A bit confused over connectivity and ? about cameras

[slm800]

I've been an ISY and Insteon user for a few years now, but just recently purchased a few outdoor cameras.  

 

I've always just used the admin console I have installed on my computer previously for all my configuration needs, but I'm finding that I can't seem to figure out how to add my new cameras to it.  I have 2 other indoor cameras synced.  They seemed to be able to be linked easily when I set them up.  The outdoor cameras are a bit different since they dont have the ability to link automatically.  I have them configured on my network and have them saved in MobiLinc Pro with port forwarding, and as such I can successfully turn them on/ off manually and view them.

 

Part of my question is about the connectivity between the ISY portal online, the admin console and MobiLinc.   I can add Cameras to the ISY portal online, but they dont show up in the admin console.  I would need them to show as Devices so I can add them to Scenes, but also so that I can have them show up in the Dashboard of my MobiLinc app just like my indoor IP cameras are.  Does the portal and console not sync with each other or am I missing something?

 

So I guess I dont understand how the online portal, the admin console and the app are connected, if at all.  And how can I get my cameras added to my admin console so they are considered a Device?  And lastly, why are the indoor and outdoor cameras so different in ways that they can be used?

 

Thanks for any help!

[oberkc]

I know of no camera that would show up on the admin panel or that can be added to insteon scenes. I dont believe there is any connectivity between isy and cameras, short of creating a network resource.

[slm800]

I know of no camera that would show up on the admin panel or that can be added to insteon scenes. I dont believe there is any connectivity between isy and cameras, short of creating a network resource.

 

I think I just realized what it is, and I have on/off outlets that are controlling my indoor cameras so that is why they are available in my console and I can set them to come on and off as needed.

 

I still don't understand however why my ISY portal gives me the ability to add Cameras?  ...but there doesn't seem to be a way to do anything with them?  What is the purpose of this?

 

Does anyone know of any options to be able to have more flexibility with cameras?  Any other connectivity options, apps, plugins, etc?  

[KeviNH]

I still don't understand however why my ISY portal gives me the ability to add Cameras?  ...but there doesn't seem to be a way to do anything with them?  What is the purpose of this?

I don't know why the feature is there. Just a way to make a shortcut link to HTTP cameras for people who want all the HA stuff on one page?

 

Does anyone know of any options to be able to have more flexibility with cameras?  Any other connectivity options, apps, plugins, etc?

There are a few different options for camera "flexibility", depends on the make and model of your camera.

 

Which cameras do you have?   What would you like to accomplish?   How do you feel about keeping a PC or rPi or Unix machine always running at home just to handle camera services?

[oberkc]

I still don't understand however why my ISY portal gives me the ability to add Cameras?

 

I don't use the portal, but assume it is there as a bonus convenience for you to view your cameras remotely and securely.  Does adding them to the portal give you an IP address for each camera?

Does anyone know of any options to be able to have more flexibility with cameras?

 

I use ipcamviewer to view all my cameras.  Unfortunately, many of the latest generation of cameras are designed exclusively for use with the cloud, and that often makes them unavailable to many of the third-party apps.  I continue to resist the use of cloud services for continued viability of a product (echo being my lone exception).  One must be pretty selective with cameras today, unless one is happy using the camera app and cloud from the same company.

[KeviNH]

If you don't already have cameras, you'll probably buy a few duds before you find a product you really like.

 

If you have a Costco membership, you can abuse their return policy. Most recently, I've been buying directly from FLIR Lorex because of their 2-year warranty and 60-day returns.

 

I use ipcamviewer to view all my cameras.

For remote access, I use "tinyCam Monitor Pro" app as well as my own private cloud storage. If you're up to running a Windows or Linux server at home, there are free network video recorder apps available.  Some home NAS (Synology, QNAP, Asustor, etc) also include surveillance recording onboard.

