Review: iSpy lets you monitor and record multiple webcams and IP cameras for free

Video surveillance isn't just for governments. With a simple webcam, you too can keep a close eye on what's happening in your home or office. Developerinabox's iSpy is an open-source application that lets you connect to a number of cameras and microphones, monitor them for movement and sound, and automatically start recording whenever something interesting is detected. Although iSpy is free to use, some of its features (such as remote viewing) cost money. The free features provide plenty of functionality, though.

When adding a new camera, iSpy lets you set up motion detection sensitivity and trigger zones.

Getting started is easy: All you need is a webcam placed wherever you want it to be and a USB cable long enough to connect it to your computer. You can also use an IP camera connected to your network. iSpy connects to the camera and shows the current view. You can then define specific areas of the image iSpy should watch for movement, and set a threshold value for the amount of motion that would trigger automatic recording. If you want, you can also name the camera, configure the capture frame rate, and more. Then, just minimize the iSpy window and let it monitor the camera feed.

When you want to view the recordings, double-click the iSpy system tray icon, and up pops the window with a list of time-stamped thumbnails showing all of the clips the camera captured. Double-clicking a thumbnail plays the clip—it couldn't be simpler, really.
One area in which iSpy is lacking compared to competitor Vitamin D is search. Vitamin D has a custom search feature that lets you filter hundreds of captured clips down to a more manageable subset you can watch through. iSpy doesn't have this granularity, which means you may have to sit through quite a few clips until you find the one you're looking for. On the other hand, Vitamin D's free version doesn't let you connect multiple cameras, while iSpy lets you connect as many as you want. In fact, iSpy also lets you connect microphones for audio recording, and even import a map of your premises and specify where the cameras and microphones are physically located.

When adding a new camera, iSpy lets you set up motion detection sensitivity and trigger zones.

Some of iSpy's features, such as viewing your feed from any computer on the local network, require an online account with the service, which costs between $7.95 and $49.95 a month. Still, even without opening such an account, iSpy feels robust and provides lots of utility. If you have an extra webcam lying around and want to keep a closer watch on what's happening when you're away, you should definitely try iSpy out.

Note: The Download button on the Product Information page takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the latest version of the software.

Endlessly tweaking his workflow for comfort and efficiency, Erez is a freelance writer on a mission to discover the simplest, coolest, and most effective software and websites to make tomorrow happen today.
More by Erez Zukerman

From PC World. Shop computer and accessories from Amazon here

Review: iSpy lets you monitor and record multiple webcams and IP cameras for free

Video surveillance isn't just for governments. With a simple webcam, you too can keep a close eye on what's happening in your home or office. Developerinabox's iSpy is an open-source application that lets you connect to a number of cameras and microphones, monitor them for movement and sound, and automatically start recording whenever something interesting is detected. Although iSpy is free to use, some of its features (such as remote viewing) cost money. The free features provide plenty of functionality, though.

When adding a new camera, iSpy lets you set up motion detection sensitivity and trigger zones.

Getting started is easy: All you need is a webcam placed wherever you want it to be and a USB cable long enough to connect it to your computer. You can also use an IP camera connected to your network. iSpy connects to the camera and shows the current view. You can then define specific areas of the image iSpy should watch for movement, and set a threshold value for the amount of motion that would trigger automatic recording. If you want, you can also name the camera, configure the capture frame rate, and more. Then, just minimize the iSpy window and let it monitor the camera feed.

When you want to view the recordings, double-click the iSpy system tray icon, and up pops the window with a list of time-stamped thumbnails showing all of the clips the camera captured. Double-clicking a thumbnail plays the clip—it couldn't be simpler, really.
One area in which iSpy is lacking compared to competitor Vitamin D is search. Vitamin D has a custom search feature that lets you filter hundreds of captured clips down to a more manageable subset you can watch through. iSpy doesn't have this granularity, which means you may have to sit through quite a few clips until you find the one you're looking for. On the other hand, Vitamin D's free version doesn't let you connect multiple cameras, while iSpy lets you connect as many as you want. In fact, iSpy also lets you connect microphones for audio recording, and even import a map of your premises and specify where the cameras and microphones are physically located.

When adding a new camera, iSpy lets you set up motion detection sensitivity and trigger zones.

Some of iSpy's features, such as viewing your feed from any computer on the local network, require an online account with the service, which costs between $7.95 and $49.95 a month. Still, even without opening such an account, iSpy feels robust and provides lots of utility. If you have an extra webcam lying around and want to keep a closer watch on what's happening when you're away, you should definitely try iSpy out.

