Simple Home Monitor Camera

SCVJeff wrote:

TechWriter wrote:
I vote Simplicam -- no Port Forwarding. Very easy setup.

No pan or tilt, and it appears the reason for no port forwarding is that its talking to an off-site server doing recording. Sooner or later they are going to charge for that.

1-day recording storage for 2 cameras is about $8/month. If you don't opt for storage, then no monthly fee.

If you lose power in your house, do you have to restore your camera's settings?

I have two Foscams too, and I do like them. I also use an old Android phone with an app to be an ip cam.

I do not use the Foscam software, I really like an android app called Tinycam Monitor. I use the paid version.

TechWriter wrote:
I vote Simplicam -- no Port Forwarding. Very easy setup.

No pan or tilt, and it appears the reason for no port forwarding is that its talking to an off-site server doing recording. Sooner or later they are going to charge for that.
Not cheap either

I vote Simplicam -- no Port Forwarding. Very easy setup.

x3 on Foscams. I have them set via Blue Iris to send me notifications and emails as stated earlier. Mine monitor my driveway too so I can see who is coming/going.

BradW wrote:
I want something simple. Would I have to leave my computer on for this to work? Or does just the wifi need to be on? If the power goes off and comes back on, will something like this come back up on line or does it have to be manually reset?

Thanks for any help,
Brad

What are you doing with it? Do you want external access and/or control, such as pan/tilt? Most simple cams will require your wifi to be on. Remember that there are 2 parts to your (wifi) router. LAN for internal resources and WAN for external (internet) reach. Most of these cams are IP dependant and need a router to be on. Many will require either the computer to be on or for external access to store video if you are using that function. You can buy system that have built in DVR and controllers that do not require a router or computer.

I too use Foscams and can see them from my ipad, ipod, phone, computer. They are doing a great job for us and work off the home wifi just fine. The port forwarding is not that hard. The only thing I have found is that if my isp has a glitch or modem problem, I sometimes get a different ip address. Then, I have to reset it in my viewing device to be able to see the cams again. I don't use their dns server and I guess that is the reason why it happens.

It can be done.
My neighbor can see his cams form anywhere with his smart phone and make it record to his computer HD at will. It will even tell him when someone is is in his driveway.

I do not have that kind of expertise.

I have seen some home security companies advertise that with their alarm system the can set up cams for you to view over a smart phone.

Dick_B wrote:
I'm not sure there is such a thing as `simple' but we have four Foscam model FI8910W tilt/swivel cameras that we use to monitor the inside and outside of our house while we are away. They are connected to the Wifi system in our house (no computer needed) and can be accessed by anything that can get on the internet. We use our smart phone.
The good news is that they work just fine. The bad news is that I have to pay someone to come in to connect it to the wifi system. Something about port forwarding that I refuse to understand.

Ditto on the Foscam's. They too detect motion and email a set of 5 pix when that happens. 2 way intercom, etc.
Port Forwarding isnt a really big deal as it is explained both on the Foscam site as well as many many others. its pretty easy

Look at PIPER a little more but will alert you if some one breaks in and will have a video copy of the suspect.