MLIPCamera Plugin

[ronsatter]

I'm trying out the MLIPCamera plugin. I don't have any of the cameras in the built-in list, so I chose Generic IP Camera to add a camera, but I get this error shown in fig 1.

What causes this? Generic should allow me to add any camera, even if it is not one of the listed cameras. At least that is how I would expect it to work.

Anyone else have this problem?

Ron

[ssawyer]

What camera are you using? Are you able to browse to an image file on the camera directly? (i.e. http://cameraipaddress/image.jpg this may be different for your specific camera)

[ronsatter]

It's manufactured in china by Shenzhen Eye Sight Technology Co., Ltd. of China. The name of the camera is IPCam02. Another camera called FosCam is also from the line. I am able to view the camera stream in ML using the browser in WebLobby. I can also view it in IE's web browser.

It uses this format: http://cameraipaddress/video.cgi

I can also view it on my Android Eris phone using the Foscam IP camera drivers.

I still don't understand how choosing the Generic IP Camera selection in the MLIPCamera plugin determines that my IP cameras can't be controlled by the plugin. To my understanding, "generic" should include any generic IP camera. Has anyone used this plugin with a so-called "GenericIP" camera?

Ron

[ssawyer]

Sorry for the long wait ronsatter. I did try to use the mlipcamera to view the cameras on my system and ran into the same configuration errors, frustration and such. What I ended up doing was using a program called webcamxp to talk directly to the camera and setup it up to use ftp, with ftpzilla to send the images to the html folder on the mlserver. I am able to view the cameras using ml as they are sent as jpg, however my cameras are stationary. One option for the ptz is to view as i described then link the scene or button to the web control portal for that specific camera or to webcamxp. Let me know if you need some information and i will try to find the documentation that i used to setup webcamxp and ftpzilla. The good thing about webcamxp is it can be configured for web use. The wife loves it!

[ronsatter]

Hi SSawyer,

Since I purchased my IP cams, I have discovered a forum which helps owners of my cameras. Here's a link to the forum for anyone else who owns this camera:

http://www.gadgetvictims.com/2009/07/foscam-ip-camera-part-two.html

I love these cams ... they are loaded with features and are great in very low light. I have learned how to view and control them through MLWebLobby on a LAN or in a web browser ... even on my Google Android phone.

Here's a screenshot of my security scene showing them in MLWebLobby viewing rooms in total darkness. Motion sensors trigger AVI format recordings. Email and phone alerts ... the works.

Security Cams.jpg (384.36 KiB) Viewed 466 times

I was investigating the MLIPCamera plugin to see if it had a way to view raw ip camera video in ML without the use of MLWebLobby.

I was hoping to get more flexibility in using camera video on ML scenes, routing them into a flash object which can be sized and layered. ... but until ML has the ability to handle video stream formats like asf and cgi ... it's very difficult.

What we really need is a plugin to stream live audio and video into a scene, somthing basic like a U Tube video player.

BTW ... I did check out Webcam XP and it's a great solution. Maybe others can use it the way you are.

Ron

[ssawyer]

I have not seen these cameras before. Do you know if the ftp or email function on them uploads a jpg? You have peaked my interest in them and the price is great!!

[DaveB]

It's manufactured in china by Shenzhen Eye Sight Technology Co., Ltd. of China. The name of the camera is IPCam02. Another camera called FosCam is also from the line. I am able to view the camera stream in ML using the browser in WebLobby. I can also view it in IE's web browser.

It uses this format: http://cameraipaddress/video.cgi

I can also view it on my Android Eris phone using the Foscam IP camera drivers.

I still don't understand how choosing the Generic IP Camera selection in the MLIPCamera plugin determines that my IP cameras can't be controlled by the plugin. To my understanding, "generic" should include any generic IP camera. Has anyone used this plugin with a so-called "GenericIP" camera?

Ron

Ron - Where did you purchase them from?

Dave

[ronsatter]

I have not seen these cameras before. Do you know if the ftp or email function on them uploads a jpg? You have peaked my interest in them and the price is great!!

Since I don't really have a need to use the ftp option, I'm not 100% sure, but I do know that when you take a snapshot from a camera, it saves it in jpg format ... see screen shots.

Image2.jpg (179.32 KiB) Viewed 445 times

Image3.jpg (135.11 KiB) Viewed 445 times

So I'm guessing ftp format would also be jpg ... since the files are probably compressed for transfer. And you're right ... at around $80 per camera and free shipping from China ... it's hard to beat for a very decent ipcam. My only complaint is the chroma level is a little weak at the default setting ... not a deal breaker for me.

Ron

PS Dave B, I bought mine on EBay from a vendor in China. Free shipping sealed the deal for me.

[mcascio]

Have you guys tried any of the Axis Video Server product line for streaming your video cameras to other MainLobby clients? It appears to be a very smooth solution...a bit expensive but...

[ssawyer]

Have you guys tried any of the Axis Video Server product line for streaming your video cameras to other MainLobby clients? It appears to be a very smooth solution...a bit expensive but...

I have looked at the Axis line and was impressed at some of the ptz cameras. However, with the need of several cameras, the line of cameras ronsatter has brought to the table look like a better option. 3 point tilt cameras for around $260 would go well in a few of the places that dont require a zoom.

[ronsatter]

Dave B,

Here's the link to the Ebay vendor I purchased from ... also has full specs and good product photos. Excellent vendor rating ... free shipping. There are product photos and full specs here also. Make sure you get the U.S. version of power adapter ... these cameras are manufactured in China and the default package ships with European power adapters. Also the price has gone up since I bought mine 2 months ago.

IPCam (Foscam) Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FosCam-WPA-Wireless-IP-Dual-Audio-Camera-Mobile-WiFi_W0QQitemZ280450811137QQcategoryZ4616QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp2773.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D12%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63#ht_5924wt_967

PS - This model is for indoor or weather protected use. There are outdoor models available also.

Ron

[ssawyer]

You will need to use the following format:

http://192.168.XXX.XXX/snapshot.cgi?use ... next_url=1

You will need to fill in the XXX with your correct ip address of your camera. Please note the user=, pwd= and next_url=, as I will explain them further.

user= place the username that you login to the camera after the = and befor &
pwd= this needs to be left blank if no password but needs to stay in the command line. If you are using a password, place it after the = and before &
next_url= this can be anything that you like. This will create a jpg with that file name.

When designing a scene this needs to be treated as a picture in ML not a webpage. By doing this, you can have ML update the image every second.

[ronsatter]

Thanks Steve!

Works like a charm! Now I can monitor 4 cameras simultaneously on a scene with very little processing overhead ... the trade-off is the 01 sec refresh rate vs live 30 fps video in a web browser window. But just for casual constant monitoring, it's perfect. If I see something in a camera I want to check out, then I go to the live camera view in the WebLobby browser window ... with the ptz controls.

For others interested in a decent IP camera for around $100 bucks each ... these are an excellent value. Great software and good visibility even in "very low" to "no light" conditions.

This screen shot shows four live cameras at the top of the scene. They are displayed using jpg loaders which refresh every second, not web browser windows.

Thanks again Steve, for solving the missing piece of the puzzle.

Ron

Security Cams.jpg (402.94 KiB) Viewed 336 times

[simonmason]

Can you post the name of the seller on eBay? Thanks.

[ssawyer]

Can you post the name of the seller on eBay? Thanks.

Here is the manufacturers page regarding "Authorized eBay Resellers".

http://www.foscam.com/buy.asp