Due to the amount of time I'm away checking on my dad and the consequent damage done by animals in my absence, I am experimenting with an internet camera. The idea being I can monitor the land from my phone or any computer via a unique IP address.

To enable that I have also switched from BT to Plusnet (0800 432 0200) as Plusnet provide a static IP address for a one off fee of £5, whereas BT only provide static IP addresses on business accounts. This also requires a new net-book, as the camera, a Foscam FI 9853EP, requires a Microsoft or Apple OS for the interface to the IP camera.

The computer is a Toshiba Click Mini at £189.99 from Argos with Windows 10

Sadly that means buying Chinese equipment. I try not to buy anything from China due to it's poor human rights history and it's huge monopoly on products.

If the set-up works well I intend to upgrade the camera to a PTZ (Pan/Tilt/Zoom) model, again a Foscam, Model F1 9828P @£179.99 from Foscam direct. This runs from 12v and uses 10watts nominally and 1watt when not filming. It has a low resolution of VGA (640 x 480) and a frame rate from (1 to 60)Hz. It also has provision for audio in and out as well as sectioned motion activation.

https://broadbandbuyer.co.uk
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customerservices@broadbandbuyer.com

foscam ip cameras set-up
foscam support

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