Wireless IP Cameras

[chrisduggan]

I have just bought a couple of Foscam cameras and now need to find a good solution to backing up the recordings, all they said was "computer or cloud".

I have a copy of Blue Iris Pro.

Has anyone had success doing this with the likes of Google drive or do I need a NAS?

Never had any dealings with these before so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[accelerator]

If memory serves, I think the guy that runs cctv.co.uk might be on here, in which case he might be able to help.

Rgds

 

[bluerock]

I used to back mine up via ftp if that helps.

 

[orchardapple]

On a related note, anyone any recommendations for CCTV/Motion cameras to be used to output to an IPAD? any decent apps n cameras do this job?

 

[chrisduggan]

lots of links to this app no idea how good it is.

With the Live Cams Pro app you can remotely view and control your network camera from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
Hundreds of manufacturers and models are supported from within one application including FOSCAM, AXIS, SONY, PANASONIC, TRENDNET, AIRLINK and more.

 

[SF]

I built my own cctv system running Geovision GV-800 connects to my iphone and ipad lovely anywhere in the world, ive set up quite a few cctv systems.

 

[lee]

I dont record from my Foscam set-up I just email and ftp the images from motion detect if its set off (that and watch the feed on my iPhone all day at work)

 

[StoneRoses]

I use Blue Iris and also Mangocam.com

 

[lee]

I didn't like the idea of giving a 3rd party any kind of access to my cameras.

 

[Skinner]

I have 1 camera on each of 2 synology NAS units, there are remote apps for phones or any web browser to login. using the cloud sync tools, you can sync to google drive or dropbox, glacier or anything else.

I'm in the market now for a waterproof ptz camera which won't break the bank in half. they all really really hurt.

 

[Skinner]

I can't remember the last time I logged into surveillance station directly. Always use DS Cam, handy little app.

I haven't tried any other software solutions (not even sure they would work. I also haven't installed more than 1 license/cam on 1 NAS either, so just the one cam per unit. You get 1 license free with the NAS additional ones you have to pay for.

 

[woopwoop]

I think those licenses are around $60 ea. Interesting related aside, it seems many businesses still avoid going the ipcam route not only because of quality and the low cost non-ip systems, but also because of the licensing.

As soon as webcam/cctv goes over the web it clashes with someone's patent and fees have to be paid. Not a factor in systems that aren't ip.

These fees might be indirectly through the cost of the device (device maker paying the fee) or in a license fee through the cost of software.

 

[Skinner]

I've seen them on "offer" at £100 for 4, I can't remember but I'm sure it was synology themselves offering that.

I'm about to buy a 3rd synology nas, so will add a 3rd camera.

I saw Scan.co.uk are selling basic synology DS2xx units with 2 x 3tb WD Reds for £320, preconfigured, prebuilt, and setup in raid 0 or raid 1. They do a more advanced one for £30 more, or 2tb drives for £40 less.

 

[SF]

Forget wireless Ips they are rubbish and will let you down just when you need them.

 

[Skinner]

A little more detail ?

Model Numbers ? Reasons ? Helpful tips on what to avoid.

Forget wireless Ips they are rubbish and will let you down just when you need them.

 

[woopwoop]

I think it's the way forward. People want to be able to access the streams online and also remotely backup the video/images.

I always think of if someone broke into a house, saw the the cameras and then took the hard drive, there'd be no evidence. Online streams, back up, and even MMS message with movement is the way forward - all probably need some sort of IP system.

 

[SF]

The best way to do it is always hard wired cams, I have a dedicted pc with geovision gv800 card 16 cameras. So as its a pc its connected to the internet, add as much storage as you want. I have been viewing my cameras live on my iphone for about 6 years and its never let me down and always connects.

Ive fitted many cctv systems for friends and when i used ip they are always down and would never connect thus i would always be back there resetting networks and messing around with ips.

IP Cams are for people who dont really have a clue about cctv systems and want an easy fix until there internet goes down and with it the cams

 

[woopwoop]

Given what you and woopwoop have typed I'm getting the impression that you both seem to think IP = wireless when in fact it doesn't have to. Most IP cameras I have experience with use wired Ethernet.

