Alan Kettlewell Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 My new layout has automated hidden yards in which I'd like to set up a camera/cctv system of some sort to keep an eye on things. I use a laptop, iPad and smartphone in my railway shed so it would make sense to have feedback transmitted to one of those screens. I also have a spare router so I reckon that might come in handy if it can be used for this purpose. So I'm seeking advice from anyone who has experience on modern day solutions for monitoring such yards. I've spent some time on the interweb but have come away pretty confused reading about everything from baby monitors to very expensive cctv systems. Got to add that I don't want to spend a fortune on this, sound not necessary, nor are features such as remote control of camera positions ie movement. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers ...Alan . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted August 1, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 1, 2016 My new layout has automated hidden yards in which I'd like to set up a camera/cctv system of some sort to keep an eye on things. I use a laptop, iPad and smartphone in my railway shed so it would make sense to have feedback transmitted to one of those screens. I also have a spare router so I reckon that might come in handy if it can be used for this purpose. So I'm seeking advice from anyone who has experience on modern day solutions for monitoring such yards. I've spent some time on the interweb but have come away pretty confused reading about everything from baby monitors to very expensive cctv systems. Got to add that I don't want to spend a fortune on this, sound not necessary, nor are features such as remote control of camera positions ie movement. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers ...Alan . We've a couple of Motorola cameras that can be accessed remotely. One is designed for watching babies, the other is designed for watching pets. Both have low light features that enable them to work in darkness. The one designed for watching pets is possibly more use for the yard use that you want as it is able to be moved remotely (left right, up and down), this is handy has the field of view on the camera is quite narrow. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SZSSWCC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium nick_bastable Posted August 1, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 1, 2016 or a cheap web cam and a old laptop Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted August 1, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 1, 2016 Mirrors any use? Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Kettlewell Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 We've a couple of Motorola cameras that can be accessed remotely. One is designed for watching babies, the other is designed for watching pets. Both have low light features that enable them to work in darkness. The one designed for watching pets is possibly more use for the yard use that you want as it is able to be moved remotely (left right, up and down), this is handy has the field of view on the camera is quite narrow. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SZSSWCC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Many thanks. I reckon IP network camera system might have been a possibility but I should have mentioned my layout is in a shed at the bottom of the garden so I can't connect to the internet. Cheers ... Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Kettlewell Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 or a cheap web cam and a old laptop Nick I'll need perhaps four cameras to monitor the yards so I can't see a USB method working. Glad to be proven wrong though. Cheers ...Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Kettlewell Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 Many thanks. I reckon IP network camera system might have been a possibility but I should have mentioned my layout is in a shed at the bottom of the garden so I can't connect to the internet. Cheers ... Alan But there again, I DO have Internet access via my smartphone ....hmmmm... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
28XX Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I'll prove you wrong Alan. The freeware you need is iSpy 64 It is intended as a budget way to do multi camera cctv. The pay version does remote monitoring from your smart phone plus lots of other bells & whistles, but the free version is all we need to monitor inside engine sheds or hidden storage yards. Plug and play USB cams start at £6.00 on eBay. You will also need a USB hub to collate all the inputs but not difficult to do. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Kettlewell Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 I'll prove you wrong Alan. The freeware you need is iSpy 64 It is intended as a budget way to do multi camera cctv. The pay version does remote monitoring from your smart phone plus lots of other bells & whistles, but the free version is all we need to monitor inside engine sheds or hidden storage yards. Plug and play USB cams start at £6.00 on eBay. You will also need a USB hub to collate all the inputs but not difficult to do. Good luck. Ah, good, cool. I'm off looking into that now - cheers. Still looking at wireless options though .. Cheers ...Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted August 3, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 3, 2016 I've got a hidden storage yard on my American layout, which is monitored by two Sentient wireless cameras I got from Maplins. They transmit to a small screen which alternates between one camera and the other every few seconds. I've found them to be very reliable after six years of use. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/17776-gulf-atlanta-eastern/page-2 The set-up was relatively inexpensive. The only downside is that they do need some ambient light to work with effectively. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
10000 Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 Foscam IP cameras are IMHO the best IP cameras for the price. Interior and exterior are available. Can be on the network by cable or wireless and do not need "Internet" access to view them just your local network and a web browser on your computer or and app on a phone/pad. I use them internal and external for security purposes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Kettlewell Posted August 4, 2016 Author Share Posted August 4, 2016 Many thanks for all the info and advice folks - just what I needed to be able to get my head round it. I reckon the wireless IP cameras are the way to go. I've just changed broadband supplier so I'm thinking I can use the spare router I now have in conjunction with an android tablet I'm not otherwise using. Thay way it stays completely separate from my Z21 system, I won't be bothering my Z21 router and I won 't have to switch or split screens on my laptop which I use for Train Controller or my iPad which I use for hand held train control. Looking like a solution - just got to source some cameras now and try it out. Thanks again everyone. Cheers..Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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