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DIY surveillance camera from your phone. How to make a webcam from an old Android phone. Setting up a smartphone using IP WEBCAM

An IP camera is a useful thing, but you can only pay several hundred dollars for a video surveillance system if you definitely know that you need it. In all other cases, especially when it comes to the simplest tasks of organizing a video broadcast, any Android smartphone can handle this. As a temporary solution, this is the best option, which requires the smartphone itself and a special application. Let's look at the best of them.

The most popular app, which turns a smartphone or tablet into a video surveillance camera. Its main advantage is the huge number of settings that can confuse the average owner of an Android gadget, but advanced users will certainly appreciate them. IP Webcam essentially does not have the usual interface for this kind of program. Instead of an intuitive screen at startup, a settings menu is immediately offered, scrolling to the very bottom, you can find the main option for starting a video broadcast.

After this, the application goes into shooting mode, and the screen displays the address for viewing the broadcast and remotely controlling the device’s camera. Anyone can do this in a convenient way: via browser, third party programs for video surveillance and even through the VLC media player. This method is only valid within local network.

The possibilities for fine-tuning IP Webcam are so limitless that the application is worthy of a separate review. In the program, you can customize almost everything, from video resolution, its bitrate and recording format to creating a camera user interface. Experienced users will be pleased with the functions of controlling the sensors of a mobile device for triggering motion and sound. In addition, the application has integration with the Tasker utility (assigning actions to specific events), but this feature is only available in the paid version.

Remote control of the camera is carried out on any device with Internet access: a smartphone, tablet or computer. You can view broadcasts, record video and sound, and take pictures. By the way, all recordings are saved to the device’s memory, there is support for cyclic recording - when the specified threshold is reached, the program will begin to automatically overwrite old videos.

IP Webcam supports live online broadcasts via Ivideon. To do this, you need to register with the video surveillance service and connect your account in the IP Webcam application.

Here, depending on tariff plan, you can set the camera to automatically save all events to the cloud.

Alfred is quite suitable for novice users. The application has a basic set of functions and a simple interface. At the same time, it is universal, that is, it can serve as both a camera and a monitor; switching between these two modes is carried out at any time.

To sync your camera and monitor, you will need a Google account. Alfred allows you to connect and remotely control multiple devices at once. The application equally supports broadcasts via Wi-Fi and Mobile Internet, automatically selecting the best connection.

The functionality of the program depends on the mode of use of the smartphone. If the device is selected as a camera, then here you can select several options regarding its camera and activate the motion sensor with three levels of sensitivity.

In monitor mode, all these functions are available remotely, plus it is possible to set up notifications for events, view an archive of recordings in the cloud and request some service information from a remote device (battery level, Wi-Fi, number of connection interruptions over the last 7 days). While watching the broadcast, the user can record a video (up to 30 seconds), send an audio message, switch the camera, turn on the flash and rotate the picture clockwise.

You can also monitor what is happening through the service’s web interface. In this case, two additional functions appear - the ability to scale the image and take pictures from a remote device.

Video is mainly broadcast at a frequency of no more than 10 frames per second; the quality can only be called acceptable when the picture is static. When moving in the frame, the video quality deteriorates greatly. Unfortunately, the situation can only be improved with a paid subscription.

A simple program that turns a mobile gadget into a hidden surveillance camera. TrackView is a universal utility that combines the ability to monitor on one device and manage this process on another. At the same time, the functionality of the application is absolutely the same, regardless of the mode of its use.

A prerequisite for organizing video surveillance is registration in the service; authorization via Google is supported. The picture quality in the application is excellent, the delays are minimal. The functions available include video recording, two-way audio transmission Push to Talk, camera switching, and flash activation. One of TrackView's greatest strengths is its motion and sound detection. It works properly, when the sensor is triggered, a 15-second video starts recording, and a corresponding notification is sent to the remote device.

In addition, TrackView tracks GPS location. The advantages of the program also include automatic copying of all records to Google Drive cloud storage.

AtHome Video Streamer works in conjunction with AtHome Camera. The first application acts as a client (streamer), the second - as a server that controls the camera on a remote device. Moreover, not only can it be used as both mobile device on iOS and Android, but also on a computer Windows control.

Client part, as often happens, does not contain any significant settings. You simply install AtHome Video Streamer on the device that will be recording. The only thing that can and even needs to be configured is to switch the video codec from software to hardware. Next, the utility automatically assigns the gadget a name, password and broadcast name, which will be needed to remotely connect to the camera.

