving at the counter. Is it as simple as just picking a webcam and hooking it up? Are there any good value wireless ones about I could use. I have been suggested icatcher software from icode but I don't think I need constant monitoring, just a live feed of the section of the shop that is obscured. Thanks in advance.

Little_John

I think you would benifit from a proper CCTV system. they can be bought for about £500 with hard disk recording and a few cameras.

I have been playing with one over the last few days and you can set them up (the bit I have been doing) to be viewable from anywhere via the internet nevermind at the till.

just a thought especially if you have a problem with people and 5 finger discounts?

Donnie

Unless you have an internet connection in or near the shop, a wireless webcam won't work anyway.
A normal webcam with a long lead? Dunno Maybe someone else does. Picture quality would be poor if there isn't good lighting.

ptben

It's a very well lit shop and the laptop / router are both wireless.

Donnie

I have one of these; http://www.cnet.com.au/wireless/accessories/0,239028911,240055564,00.htm

http://www.intel.com/personal/how-to/home/wireless-webcam.htm

neilwoods

Depends on a cpl of things.

How far away would the camera be from your laptop, and thickness of walls.

If you are more than 5 meters (i think) then a wired webcam would not be ideal as you can only go so far with a usb device, you would then need to buy a special cable to extend. Wireless would depend on walls.

Best bet may be to go a CCTV camera and a usb PC DVR. Probably get both for £60 or £70. A basic DVR is a device that will allow you to connect upto 4 camera to you pc or laptop.

http://www.y3k.com/acatalog/l248.html

ptben

There would be no obstructions between camera and laptop.

neilwoods

What about a min spy cam with a pc dvr then.

http://netac.tv/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=40

with

http://www.y3k.com/acatalog/l248.html