remote webcam for grandparents

[martinworswick]

my first child is due in a couple of weeks and my parents live in britain whilst i'm in new zealand, i thought about setting up a webcam over the cot so they can see the baby whenever they wish.

only problem is i have no idea how to do this, anyone have any ideas? i know there are a few people around here who are pretty handy with computers.

i have a mac laptop,which is in a different room to the baby.a webcam,and a wireless router thingy. any ideas of the cheapest,easiest way off doing this?i'd also like it so only they can see it by password protection or something.

any ideas or links appreciated,

cheers
martin

 

[A4J]

You'll need a computer in the baby's room.

1. Connect the Webcam to the computer
2. Download and install Skype
3. Set up a separate Skype Account
4. Set up Skype to automatically start with the computer and sign in automatically.
5. Go to Tools --> Options
6. Under Video Settings, check "enable Skype Video" and "Start my video automatically when I'm in a call." Set it to only do so for those in your contact list.
7. Under Privacy, check to only allow people in your contact list. Click advanced and do the same for chats.
8. Under Calls Settings, check to allow calls from people in the contacts list. Most importantly, click advanced, and select "Automatically answer incoming calls."
9. Apply these changes.
10. Add your parents to your contact list

from this page

 

[-Dan-]

Buy a network cam ... no need for a computer. Just hook it up to the network, set up port forwarding on your router, get a dydns account and they can click in whenever they want.
Regarding network cams, I highly recommend Panasonic or Axis.

 

[JPicasso]

+1 on the network cam.

I bought a linksys wireless cam to keep an eye on our nanny. I've heard good things about the panasonics and axis also.

But the nice thing about the network cam is that you do not need a computer on all the time to use it, and it's pretty straightforward setting it up for external access.

What kind/brand of web cam do you have already and what kind of router?

 

[martinworswick]

i'm looking into the network cams, thats probably the route i'll go as i don't have an extra computer available.

What kind/brand of web cam do you have already and what kind of router?

just a basic microsoft one, i don't know much about it,i just got it for use with skype,same goes for the router,i'd have to dig out the box to tell you anything about it