AtHome Camera has significantly more features. First of all, here you will have to register. The program allows you to add several cameras at once and monitor them simultaneously. This is done by manually entering data or scanning a QR code. There is also an auto-search for devices on the local network. AtHome Camera can connect to a remote camera via the Internet, be it 3G/4G or Wi-Fi. The picture is acceptable, the maximum resolution of the video stream is free version service is 640x480 pixels.

In addition to basic camera control functions, the application includes scheduled recording at two time intervals and recording when motion is detected. All videos and photos are saved locally on the device. You can tell the program to send alarm notifications to email. AtHome Camera can save recordings in the cloud, but only after you subscribe. In general, the application can be used for free if you do not need additional functions and are not bothered by the abundance of advertising. By the way, advertising can be removed separately for $2.

Another easy-to-use utility for organizing video surveillance using two mobile devices. A distinctive feature of WardenCam is the fact that it uses only cloud storage (Google or Dropbox). That is, all recordings are not saved on the device itself. Otherwise, the application is similar in functionality and operating principle to Alfred. Here you also select the type of use of the smartphone - camera or monitor, and the role of the gadget can be changed at any time. Synchronization between devices is carried out using a Google account.

In monitor mode, the user has access to functions such as continuous recording, switching cameras, rotating the screen, turning on the flash, Push to Talk and activating the motion sensor. Here you can also configure the camera of the remote device (video resolution and quality, exposure, energy saving, etc.). Among the most important options, it is worth noting the sensitivity of the motion sensor and the activation of scheduled recording when motion is detected.

By the way, even without any special settings, the motion sensor works perfectly, events are automatically recorded and sent to the cloud, and corresponding notifications are sent to the remote device. The quality of the broadcast also did not disappoint - the picture is decent, the maximum resolution in my case was 864x480 pixels, although in the settings you can set it up to Full HD.

The only significant disadvantage of WardenCam is the limitation on recording for a total of up to 48 hours in the free version of the application. The pro version without ads and video recording time limits will cost approximately $7.5 in a one-time payment.

Telephoto is a slightly different program with an interesting idea for organizing video surveillance via Telegram. Essentially, this is just a service that connects to a pre-created bot that acts as a security system. The application is installed on a smartphone or tablet under Android control, and on another device you only need Telegram. Management is carried out in the messenger itself, where first of all you need to create a bot and activate it in Telephoto. All this is done very simply - in the application there is detailed instructions for setting up the program.

Having launched the service, we move on to the bot. It can send photos from both cameras on request or on a schedule at any time interval, warn about motion detection, send event notifications to a remote smartphone, receive GPS data and record sound. Another interesting feature of Telephoto is integration with Tasker, thanks to which the user can send any commands to control the mobile device through the bot.

For all its advantages, Telephoto still has several disadvantages. For example, when motion is detected, the program sends a series of several pictures in the form of a GIF animation, where it is often difficult to see the person in the frame. In addition, taking high-resolution photos and changing the camera for the motion sensor (the front camera is active by default) are only available in the paid Pro version. But in general, the application is quite interesting and promising.

Modern smartphones and tablets on the Android platform can perform a huge number of different functions. The capabilities of these devices are complemented by many useful applications. Thanks to them, you can give a second life to old or even damaged gadgets, for example, when solving the problem of how to make a video surveillance camera from a phone.

If the phone is equipped with a working camera and can work with the necessary applications, then it is quite possible to create a mini-system that allows you to observe any object from a distance. For this purpose, there are special programs with which a smartphone can easily be turned into an IP camera.

Why turn your smartphone into a camera?

CCTV cameras are installed as part of the security system. Apartments, private houses, offices and other objects are under their protection. All information received is collected on various computer devices. However, not everyone can afford the use of such systems, and video surveillance is sometimes simply vital.

First of all, this applies to monitoring children in other rooms. Cameras are often installed at the entrance, allowing visitors to be seen in advance. Thus, these devices are used in many places, so most stakeholders strive to reduce the cost of the monitoring process as much as possible, without loss of efficiency and quality.

This problem can be solved quite easily by turning an Android smartphone into an IP camera. Solving the problem of how to make your own video surveillance camera from a phone is generally done as follows:

Special applications are downloaded to the mobile device. After startup, basic settings are performed. The quality of video files, resolution level and other parameters that ensure functionality are set.
Place your smartphone in the most convenient location for surveillance.
Next, the future camera connects to the Internet. It is recommended to use a wireless connection because mobile connection does not always ensure the passage of signals at sufficient speed. Due to this, images will be transmitted in real time without loss of quality.
If you plan to use your smartphone for a long time, it must be connected to a power source. To avoid unauthorized connections, you should set a unique password, and also make changes to the default port.

