HELP: Need to buy and connect a webCam for live video streaming to watch dog

[unclet]

My wife wants me to set up a webCam in our house so we can see what the heck the dog is doing during the day while we are at work? 

After asking around, I was told if I set up a direct video feed from a webCam and tried to access my PC directly from work then it most likely will not work since our workplace blocks most outgoing/incoming ports. 

The other recommendation was to get a webCam which interacts with my web space, thus allowing me to connect to a website from work to enable us to see our dog's activities.  Thing is, I do not have currently have any webspace.   I am currently borrowing space from Saint for my arcade projects and Jukebox software and do not want to use additional webspace to house videos from my dog at home.

So, here are my questions:

1) Does anyone have any ideas on how to connect a webCam up so I can get live video streaming to me at work?

2) If I do need to get my own web space, then can someone recommend places where I can get some and how much space I would need to pay for to allow streaming live video?

3) What type of webCam would you recommend to allow for clean clear video to be seen?

[Zeosstud]

Microsoft's Lifecam VX-5000 is a reasonable webcam and once you get it installed and running you can get Orb 2.0 installed and bingo, your done.  You wont need to pay for anything special, Orb is free.  There are bound to be hundreds of possible solutions but for $40 or so, this would certainly be a cheap proof of concept and then you can decide what else you may want or need.

Best of Luck,

Zeosstud

[Neverending Project]

X10.com, while it is an atrocious site (and a bit offensive also), has some really cheap deals on complete webcam packages. This one comes with a wireless webcam, transceiver, pan-and-tilt webcam base, and software to allow remote monitoring all for $100. I don't really know much about all the components since I haven't used any, but it is an all-in-one solution that might be worth it just for the sake of simplicity.

To get through your work firewall you will need webcam software that can broadcast on common ports. You would need the software included in the above package to be able to be served on a port that will make it through your work's firewall. If it can, all you would need to do is leave your computer on, and then you wouldn't need any external hosting.

I have used a small mac application before called evocam. It's only $30 and works with your webcam or built-in isight if you have an iMac. Just point the iMac at the room and run the software. It has a built-in web server so you can serve it right from your home iMac.

The easiest solution is most likely going to involve getting some simple webcam streaming software running on your home computer. Does the dog roam the house, or is there a kennel/room? One camera will certainly be easier to manage and get set up initially.

[Burn4Evr]

You should be able to host a webserver from your PC the webcam is connected to. Basically at that point you would just need to know your IP address, and possibly open up some ports on your router

[Endaar]

I haven't used this, but probably worth a look.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Network-Camera-Pet-BLC1A/dp/B000EXVTJY

[unclet]

Thanks for all the information.   I will have a look around.