John Holguin
If you’re looking for an affordable and easy way to set up a security camera at home or in your office, look no further than Yawcam. Yawcam, short for Yet Another WebCAM, is a free and versatile application that turns your webcam into a security camera.
With Yawcam, you can easily monitor your premises and keep an eye on your surroundings, even when you’re not there. Whether you want to protect your property, keep an eye on your children or pets, or simply have a peace of mind, Yawcam provides a simple yet effective solution.
Setting up Yawcam is a breeze. All you need is a compatible webcam and a computer running Windows. Once you have installed Yawcam, you can customize the settings according to your preferences. You can choose different modes, such as motion detection or time-lapse, and adjust the sensitivity levels to ensure the camera captures only what you need.
One of the great features of Yawcam is its ability to stream live video over the internet. This means you can access the camera feed from anywhere with an internet connection, using any device such as your smartphone or laptop. You can also set up Yawcam to send you email notifications or even upload images to an FTP server when motion is detected, providing you with an extra layer of security.
Yawcam also offers additional features like password protection, automatic startup, and the option to schedule the camera to start and stop recording at specific times. With its user-friendly interface and powerful functionality, Yawcam is a must-have tool for anyone looking to transform their webcam into a security camera.
So, why spend hundreds of dollars on expensive security cameras when you can use Yawcam to achieve the same results? Give it a try and enjoy the benefits of a reliable and cost-effective security solution.
How to Use Yawcam as Security Camera
Step 1: Install Yawcam on your computer. Visit the Yawcam website and download the software. Follow the installation instructions to set up the program on your computer.
Step 2: Configure your camera settings. Open Yawcam and go to the “Settings” tab. Here, you can select the camera you want to use, adjust the resolution, and set up any additional camera settings according to your preferences.
Step 3: Set up motion detection. Yawcam has a built-in motion detection feature that allows you to capture images or videos when motion is detected. To enable this feature, go to the “Motion Detection” tab and adjust the settings to your liking.
Step 4: Configure the security options. Yawcam offers various security options to protect your camera feed. Under the “Window” tab, you can choose to hide the Yawcam interface while the program is running. Additionally, under the “Edit” tab, you can set up a password to prevent unauthorized access to the settings.
Step 5: Start using Yawcam as a security camera. Once you have configured all the settings, go to the “Window” tab and click on the “Start” button. Yawcam will now start capturing images or videos based on your configured settings. You can monitor the camera feed by going to the “Window” tab and selecting the appropriate option.
Step 6: Review and save the captured footage. Yawcam saves all the captured images or videos in a specified folder on your computer. You can access and review these files by navigating to the folder location. Make sure to save any relevant footage that you wish to keep for future reference.
By following these simple steps, you can easily turn your computer into a security camera using Yawcam. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you can monitor your surroundings from anywhere at any time!
Download and Install Yawcam
To use Yawcam as a security camera, you first need to download and install the software onto your computer. Here are the steps to do so:
- Open your preferred web browser and go to the Yawcam website.
- Navigate to the “Download” section of the website.
- Click on the “Download Yawcam” button to start the download.
- Once the download is complete, locate the setup file in your downloads folder.
- Double-click on the setup file to begin the installation process.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Yawcam.
- Choose the installation options according to your preferences.
- Wait for the installation to complete.
- Once the installation is finished, you can launch Yawcam by double-clicking on the desktop shortcut or finding it in the start menu.
Now that Yawcam is installed on your computer, you can proceed with setting it up as a security camera to monitor your desired area.
Configure Yawcam Settings
Before setting up Yawcam as a security camera, you need to configure the necessary settings. Follow the steps below to ensure Yawcam is properly configured:
1. Open Yawcam Settings
Launch the Yawcam application on your computer. Click on the “Settings” tab in the main menu to access the configuration options.
2. Select the Camera Source
Under the “Device” tab, choose the camera source you want to use as your security camera. Yawcam supports various camera types, including built-in webcams and external cameras connected via USB.
3. Adjust Camera Settings
Adjust the camera settings to optimize the video quality and security camera functionality. You can modify options like resolution, frame rate, brightness, contrast, and focus under the “Device” and “Settings” tabs.
4. Set up the Motion Detection Feature
Go to the “Motion Detection” tab and enable the motion detection feature. Configure the sensitivity level and set the desired areas to monitor for motion. Yawcam provides tools that allow you to select specific areas and adjust the sensitivity accordingly.
5. Configure Audio Settings (optional)
If you want to enable audio monitoring alongside video surveillance, navigate to the “Audio” tab and configure the audio settings. You can choose the appropriate audio device and adjust the volume levels.
6. Set up FTP or File Output (optional)
If you want to save recorded videos or images externally, go to the “File” or “FTP” tab. Configure the appropriate settings to enable FTP uploads or specify the folder for saving local files.