After correctly performing all of the above steps, the phone will turn into a full-fledged video camera with the ability to connect remotely. Some applications allow the camera, in addition to broadcasting images, to record received information and turn on only if there is any movement in the frame.

Main components of a mobile system

There are two options for organizing video surveillance systems. In the first case, cable lines are laid, and in the second, a wireless connection is used. A special cable not only transmits the image, but also provides power to the video cameras.

If you plan to conduct video surveillance via a telephone or smartphone, you will additionally need a recorder to record incoming information and to access the Internet. It is best to purchase a set of equipment that is completely ready for installation and install it yourself. It usually includes several color video cameras, a recorder and connecting wires. To view images you will need a smartphone, iPhone, iPad or other similar device.

If the smartphone itself is used as a video camera, then in the wireless version you only need a receiving device, that is, another phone, tablet or computer.

Setting up a smartphone using IP WEBCAM

An Android smartphone can easily turn into a webcam using various applications. Among them the most popular free program is an IP Webcam downloadable from the App Store. It has a simple interface and performs its functions perfectly. Broadcasting images begins by simply clicking the “Start” button located at the very bottom of the list of options.

Before receiving images on another mobile device or computer, enter the address displayed on the receiver screen into the browser line. In this case, both devices must be in the same Wi-Fi networks, otherwise this method will not work.

Once the connection is established, the camera begins transmitting to open page The browser will display all incoming information - images and sounds.

In addition, the browser allows you to do the following:

Switch from front to rear camera so that video surveillance from a smartphone and viewing are carried out over a wider range.
Images can be zoomed in or out, and video quality can be adjusted down or up.
Focus, turn on flash and night vision functions.
Taking photos and recording videos with setting all the necessary options - color effects, modes and others.

Broadcasting outside the local network can be done using a VPN connection. In addition to the main functions, the IP Webcam application, through additional options, collects data from various sensors. Sounds, movement, temperature and battery voltmeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, lighting and others are under control.

In addition to the program, scripts are installed that perform actions such as email notifications about movement, saving photos at the moment, taking photos at certain time intervals, etc. This program does not require high performance; all options are displayed in the menu in Russian.

MANYTHING app for smartphone

There is another program with which any smartphone turns into an IP camera. This is the Manything application, which, although not Russified, nevertheless has its own positive qualities and characteristics. Its main difference is the ability to constantly synchronize the smartphone with the so-called cloud storage. In them, the IP camera continuously transmits recorded images. If your smartphone breaks down, all data will be completely saved.

Working with Manything is as easy as working with IP Webcam. Before you start, you need to register for free, after which all functions of the program will become available. If desired, you can arrange paid subscription, which provides simultaneous access to several cameras.

After registration, the initial screen will appear with two wide buttons “Viewer” and “Camera”. After clicking on “Viewer”, a selection of broadcast cameras connected to your account will appear. By pressing the "Camera" button, the device with running program can be switched to IP camera mode.

Before the broadcast starts, the application is configured for specific video surveillance conditions:

The shooting mode can be constant or only when the subject appears in the frame. Alerts about motion in the frame can also be configured for other devices logged into your account.
If you plan to take photos instead of video, you need to set the frame rate interval.
Configuring the maximum amount of allocated traffic and other options that are used if necessary.

Cloud service for video surveillance

This type of service is not suitable for many mobile devices. It is mainly used with laptops and desktop computers. First of all, this is due to the low screen resolutions of older mobile phones. Some cloud service applications themselves have low functionality. In the case of using multiple cameras, this becomes a serious problem. In addition, not all applications are compatible with smartphone and phone operating systems.

All these difficulties can be easily overcome with the help of Internet resources designed specifically for working with mobile device cameras. Among them, the iDOM24.RU application is very popular, which can be configured in a few steps:

The digital camera is assigned its own IP address, after which port forwarding is performed on the router.
Next, the service registers an account. After that, in the “add IP camera” section, find the desired device.
In the “View” section, make sure there are images.
A special version of the program downloaded from the official website opens on the mobile phone.

From this article you will learn about new features of the phone, namely using it instead of a webcam.
You will be offered several options with which you can connect a webcam through your phone.

How to use a smartphone instead of a webcam

Read also: TOP 12 Best webcams with good picture quality for online communication and streaming

A smartphone is a multifunctional device that can be used to solve various tasks.

However, not many people know about the possibility of using a mobile gadget as a webcam, or how useful this function is.

In fact, there are such situations in life: you urgently need to answer a video call, but the webcam, as luck would have it, is faulty.

