How to Create a Virtual Baby Monitor

Being able to see and hear your child while you're in another room is helpful and important to most parents. Well, that is just one of the things that's possible with a live webcam broadcast. And you don't need to be a technical guru to accomplish it either. Just follow these steps and you'll be broadcasting in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Windows XP or better
• Web camera
• Latest version of Microsoft Windows Media Encoder
• Broadband Internet connection

1. Place your computer in the living room or wherever you spend most of your time to allow for the best viewing of your baby or child.
2. Set up and install a web camera in your baby's room by following the instructions that came with the camera when you purchased it. When purchasing a webcam choose a USB web camera instead of a serial one.
3. Download the latest version of Windows Media Encoder (it's free) and install it on your computer by following the installation wizard.
   
   
4. Forward your port. This isn't a step everyone needs to take but if you have a broadband router you need to make sure it is forwarding external IP requests from your webcam stream to your computer or whatever you're using to broadcast from. Refer to your router documentation on how to do this.
5. Go back to the Windows Media Encoder installation menu and hit "Start Encoding."
   
   
6. View and listen to your baby or child at your leisure. You can adjust the volume to just be able to see them or turn off the monitor and use it so it works like a traditional baby monitor