HOW TO – Make a “Witness camera”

Craft & Design Technology
HOW TO – Make a “Witness camera”

Prototype Inside
Alberto writes –

The Witness Camera is an automated, self-recording surveillance camera, that uses a gigabyte-class flash card as recording media. I designed the Witnesscam because available surveillance solutions were too expensive or impractical for home use. I built the system from a VGA CMOS colour camera, a passive-infrared (PIR) movement sensor, an ATmega32 processor, and a 1GB SD-card. The prototype looks like an ordinary alarm detector. But when it detects people moving around, it silently starts recording.

HOW TO – Make a “Witness camera”, thanks Nutchip! – Link.

24 thoughts on “HOW TO – Make a “Witness camera”

  1. Sir Real says:

    Ay Carumba! I can see a definite market for this device. Namely ME! Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor skills to fabricate such an item. I would gladly pay to have a couple of these made.

  2. JennaSys says:

    Wow! NICE writeup. Lots of good how-to info here. I’m adding this to my ever growing list of must-do projects. Now if I can just find an inexpensive cmos board camera…

  3. Pekar says:

    Excellent project!
    I’ve long wanted a product like this, and can’t believe this functionality isn’t built into digital cameras.
    There is a spycam product available, but it isn’t a single unit, and requires a monitor for on screen programming, and a separate camera.
    Game cameras come close, but are overpriced, bulky, and designed for camouflage outdoors, not inside.
    I sure wish I had the time to construct this, It’s above my current skill level, but it looks manageable, clearly written. I’d get quite an education doing it.

    The neighbor kid came in and stole some small items from my home last summer. We eventually deduced who it was, and got our items back, but it sure would have been nice to have photo evidence.

  4. Unomi says:

    Sir Real:

    I thought the same! I was looking for such a device just yesterday. What a coincidence… I’m not fancy with electronics myself (willing to, but hesitating).

    I would pay for it without thinking. I’ve seen similar devices, but way over priced (talking about 1,000 USD mind you).

    So, if someone is willing to produce these, let me know!

    – Unomi –

  5. Sir Real says:

    Unomi & Pekar (Harvey?)

    We are a definite market. But it would appear that ‘makers’ are more intent on making than marketing. Due to my lamentable lack of knowledge on the nomenclature, I could only offer up a couple of cheap digital cameras in the hopes that they could provide the necessary CCD’s for the project.

    Is there nobody from the electronically inclined side of the tracks that would take up our offer?

    Sir Real

  6. Sir Real says:

    Unomi & Pekar (Harvey?)

    We are a definite market. But it would appear that ‘makers’ are more intent on making than marketing. Due to my lamentable lack of knowledge on the nomenclature, I could only offer up a couple of cheap digital cameras in the hopes that they could provide the necessary CCD’s for the project.

    Is there nobody from the electronically inclined side of the tracks that would take up our offer?

    Sir Real

  7. Sir Real says:

    Unomi & Pekar (Harvey?)

    We are a definite market. But it would appear that ‘makers’ are more intent on making than marketing. Due to my lamentable lack of knowledge on the nomenclature, I could only offer up a couple of cheap digital cameras in the hopes that they could provide the necessary CCD’s for the project.

    Is there nobody from the electronically inclined side of the tracks that would take up our offer?

    Sir Real

  8. drgnfish says:

    Seems similar to this product which replaces your peep hole in your front door. But I’m sure you can use it some where else. There’s a delay on this product when used on your front door.

    http://www.jascoproducts.com/products/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=47&idproduct=228

  9. Jota says:

    Hello: Where I can Buy one ????
    I need perhaps 6 or 7 of this…
    Who say where I can Buy this please post is here.
    Bye

  10. Jota says:

    Hello: Where I can Buy one ????
    I need perhaps 6 or 7 of this…
    Who say where I can Buy this please post is here.
    Bye

  11. Tony says:

    Have you tried throwing an eyefi in it = web enabled witness cam sweetness

  12. Pekar says:

    This-
    http://cgi.ebay.com/DVR-Camera-Video-SD-CARD-Recorder-Motion-Detect-V46_W0QQitemZ160206993717QQihZ006QQcategoryZ48634QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
    is the closest affordable thing I’ve found, add a cheap spy camera from Supercircuits, and I think it would be usable.

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