Nothing even remotely related to Oldsmobiles in this thread.

I would like someone with some experience with video to help me find a solution. I want to set up a system to monitor the temperature in my house when we are gone in the winter. I have considered hanging a big thermometer on the wall and aiming some sort of camera at it that I can activate by phone. Any ideas?

 

Interesting. Might as well watch the whole house then right?
I should think that folks sell temperature monitors but I have not looked into this.

How about a simple home thermostat that triggers the alarm on a special zone in case of less than say 60F to give you time to respond? Assuming a common simple household alarm that has a few zones and can call you as needed.

But, cameras are good too.
Then again, if you do not go ck the camera it's no use.
System to automatically pester your phone in the event of a problem would be better. Then the 2nd ph # then the 3rd...

 

Buy one of these and have your neighbor look for a flashing light out a predetermined window?

 

This one watches temp and dials you [assuming the phone line is working] w/o the need for a complete alarm system.

A secondary heat system such as an electric heater near the pipes most likely to freeze, with its own thermostat, would be good for backup.

There is always the drain the pipes and antifreeze the drains method.

 

I use wireless D-Link cameras that are internet/mobile device accessible for home security. They can be set-up to email you upon motion and/or sound detection, also. The models I use are 5020L, 5009L, and 5222L. These are all Pan/Tilt/semi-zoom, and the 5222 allows for two-way audio with an external speaker. The two external cameras are mounted within camera enclosures I found on Amazon for about $50 each, then I added industrial-type thermostat and heater specific for this use to each enclosure to ensure the camera environment stays within the working temperature range. There is an app for your mobile device known as myDlink Lite. Works well for what I need. One of my outdoor cameras has a thermometer within the viewable area that may be panned-to. All in all a decent system that was built one camera at a time, without need for network cabling. Of course power cabling is required, but there are outlets everywhere around my house.

 

Have you tried the Nest ..Same guy that Invented the Ipod..Tony Fadel..I know his Dad ..Gary Fadel..

 

If you want something super simple and cheap but only when you need it here's what I do when I travel to keep an eye on my saltwater reef tank. At least I used to.
I set up a laptop with a webcam pointed at it. Created a new yahoo email account. Turned on chat and then logged into my yahoo account from a second laptop and just used the video chat to see the tank. Benefit is you get sound too.

Otherwise a wifi thermostat would be a more permanent solution.

 

Aaron hernandez can give you some good advice on a home security system...

 

LOL pogo no he cant its obvious he knows nothng about how to use it much less turn it off