Hacking up a WebCam?

[XDVD]

I'm looking for a cheap webcam that I can modify. My goal is to disconnect the CMOS image sensor and lengthen the wires so that I can place the lens over the door's peephole. Then when people are over in my dorm room, we could have surveillance covering the door ensuring a pesky RA doesn't just camp out in front of our door and wait to bust us.

Ideally, I want a camera to hook up to my computer (USB or alternatively I have a video capture card) that has a very small footprint. It would be particularly nice if the webcam used a ribbon cable to attach to the main PCB as it would simplify the process. The main portion of the PCB could be placed on my desk and small wires could run to the sensor.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

[Vio1]

whats an RA?

[d4rr3n]

RA = residential advisor. Basically an upperclassman that lives in your dorm with you and makes sure nobody is doing anything they aren't supposed to.

[RoadWarrior]

Logitech quickcams are favoured for such mods in the Amateur Astronomy community. Take a search round some astronomy sites and you might find some webcam hacking hints and tips. Try the reading the ATM (Amateur Telescope Makers) mailing list archives for hints also.

regards,

Road Warrior

[[aXe]]

I picked up a handful of webcams from CompGeeks a couple of years ago, they've got great prices on low-end webcams (usually as low as about 10 bucks). So, it's worth buying 2 or 3 just so that if you mess up your hack, you've still got another cam or two to play with :)

http://www.compgeeks.com/products.asp?cat=VID