Use discarded laptop camera for low cost security

[chumley12]

Hi everyone,
Just took apart an old hp laptop and have the camera from it and wonder if there is any software for Linux Mint 19 that would allow me to run that camera as a security camera either USB connection or IP. I see all sorts of old laptop cameras for sale on Ebay for really cheap prices so, when I saw a YouTube video on how to do it as USB connection I got to wondering, but the software he suggested was for Windows and when I went to their site that is all they had, no Linux version. Bummer.

[redlined]

Hi everyone,
Just took apart an old hp laptop and have the camera from it and wonder if there is any software for Linux Mint 19 that would allow me to run that camera as a security camera either USB connection or IP. I see all sorts of old laptop cameras for sale on Ebay for really cheap prices so, when I saw a YouTube video on how to do it as USB connection I got to wondering, but the software he suggested was for Windows and when I went to their site that is all they had, no Linux version. Bummer.

hi chumley12!

this sounds fascinating (video/app you refer to), if you care to share the source of mentioned video, or software used to get it done, I'd be willing to give it some startpage-fu and see if I can find anything helpful.

[HaveaMint]

I use virtual box and windows along with something like ISpy or in my case at home the same vbox setup with the cctv-dvr system I have. Works for me.

[chumley12]

Here is that YouTube vid I was talking about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CouxmNqxO4A

[jimallyn]

What sort of connector does that camera have on it?

If that camera won't work for you, you might try a WyzeCam:

https://www.wyzecam.com/

I have one and plan to get more of them. 1080 resolution, built in wifi, an app to watch videos from it on your smartphone. Twenty bucks.

[redlined]

Here is that YouTube vid I was talking about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CouxmNqxO4A

got it, I see the application mentioned is ContaCam, I have no experience nor recommendations but these may help you find what you are looking for-

https://alternativeto.net/software/contacam/
https://alternative.me/contacam

Hope this helps!

(and if it does, please consider post back if you do find something that fits your needs and share what the solution was, then edit your initial post this thread and add <Solved> to the Subject/Title. Thanks!

[chumley12]

What sort of connector does that camera have on it?

If that camera won't work for you, you might try a WyzeCam:

It has a four wire connector red/bl/gr/wh which I connected to a USB red/bl/gr/wh and plugged it into a usb port on my computer, but I am running linux mint 19 and it did not recognize it.

The WyzeCam looks pretty cool. Can you use more than one? For the money a bunch of these would be perfect for my sister's house. She died and I need some sort of security system since no one is there most of the time.

[jimallyn]

The WyzeCam looks pretty cool. Can you use more than one?

You sure can. My friend who told me about the WyzeCam has about a dozen of them, including about 8 of them in the back yard watching his bird feeders. (You should see his hummingbird videos!) I imagine you would be limited only by the speed of your wifi/internet connection.