Newbie Question

[jmine83]

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.

[OUAnthony]

You might search the forum for Actiontec...it seems like there have been several users on here who had issues with those modems/routers. Also search the forum for your ISP's name.

To answer your questions:

1) Once you are satisfied that your router/ISP won't interfere with iCam, you should definitely consider an IP camera over a USB webcam. Webcams have a tendency to lock up occasionally...at least in my experience. If you do consider an IP camera, you might check into a Loftek CXS-2200 ($66 @ Amazon)...the audio and pan/tilt work with iCam and it has a decent picture (audio is crappy, but better than nothing). But to answer your actual question...you have to have a computer on if you want to be able to use iCam, capture motion events, etc.

2) Yes, virtually any USB camera should work...many people on the forum use Logitech cameras. Try searching the forum for Logitech. No way for sleep mode...the camera has to actively be capturing images, and the computer has to actively be processing those pictures to see if there's any significant change to the pixels (motion). If you're using a laptop, the power consumption for a year should be very affordable. If using a laptop, make sure that all power-saving features are disabled so it doesn't go to sleep, disable USB devices, etc.

3) Many of us use DropBox for free off-site backup of motion events. Otherwise, the images would only be saved on the computer running icamsource (or a mapped network drive if you have one). Audio is not saved...only images at a rate of about 2 per second (depending on the computer's quality, I believe)...not fluid video is saved, although the images can be changed into a video if desired.

You're gonna love iCam once you get it set up correctly!

[jmine83]

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.

[OUAnthony]

You'll probably be hard-pressed to find an iCam user who has that camera. That is very pricey for a webcam. The Loftek camera I mentioned also has night-vision...and can pan/tilt...and has audio...and is $66. You could buy almost 4 of these IP cameras for the price of one of those 700n webcams and cover your entire apartment. The downside of IP cameras...they tend to not be that great when used on a wireless network...so they should really be wired. Additionally, they require an electrical outlet nearby (or run electricity using POE on network cable). Finally, it looks like the image from the 700n will be very high quality, which is good if you're using software that will save in the native HD quality. Unfortunately, at this point, icamsource will only save pictures in 640x480...which means that your computer will have to work harder to downsize the pictures during motion events. I'm not sure if it would be possible to use iCam in conjunction with another piece of software so you can capture the images in both iCam quality and original HD quality. If you do decide to go with the 700n, you might try a free program called ManyCam, which will clone the webcam so you can use it with multiple programs at once. I'm not sure if ManyCam will support HD video. If you go this route, you'll have ManyCam, icamsource, and the other capture software affecting your system's performance.

[OUAnthony]

Actually, I googled that 700n camera, and I do not think it will work with iCam. Plus, did you realize that you have to buy a master system before you can use the 700n? It seems like this system (which requires multiple components) is a very expensive alternative to iCam...but one that supports higher-resolution video (at least what's captured...not sure about what's transmitted over a cell network). Whether it will work or not will depend on if the master system allows access to individual cameras' mjpeg stream...which I doubt it will since it seems to be a proprietary system/network.

[jmine83]

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.

[OUAnthony]

You will need a dedicated computer somewhere. You could rig one to work offsite by using port forwarding...but you'd run into all sorts of potential problems (connection speed/reliability, lack of control of network at offsite location, etc). It'd definitely be better to have a dedicated computer onsite, where you have complete control of the network and the only issue would be your Internet connection reliability. As long as you have a high speed connection, you shouldn't have any issues. Icamsource does use some processing power...and it changes based on the incoming image size, the presence of audio, whether or not you're using motion detection, and most importantly...the number of cameras. With that being said, I'm not sure your netbook would be a good choice for running icamsource in the first place. At the very least, I'd think icamsource would significantly slow down your computer.

With all that being said, I guess you're at a crossroads. Having a dedicated computer at home can be nice. For example, I use my computer to run icamsource, as a file server, as a Windows platform while I'm traveling with iPhone/iPad (remote control), and as a Media Center/DVR/DVD/Blue-Ray player hooked up via HDMI to my TV (combined with a CableCard receiver, I can record and playback HD or SD shows from my cable provider), and I use it for personal/business uses as well...and I could use it for gaming if I ever had enough free time. haha If I had home automation components in my home, I could also use it to remotely control my lights, A/C, garage doors, and virtually anything else in the home. When I have big bucks like you, I plan on doing that next. Anyway, good luck deciding what you want to do. If you decide on a dedicated PC at home, let me know...I have a few setting suggestions for security purposes, since that is the main intent of your system.

[jmine83]

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.

[OUAnthony]

Sorry, I can't help you with anything Mac-related...I'm a PC guy (other than iPhone/iPad). I like complete freedom when I'm working on/with a computer...something Mac's don't offer. You are limited with hardware, software, customization, etc, with Macs, so I'm not a fan. If it weren't for those issues, I'm sure I'd love them. Anyway, if you do end up considering a USB webcam and might possibly use more than one camera, you should know that there is an issue with the USB bus providing enough power for multiple cameras on the Mac Mini's. Also, I if you consider using the computer as a DVR, I'm not sure if there is a CableCard device compatible with Mac's...meaning you might not be able to use your computer as a DVR.

I think the SKJM guys are Mac users...so maybe they can provide some input...although we're a bit off topic now. haha But the way I look at it, I'm going to maximize the use of my computer since I'm keeping it on 24/7.