Raspberry Pi Baby Monitor: Video and Audio Stream

A Raspberry Pi baby monitor gives you a secure, private video and audio monitoring system without the security risks of cloud-connected commercial monitors. Build a reliable baby monitor with night vision, two-way audio, and mobile access for under ₹5,000.

Why Build a Pi Baby Monitor

• No cloud: Your baby’s video stays on your local network — no hacking risks.
• No subscription: Commercial smart monitors charge ₹200-500/month for cloud features.
• Night vision: NoIR camera with IR LEDs for clear night-time viewing.
• Two-way audio: Speak to your baby through the monitor.
• Custom alerts: Sound detection, temperature monitoring, and Telegram notifications.

Hardware Selection for Safety

• Raspberry Pi 4 or Zero 2 W (Zero 2 W is compact enough for nursery mounting)
• Pi Camera Module 3 NoIR (for night vision)
• IR LED board (for illumination in the dark)
• USB microphone (for audio monitoring)
• Small speaker (for two-way audio)
• Temperature sensor (DHT22 or BMP280)

Setting Up the Camera Stream

# Install MediaMTX for low-latency RTSP streaming
wget https://github.com/bluenviron/mediamtx/releases/download/v1.6.0/mediamtx_v1.6.0_linux_arm64v8.tar.gz
tar -xzf mediamtx_v1.6.0_linux_arm64v8.tar.gz

# Start the stream
libcamera-vid -t 0 --width 1280 --height 720 --framerate 15 \n  --codec h264 --inline -o - | ./mediamtx &

# View on VLC (any device on network):
# rtsp://<pi-ip>:8554/stream

Two-Way Audio Configuration

# Install audio tools
sudo apt install pulseaudio alsa-utils -y

# Test microphone
arecord -l  # List audio devices
arecord -d 5 -f S16_LE -r 44100 test.wav
aplay test.wav

# For two-way audio, use a web-based interface
# or set up a WebRTC solution

Night Vision with NoIR Camera

The NoIR camera module lacks an infrared filter, allowing it to see IR light that is invisible to humans. Pair it with IR LEDs for silent night-time monitoring:

• Use a 5V IR LED board (850nm wavelength is ideal).
• Mount IR LEDs around the camera for even illumination.
• The baby sees complete darkness while you get a clear black-and-white image.
• IR LEDs consume very little power and produce no visible light.

Mobile App Access and Notifications

# Access via web browser using a lightweight web server
# Install RPi-Cam-Web-Interface for easy browser access:
git clone https://github.com/silvanmelchior/RPi_Cam_Web_Interface.git
cd RPi_Cam_Web_Interface
./install.sh

# Access at http://<pi-ip>/html
# Works on any phone browser -- no app needed

Safety Considerations

Important safety notes for nursery use:

• Mount the Pi and cables completely out of baby’s reach (wall-mount or ceiling-mount).
• Use cable management clips to secure all wires against the wall.
• Keep the power supply outside the crib area.
• Ensure adequate ventilation for the Pi (it runs 24/7).
• Test the IR LEDs — they should not produce visible light or heat near the baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

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