IP Camera Viewers

[NanLaew]

I have resurrected a couple of Panasonic IP cameras and planning for one inside and one outside the property. There's a free website (viewnetcam.com) they provide for accessing the camera feeds via the internet. It looks rather basic (see below).

 

There may be better, free alternatives for viewing a multiple home IP camera installation so asking those here that may have installed such a system recently for their experience and recommendations.

 

 

http://rkaoao.viewnetcam.com:1050/CgiStart?page=Single&Language=0

 

Thanks!

NL

[johng]

There is an Android app called onvifer that will most likely work.
Out of interest where is the camera located ? general location not precise building.

[oldcarguy]

does this App let you set a password ?

 

or can anyone with the App see your cams ?

 

I would love to be able to see the street cams in BKK for traffic or rain ,  knowing how things are , its probably run on a bootleg copy of windows XP  and cracked IP cam software !

[CaptHaddock]

If you have linux skills you can install open-source zoneminder on a raspberry pi 3 for a low-cost, but useable security system with motion detection, recording, alerts, notification, etc. 

[johng]

If you broadcast your camera stream over the internet then there is always a chance that someone could hack into the feed...I myself wouldn't trust a third party to host the stream
(Unless it was just a stream of my fish tank)
Maybe better to get a hostname/dynamic DNS (eg www.Noip.com )
and point it to the ip camera set up in a DMZ or VLan on your router separate from your other "stuff"

[NanLaew]

3 hours ago, johng said:

There is an Android app called onvifer that will most likely work.
Out of interest where is the camera located ? general location not precise building.

Thanks for that. When I was scoping out a cctv for a buddy, the guy showed me a couple of andoid apps that he bundled with the system. They all looked quite slick.

 

I will have one camera in the main lounge which is the largest open space central to the house. The second one will go out on the front porch. They both have wi-fi option so can be used anywhere within range really.

 

The camera in the link I provided is in a resort on Maui. Sun setting now.

Edited August 12, 2017 by NanLaew

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, johng said:

If you broadcast your camera stream over the internet then there is always a chance that someone could hack into the feed...I myself wouldn't trust a third party to host the stream
(Unless it was just a stream of my fish tank)
Maybe better to get a hostname/dynamic DNS (eg www.Noip.com )
and point it to the ip camera set up in a DMZ or VLan on your router separate from your other "stuff"

Yes, the security of such a system is pretty important; the panasonic setup has red-text disclaimers if you elect to enroll on their viewnetcam service. I haven't signed up for that yet thinking there may be better alternatives.

 

Right now I have been doing battle with the port forwarding rigmarole. I have a standard 3BB modem/router with 4 LAN ports and wifi which serves the home PC and wifi needs but hanging off that, have a Linksys router with 4 LAN ports and a couple of wifi streams that I run my personal PC and laptop on, including the cameras. I have managed to configure the Linksys for static IP and can view the IP cams on any of the machines connected to the Linksys LAN/Wifi but haven't gotten my head around getting external access to the cameras on the Linksys through the primary 3BB LAN yet. Most idiots guides to port forwarding start off all basic but once they get going, the gobbledygook increases... then I have to have a beer.

 

...and then a nap.

[NanLaew]

Managed to get the port forwarding sorted out with my cascaded routers, all good. Switched them to wireless mode and it was seamless and trouble-free.

 

Using the native Panasonic camera viewer is a bit clunky, even their /mobile link. I have installed IP Camviewer for Pansonic from the app store and for a simple viewer, it does the business on the tablet. It's not affiliated with Panasonic but just does the business across pretty much their complete range of IP cameras.

 

Next step is to see if I can get my ancient Swann IP camera on the system as well.