In this case, your gadget’s camera will come to the rescue. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can use your gadget to transfer video in Skype and other video chats.

If you require:

Make a video call on Skype, but the standard camera is missing or faulty;
To broadcast on the Internet, use several cameras;
Create remote video surveillance.

Even if the screen on your gadget is broken, but it is still working, you can easily replace the webcam, as long as the front or main camera module remains working.

To connect you need:

Special utilities for pairing the gadget with a PC or laptop;
Wi-fi access point.

Programs for turning your phone into a webcam via USB

Read also: TOP 15 Best programs for changing voice timbre online | 2019

Almost any gadget can replace a webcam, provided correct installation there is a special program for it.

As a result, a phone with the utility installed will turn out to be an excellent device that can be used to communicate with family or business partners via video communication, and you can also use it to broadcast video.

The operation of applications designed to turn a phone into a webcam is based on synchronizing the gadget with a personal computer via a connection via a USB cable or Bluetooth.

These utilities will allow you to replace the built-in camera in your phone instead of the regular webcam installed on your laptop or computer.

Image quality will depend on installed program and mobile camera resolutions.

Using the programs DroidCam, AlterCam and USB Webcam, you can connect your phone as a webcam via USB.

Using one of these applications allows you to transport images from the gadget's camera to a PC or laptop via Bluetooth or a USB cable and can be used using web services for instant messaging.

In addition to the camera, you can also use a microphone to communicate on Skype. mobile phone.

DroidCam

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One of best programs for smartphones that run on Android. With its help, the gadget will undergo metamorphosis in a matter of minutes and become an excellent portable webcam.

Android version Windows version

Step-by-step instruction settings:

1 In order for your phone to turn into a camera, you need to install Android utilities.

While it is installing, proceed to install the program on your desktop computer. Unpack the archive. To do this, click on the archive file "Extract..." and select the location where you plan to extract the contents of the archive, then click the button "Ok".

After the unpacking process is completed, go to the folder you selected for unpacking and run the installation file and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

2 Now you need to connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable or Bluetooth.

3 After successfully connecting one of your gadgets to another, run the program on both devices.

In the active window you need to enter the IP address of the mobile gadget, which allows you to distinguish the device from all others.

You can find this path in the DroidCam application running on your phone. In addition to the IP address, DroidCam also shows the port number.

4 A notification will be sent to your computer desktop that your phone has been detected. You need to select the video quality to get started.

5 To continue working and start streaming, you just need to press the button "Start" . The application will send the image from the gadget's camera to the PC. If your mobile device has two cameras, go to the application settings on your phone and check if the corresponding checkbox is selected, which is responsible for the active camera.

AlterCam

Read also: TOP 12 Best IP cameras for video surveillance of a home or office | Review of current models in 2019

You can also connect your phone to your computer as a webcam via a USB cable using the AlterCam program.

This program allows you to install a virtual webcam on your system.

You can broadcast any video into it: both from a real camera and just video clips stored on your computer.

We will consider the option when the video source is the camera of a mobile device.

Using the IP protocol, the AlterCam program connects to a mobile camera and broadcasts video from it in real time to a virtual webcam.

The process of turning your phone into a webcam may seem complicated, but setting it up is a snap.

Android version Windows version

Step-by-step instruction:

1 First, download the AlterCam application and install it on your PC. After installation is complete, the program will launch automatically.

2 After this, you need to install the IP Webcam application on your smartphone. You can find it in the Play Store.

3 The installed application must be launched on the phone. When you start, a list of settings will appear; as a rule, you don’t have to change them, you just need to go to the very bottom and select “Run”.

4 You need to run the program on your computer. In the window "Camera" select "Add IP camera".

5 Now you need to connect to the camera of your mobile device using the AlterCam program. To line "IP Camera Name" , which will appear when the window opens "Add IP camera" enter any value, for example, my phone number.

The image quality of the IP camera will depend on the resolution settings in the smartphone application. If you don't know the exact value, leave this setting unchanged.

6 At the bottom of the application open on the phone, the camera’s IP address is indicated; move it to the “IP camera address” line in the window open on the computer.

After this, you need to add “/live” or “/video” at the end of the address. The first option is for devices running on operating system

Adding an IP camera

7 Having transferred the IP address to the computer, you can press the button "OK" . If all actions were performed correctly, an image from the phone camera will appear in the AlterCam program. If this does not happen, check that all steps are performed correctly step by step.

8 After the image appears in the AlterCam program, you need to select a virtual camera in the settings of the voice program that you will use. Let's look at Skype as an example.

