Using Web Cams With A VMS?

Do you know the models of those web cams? Often web cams are just regular IP cameras (axis is one common choice) that are simply used for public display rather than recording on a VMS/NVR. To that end, there would be no real technical problem.

Guys, I am referring to the outdoor cameras that view large areas and stream live video to a website, not the little cameras you mount on a PC...Thanks!

One of the "old timers" motto in our office is "a camera should be expected to do only one job a time". When you try having a camera do different jobs, problems can more easily occur. Can you jury rig something? Probably. Would it be worth it? Most times I think not, since you may have to have 2 or more system components in the middle to get your end result. Since you seem to be seeking general advice and not just or necessarily a technical how too, my advice is unless the camera has some built in universal compatibility, like network streaming to both your web servers and the VMS via ONVIF or HTTP streaming, for example, it would probably not be worth the trouble to jurry rig something. If that's the case but you like what the web cams are looking at and want to record them to your VMS, probably better to put seperate cameras for that purpose.

Absolutely you can bring them in to your VMS Cynthia. I am thinking you would not have to rig anything and can just slap the ip into your VMS. Obviously there is a bit more too it, but if ALL you are looking for is to take the same feed and record it you should have little issue getting it set up. We have taken advantage of a few Axis cameras that other departments use as an eyeball into their areas by putting the feed into our VMS. Works out great, but you need to be aware of the bandwidth implications because the last thing you want to do its overload the network and cause their camera feed to fail. If that happens you would be cut off in an instant and probably never get the opportunity to try again.

Thanks so much for all the feedback. My next step is to get the camera makes and model numbers.

I will return to the discussion after I have obtained more information.

These cameras are recordable from any VMS that supports RTSP. I have tried your link and running it through VLC to test.

At home, I am currently using 4x 7MP web cams as a makeshift security system using two small laptops (netbooks) running "iSpy" I think...

One netbook covers the front yard/driveway/front door area and the main entrance to my home, the other netbook covers the backyard/back room/rear entrance of my home. I have two netbooks due to cable legnth limitations of USB cables. The image quality is so so, low light looks like garbage, but it meets a few of my simple needs, keeping an eye on my dog and kids.

Now if I had the money to spend on a real wireless IP camera system....