Day Care Monitoring



GREG FIGHT/Tribune

Keeping up with your kids
Published: May 23, 2001

Web cams are showing up in daycares and preschools all over the country, giving parents the option to check up on their child at any point throughout the day.

Full Story

Online Producer: MARTIN SPEECHLEY/TBO.com

                           



                                                

How to Set Up a Day Care Camera or Service

Setting up daycare cams just got a lot easier!  Until recently, running a daycare cam was both expensive and technically exhaustive.  It involved purchasing a high power computer, special video cards, & expensive software.  Total cost... about $5,000 (if you are a good shopper).  And once you had things hooked up and in place, you would typically have to perform several service calls each month due to computer crashes and general administrative duties.  But all this is now a thing of the past.

On December 1, 1999, the V-200-200 was introduced.  Its a device that will stream real time video from up to 6 cameras over the internet.  It completely replaces the need for a on-site computer at the daycare center and works directly with Cable, ISDN, and standard 33.6 or 56K modems.  Installation is simple.  Temporarily attach the V-200 to any PC via the supplied serial port cable, and configure the V-200 using the supplied software.  This takes about 5 to 10 minutes.  Once configured, unplug the V-200 and deliver it to the daycare center.  Now, simply attach up to 6 Color or B&W video cameras, and plug the V-200 into a standard wall outlet.  As the last step, attach either a cable, ISDN, or standard modem into one of the supplied ports.  Done!  Now just flip the switch on the V-200 to turn it on.  Total V-200 set up time at the daycare... about another 5 minutes.

Another great feature with the V-200 is that you can perform administrative duties over the internet from a remote  location!  Adjust camera properties, frame rate, compression method, name, and time & date stamp, to setting multiple pass codes, changing the IP information, to even resetting the entire machine.  Oh, you can even remotely control certain pan, tilt, & zoom cameras!

The V-200 will even create the web site for you to view the cameras on, and allows you to restrict access to this web site by allowing you to assign usernames & pass codes!  However, it's unlikely that you will take advantage of this feature since you will most likely contract a web designer to create and maintain a tailor-made web site for your business.  

In short, here is why we believe the V-200 is the perfect solution for daycare cams.  Costing only $1,999.95, the V-200 is by far less expensive, time consuming, and problematic than purchasing a PC based web cam server.  Not to mention, it's a dedicated server and is not subject to computer crashes like a PC that uses an operating system.  It sets-up in minutes, and may be administered remotely.  More importantly, it will connect directly to either a Cable or ISDN modem for high bandwidth video-pumping power!  Oh, and did we forget to tell you that it
only cost $1,999.95?  It's even less if you buy several at a time.  And don't forget, we also have an extensive inventory of video cameras and equipment available to us!  Get it all right here, right now.  With our impressive products and prices, you can start your Daycare Cam or open your own Web Cam Business tomorrow.  

To date, our research has yielded the following:  You may either globally charge all parents at the daycare center, or just those that wish to subscribe.  Fees are normally collected once per month.  Depending on the area, businesses charge an average of $15- $20 dollars per parent if done globally, or $20- $35 if done on a subscription bases.  When done globally, you typically spend less on your web designer since there is little need to assign hundreds of pass codes to the multitude of parents.  When done on a subscription bases, you spend a greater amount on your web site maintenance, as your web designer must constantly assign unique usernames and pass codes to all parents subscribing to your service.  Also, special HTML script must be employed to protect yourself from being taken advantage of by parents who may begin to share their user names and pass codes with other parents.  To offset the initial cost of the equipment, many daycare cam businesses charge the daycare a equipment deposit fee $1,000 for the unlikely event of theft or damage to the equipment.  Others may even charge an additional monthly usage fee as well, or require the daycare center to pay the monthly fee for the internet connection.  Either way, it's likely that you will easily recoup the equipment and web related cost and make a good deal of money!  Especially when it would appear that the average daycare center typically has over 100 children in it.  100 children x $20 per parent per month = $2000.00!  Wow!  Now do the math for daycare centers that have 150, 200, or even 250 children.
Now you've got it. 

How It Works

Internet

Intranet

Direct Dial-in

Wish to start a Daycare Cam Service or any other business that involves streaming video from multiple cameras to the masses of the internet?  Then you found the best solution at the lowest price!  A dedicated video server; unsurpassed reliability; ability to connect to the internet via ISDN, Cable Modems, or even T-1 and T-3 lines; Video Streaming; Remote Administrating via the Internet or LAN; and best of all an incredibly low PRICE that can make anyone's idea a reality!

Concerning the type (s) of cameras you may use, we would recommend either our Color Dome Camera

($299.95) or our Color Bullet Camera 230CB1 Color Color Bullet Camera Features a 380 TV Lines of Resolution
Color CCD with a low 0.5 LUX Rating and a 70° lens.  Plug & Play ready, camera measures .91" (dia) x 2 1/2" (L) and includes a
removable tilt & swivel base. 
Price: $249.95
Price: $249.95 for indoor shots, and the weather proof color bullet  

($274.95) for outdoor shots (playground).  Optionally, you may even consider our Color MicroEye Wireless Camera($330.95) that will
allow you to quickly and easily install up to 4 wireless cameras without the need to run video cable. 

Midrange Day Care System

High range Day Care System