 

Unfortunately, many of the latest generation of cameras are designed exclusively for use with the cloud, and that often makes them unavailable to many of the third-party apps.  I continue to resist the use of cloud services for continued viability of a product (echo being my lone exception).  One must be pretty selective with cameras today, unless one is happy using the camera app and cloud from the same company.

I agree, the move towards cloud-dependent products is annoying.   

 

Most recently, Y-Cam announced that they would only sell "cloud" cameras, and then later decided to limit free use of cloud storage to the first year of ownership.   So now owners are stuck either paying a subscription or losing all recording features.   Another strong cautionary tale is Netgear's VueZone.

 

Choosing the right cameras makes a huge difference in capabilities -- even within a particular brand, features can vary immensely from model to model, or even by firmware revision.   See this thread:  https://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/18753-looking-for-camera-recommendations/

 

When choosing a new IP camera, look for "ONVIF Profile S" compliance, and standard PoE (IEEE 802.3at or IEEE 802.3af) to avoid proprietary lock-in.

[slm800]

Thanks everyone for your inputs.  I was doing a lot more research and configurations last night.

 

I realized that the only true need I have for my cameras is to be able to automatically turn them on/off when I leave/ return and send me notifications/photos/video when it senses motion or sound, which I can do with my Insteon/Foscam ones I already have.  With the help of my on/off outlets and other apps like Locative for geofencing, and the Camera plugin for MobiLinc, I think I have it down now.

 

I was a bit confused over how all of these apps/ portals/ consoles, etc. were working together, but I guess it just sounds like none are really capable of supporting cameras to the fullest extent at the moment, but my solution will work for now.

[oberkc]

Thanks everyone for your inputs.  I was doing a lot more research and configurations last night.

 

I realized that the only true need I have for my cameras is to be able to automatically turn them on/off when I leave/ return and send me notifications/photos/video when it senses motion or sound, which I can do with my Insteon/Foscam ones I already have.  With the help of my on/off outlets and other apps like Locative for geofencing, and the Camera plugin for MobiLinc, I think I have it down now.

 

I was a bit confused over how all of these apps/ portals/ consoles, etc. were working together, but I guess it just sounds like none are really capable of supporting cameras to the fullest extent at the moment, but my solution will work for now.

 

I suspect you have the best solution.  I am not sure in today's environment that I would trust a software-based ability to shut down a camera.  Disabling power seems like the best option to me, and you have come up with a creative way of doing it.

 

If you have a Costco membership, you can abuse their return policy. Most recently, I've been buying directly from FLIR Lorex because of their 2-year warranty and 60-day returns​

 

I have been abusing the best buy return policy.  I have tried a FLIR Lorex camera, but found it, too, relied on the cloud.  Even though I could see the image on my IPCamViewer, it was through the lorex servers.  Camera returned.

[KeviNH]

I know of no camera that would show up on the admin panel or that can be added to insteon scenes. I dont believe there is any connectivity between isy and cameras, short of creating a network resource. 

Here are a few ways to tie cameras to ISY.

 

I have been abusing the best buy return policy.  I have tried a FLIR Lorex camera, but found it, too, relied on the cloud.  Even though I could see the image on my IPCamViewer, it was through the lorex servers.  Camera returned.

Depends on the model. FLIR (Lorex) mostly rebrands other camera makers (Dahau, etc) and some models are ONVIF, some have SD card slots, a few only work with "FLIR Cloud".   Even Axis is starting to sell cheap dumb tethered cameras to hit lower price points.

[oberkc]

Here are a few ways to tie cameras to ISY.

And most of those are network resources, as I suggested. 

 

I had forgotten about the possibility of wiring a camera to an IOLinc or similar sensor, but even that is not related to the "camera".

 

Polyglot...well...that one never comes to mind for me. 

 

Depends on the model. FLIR (Lorex) mostly rebrands other camera makers (Dahau, etc) and some models are ONVIF, some have SD card slots, a few only work with "FLIR Cloud".   Even Axis is starting to sell cheap dumb tethered cameras to hit lower price points.

 

I figured as much.  Which model FLIR camera do you use?