Equipment security cameras

[Hay Dude]

I am extremely leery of that site. Here have been my observations:

- There is a constant marketing push to buy from "Andy" at "EmpireTech." But, last I knew, "Andy" sources Chinese cameras, (usually Dahau brand), then inserts different firmware into the camera to claim added "special" features. Are you comfortable anyone doing that? I am not. What additional "special features" is he adding over and above those they advertise?
- One of the members always provides glowing reviews, thousands of posts, praising the products. Same member over and over. If you look at the site that member is easy to spot. Although a different member name provides the posts, I believe this is either "Andy," or an employee.
- A few members, after purchasing such products, have posted about discovery of viruses or spyware. Those posts are relentlessly ridiculed, attacked, then later the thread gets deleted. The one attacking against reports of malware is the same member who provides the glowing reviews.
- I am quite confident, from personal experience, that at least some cameras purchased there have backdoor reporting to China.

Make your own decisions. I cannot offer proof, only my observations. But I am extremely leery of the site.

Yeah good advice there.
But what’s a guy gonna do?

 

[PhilnTX]

I wonder if you could lightly modify the mounting of something like this to fit the need? Cheaper than a slashed tractor tire if it doesn't work....

Amazon.com : REOLINK 4K Dual Lens Cellular Security Camera, 4G LTE Auto Tracking, No WiFi Solar Powered, SIM Card Included, 6X Hybrid Zoom, 8MP Color Night Vision, Motion Alert, TrackMix LTE + SP, Updated Version : Electronics

Amazon.com : REOLINK 4K Dual Lens Cellular Security Camera, 4G LTE Auto Tracking, No WiFi Solar Powered, SIM Card Included, 6X Hybrid Zoom, 8MP Color Night Vision, Motion Alert, TrackMix LTE + SP, Updated Version : Electronics

www.amazon.com

View attachment 3554004

I have several Reolink cameras that are 4K and above. Exceptionally good video quality. Most definately can identify people with these.

 

[stevem5215]

I have two of the Reolink Duo cams. One of them I also use for a public picture on demand jpeg image. You can see it here. These are Dual 4k cameras so best viewed on a very high resolution 4k tv or monitor.

http://onvif:lhsconvif@lhsc.changeip.org/cgi-bin/api.cgi?cmd=onvifSnapPic&channel=0

If it asks for a password click "cancel" as it's bogus since I'm using ONVIF as my .jpeg protocol

 

[ning]

I have two of the Reolink Duo cams. One of them I also use for a public picture on demand jpeg image. You can see it here. These are Dual 4k cameras so best viewed on a very high resolution 4k tv or monitor.

http://onvif:lhsconvif@lhsc.changeip.org/cgi-bin/api.cgi?cmd=onvifSnapPic&channel=0

If it asks for a password click "cancel" as it's bogus since I'm using ONVIF as my .jpeg protocol

hey if that's you, put some pants on!
(jk)

 

[charlessenf]

a public picture on demand jpeg image.

That is, as I once said when a kid, "cool!" No idea one could do that.

My wife has two Wireless Game Cameras: Reveal Tactacam motion detection units that take images of a distant property when a deer walks across the field of view.

She has a cellular contract that cost her "a hundred some dollars for two years." (Me, I'd know to the penny, but Ah, Married Life.

I have some old CELL PHONES with WiFi and no contract and was wondering if any of these cameras they sell could be mounted to cover my driveway entrance, say, such that I would be able to view the scene over wifi on one of these retired cell phones.

Since she has these cameras setup, I am also interested in how you setup that image. Must each image required a unique URL, for instance? Or, can you effectively share a single URL, the target (image) of which, is simply replaced each time the scene is updated - new motion is detected?

 

[ning]

can you effectively share a single URL, the target (image) of which, is simply replaced each time the scene is updated - new motion is detected?

Looks like it updates fairly often, same URL - click it, wait a few seconds, refresh, watch the time stamp change.

 

[charlessenf]

Looks like it updates fairly often, same URL - click it, wait a few seconds, refresh, watch the time stamp change.

Right, Thanks - I noticed the new TS. You are correct.

I was hoping to hear from stevem5215 to learn the how and how much etc.

​

 

[stevem5215]

This camera as mentioned is a "picture on demand" camera setup. This snapshots a image as soon as you click the link. The image is fresh each time. I have tons of experience with live cams and have been doing this for years. There's a few methods I use for taking snapshots. One is a motion based snapshot that the camera can take as it sees motion in a targeted area that's setup in the camera settings. That can be sent to email, a ftp page, video can be taken based on seconds and sent to a ftp page, there's also "push options to a website" that I don't use. There's DVR setups that can detect motion of those same cameras also. Lots of things you can do.

As for the question from charles. The URL as mentioned is a ONVIF determined method of getting images from the camera as .jpg types. The snowmobile club has a IP address and that IPaddress is used for many different cameras with a special use of "ports". Such as www.lhsc.net:70 or port 80 or the like. That's how you can use different devices so they can be seen outside in the public domain for internet access remotely. To use game cameras I've found that the game companies block access to their online software and pictures. You can't get a snapshot off them easily. I used Spypoint for a while on a remote location that did give me notifications of motion in a driveway as that was my security goal. To watch vehicles coming and going to ensure no one was there who shouldn't be. It worked well for 3 years with a wired connection and 250 pictures a month for 5 bucks a month. I did have it wired to a DC transformer to be always on unlike most game cameras which save the power and loose some sensitivity due to being in sleep mode. Depends on your goals. If you are trying for security remotely you don't have a lot of choices unless you have power and internet access.

 

[stevem5215]

One of the long term very very reliable cameras I use in remote places is from MicroSeven. Here's a link to live video off one I operate and is accessible to anyone. It is also linked off the www.lhsc.net Snowmobile club website I operate.

Microseven IP Cameras

The Microseven Cam Outdoor security camera connects to WiFi, POE and can stream 1080p HD video to your phone 24/7. Use it as a surveillance camera or outdoor cam. It's the best way to keep an eye on home.

www.microseven.com

 

[Camofurever1]

Who is the manufacturer of those cams? They have been private labeled. Microseven isn't the manufacturer.

There is hardly any technical data on the cams. There is no DORI data given. The most expensive cam on the sales site is only $299.00. It can only handle 90% RH? The lowest temp it can operate in is only 14F? Most quality cams will operate in temps as low as -40F. With the CCD only being 1/2.8”, you will get an semi acceptable general picture during the daytime, but it will be worthless at night if the camera picks up any motion. The sensor isn't big enough to collect enough light from IR. It will be extremely noisy video feed. It claims it has a 30X optical zoom, but it is only 5.3-96mm. Most quality 30X optical zooms will operate from 5-180mm.

The purpose of a cam isn't to prevent or stop crime at the moment, it is to capture enough data and evidence that you can prosecute someone after the crime is committed. A blobby face, blobby license plate, ghosted images and a pretty scenery picture in the back ground isn't going to supply you with any of that data. It will be as useful as the clips they show of a robber on the 6:00 news of a blobby face with the caption of: Do you recognize this person? Yeah, that is "Leisure Suit Larry from the land of the lounge lizards" VGA video game from the early 1990's.

If you notice on the attached screen capture just captured in full daylight, I can't even read the license plate numbers on the cars from 100' away. Facial recognition is nill from 60' away. I can't read the street signs. What you have is just a pretty general picture during the daytime.