How to Choose the Right Webcam Surveillance Software

Many people want to have a sort of spy equipment for better home security. However, with wireless spy cameras, VCR or DVR systems, there are also special software used to control those surveillance gadgets.

Large companies use professional security systems along with already built in (embedded digital video recorder or PC based DVR soft) spy camera control software. But what about smaller guys? Do you also have two victims thousands of dollars for professional spy security system and software to feel safe in your house? And the answer is not necessarily.

Webcam spying for use

You have the ability to use your webcam (connected to your PC) as a tool for surveillance. And to control it, all you need is inexpensive webcam surveillance software. As a matter of fact, this software allows you to connect more than one camera. It can display as much as 16 webcam views of your computer screen.

Moreover, webcam surveillance software even allows you to detect motion and start capturing an event within milliseconds. This means that you do not need to keep your webcam surveillance software turned on all the time, two safe area. By using motion detection webcams, you can also save your computer's hard disk drive (HDD) space.

You know, video takes a lot of hard disk space. Non stop recording for 24 hours can cost you 1GB of HDD space a day. Well, it depends on the selected image quality. Lower quality images will require less bandwidth. Also, if you set lower FPS (frames per second), so you will save even more HDD space.

But if you have a large hard drive (like 160 GB or more), so there is nothing to worry about.

What to Look for in Webcam Surveillance Software?

Before you decide to order webcam surveillance software, there are a few things to consider. Let us take a look at some of the features of webcam software that you should seriously consider, ok.

Audio recording - Does your webcam surveillance software Audio recording option? If not, then you should consider it carefully. If you want to record a conversation, it is essential.

Compressed Files - Does your webcam software compress video files? If not, then the space on your hard drive can fill up quickly. Try searching for software that compressed video without losing its quality.

Remote Access - This is very important. If you leave your webcam to record the area, you should be able to access your webcam's view via the internet. This is very cool feature that is absolutely must in webcam software.

Motion Detection - We've already mentioned it. Motion is also very important. You do not want to record the area where nothing happens, right. So make sure that motion sensing is enabled in your software.

Alert Settings - Is webcam surveillance software have an alert option? Some webcam software alert when they detect something. They can alert via email or even dial a phone number. You should look for this function because it is very nice.

Multiple Webcams - Can your surveillance software record a live view from multiple web cameras? 2, 4 or 16? If you want to connect more than one camera to your PC so that multiple webcam support is absolutely must in the software you choose.

Stealth Mode - Does the webcam software run in stealth mode? Stealth mode means that nobody can see if the software is running or not. Not even if they Press "Ctr + Alt + Del" and look at the Windows Task Manager!

Look for webcam surveillance software that allows you to do everything, or at least most of the features mentioned above. If the software is not able to detect motion, not alarm option, not recording options, simply search for a better solution.

Conclusion

Webcam software (for spying or home protection purposes) combined with a few inexpensive webcams, can definitely serve as a basic home security system. You can put your webcam in the main sites and get your PC to record each camera's view. And if the motion detect something unusual, they can notify you via email or telephone.

But if you really are looking for quality and all-in-one solution for professional home protection, so a more powerful DVR security system with many spy cameras could be your best shot. Such systems cost over a thousand dollars, but they are ideal for quality home or office protection.