Camera to Help My Parents

[Toekiller]

Hi, I'm after a remote wifi camera that I can turn on and off remotely (no constant streaming to cloud needed ) so I can help my parents when they are stuck on a technical issue. A picture paints a thousand words

I.E I get a phone call, having trouble with the TV, I logon onto the App and I can see into the room & TV screen. I need the ability to turn it on and off as they have limited internet.

They have an alexa but the camera is a bit limited when it comes to something like this.

 

[BUDFORCE]

Can't you just video call them on WhatsApp etc?

 

[Toekiller]

Parents are in no way technically minded. No mobiles.

 

[BigBoy]

A tablet or mobile device even a laptop running Skype would work

 

[Peerzy]

I agree with the above.

They would likely struggle moving the webcam about to give you a good enough image of the problem, adding to that anything which can auto disconnect / only be available when you need may break / not work. What if the webcam is in the wrong room, or the cable doesn't reach?

Some sort of cheap tablet that does video calling would be the best idea.

 

[Vanilla]

Hi, I bought an Amazon Echo Show 8 for me and my dad and set it up so I just have to say 'Alexa call dad mobile'. It then asks me if I want his phone or Alexa device.

It's nice being able to sit here on the desk and get a screen call but also has the added benefit that if something does go wrong with something I just have to say 'plug this thing in front of the TV, i'll call you back in 5 when it's back up'.

 

[Vanilla]

I used this guide to set it up - you really only need one Echo show, you can just use your phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzIjg2Jx8P8&t=297s