Log in to Skype using your username and password. Click on the tab at the top "Tools" and select a section "Settings" . In the general settings you will see the “Video Settings” submenu, and select the program there.

USB Webcam

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The program allows you to use your phone as a webcam via a USB cable. First you need to install the application on your phone and PC.

You can download the program for PC on the developer’s website. In folder "Installation path" you need to find the usbwebcam.bat file and run it.

Android version

If the program is installed correctly, the image in all programs that use the camera will be broadcast from the phone's camera. True, the frame rate will be low.

You can reduce the resolution of the video stream in the application settings using a hardware key.

After launching the program on your smartphone, you need to enable USB debugging to activate the webcam through a personal computer.

You can find this option in the menu "Options" , where you need to go to the submenu "System" , and then to “Developer Options”.

After enabling USB debugging, connect your phone via a data cable to your PC. Launch the program on your computer; to start working, you need to press any key.

The USB Webcam application must also be running on the phone. Now log in to your account in Skype, go to "Tools" , then subsection "Settings" .

In settings, open the section "Video settings" , in the window that opens, select "GWebcamVideo" . If everything works correctly, a picture from the smartphone camera will appear on the monitor screen.

If you see a green screen, your device is not supported by USB Webcam.

If you've already hidden your old gadgets, it's time to take them out again, because it's very easy to turn a smartphone or tablet into a surveillance device. All you need to do is download and install the desired program. The app will help you use your phone as a video surveillance camera Alfred for Android or its version for iOS.

This application has two big advantages. Firstly, it is easy to install and easy to work with. And, secondly, it will allow you to monitor the camera even from a computer in Videostream mode.

How to set up an IP camera on Android

You can install the application on your Android gadget using your Google account. After installing the application, you need to decide how you will use the phone: as a surveillance camera or a receiving station.

Go to Google account, to which the gadget camera is attached, and configure access permissions for the accounts from which they will watch your stream. In the application settings, you can additionally activate the motion sensor and choose whether sound will be recorded. To prevent unauthorized access to your phone's camera, we recommend that you set a password to lock it.

With your Google Account, you can access everything your camera records, even when you're outside home network. This works either using another Android device or through a browser on the site alfred.camera. It’s especially convenient that in addition to video in “live” mode, you can also see the current charge level of the recording phone.

You can access the broadcast even from your computer

While it's very easy to turn your mobile device into a surveillance camera, there are a few things to consider: First, it goes without saying that the camera shouldn't be used to take pictures of someone who doesn't know about it. This can lead not only to unfortunate consequences for the camera, but also to legal problems.

Secondly: no matter how cool the application we recommend looks, its developer wants to make money from it. Obviously, with the application you will receive not only a surveillance camera, but also advertising. True, you can get rid of it by buying something from.

Your data is safe

Another serious question remains: will your privacy be compromised? The manufacturer gives a fairly detailed answer to this. So, when streaming in “live” mode, the data goes through a peer-to-peer network and does not reach the provider’s servers. But the provider has the right to process some personal data: for example, the location of the camera. Therefore, before installing an application, take a look at its terms of use.

Authorization through a Google account seems quite reliable to us in terms of data security. After all, this authentication method is more secure than any free software solution. And if you don’t want to link your main account to the video surveillance application, you can always create a second one.

If you don't have a spare smartphone to turn into a tracking device, check out ours, which CHIP tested in its lab.

I once needed a surveillance camera. Not for the office, but for a radio/video nanny, but it would also be suitable for the office, temporarily of course. There was simply nowhere to get a surveillance camera at that time and we had to improvise.

The first thing that came to mind was to use Viber or Skype. But this is not a solution, because... there are interruptions, and I needed a guaranteed result. Laziness took over and I didn’t reinvent the wheel. I had to look for ready-made solutions in google play and came across an interesting program “ IPWebcam".

This was my salvation at that moment, and now I will tell you how, using this program, you can turn anyone, even old android phone surveillance camera.

“Surveillance camera from phone” program

I already wrote the name of the program above, but I’ll repeat it again: we need to download “IP Webcam”. You can do this in the play market, here is this link - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pas.webcam

After you have installed it, launch it and the broadcast will begin. You will have an informational notification on the “how to connect” screen. It will contain instructions.

How to connect

You will see the IP address of the stream (example: http://199.134.5.4:9070), which you can use to connect from a computer or other phone. There are several ways to connect.

Enter this IP in the address bar of your browser on any device and watch/watch.
A little more complicated, but much more comfortable method. Install , and paste the stream there.

That's all, this is a simple way to use your Android phone as a surveillance camera.

I completely forgot to say that the application is in Russian, very simple and should not raise any additional questions.