7. Configure Web Settings
Under the “Web” tab, configure the web server settings. Set the local port number and specify the username and password for accessing the webcam stream remotely. You can also customize the appearance and layout of the web interface.
- Set a secure username and strong password to protect your camera from unauthorized access.
- Make sure to open the necessary ports on your router to allow remote access to the camera.
- Enable automatic startup of Yawcam on system boot for continuous security camera operation.
Once you have completed the configuration, click on the “OK” button to save the settings. Yawcam is now ready to function as a security camera with the specified settings.
Set up Motion Detection
To use Yawcam as a security camera, you can set up motion detection. This feature allows the camera to detect any movement and start recording automatically.
Step 1: Enable Motion Detection
Open Yawcam and click on the “Settings” tab. In the “Motion Detection” section, check the box next to “Enable”.
Step 2: Adjust Detection Settings
Click on the “Edit” button to adjust the motion detection settings. You can set the sensitivity level, which determines how sensitive the camera is to motion. Adjusting the threshold value will help you define the minimum amount of change required for the camera to detect motion.
Step 3: Select Capture Mode
Under the “Capture” tab, choose the capture mode for motion detection. You can select “Avi” to record video files when motion is detected or “Image” to capture still images.
Step 4: Set Output Options
Click on the “Output” tab to customize the output options for motion detection. Here, you can specify the folder where the recorded files will be saved, as well as configure the file naming and format.
Step 5: Start Monitoring
Once you have configured the motion detection settings, click on the “Run” button to start monitoring for any motion. Yawcam will automatically start recording when it detects movement and save the files according to your specified settings.
Enable Remote Access
To use Yawcam as a security camera, you can enable remote access to view the camera’s feed remotely. Here’s how:
Step 1: Configure your router
First, you’ll need to configure your router to allow incoming connections. You’ll need to access your router’s settings interface, which can typically be done by entering its IP address in a web browser.
Once you’re in the router’s settings, look for the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Servers” section. Here, you’ll need to create a new rule to forward incoming connections on a specific port (e.g., port 8080) to the local IP address of the computer running Yawcam.
Note: The steps to configure port forwarding may vary depending on your router’s make and model. Consult your router’s documentation or website for specific instructions.
Step 2: Obtain your public IP address
To access your Yawcam feed remotely, you’ll need to know your public IP address. You can find this information by visiting a website that displays your IP address, such as whatismyipaddress.com.
Make a note of your public IP address as you’ll need it to access Yawcam from outside your local network.
Step 3: Configure Yawcam settings
Launch Yawcam and go to the “Settings” tab. Here, you’ll need to make sure that the local HTTP port matches the port you opened in your router’s settings (e.g., port 8080).
Next, go to the “Edit Settings” section and navigate to the “Web” tab. Check the “Use webserver” option and enter a username and password to secure access to your Yawcam feed.
Finally, click on the “Enable” button to start the web server and save your settings.
Step 4: Access Yawcam remotely
To access your Yawcam feed remotely, open a web browser on a device outside your local network and enter your public IP address followed by a colon and the port number you specified (e.g., http://192.168.0.1:8080).
If everything was configured correctly, you should now be able to view the Yawcam feed and monitor your security camera remotely.
Remember to consider security measures, such as using a strong password and keeping your router’s firmware up to date, to protect your Yawcam feed from unauthorized access.
Configure Email Notifications
To configure email notifications with Yawcam, follow these steps:
- Ensure that you have a valid and accessible email account to use for the notifications.
- Open Yawcam and go to the “Settings” tab.
- Click on the “Edit Settings” button.
- In the settings menu, go to the “Window” section.
- Select the “Email” tab from the options on the left side.
- Enter the SMTP server address for your email account. You can usually find this information from your email provider’s website or support.
- Enter your email address in the “Sender” field. This is the email address that will appear as the sender of the notification emails.
- Enter the recipient’s email address in the “Receiver” field. This is the email address where you want to receive the notification emails.
- Provide the login credentials for your email account in the “Login” and “Password” fields. This will allow Yawcam to send emails using your account.
- Configure the rest of the email settings according to your preferences, such as the subject and message of the notification emails.
- Click on the “Save” button to apply the changes.
Once the email notification settings are configured, Yawcam will send an email to the specified recipient whenever it detects motion or any other configured event. You will then be able to keep track of any security events captured by your Yawcam setup.
Keep in mind that Yawcam relies on an active internet connection to send the notification emails. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet for the email notifications to work properly.
Set up Video Recording
Yawcam is not only capable of streaming live video, but it can also record video footage for later playback. To set up video recording, follow these steps:
- Open Yawcam and go to the settings by clicking on the Settings button.
- In the settings window, navigate to the Output tab.
- Under the File output section, select the folder where you want to save the recorded videos by clicking on the Browse button.
- Choose a location on your computer where you want to store the recorded videos and click OK.
- Next, choose the video format you prefer under the Video format section. Yawcam supports various formats such as AVI, ASF, and MJPEG.
- Adjust the video settings like resolution, frame rate, and quality according to your preferences.
- If you want to record audio along with the video, check the Record audio option under the Audio settings section.
- Once you have set up the video recording settings, click on the Apply button to save the changes.
Now Yawcam will automatically record video footage and save it to the specified folder whenever the camera detects any motion or based on your scheduled recording settings.
Access Yawcam via Web Browser
In order to access Yawcam through a web browser, you will first need to set up Yawcam to stream video over the network. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Yawcam on your computer.
- Go to the “Settings” tab and click on “Edit Settings”.
- In the “Output” section, check the “Stream click-to-display URL” box.
- Choose a port number for the streaming service. The default port number is 8081, but you can change it if needed.
- Click on the “HTTP” tab and make sure the “Enable” checkbox is checked.
- Click on the “Stream” tab and check the type of camera you are using (e.g., “Video for Windows” or “Java Motion JPEG”).
- Save the settings and exit the Yawcam application.
Once you have set up Yawcam to stream video, you can access it through a web browser using the following steps:
- Open a web browser on any device connected to the same network as the computer running Yawcam.
- Enter the IP address of the computer running Yawcam, followed by a colon and the port number you chose earlier (e.g., http://192.168.1.100:8081).
- If prompted, enter the username and password for accessing Yawcam (if you set them up).
- Once successfully logged in, you should see the live video stream from your Yawcam.
- You can also access various other features and settings of Yawcam through the web interface.
By accessing Yawcam via a web browser, you can monitor the live video stream from your Yawcam security camera from anywhere on the same network.
View Live Video Stream
To view the live video stream from your Yawcam security camera, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch Yawcam
First, ensure that Yawcam is running on your computer. You can open Yawcam by double-clicking on the Yawcam icon on your desktop or by searching for it in your computer’s applications.
Step 2: Access the Web Interface
Once Yawcam is open, you can access its web interface to view the live video stream. To do this, open your preferred web browser and enter “localhost:8888” in the address bar.
Step 3: Enter Credentials
If you have set up a username and password for Yawcam, you will be prompted to enter them at this point. Enter your login credentials and click “OK” or press “Enter” to proceed.
Note: If you haven’t set up any login credentials, you can skip this step.
Step 4: View Live Video Stream
After successfully logging in, you will be redirected to the Yawcam web interface, where you can view the live video stream from your security camera. The video stream will be displayed in the main window of the web interface.
Tip: You can adjust the video quality and other settings by navigating to the “Settings” tab in the Yawcam web interface.
Enhance Security with Additional Options
While Yawcam offers a range of basic security features, there are additional options you can utilize to enhance your security setup:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Motion Detection | Enable Yawcam’s built-in motion detection feature to receive alerts whenever motion is detected in the camera’s field of view. This can help you stay informed about any suspicious activity. |
| Remote Monitoring | Access your Yawcam security camera remotely from anywhere using the internet. By configuring port forwarding on your router and activating the appropriate settings in Yawcam, you can view the live feed and check for any potential security threats. |
| Video Recording | Utilize Yawcam’s video recording feature to keep a record of the camera’s feed. You can set up scheduled recording or manual recording whenever needed. This can be useful for reviewing past events or providing evidence if required. |
| Email Notifications | Configure Yawcam to send email notifications whenever motion is detected or specific events occur. This way, you can quickly be alerted of any potential security breaches, even if you’re not actively monitoring the camera’s feed. |
| Multiple Camera Support | If you require additional coverage, Yawcam allows you to set up and manage multiple cameras simultaneously. This is particularly useful for monitoring different areas of your property or for setting up a comprehensive security system across multiple locations. |
By utilizing these additional options, you can greatly enhance the security capabilities of Yawcam and ensure a more comprehensive surveillance solution for your needs.
FAQ,
Can I use Yawcam as a security camera?
Yes, you can use Yawcam as a security camera. Yawcam is a free software that allows you to turn your computer into a surveillance system. It has various features such as motion detection, remote monitoring, and video streaming.
How do I set up Yawcam as a security camera?
To set up Yawcam as a security camera, you first need to download and install the software on your computer. Once installed, open Yawcam and go to the Settings menu. Under the Motion tab, enable motion detection and set the sensitivity level. Then, go to the Output tab and choose how you want to record or transmit the video. You can save it to a file, stream it over the internet, or send it to an FTP server. Finally, go to the Stream tab and configure the stream settings if you want to monitor the live video remotely.
