Messages

1

iCam Support / Re: Newbie Question

« on: May 26, 2012, 11:24:46 PM »

Hmm. Very interesting. I am starting to see why I might strongly benefit from having a dedicated home computer and not just for iCam security. I have recently given strong thought to buying the Apple TV box. Although for the longest time I wasn't convinced I would use a TV box. Based on your comments, however, I'm now rethinking my computer plans. But not for an Apple TV or a similar device. Rather, I'm now giving strong thought to purchasing a Mac Mini and dedicating it to certain tasks like security. More importantly, it seems to me that the Mac Mini can easily do everything that the Apple TV can do, but much much more and that's what I need.

However, I don't like the current Mac Mini model. I would look to buy a 2010 model that still has the optical disc drive. I just briefly looked over the selection on eBay and also came across a very intriguing concept that I never before thought could be accomplished on a Mac; i.e. installing a Blu-ray drive. I remember researching a long time ago the possibly of installing a Blu-ray drive in my MacBook Pro, but my conclusion was that it couldn't be done. But maybe with the Mac Mini it can. I will have to research this more and confirm if installing a Blu-ray drive into a Mac Mini can be done. If it can, awesome! It's the perfect solution I've been looking for in a Blu-ray player plus many more uses like security in this context. Of course if you can find out before me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Coincidentally, getting a Mac Mini solves another problem I've been trying to figure out. That is, how to interface a Logitech brand wireless headset with my TV.

Now my only consideration with this overall setup is the power cost. But I'll worry about that later.

2

iCam Support / Re: Newbie Question

« on: May 26, 2012, 09:04:41 PM »

Wow. Top notch response and research. Thank you very much.

I did sort of suspect that the Logitech Alert 700n would probably not work. Plus, if someone is really going to go as far as to buy the pricey 700n, then they can afford to invest in the whole Logitech Alert system. My only reason for bringing up the 700n is because it was the only camera by Logitech that might have been considered an IP Camera, albeit pricey and I probably wouldn't have bought it anyways for that reason. Thus, if I am insistent upon sticking with a Logitech brand camera, it would have to be a webcam because otherwise Logitech doesn't make IP cams. Or, I potentially go with the Loftek anyways.

There is still one major problem from me being able to use the iCam system though: a dedicated computer. All I have is my notebook computer and no other computer. I take my notebook computer with me on the go on a regular basis. It sounds like that I would need to invest in a dedicated computer that would actually stay in my apartment at all times that in turn would run a camera for iCam. If my understanding is wrong of course, please let me know.

3

iCam Support / Re: Newbie Question

« on: May 26, 2012, 07:09:19 PM »

Thank you for your detailed response and patience in answering my questions.

Does anybody know if the Logitech Alert 700n camera will work with iCam? I already tried running a forum post search on this specific camera, but nothing came up.

4

iCam Support / Newbie Question

« on: May 25, 2012, 03:07:27 PM »

I am trying to figure out a simple, cheap security solution for monitoring my new apartment that I'm about to move into next month. I heard about iCam through a tech demonstration by CNET that appears to be a promising solution. I have also already researched internet providers for the area I'm moving to and have a specific modem that I'll have to use to get the service I want; i.e. the Actiontec Q1000 VDSL2 Modem. I have never owned my own modem up to this point, so I'm not entirely sure what is and what is not possible for a modem alone to do.

What I have in mind, is that I want to mount a webcam somewhere in the apartment, have the webcam plugged directly into the modem, and then configure the iCam app to interface with the webcam. But here are my questions:

1. Is it even possible to run a webcam directly through the modem without a dedicated computer being involved? My understanding to this point is that I believe no that is not possible. You would need a dedicated computer that the webcam is plugged into. Is this right? I would prefer to avoid needing a dedicated computer if I can avoid it.

2. Would "any" webcam I choose work "and" automatically detect motion? I am strongly attached to Logitech brand products. To conserve power, is it possible for the webcam to only be activated when it detects motion and then go back into sleep mode after a period of time where no motion is being detected?

3. Is there cloud storage involved in this such that when the webcam sees motion, could it automatically record and save the video/audio data to an online server during the period of active motion only?

I do apologize if these are newbie, amateur questions; but it would sure help me out a lot.