# What kind of webcam should I get? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991 "2022-12-03T23:38:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/1 "2022-12-03T23:38:30Z")
I have a cat walk that goes up to my bathroom window. The cats don’t go out much but, when they are out, I have to keep getting up every 5 minutes to see if they’re sitting outside the window wanting back in. If I had a webcam aimed at the window I could see them sitting there from my computer. I have zero experience with webcams though so I don’t know what I need. Something inexpensive but will actually work. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/2 "2022-12-03T23:44:10Z")
Do you want motion detection? Many cameras can notify you if there’s motion in the frame, so you don’t have to monitor it constantly. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/3 "2022-12-03T23:48:53Z")
Yeah that sounds good. I didn’t know that was an option! ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/4 "2022-12-04T00:05:41Z")
What about this? > **[ANBERX Cameras for Home Security,1080P FHD IR Night Vision Pet Camera 2.4GHz...](https://www.amazon.ca/ANBERX-Cameras-Security-Vision-Tracking/dp/B0BHYPR8PP)** > > ANBERX Cameras for Home Security,1080P FHD IR Night Vision Pet Camera 2.4GHz WiFi Security Camera with AI Motion Tracking,2-Way Audio,Smart Alarm,Works with Alexa : Amazon.ca: Electronics ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/5 "2022-12-04T00:13:11Z")
That looks pretty reasonable. The motion tracking is a nice feature, too. It’s one of those weird Chinese non-brands, but the electronics are all pretty well-established these days so I’d expect it to work fine (though it’s a little weird that there are literally zero reviews). One general suggestion: do not trust _any_ of these cameras to be secure. There have been so many breaches that it’s not even funny. If it’s just pointed out the window, you probably don’t care about someone accessing it. I would not use them for areas with people, however. Just something to keep in mind. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/6 "2022-12-04T00:16:24Z")
Would a different brand be better? It will be pointing out a window facing towards woods. Nothing recognizable. If someone accesses it, would I know? What could they do with it, just spy? Could they use it to gain access to other things like my computer? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/7 "2022-12-04T00:46:37Z")
Mostly just spy, though for max safety you might want to put the device on a guest network. I’ve generally had good success with TP-Link. They’ve been around for a while. One similar device: > **[TP-Link Tapo Smart Cam Pan Tilt Home WiFi Camera, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Connection...](https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-Tapo-Wireless-Security-C200/dp/B0829KDY9X)** > > TP-Link Tapo Smart Cam Pan Tilt Home WiFi Camera, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Connection Required, 1080p (Full HD), Up to 30 ft Night Vision, Up to 128 GB microSD Card Slot, Works w/Alexa and Google (Tapo C200) : Amazon.ca: Electronics Seems to have quite a few ratings. Those can be gamed of course, but something is better than nothing. Just one recent example of a camera breach: > **[Eufy’s “local storage” cameras can be streamed from anywhere, unencrypted](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/more-eufy-camera-flaws-found-including-remote-unencrypted-feed-viewing/)** > > The URLs for accessing your camera streams are also way too easy to brute-force. It’s not great, but the worst they can do is access the camera. And it’s not easy unless they know your serial numbers, so it’s not quite like a wide-open hack. But every situation will be different. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/8 "2022-12-04T01:52:59Z")
I just bought a Blink home security cam a month ago. Super easy to install. Just download the app and plug it in. I got mine so I could check in on the critters when I’m out of town. I love it! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-webcam-should-i-get/975991/9 "2022-12-04T12:45:25Z")
I just bought a SimpliSafe system for my moms house - [https://simplisafe.com/](https://simplisafe.com/) Works pretty well the outdoor cams are completely wireless. In indoor ones require 110v. No reason that you couldn’t use an outdoor came indoor. They notify me when they sense movement. No sure if it would notice a cat though. I think there are size settings though. Might want to check that out first.