You may have an old Android tablet that you no longer use and have decided to use a more modern, updated or more capable one. But that doesn’t mean you have to throw away the old one if it still works. You can use your old tablet as a home video surveillance system if you want to know that everything is fine if you are on vacation or if you have left your pet alone for a few hours.
To use your old tablet as a video surveillance system we have two options: use a security camera (there are all prices and sizes, for indoors or outdoors) and keep the application connected all the time to be able to view it on the screen without having to “ sacrifice” your mobile to see them or simply if you want to always have a look at the tablet screen, larger and with everything under control. This is useful, for example, if you have a baby and you want to have the camera in the room always visible on the tablet while you are teleworking with your computer or mobile phone in another room. So you will see what happens at all times. Or the second option, if we don’t want to invest or pay anything else, is to use the tablet’s own camera as a video surveillance camera as if it were a continuous video call. This is the best option if we want to save.
How can we use it
In this case we will be able to save money since we do not have to invest in the camera but the tablet is the camera itself and this is its main advantage. Of course, we have the drawback that the recording quality will be lower. But it can be useful if we simply want to control something at a specific time or if we are going on vacation and we have not thought about buying anything and we no longer have time, for example. It is useful and we do not need any kind of extra equipment.
The drawback is that it will allow us much less options than a professional camera. We have as a limitation the quality of the front or rear camera of the camera that is never usually of excellent quality or that it may not have night vision but this can be comfortable for us at an exact moment, as we say. For example, if you are at a friend’s house and your child has fallen asleep on the sofa and you are in another room or if you are going on vacation. We do not recommend it as a regular method but if specific.
Place the tablet well
The first thing you will have to do is find a place for the tablet if this is going to be the device you are going to use to record. Find a stand or case that doubles as a tripod and find an angle where you can see the entire room or entryway you want to monitor or are concerned about. Place the tablet well so that it does not move and with the rear camera unobstructed so that it can take care of recording everything that is happening. Some apps allow you to switch between cameras so you can also make sure the front camera has a good angle for another part of the room.
There are supports that allow us to hold the tablet in the direction we want. They are not only useful for using the tablet as video surveillance, but in your day-to-day life if you want to read recipes, if you want to watch a series or any other event for which you need it.
Video surveillance applications
Once you have positioned the tablet well, you will have to install some video surveillance applications. They are specific for this purpose and usually have basic functions such as motion detector or notification, PiP mode, etc.
Camy
Camy is one of the most comfortable applications for using your tablet as a video surveillance system. It is useful as a baby monitor if you do not have a specific one, to see your pet remotely or as a security camera if you have gone on vacation. You can connect several cameras if you want to create a complete video surveillance system with another tablet you have at home or a mobile phone. You can switch between the front and rear cameras of the device in case you have several and have video recording or the option to automatically record video in the cloud. It is one of the most recommended, free and quality options.
Everything
Manything is an application to turn your tablet into a video surveillance system for free, although it also has payment plans if you want recording in the cloud. If you want to keep it live you will not need to pay anything. It is compatible with Android and iOS in case you have an ipad and you can view the video remotely or receive alerts when motion is detected. It is very easy to use and allows you to adjust detection zones and camera sensitivity or you can download the videos or share them if you need it.
Alfred
Alfred is another of the most used and highly recommended applications and its configuration is very simple. When you download it you can choose if the app works as a player or as a camera. You have to link your mobile phone with the tablet that is acting as a video surveillance camera and it will automatically give you remote access and control. Just pair them using the same account and having the app. Once you have it, you can use your tablet to record or view any room. It has motion detection alerts and is also capable of allowing you to speak through it as if it were a video call. This is useful if you are using it as a baby monitor and want to sing to the baby if it has woken up. Or if you are watching your children from another room and you want to tell them something at that moment.
This application allows us to have live streaming 24 hours a day or allows the videos to be saved in the cloud and you can download or view them whenever you want. It is very easy to install and that makes it one of the most recommended and used by users.