iCam Help

Overview

iCam is the mobile application for iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad) and Android devices that allows you to view your computer webcams or network IP cameras over the Internet. The iCamSource is the free computer application that streams your webcams and network IP cameras to iCam.

The iCamSource also monitors the video streams to send Push Notifications and record Motion Events whenever motion is detected.

Setup

The first step is to download the iCamSource application to your computer and the iCam application to your iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad) or Android device.

The iCamSource allows you to add up to 16 webcams or network IP cameras from a single computer, although your computer's hardware limitations (USB bus, CPU, memory) may further limit that number.

For USB, FireWire, or Built-In webcams (cameras that are connected directly to your computer), you should be able to make your choice from the Audio and Video drop-down lists underneath the USB / FireWire / Built-In tab. (If you are using the Android version of iCam be sure to check the Android checkbox next to the Audio drop-down list to stream Android-compatible audio to your device.)

If you are using a stand-alone network IP camera that connects directly to your network via WiFi or Ethernet cable, choose the Ethernet / Wi-Fi tab instead. The iCamSource is compatible with network IP cameras that support JPEG or MJPEG (Motion JPEG) video streaming. DVRs or cameras that only support h.264 or MPEG-4 video are not compatible. To connect the iCamSource to your network IP camera, you first need to find the correct MJPEG or JPEG URL for your camera from this page. If none of those URLs work with your camera, you can also try probing your camera with all of the known MJPEG and JPEG URLs in our database using this link. Once you have determined your camera's MJPEG or JPEG URL, enter it along with your camera's Login and Password (if any) into the iCamSource.

The next step is to enter an iCam Login and Password combination of your choice into the iCamSource and click the Start button. You do not need to register or create an account, but we do suggest that you choose a combination not too easily guessed.

Once you have clicked the Start button you should see your camera's preview video in the iCamSource Preferences window. If not, please refer to the iCamSource Troubleshooting section.

The final steps are to enter the same iCam Login and Password combination into the iCam Options screen, tap the Done button, and you should connect to the iCamSource. If not, please refer to the iCam Troubleshooting section.

Encryption

iCam and the iCamSource utilize industry standard 256-bit AES encryption. Users may decide whether previously unencrypted versions of iCam or iCamWeb will be able to connect to an encrypted iCamSource by choosing from one of the following three encryption options:

• Auto - iCamSource will accept both encrypted and unencrypted connections from all versions of iCam and iCamWeb.
• ON - iCamSource will only accept encrypted iCam connections. Previously unencrypted versions of iCam and iCamWeb will not be able to connect.
• OFF - iCamSource will accept connections from all versions of iCam and iCamWeb. Versions of iCam that support encryption will revert to making unencrypted connections. (Users may opt to turn encryption OFF to reduce the overall CPU usage of the iCamSource.)

Pan-Tilt Support

iCam supports Pan-Tilt control for select webcams and network IP cameras. To control your camera, simply swipe the zoomed-in camera view in the direction (up, down, left, right) you want your camera view to move.

Optional Settings

iCamSource

• You can adjust the compression level used to favor either a Better Frame Rate or Better Image Quality. The higher the image quality, the lower the frame rate, and vice-versa.
• If you are connecting to more than one camera and would like the thumbnail order to be the same every time you connect you can specify the sort order by selecting a different Thumbnail Sort Order Index for each camera.
• The Auto-Config Router checkbox should only be checked if you are having problems connecting to your iCamSource when your iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad) or Android device running iCam is connected via EDGE/3G/4G/LTE or a different WiFi network, but you are able to connect via the same local WiFi network. Please refer to the iCam Troubleshooting section for more information.
• The AutoStart checkbox simulates the automatic clicking of the Start button when the iCamSource application is launched. Launching the iCamSource with the AutoStart checkbox checked will also automatically hide the iCamSource Preferences window. Simply click on the iCamSource icon in the menu bar (macOS) or system tray (Windows) near the clock to un-hide the window:

  

  

  To automatically launch the iCamSource when your computer is restarted or you login, simply add the iCamSource to the list of System Preferences > Accounts > Login Items (macOS) or copy the iCamSource shortcut to the Startup folder in your Start Menu (Windows).
• The Motion Detection and Schedule tabs are covered in the Motion Detection section.

iCam

• When only connecting to a single camera, enabling the Auto-Zoom option will cause iCam to automatically zoom-in on that camera when it initially connects.
• Enabling the High Resolution option (available only on Retina Display devices) will cause iCam to ask the iCamSource for higher-resolution images when available. (640x480 is the highest currently supported resolution.)
• Enabling the Auto-Lock Override option will prevent the iPhone, iPod touch or iPad from turning off the screen and going into Standby mode while iCam is running.
• The Display Cam Info option displays the iCamSource description and time stamp when zoomed in. It also displays the iCamSource description overlay in thumbnail view on the iPhone and iPod touch.