Steer Planet - Show Steers and Club Calves Forum

Quote from: Jason on February 06, 2013, 10:49:27 PM

Quote from: GoWyo on February 06, 2013, 05:13:43 PM

Does your internet service to your first router at the house need to be a static IP so that you can log in to the camera through it?

You only need a static ip if you are viewing from a phone or computer that is not on your network.  Your router will assign an ip address to the camera (192.168.1.x), the camera software will scan and find that ip, even if it changes.

If you want to view from work or your phone (if you are not using home wifi), you can use your external ip address.  Even if it is dynamic, most broadband "always on" connections do not change unless your force the release and renew of your ip.

I would disagree with that, I would say the majority of internet providers use dynamic ip addresses for security reasons.  It is easy to overcome this by using a service such as dyndns.org which allows you to use a fixed url.  Setting up a fixed ip on the camera is simple and would be suggested because if you decide you would like to view the camera from outside of the home network you will need to set up port forwarding on your router, which is easy to do.

There is some great software for the ipad and iphone to monitor cameras called Live Cams Pro, it cost 1.99 but well worth.

The biggest hurdle is having internet access at the camera, I use wifi for some cameras an it works very well.   I use these cameras which work very well and have sound, they are $40 each;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380555821114?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This camera has really good reviews and allows for night vision, two way sound, and you can move the camera (pan and tilt) from your ipad, phone, computer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230918217283?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

In reality if you had internet access already in place you could put up a decent system with 2 cameras for under $100, if you needed to add a router it would probably cost less than $200.

OK, so for those of us who are not internet and camera gurus, if I use the internet though my IPad (it has it's own number and acts as a hot spot), can I set up a camera through that, or do I need internet permanently wired into our place? We are so rural, there is no internet available right now. I would love to put cameras in our new barn, just not sure the best and cheapest way to do it...

Quote from: blackcows on February 08, 2013, 07:36:18 AM

Quote from: Jason on February 06, 2013, 10:49:27 PM

Quote from: GoWyo on February 06, 2013, 05:13:43 PM

Does your internet service to your first router at the house need to be a static IP so that you can log in to the camera through it?

You only need a static ip if you are viewing from a phone or computer that is not on your network.  Your router will assign an ip address to the camera (192.168.1.x), the camera software will scan and find that ip, even if it changes.

If you want to view from work or your phone (if you are not using home wifi), you can use your external ip address.  Even if it is dynamic, most broadband "always on" connections do not change unless your force the release and renew of your ip.

I would disagree with that, I would say the majority of internet providers use dynamic ip addresses for security reasons.  It is easy to overcome this by using a service such as dyndns.org which allows you to use a fixed url.  Setting up a fixed ip on the camera is simple and would be suggested because if you decide you would like to view the camera from outside of the home network you will need to set up port forwarding on your router, which is easy to do.

There is some great software for the ipad and iphone to monitor cameras called Live Cams Pro, it cost 1.99 but well worth.

The biggest hurdle is having internet access at the camera, I use wifi for some cameras an it works very well.   I use these cameras which work very well and have sound, they are $40 each;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380555821114?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This camera has really good reviews and allows for night vision, two way sound, and you can move the camera (pan and tilt) from your ipad, phone, computer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230918217283?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

In reality if you had internet access already in place you could put up a decent system with 2 cameras for under $100, if you needed to add a router it would probably cost less than $200.

You are correct, but you might be surprised how many few times your dynamic address actually changes.  I have kept the same ip since I had the camera, which is probably been about 6 months and I am on a dynamic ip address.

Mine changes every 24 hours.  I don't know if I would rely on a dynamic ip not changing....what happens if it doesn't change for 6 months but happens to change the night you are away and expect it to work.  A service like dyndns is cheap insurance.

They are down to $70 each on Amazon which is a good deal.  This is as cheap as they go, I am going to pick up another one today.


http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8910W-Network-Camera-Two-Way/dp/B006ZP8UOW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360777071&sr=1-1&keywords=FI8910W

Alright, I am fairly tech savvy but I am not sure how the IP address camera works.    I could use a Verizon portable hotspot, but wouldn't I use up all my data allowance quickly (because it is streaming video constantly)?    Or, does it only stream the video when I somehow connect to it with a computer or phone?    Also, with a metal barn would I need some way to put my camera antenna and the Verizon hotspot outside?    Finally, how do you connect to an IP camera, do you just type the IP address in as the URL?

Sorry but I just don't know enough about all this, but I sure do need a way to view my camera from any web connected computer or my smartphone.  Can someone clearly explain how to do it in simple language?   
 

Alright, I am fairly tech savvy but I am not sure how the IP address camera works.    I could use a Verizon portable hotspot, but wouldn't I use up all my data allowance quickly (because it is streaming video constantly)?    Or, does it only stream the video when I somehow connect to it with a computer or phone?    Also, with a metal barn would I need some way to put my camera antenna and the Verizon hotspot outside?    Finally, how do you connect to an IP camera, do you just type the IP address in as the URL?

Sorry but I just don't know enough about all this, but I sure do need a way to view my camera from any web connected computer or my smartphone.  Can someone clearly explain how to do it in simple language?   
 

I am like you, tech savvy...I know just enough to be dangerous.  Read this info about port forwarding which will give you an idea of how to access a camera from outside of the network.

Cat5 cable is cheap.  $90 for 300 feet of outdoor cable, I am not sure though if you would need some kind of booster to able to send the signal that far.

The 300 feet is right, I have seen it work longer, but not always.   All you would need is a switch (not a router)every 300 feet.  4 port switches are cheap $40.  I have seen people use wifi range expenders, especially if they can put their router in a window of their house, then the range extender in a window of the barn and "jump" the signal over a driveway, etc.  Then use standard cable from the extender to the camera.   

One suggestion is to put your router in the window, then take your cell phone or ipod on wifi mode to test the range before you buy all the goodies and find out it will not work.


Thats exactly what we did with our house router in the window.  And a NETGEAR range extender in the window of the barn.  About 400' in between with another metal pole barn and a 16,000 bushel grain bin directly in the "line of site" between the two.  Works great once i figured out I needed to keep the range extender Warmer than outdoor temps!!

Ron
 

Then of course there are tons of higher dollar sophisticated systems that will send these signals for miles, bridges, antennas, .....   How deep are your pockets?
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Call me na�ve but how well does this system work as a wireless program when it is cold and I mean well below freezing or if it is foggy?

We have the Foscam/Wansview type outdoor cameras and they worked perfect at -25* and -50* below wind chills this week!
We just have a regular Netgear Network Extender out in the barn window.  I did have to enclose it a little and put a 75 watt lightbulb next to it to keep it warm enough.  But the cameras are fine in the cold.
it took a little to get it all worked out and working with our internet provider to get a static IP address but its worth it! I love being able to check the calving barn on my phone while sitting at the sale barn trying to make a living! 

Ron