Make a Visual Baby Monitor with Skype

Ever had Little Johnny crying when you are on the other side of the house and can't hear him? Here is how to set up a baby monitor on Skype.

Steps

 * 1)  Set up a webcam so it records the baby both visually and audibly.
 * 2) Download and install Skype. Create an account specifically for this task.
 * 3) Customize your Skype settings. Go to Tools --> Options
 * 4) *Under General Settings, choose "Start Skype when I start Windows" (or whatever your operating system is). [[Image:Skype1_780.jpg|450px]]
 * 5) *Under Video Settings, check "Automatically receive video and screen sharing from...people in my Contact list only." [[Image:Skype2_822.jpg|450px]]
 * 6) *Under Privacy, check to only allow people in your contact list. Then click on the "Show Advanced Options" button. [[Image:Skype3_161.jpg|450px]]
 * 7) *Select "people in my Contact list only" for all settings. [[Image:Skype4_253.jpg|450px]]
 * 8) *Under Call Settings, select "Only allow people on my Contact list to call me" then click on "Show Advanced Options". [[Image:Skype5_411.jpg|450px]]
 * 9) *Select "Answer incoming calls automatically" and "Start my video automatically when I am in a call". [[Image:Skype6_687.jpg]]
 * 10) *Remember to Save all of these changes.
 * 11) Add your other Skype account to the contacts list. Add your baby's account to your contacts list.
 * 12) Turn down the computer volume. This is so it doesn't wake the baby when it turns on.
 * 13) Call the baby's Skype account. It should automatically answer and start the video.

Tips

 * You can also add more accounts to the baby's contacts list, if your spouse wants to check in on the baby from work, for example.
 * If you don't want to have a computer running 24/7, or the baby can't sleep with the noise, you can also consider buying a Videophone from Skype's online store.
 * Or, you can avoid dedicating a computer and webcam to the baby and simply get a wireless IP video camera with audio for around $100, then just log on to the camera using the monitoring program that will come with it. If you have a LAN and use a redirection service (DYDNS for instance) you'll be able to see/hear the baby from anywhere there is an Internet connection. Redirection is free, set up is easy and Skype can be used for it's real purpose.

Warnings

 * Avoid placing the webcam in the baby's reach, as this can be a choking hazard.
 * Make sure that you allow only those people you want to see your baby in the contact list.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Create a Baby Monitor with a Cell Phone
 * How to Monitor Your Apartment With a Webcam While on Vacation
 * How to Make a Webcam Into an Infrared Camera
 * How to Turn a Regular Video Camcorder Into a Webcam

Sources and Citations

 * Techlore.com - Research source for this setup.