SF in your configuration there is still the possibility that the PC could freeze or go down and if your Internet access failed you'd also have no remote access to that PC.

Wired or wireless IP cameras that store the recordings on the LAN somewhere, which in turn sends a copy remotely via the Internet somewhere else could provide the best of both worlds. Statically assigning IP addresses might help to prevent DHCP failure on networks.

Standalone devices exist to convert conventional coxial connected cameras to IP networks, therefore possible to select a non IP camera and experience the best of both worlds.

I wasn't assuming IP=wireless, just web connected.
But it's interesting that there is the best of both solution - I did think it was one or the other.

My brother-in-law installs cameras and is strongly against IP cameras because of the reliance of them on the connection, quality of recordings and also the cost.

I have my Synology NAS and 2 Dlink DSC-932L's (one of them cost me £15 - I think it was labeled incorrectly!). They work pretty well but I'm looking for a new outdoor cam to watch my motorcycle and was thinking of the Dlink DSC-7010L... I'd like to find a way to record events on the NAS, email/MMS and potentially FTP a backup the video of events at the same time.

I like the Dlink apps to take a quick look at what's going on, but should probably checkout Synology's app again and perhaps pay the license fee(s) for additional cameras

 

[SF]

Given what you and woopwoop have typed I'm getting the impression that you both seem to think IP = wireless when in fact it doesn't have to. Most IP cameras I have experience with use wired Ethernet.

SF in your configuration there is still the possibility that the PC could freeze or go down and if your Internet access failed you'd also have no remote access to that PC.

Wired or wireless IP cameras that store the recordings on the LAN somewhere, which in turn sends a copy remotely via the Internet somewhere else could provide the best of both worlds. Statically assigning IP addresses might help to prevent DHCP failure on networks.

Standalone devices exist to convert conventional coxial connected cameras to IP networks, therefore possible to select a non IP camera and experience the best of both worlds.

Wireless connected IP cameras will improve when users have quality wifi coverage. More often than not I find the vast majority have little understanding of airtime and how to calculate wifi radio capacity. One combined router/switch/access point isn't sufficient

(from iPad - K)

Hi Invincible, yeah there is always a chance the tower might go down but in 6 years it never has plus if the internet goes down that does not affect my cams or the recording feature - i can also remote view old footage through my geovison app - mine is also capable of so much more its endless with using a pc tower, trust me its by far the best way i know because ive done so much testing and research.

I do have some nice and easy d-link ip cams set up at my grand parents so i can log in and have a look at them also sound, argos sell them for £30 odd quid took 2 mins to set up out of the box. been fine really but just good enough to log in see they are alright etc.

 

[scooter]

I have 2 wireless ip cameras. (Y-Cam with audio and a cheaper Wanscam no audio)

I have them set up on my tower through Blue Iris for motion detection email alert. Blue Iris fires off an email with a jpeg image if it is triggered. It also stores the same on the tower along with a 5 second clip.

I also have a QNAP NAS with Surveillance Station Pro. This is set to record 24/7
If I get a Blue Iris email, I can remotely go in to the NAS and play back the video.

(To remotely log in you need a static ip on the router from your isp)

The NAS is set to keep all video for 30 days and then it gets written over. (it records in 5min segments)

.........................................


All hunky dory. However, very occasionally one of the cameras goes down and the only way to get it up and running again is to switch it off at the mains and back on again.

How do I know a camera has gone offline?
With Surveillance Station Pro you can set up "alerts". One of them being to fire off an email if a camera goes down, so it points to a gmail account and gets delivered to my mobile immediately.

Now comes the easy bit
Get yourself one of these and plug the camera in to it.
http://www.wifiplug.co.uk/

It has an app for apple and android. (and you can log in to their site remotely)
If you get an email to tell you the camera has gone offline, open the app, click the "off" switch, wait 5 seconds and switch to "on" and within 30 seconds the camera is back online and it's business as usual.

It's not very often a camera goes down but if it does, wifi plug is a godsend. I've used it to bring a camera back online when sitting at the bar at 1am in Turkey. If I did not have wifi plug it would be down until I came home.




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