Looking to convert cheap laptop cameras to POE

IAmATeaf

Known around here
Joined
Jan 13, 2019
Messages
3,287
Reaction score
3,252
Location
United Kingdom
Assuming you get the cams fitted how exactly do you envisage the cams would assist with inventory? Is somebody going to manually view the footage from each cam?
 

djvortical

n3wb
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Portland, OR
I'm not sure what everybody is making such a big deal about. There are a lot of missing steps, but old laptops are free, and proof of this concept has existed on the internet, including DIY videos, for some time.

The question is scalability, in which case USB is pretty much just not an option for more than like 3 devices, but PoE is a reasonable thought. You may need to purchase or build individual controller boards for each camera, but that (and adapters, and an old 48 port gigabit switch, and a central server/NVR) will still, indeed, be cheaper than purchasing enclosed, off-the-shelf IP cameras; which would still require not only a substantial length of Cat5e cable, but likely also a specific brand of NVR and/or software subscription.

I unfortunately do not have all of your answers, but if you've taken a crack at it at this point, I would be interested in hearing about your results.
 

pozzello

Known around here
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
2,270
Reaction score
1,117
Given the original discussion occurred 3+ years ago, I imagine they either gave up or found some other solution...
 

djvortical

n3wb
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Portland, OR
Given the original discussion occurred 3+ years ago, I imagine they either gave up or found some other solution...
It was pretty much the only forum post relating to some ideas I had, but I had done a bit of my own research, so, given 3 years, I'd be interested in seeing if OP tried the project.
 
Top