Webcams which can be used with the forthcoming Apex web pages

R

RussM

Active member
I received a PM asking for a list of cameras which are compatible with the upcoming ability to embed a video stream in the Apex main status page.

I started this thread so this response and any subsequent discussion can be seen by all.

Short answer: there is no real list available at this time, AFAIK.

I can tell you that I saw it in action with 2 different models: a Cisco/Linksys WVC80N, and a D-Link DCS-930L.

I have a strong hunch that a Cisco WVC210 will work as well.... it's one of the better wired/wireless PTZ cameras out there for the price IMO, although it is not inexpensive.

For those of you thinking about using this feature when it becomes available, let me give you some tidbits of info.

The type of cameras which will (might) work are specifically called network cameras... they connect to your network with a network cable and/or via WiFi.

USB webcams are those which plug into a USB port on a desktop or notebook computer. Such USB cameras will NOT work with the Apex web pages. And while talking about USB, it can't hurt to reiterate: NEVER PLUG ANY USB DEVICE INTO AN APEX AQUABUS PORT.

If you plan to buy a camera, check the specifications and system requirements carefully, read reviews, etc. For example, some only work fully with Internet Explorer. That would be a BAD choice if you use a Mac!

I suspect that after the new Apex firmware and updated web pages become available, there will be a number of reports from other users sharing there experiences with various models of network camera.
 
Thank you for the info.
I am trying to plan ahead with the purchase of a webcam / ipcam. I have been wanting to add this functionality for a while, however, I was unsure of programming it pagewise. Now that Neptune is taking care of the programming pagewise, I do not want to wait over a week after FW release to get it working.
 
ivideon can do this with Web or ip cams. check out there website. You can't embed it in the Neptune Page but it's still a live feed of your tank available online. I think they have an iphone app as well.
 
I have the Foscam and a D-Link. Both will work. Really any IP camera capable of video streaming will work. As long as there is a URL that you can use to access the video feed of the camera, it will be able to be embedded.

You won't be able to control anything on the camera - no tilt, pan, zoom. For that, you'll need either the manufacturer's app or some other third party app. There's no standard API for that - every manuf. is different. In fact, on my iPhone I have 2 different apps to control the Foscam and DLink - couldn't find one that would work for both.
 
One of the key requirements, as Russ has stated, is that it be an IP camera that has a unique IP address on your local home network. The other requirement is that the video stream be accessible from a URL with a .mjpeg image (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_JPEG). We have designed it for this method of video access. In the new Apex dashboard you will then specify both an internal IP URL as well as an external IP with port URL (if you have one). The Dashboard will use whichever it finds to be accessible.
 
It's cool that so many of you have cameras on your tanks, but it's meaningless info in this thread. How you all just hang tight until the new firmware and web pages are out, and then let us know how your specific camera model works in conjunction with the new webpage... info which will actually be pertinent to this thread?
 
Just bought a couple Foscams with pan/tilt, hope to have them in a few days and will try to post results with the current Apex setup.
 
Reefahholic said:
Hey neighbor! Lol

Good luck with ur cams!
Click to expand...



Yeh, neighbor...just around the corner there. Hopefully these new cams will be fun. I like the two way audio idea, besides the pan/tilt. Should be fun. Will post some updates and share URLs on request....they should be arriving in a few days or so. :thumbsup:
 
davebehlen said:
Yeh, neighbor...just around the corner there. Hopefully these new cams will be fun. I like the two way audio idea, besides the pan/tilt. Should be fun. Will post some updates and share URLs on request....they should be arriving in a few days or so. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ok, sounds awesome!
 
I'm a little unclear on if we're supposed to list model numbers that work now or just stand by and post the model number when the new webpages are out.
So if model numbers are wanted now- Dlink DCS5222L works like a champ. Better image than the Foscam FI8910W that I used to have.
 
gregr said:
I'm a little unclear on if we're supposed to list model numbers that work now or just stand by and post the model number when the new webpages are out.
So if model numbers are wanted now- Dlink DCS5222L works like a champ. Better image than the Foscam FI8910W that I used to have.
Click to expand...

I'm assuming "new webpages" is referring to Fusion.

I would expect Fusion will be backwards compatible and possibly include enhanced ability in regard to video format/encoding, so we should be good to go with anything that works today...IMO. "fingers crossed"

I went with the FI8910W yesterday...I may look to upgrade to a higher resolution and better performing camera some day. Guess I could have researched more first, but got anxious. Thanks for the model # input...never hurts to post models so we can search for threads containing such info IMO.
 
Last edited:
Just looked at the place where I bought it and their price is now $170. I paid $140 at Frys Electronics. Sometimes they have stuff on sale and I guess I just got lucky the day I walked in there.
 
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