Cheap eBay camera control software

[techsteph]

Hi All,

I've purchased one of these very common and cheap WiFi PTZ camera on eBay, similar to this model: http://novibo.com/product/SV/SV.jpg
It seams that a lot of 'chinese' cameras are made based on this model. javascript:emoticon('')

This one is exactly similar to mine (box included):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120439373904
the only difference is that my version of the software allows up to 9 cameras (for the rest, it had the exact same layout as the one showed on eBay)


As usual, the camera has embedded software accessible through a built-in web server (192.168.0.x) with java/activeX controls provided on a driver CD through a utility called IP Camera Tool.
As the motion detection feature is very poor (I am spying on a 'dirty' cat), I want to control the camera through an external software (LuxRiot and go1984) but I can't find any working solution... and of course, the documentation provided with the cam is more then poor and does not provide any info on this procedure.

Using Wireshark, I could determine that the camera does not respond to 'standard' queries from the apps (GET /cgi-bin/xxx) and that the web server displays itself as Netwave IP Camera.
The 'main' page of the camera within the js script is http://192.168.0.10/monitor.htm

LuxRiot gives me the following error:
06/07/2009 11:02:19] Server LuxRiot DVR at WINDOWS-F51F2DC [admin@localhost]: Camera Test 1 notification: Error 0xa1240037

Thanks a lot in advance for your help.
Regards,
./Steph

[techsteph]

Hi Again,

I've tried using the Argus Software and it found something....
The camera is 'recognised' as an Airlink101 AIC250 camera (no PTZ) but it is erratic (I kinda get some images).

It seams that it tries the /mjpg/video.mjpg url with a 404 and then tries GET /video.cgi with reasonable success.....

Go1984 set for the same camera type does not work, it tries to connect to /mjpeg.cgi and gets a 404 error.

I've tried setting up LuxRiot with similar parameters w/o any success...
Thanks,
./Steph

[roman652]

Use Wireshark further to find HTTP request to the camera that gives your JPEG or M-JPEG in response - this is the best you can do.

Once found, go to LuxRiot settings and choose model among Generic group, so that it works through LuxRiot's universal camera driver.

If you are lucky (I'd say that for such camera if you find JPEG request - you are lucky) the noname camera supports one of the well known protocols (JPEG, M-JPEG, RTSP) and you will be able to use it.

Cheers.
_________________
http://luxriot.com
http://mvp...microsoft.com/...

[techsteph]

Hi Roman,

Thanks for your answer that confirms my current work pattern.
Though the actual url used for video is 'hidden' in the data flow between the camera web server and the browser and till now I did not find the exact url (I think that part of the negotiation is embedded in the .ActiveX/Java).
Also, this method does not provide access to PTZ functions.

What surprises me is that is seams that this particular FW is very common in most of the cheap cams. I am quite sure there must be a way to gain full control through external apps and would not be surprised to find similar FW in branded (and supported) products. I continue my search.

I also installed netbeans to explore the java code I got from the camera.

Ciao,
./Steph

[techsteph]

I managed to configure the camera to send it's video....

As Roman recommended, I used the (Generic) JPEG/M-JPEG Compatible Model
and typed /video.cgi in the M-JPEG/JPEG tab.

Salut,
./Steph

[ramystyle]

Hi Techsteph,

I purchases the exact same camera off ebay and received it today.
I noticed that you cannot access the login page unless I use IE7 (Does not work with firefox, Safari etc.. I get a blank page).

My first question: Is the login page only accessible by IE ?

2) Is there anyway to view your cam on an iPhone ?

3) Is there a way to change the internal software of the cam ?

I'm new here and this is my first ip Cam.. Thanks for you help !

