Bristol Digest, Vol 603, Issue 4

Send Bristol mailing list submissions to
bristol@mailman.lug.org.uk

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/bristol
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
bristol-request@mailman.lug.org.uk

You can reach the person managing the list at
bristol-owner@mailman.lug.org.uk

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Bristol digest..."


Today's Topics:

1. Re: Pan & tilt webcams that support Linux (David Smith)
2. Re: Pan & tilt webcams that support Linux (Peter Hemmings)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2015 16:56:14 +0000
From: David Smith <David.Smith@imgtec.com>
To: Bristol and Bath Linux User Group <bristol@mailman.lug.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [bristol] Pan & tilt webcams that support Linux
Message-ID:
<15A9D35B5490FC49AC0524AE3A085F0899071C@BRMAIL01.br.imgtec.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

> From: bristol-bounces@mailman.lug.org.uk [mailto:bristol-
> bounces@mailman.lug.org.uk] On Behalf Of Amias Channer
> Doesn't an IP camera run entirely on its own, typically providing its images via
> the IP network ?
>
> Therefore it wouldn't matter what firmware it used as long as the outputs
> where of an open format.

In theory, yes, but "as long as the outputs are of an open format" is key - AFAIK,
the Foscam still outputs h.264 via rtsp and can still be viewed by VLC, but that
may change. The main thing is the pan-and-tilt controls, and it appears that they
can now only be operated from IE or Firefox on Windoze/Mac. The camera will
be sited half-way up the inside of a church steeple looking at the bell frame, and
getting to it will require a steep spiral staircase and two ladders. I don't
particularly fancy having to lug a Windoze PC over to the church just to change
the pan/tilt settings.

Plus I'd rather not buy products from a company that has taken such an explicitly
anti-linux stance.

> I've found AXIS ones pretty good in the past and the one i had was linux
> based but i haven't used the tilt and pan stuff , i would guess that there isn't
> a sensible standard for controlling this yet.

They look good, but a bit on the pricey side for what we're looking for. :(

> There are also legal issues around notification of ownership and data access if
> a company runs these in a public space.

No problems with DPA issues - we won't be recording anything, it?ll be used in
a closed, locked room, and frankly, if there's anyone within sight of the camera
whilst it's operating, the tonnes of bronze moving around them will be much
more of a concern than the DPA...

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:23:47 +0100
From: Peter Hemmings <peter@hemmings.eclipse.co.uk>
To: Bristol and Bath Linux User Group <bristol@mailman.lug.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [bristol] Pan & tilt webcams that support Linux
Message-ID: <5571DB23.1090906@hemmings.eclipse.co.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

On 04/06/15 15:28, David Smith wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Anyone have any experience with IP cameras? I'm looking to get an HD
> IP camera with pan + tilt (indoor usage), and it'd be good if I can
> use it from a Raspberry Pi.
>
> I was looking at a Foscam FI9831, but looking at their site and other
> reviews, it seems that their latest firmware actively kills off Linux
> usage - it requires you to download a browser plugin to use it, and
> that is only available for Firefox + IE under Windoze and Mac.
>

I had a non tilt and pan about 2 years ago, they may have improved but
their F/W was a bit flaky and the WiFi kept dropping out after about an
hour and this was never cured (others reported the same problem).

The model was:

Foscam F18905W


I never did get it to remain connected then gave up as all the bird had
made their nests/fledged and grew old!!

They may have improved a bit now though.

>
>
> _______________________________________________ Bristol mailing list
> Bristol@mailman.lug.org.uk
> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/bristol
>

Regards

--
Peter H



------------------------------

_______________________________________________
Bristol mailing list
Bristol@mailman.lug.org.uk
https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/bristol

End of Bristol Digest, Vol 603, Issue 4
***************************************