IP webcam question yet again...

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › IP webcam question yet again...

GSVNoFixedAbode

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#213839 14-Apr-2017 14:05

I know, I know, an apparently perennial question, but with the speed of change I thought it worth asking again:

Recommendations for low budget (and we're talking Aliexpress-level here) IP Webcam, at 720p resolution?

I started playing with an Axis 2100 at work when it was first released. Loved the 'proper' on-board Linux and ability to get to the html and other settings. Now days it seems that while the optics are much improved, we've taken a huge step backwards with the firmware: everything coming out of the factories is pre-baked, and not so much a webcam as an app-cam. Even the few that can be accessed with a browser rather than phone app need IE6-level Active-X component install (umm, nope, not gonna happen!).

I've tried a few of the $US25-$US70 cams and they're good on the hardware but lousy on the {soft|firm}ware. I've also gone down the Pi+PiCam route and while better, I've had issues with the wireless/USB/power/OS over time, so not rock-steady reliable there (using Motion).

What I'd love to find is a modern version of the Axis 2100: reliable running 24/7 unattended, ok optics (720p so not high-end), real webserver built-in, with the nice touches like being able to turn on/off the IR LEDS, configure the html of the display page, set the FTP and email alerts. Heck, all that was possible and available 12 years ago, but vendors seem to assume phone app connectivity is the only thing people want. (/rant - sorry)

So, anyone know of a little gem of a device they could recommend?

I am Heisenborg: you will probably be assimilated.
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michaelmurfy

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#1764333 14-Apr-2017 14:23

The biggest problem is security. As you've likely read there are many "embedded" cameras all getting owned since they expose themselves to the internet. I'm afraid there is no real list of security cameras running Embedded Linux (or the likes) that are "secure". If you were running anything like this you'd want to put it in its own VLAN with no internet access and have a secure VPN to access it.

CleverLoop comes to mind if you're wanting a solution that just works: http://www.cleverloop.co.nz/

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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sbiddle

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#1764387 14-Apr-2017 14:49

The simple reality is modern cameras aren't designed to do what you want to do. For a modern CCTV system there is absolutely no reason to even need to log into a camera to do anything, everything is typically done from a NVR or CCTV software. Cameras are pretty such a source of a RTSP stream and configuration is normally via API commands. Most major vendors these days have good API support.

Anything that's still 720p is also going to be from a low end manufacturer these days. 4MP is now pretty much entry level for any major CCTV vendor - 2MP if you want a Starlight camera due to the better sensitivity at night.

Exposing a CCTV camera to the internet is something that should never occur for security reasons.

richms

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#1764391 14-Apr-2017 15:00

I cant think of any reason I would want a web server in a camera. Particually one that I can change the content on.

Most of the cheap $20-25 IP cams that support xmeye have a pretty bad active x that can be used as an alternate to set them up on their internal webserver, but its all doable by their equally terrible CMS software, and then it just generates a stream of video and events using onvif. Never touch the camera again once its installed unless its to change its IP or camera settings, which can be done thru the software.

Having the camera accessible and directly serving content is too risky.

What are you trying to achieve?

Richard rich.ms

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#1764410 14-Apr-2017 15:32

You've mentioned pi's .
I'm running motioneyeos. Set up a couple of them to motion detect and email the photos to gmail account.

A.

chevrolux

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#1764415 14-Apr-2017 15:39

Yea why make a camera do all that work?

If you want all the tinkering option I feel like Zoneminder is the software you want. Run it up on something like an Odroid, or maybe a NUC if you need more power. Then you can hack away!

Hikvision cams for solid awesome IP cameras or Dahua for the same solid awesomeness but with audio options.

GSVNoFixedAbode

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#1764417 14-Apr-2017 15:50

richms:

What are you trying to achieve?

Two things - firstly to have a feed of regular images to a website via FTP, and secondly a private/secure remote viewing of an active page: potentially streaming or PTZ. http://www.hyland.net.nz/oldsite/onedaysnap.htm

But with hardware that I can turn on and leave for extended periods - say 6 weeks unattended knowing that I don't have to

- physically reset something (dammit Pi, that USB stick was fine. Stop sulking and turn wifi back on!)

- press a button/acknowledge a system message (yes I'm looking at you ipCam-on-obsolete-iPhone!)

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neb

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#1764488 14-Apr-2017 18:48

sbiddle:
For a modern CCTV system there is absolutely no reason to even need to log into a camera to do anything,

There is if the camera does motion detection and whatnot itself. That means instead of having ten streams of HD video fighting over your WiFi or LAN, you only have occasional bursts when motion is detected.

blakamin

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#1764500 14-Apr-2017 19:36

Wanscam hw0024

Run on a VPN etc...

I have 2 running on their own router for keeping an eye on my dogs. One outside, one inside in the dog (dining) room.

720p, PTZ, FTP, motion detection, IR, full browser config, blah blah.

Mine are locked down pretty hard, but still only accessible from VPN and on their own network.