Taking pictures based on motion sensing (2018)

[KeviNH]

(Feel free to merge with the archived thread when ready for archiving)
 
There are several options for integrating IP video surveillance (Cameras and NVRs) with ISY, in both directions.   Your options will depend on the camera make, model, and firmware and whether you have the Network Resource (or portal) module for your ISY.

 

Polyglot Camera NodeServer

If you are running v5.x.x and have a supported camera, you can use the Polyglot Camera NodeServer

 
Wired Contacts

More expensive "commercial" surveillance cameras will often include "dry contact" alarm input (to force recording on) and alarm output (to notify when motion is detected by the in-camera analysis).   These can be used with Z-Wave or Insteon inputs or outputs (e.g. an open/close sensor or EZIO2X4) to interact with ISY994 without any reliance on TCP/IP communications.  

Note: If security and speed are a concern, best practice would be to hardwire a PIR sensor to close a circuit to both the camera and an open/close sensor at the same time, eliminating delays and dependency between the ISY and the camera.

 
Public API (or reverse-engineer unpublished API)

If you are lucky enough to have a camera with a published API (e.g. Some Foscam models), you may be able to use a Network Resource to change camera settings "on the fly" or even cause the camera to start recording or to upload a snapshot to a server.

Note: Network Resources on ISY994 (as of V4.6.2) cannot do anything to use,store, or process the return data; e.g. you can't have the ISY fetch a snapshot JPG and do something with it -- you'll need a rPi or some other middleware if this is your goal)

 

Network calls via NVR (Public API, etc)

Free Network Video Recorder (NVR) software is available for Windows and Linux and can provide a public API and other network connectivity to enable integration between ISY and the NVR for cameras which are NVR-compatible.    Zoneminder can accept "triggers" (a Network Resource sent from ISY) to cause individuals channels to record for X seconds, and can also send a REST command to the ISY (see HTTP "Alarm" push below), using the "filter" feature in Zoneminder.

 
HTTP "Alarm" push

Many cameras include a "HTTP Alarm Send" feature (the exact terminology varies).   This is a configuration within the camera motion detection settings which enables making a HTTP call out each time the in-camera analysis detects motion.   If this supports authentication to the remote web server, you can use this to make a REST call to the ISY to set a variable or run a program.  For example: