[RonS]

Does anyone know what companies are reliable and cost effective for storing video online?

Dropcam offers the kind of service I am looking for but for multiple cams they are a bit expensive per month, even using the one week storage option.

I'd like to set up two outside and one inside cams and have the files uploaded live to offsite storage for later review if needed.

You would think that since I could hit the police station with a rock from my driveway I would not have these problems but I guess when a stoner is stoned he loses track of those kinds of things.

[Pierre!]

Well, the thought I have is that Video consumes drive space like nothing else does...

The issue is that online storage adds up pretty quickly, and then recovering it can be slow and tedious as well.

Mozy has a great compromise by allowing you to store both online and local backups.

When you need to review it quickly and it's coming off an encrypted vault online.... yah, you will need to pack a lunch!

Doing the same process using a local drive, it happens MUCH faster!

So - consider the true need you may have for this backup scenario:
Is it important to secure it?
Is it important to be able to view it quickly?
Are these both important factors?

If you need both, it's probably going to be pretty expensive - depending on how much you want to store and for how long.

If you are going pretty low resolution, then it helps... until you need to positively ID someone. Then it might make all that cost worthless.

Do you know how much space 1 hour of active recording consumes? If you do know this figure you can calculate the storage needs.

If your cameras are motion sensitive, then you really can save some disk space and hold it for a while.

That should help you start making some good decisions.

HTH

Patrick

[RonS]

I need it stored off site, no point if the files go with the stolen pc. Fast retrieval is not an issue, if I need it it will be fairly high payoff, hopefully the recovery of the goods and a conviction.

I will set up a webcam and record for a while and see how much disk space it takes up per hour. I wonder if I can get software to begin the upload instantly if movement is detected? I know the package deals can send email alerts if movement occurs in designated parts of the frame. That would really cut down on the storage requirements.

Maybe Dropcam isn't as overpriced as I was thinking, at least it is convenient.

[Pierre!]

Hmmm... Yah, a file that is not closed properly cause someone just yanked the power cord out of the PC to haul it through the broken window isn't a useful file anyway...

I am thinking you need a 'Teddy Bear' camera, or a 'Clock Camera' or 'Book Camera'...

If the concern is a physical breach and theft of the computer... then you really should go with multiple secondary cameras.

Even if the file started uploading immediately, it's not going to be properly closed and most likely isn't recoverable... and Internet file transfer is slow depending on the day, the angle of the sun... many factors can slow it down.

Hit the SpyShop and pickup some secondary cameras that look like ordinary cheap stuff no one wants to buy... they take SD cards and should be relatively inexpensive.

Okay - They aren't inexpensive...
http://www.uspystore.com/hidden-cameras.html

But at least they may stick around to reveal the thieves!

HTH...
Patrick

[cowboy1964]

I think you'd be best off with a NAS hidden somewhere in the house. Uploading picture snapshots is another option.

Check out Blue Iris security cam software. It's what I use. Very fliexible and has lots of options for uploading stuff, notifications, scheduling, and all that.