[techsteph]

Hi Ramystyle,

The built-in Web server requires ActiveX controls to operate. This is why, by default, you must use IE.
If you want to control the camera from Firefox you should:

1. Install the driver provided on the CD with the camera (IP Camera Tools).
or Access the camera through IE to ensure ActiveX is installed and functional.
If needed, I've posted the files on http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RXZ8HCXR

2. On Firefox, you need to install the IE tab plug-in (I've got version 1.5.20090525) and then use it to access your camera
In essence, it will 'open' IE from within Firefox and then will allow ActiveX controls.

For the iPhone, I assume you'd have to use an external DVR that will support iPhone/Web clients. I've tried with Argus Surveillance and could get a picture through : http://localhost:8080/pda/ (this only provides snapshots though, you must reload the page manually). I am sure there are more efficient ways of delivering to an iPhone, check on the forums...

Regarding the FW, I did not find ANY link or info. Mine has:
Device ID (MAC Address) : 00606e78c92c
System Firmware Version : 11.14.1.34
Web UI Version : 2.4.8.9

Hope this helps,
./Steph

[ramystyle]

Merci Steph !

I found this:

"This camera does not work with iphone, but
there are some softwares to allow to see ip
cameras in smartphones, and surely in iphone too.
A buyer told me he is using this http://www.ivimg.com/products/vcmobile.htm . He
told me he setted camera like Grantec, Airlink
AIC250m or Vivotec and it worked, but not the pan
tilt function. "

I'll share any information about this camera here.

[techsteph]

Hi ramystyle,

I've checked the application and did not see any iPhone client (PDA and Java mobile phones only). The only app available is cam viewer on the apps store but it will only work with a specific, MAC based, DVR application.
At this stage, I don't think there is anything available to stream directly to the iPhone.

Ciao,
./Steph

[techsteph]

HI Ramystyle,

I've made some research and found an app called IP Vision which works very well with the IP camera and iPhone/iPod Touch both on WiFi and 3G/Edge (using DynDns). I

You just need to configure the network parameters. for the Path (access to the camera) you need to type /video.cgi (lower cases) in the first line and leave brand to other and type to empty.

No PTZ support... yet!

./Steph

[Syner]

i could look at the ptz controls but need remote access to a camera. PM me if interested.
_________________
Total Control
Video Surveillance For Mobile Phones
www.totalcontrolapp.com

[ramystyle]

I got an email today from the ebay seller telling me that there are new updates available:

New System Firmware, New WebUI Firmware, with mobile login option, How open the cameras in Mozilla Fire Fox, Mobile Application, to see camera in mobile phones and smartphones.

This is GREAT ! Now works with my iPhone

[itseme]

Hey i want to buy the exact same cam. Can you tell me where you got the firmware? Can you upload a screenshot of the iphone? Can you also pan/tilt with the iphone?

thanks

[ramystyle]

Hello itseme,

Sorry for the late reply.. I've been very busy..
The guy who sold it to me on ebay sent me the latest firmwares. When you purchase yours, if the latest firmwares are not already installed, you can request them from the seller ! Worst case, PM me your email address and I will send them to you by email (They are very small files).

It works on the iphone but unfortunately, I was not able pan and tilt. When I click the pan or tilt botton, the Iphone askes me if I was to save the image (When you keep your finger on the left arrow for example, the iPhone thinks you are trying to save that button). I have not found a compatible APP on the iphone yet.. If anyone has one, please let me know. You access the cam from your iphone by going to the login link (normally an IP address) and then you have 2 options: Normal login or Mobile login. The mobile login displayes very well on the iPhone.

Another problem I am having (But I think this has to do with my router Dlink Dir-655) is that the cam is setup to port 80. I have setup an IP for my cam (example 192.168.0.123) and can access it online and on my iphone only when I'm home connected to my WIFI. I don't know how to access it when I'm outside my home,,, I tried a port forward to port 80 and tried myipaddres:80 but still not working.. I have to figure it out.

[jools44]

Hi ramystyle,
Im having the same problem... I configured my router opening port 80 but i cannot access out from my wifi home. I can see the login page, make login but i get the message "Fail to connect to the device. Disconnected by the device"
Did you find a solution?
Regards