USB Webcam / WiFi Network IP Camera Recommendations

[Stefan]

We are often asked what webcams or WiFi cameras we recommend people use with iCam and the iCamSource.

iCam and the iCamSource are compatible with USB, FireWire, and Built-In webcams in addition to network IP cameras that support JPEG or MJPEG (Motion-JPEG) video streaming.

USB, FireWire & Built-In Webcams

We currently use the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 in both Windows and Mac OS X. (Yes, it does work in Mac OS X even though it does claim to only support Windows.)

Any USB, FireWire, or Built-In webcam that is compatible with your computer's operating system should also be compatible with the iCamSource.

Ethernet & WiFi Network IP Cameras

We currently use and/or recommend the following network IP cameras:

Ethernet Only
AirLink101 SkyIPCam500

Ethernet & WiFi
Linksys WVC54GCA
Linksys WVC80N
AirLink101 SkyIPCam500W
AirLink101 SkyIPCam747W
AirLink101 SkyIPCam1500W
AirLink101 SkyIPCam1747W

All of the above network IP cameras claim that they only support Windows (no Mac OS X) but they do indeed work with Macs. (That is what we use them with.) The problem is that they do require Windows to do the initial setup to get them connected to your network. We have now developed a utility which can do the initial setup for the AirLink cameras (and others) from a Mac or iOS device: http://skjm.com/ipcamconfig/ Once they are on your network, you can access them with a Mac.

There may be IP cameras that can be setup without Windows, but we haven't personally used or come across any. There are online guides to setting up various "Windows-only" cameras on a Mac, but they are more cumbersome than if you had a Windows machine available, or Windows running in Parallels or VMWare Fusion on your Mac:

http://xmetal.me/index.php?id=15
http://www.networkwebcams.com/ip-camera-learning-center/2008/05/15/howto-set-up-an-axis-ip-camera-using-a-mac/
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1VTEFEEWY0OCI/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm


If you are interested in a Pan-Tilt webcam or network IP camera that you can control with iCam, we discuss those here: http://skjm.com/forum/index.php?topic=3162.0


UPDATE - We have also been using the two WiFi Foscam models listed below for a while and they work just as well as the AirLink cameras, in our experience.

Foscam FI890W
Foscam FI891W

Also, for our Mac users, Foscam cameras do include a Mac installation utility.

[LabradorNYC]

I have found that cameras like the Axis 207mw -- now discontinued -- as well as other IP based wifi/ethernet cams from Axis can be set up using a mac only

connect the mac by ethernet directly to the cam's ethernet. The cam should show up in bonjour (under Safari) and can be set up by browser from there

Not sure on the Linksys.

[captual]

Do you have any updated recommendations for IP cams? My three LNE 3003 cams freeze when using Icame Source after 3-12 hours.
They work fine forever when I do Not use Icamsource . My wired Logitech also works fine with Icamsource with no freezing up. I'm using all updated software for everything and the LNE 3003 just don't work. (2.1.6 in use).

[Jay]

captual - Are you using MJPEG or JPEG mode in iCamSource?  If you're using MJPEG mode, try switching to JPEG mode (with the same URL) to see if that has any effect on the behavior.

[davidtn]

JM - On the cameras that you mention in your first post, since they theoretically only work with windows, do they come with instructions on how to set up with a Mac?

Thanks so much!

[Jay]

Those cameras do work with Macs, but they don't come with setup software for Macs.  Most Wi-Fi cameras only come with Windows setup software.  You can still get it working with just a Mac, but it's a little more difficult than on Windows.  Usually, Wi-Fi cameras are set up to grab an IP from the router using DHCP.  The main thing you need to figure out is the IP address of the camera.  You may need to check the list of DHCP clients in your router configuration in order to find out the camera's IP address.

[Kurtois]

Stefan - Can we get a sample of the night vision shots from the cameras you have that have that capability?

[Stefan]

Stefan - Can we get a sample of the night vision shots from the cameras you have that have that capability?

Sure, here you go: http://skjm.com/icam/vid.php?id=3

[captual]

captual - Are you using MJPEG or JPEG mode in iCamSource?  If you're using MJPEG mode, try switching to JPEG mode (with the same URL) to see if that has any effect on the behavior.

Sorry switching between MJPEG and JPEG does not help the LNE 3003 cameras. They still Freeze between 2-15 hours. Using 2.1.8 with no problem when using hard wire cam like Logitech HD, then no freezing.
Cams are set to:  INTERNET/LAN MPEG4 640X480.    For video streaming.   also tried  INTERNET/LAN MJPEG 640X480 with same results of freezing.

[Jay]

captual - When the video is frozen in iCamSource, try copying the MJPEG URL from iCamSource and pasting it into your web browser to see if the browser is able to access the URL.  That should help narrow down the cause of the problem.

[tatee69]

Hi

I'd just installed a D-Link Wireless G Internet Camera DCS-920 and it works fine

[Kurtois]

Stefan - Thanks for the link.  Have any non-IR images from that same camera?

[Stefan]

Sure, here is a current one:

[smbluthing]

i have been checking prices and recommendations of the cam's on amazon sites... mixed reviews at best... can you suggest a few camera's that have better reviews?  i hate returning stuff that doesn't work. thanks

[Stefan]

The cameras already listed are the only ones we have first-hand experience with, but I am guessing that a lot of the higher-priced cameras (by Axis, Panasonic, Canon, etc.) would have better reviews.

The cameras we use do seem to need to be restarted every few weeks or so, but other than that they get the job done for a reasonable price.