MAC users running Wireless Cameras, Security Spy and more

[rockerchic]

I just wanted to start a thread for Mac users to exchange ideas, successes, problems, and the best compatible equipment for the price. I am putting together my system and so far I love the Security Spy software (www.securityspy.com). I'm updating my Airport Express with the Airport Extreme and I'm still finalizing choices on cameras. What cameras and setup are you other folks using on your Mac wireless camera system?
Also if you are into Home Automation on your Mac, do share. I'm also trying out Indigo (software) and I'll let you know how well it integrates with Security Spy to response to motion/sound triggers in tandem with the cameras.

[Maccam]

Hi Rockerchic! This is a late reply to your post, but I'm looking for the same thing, a place to discuss Apple-compatible network camera solutions! SecuritySpy rocks, as does Remote Patrol, the companion software that gives super convenient access to SecuritySpy's cameras and recordings on iPhones and iPads.

Did you set up your webserver and figure out port forwarding on your Airport Extreme router?

I've been trying a bunch of different cameras with SecuritySpy. The current ones I'm liking a lot are the Sharx SCNC2607W, the Astak Mole, and just about any camera from Axis.

I also do a ton of home automation on Apple devices, based on Perceptive Automation's Indigo platform with Insteon devices.

Anyway, hello everybody and I'm happy to help!

Mac Cam

[rockerchic]

I had a good friend configure and secure all my network, so I can't answer much of that stuff. I like the Axis cameras too, easy to set up using bonjour. I'm using Security Spy and Indigo as well, nice combination. So far everything works well, although one Axis camera has to be returned because it isn't seeing the wifi for some reason, work fine when hardwired.
I'll have to check out the Remote Patrol, so that is my next step.

Have you worked with external IR cameras? I'm running mine, non-IR, from the inside looking out. I feel it keeps them tamper proof and my security lights and other lighting provide the lighting I need at night. Plus they act as a second motion trigger for the cameras too. My biggest problem is controlling all the excess motion from things (mostly plants blowing and car lights at night going by). But I'm dialing it in slowly and learning how to place things for most effectiveness.

[Maccam]

I have a lot of outdoor cameras... I have some cheap Lorex cameras that work with their own Lorex DVR... one issue about using inexpensive outdoor network cameras with integrated ring of IR lights around the lens... well, this glow attracts insects and you tend to get a lot of spider webs in front of the camera, which captures the light and in turn sets off false motion alarms... I find if I don't clean away spider webs, the record on motion only cameras will record all night!

Axis separates the infrared light source from the camera for several reasons... they also say that depending on the style of the IR source, the IR source may fail or wear out earlier than the camera and if it's an all in one unit, you're compromised.

Regarding eliminating false triggers from extraneous motion in your video images, you know about creating masks in SecuritySpy, right? You essentially ignore offending images (or invert mask and select small openings of movement) and only movement within the selection triggers recording or alarms.

In one application I have a camera looking at cars approaching a drive gate. Which is good, it records cars arriving. But higher up in the image frame, we see headlights of cars passing by on a curve in the road. I masked the top half of the image on this camera and motion / email alarms are only triggered when movement occurs in the lower half of the image. Passing cars and blowing trees in the background are ignored.

[rockerchic]

Thanks, I do use masks and that helps a bunch. For plants in the critical line of sight, I've just had to reconfigure landscaping instead.

I was blown away at the cost of separate IR lighting for Axis setups. Why the cost? I've found separate ones that are cheaper... I mean... aren't these just a bunch of colored LEDs for goodness sake? What do you use that is cost effective for this? I found some IR illuminators at a nearby electronics store for just over $100-200.

I was going to try the Lorex myself. Sam's club and costco have some good prices for these types of setups. Did the separate receiver/frequency/hookup go well with your software and wireless system? Any interference issues?

[Maccam]

I don't have a lot of experience yet with the free standing infrared illuminators, although I have considered buying them. I know they're expensive. I hear they used to be high wattage energy hogs and would burn out, but the new LED ones must be better on those fronts. I understand there IR illuminators of different frequency... some are truly invisible to the human eye, ie the room still looks dark to humans... other cheaper IR illuminators sort of cash a spotlight glow which is visible to the human eye. All depends on how covert you want to be.

By the way, I've heard you should never stare into an IR illuminator because it is damaging to your eyes. I'm not sure how true it is, but I do think about all these parents who install these cameras right over their baby's cribs... I need to find out what the deal is with that.

I bought several boxed sets of Lorex stuff from Costco. People rank on it as being cheap but I've been using it successfully for years. They have a couple new DVRs which can be accessed by iPhone now I understand. My older equipment uses ActiveX and needs a specific Lorex Viewing Client software app that only works in Windows or in IE in Windows... so I keep XP running in Parallels on my Mac Pro and the Lorex client works beautifully. FYI I haven't bothered to try to incorporate the Lorex cameras into SecuritySpy... but it would be helpful if I could do that...

I use Logmein Ignition on the iPhone while on 3G and login to my Mac Pro server and pull up the Lorex Client viewer from there. Works very well, but is slightly cumbersome.