Note: The Download button on the Product Information page takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the latest version of the software.

Endlessly tweaking his workflow for comfort and efficiency, Erez is a freelance writer on a mission to discover the simplest, coolest, and most effective software and websites to make tomorrow happen today.
More by Erez Zukerman

From PC World. Shop computer and accessories from Amazon here

Review: iSpy lets you monitor and record multiple webcams and IP cameras for free

Video surveillance isn't just for governments. With a simple webcam, you too can keep a close eye on what's happening in your home or office. Developerinabox's iSpy is an open-source application that lets you connect to a number of cameras and microphones, monitor them for movement and sound, and automatically start recording whenever something interesting is detected. Although iSpy is free to use, some of its features (such as remote viewing) cost money. The free features provide plenty of functionality, though.

When adding a new camera, iSpy lets you set up motion detection sensitivity and trigger zones.

Getting started is easy: All you need is a webcam placed wherever you want it to be and a USB cable long enough to connect it to your computer. You can also use an IP camera connected to your network. iSpy connects to the camera and shows the current view. You can then define specific areas of the image iSpy should watch for movement, and set a threshold value for the amount of motion that would trigger automatic recording. If you want, you can also name the camera, configure the capture frame rate, and more. Then, just minimize the iSpy window and let it monitor the camera feed.

When you want to view the recordings, double-click the iSpy system tray icon, and up pops the window with a list of time-stamped thumbnails showing all of the clips the camera captured. Double-clicking a thumbnail plays the clip—it couldn't be simpler, really.
One area in which iSpy is lacking compared to competitor Vitamin D is search. Vitamin D has a custom search feature that lets you filter hundreds of captured clips down to a more manageable subset you can watch through. iSpy doesn't have this granularity, which means you may have to sit through quite a few clips until you find the one you're looking for. On the other hand, Vitamin D's free version doesn't let you connect multiple cameras, while iSpy lets you connect as many as you want. In fact, iSpy also lets you connect microphones for audio recording, and even import a map of your premises and specify where the cameras and microphones are physically located.

When adding a new camera, iSpy lets you set up motion detection sensitivity and trigger zones.

Some of iSpy's features, such as viewing your feed from any computer on the local network, require an online account with the service, which costs between $7.95 and $49.95 a month. Still, even without opening such an account, iSpy feels robust and provides lots of utility. If you have an extra webcam lying around and want to keep a closer watch on what's happening when you're away, you should definitely try iSpy out.

Note: The Download button on the Product Information page takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the latest version of the software.

Endlessly tweaking his workflow for comfort and efficiency, Erez is a freelance writer on a mission to discover the simplest, coolest, and most effective software and websites to make tomorrow happen today.
More by Erez Zukerman

From PCWorld. Visit Amazon Computer and Notebook Center here

Marine Breaks Record for Biggest Lego Collection, Gains Huge Geek Cred

[Photo: Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron Diamant]There's something about finishing off a Lego set that feels quite rewarding--the bigger and trickier the better. You then usually add it to your collection on the window ledge or shelf and admire your collection. However, there's one guy who's collection is so big, not only does it take up most of his house, but also earned him a world record.

Marine Corps' Captain Kyle Ugone from Arizona has 1251 different Lego sets scattered across his home in Yuma. Each set is organized by its theme, ranging from Star Wars sets to the likes of space, castles, and trains--his biggest box set contained over 5000 individual pieces in order to complete. The collection is so cool, it could probably make some Lego theme parks blush.

Kyle received his first set when he was five (a windmill, which he still has now), and is still hooked to the little plastic bricks. He brought in the Guiness Book of Records to check out his collection after being informed that in order to be the first to claim the title, he would need at least 500 official sets. Out of his collection, 1091 make him the current record holder. The remaining few were reporductions or didn't have the original instructions, so they don't count.

There are over 5000 Lego box sets out there, some of which are pretty rare or location-specific, so it will be interesting to see if anyone contends for Kyle's spot at the top. In the meantime, Kyle is slowly regaining control of his house by dismantling some of the sets, and turning his attention to a new project: restoring a classic muscle car.

I reckon one of the many GeekTech readers could potentially have enough sets to steal Kyle's crown. If it's you, drop us an email at our tip line below!

[via US Department of Defense]

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From PCWorld. Visit Amazon Computer and Notebook Center here