Apex and web cams??

[120reefkeeper]

Thinking of hooking up a web cam to the Apex. Anyone here done this yet and what camera are you using? How about a description on how you go about hooking it up.

 

[mniemann]

Semper Fi brother.... I'd be interested to see how well the feature works too.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Well hopefully we get some answers. I've seen a few posts but they were really old ones. I'm hoping to get a web cam that gives pretty good quality and the ability to zoom.

Semperfi devil!

 

[trido]

I recently hooked up a Foscam to the web. It was long drawn out PITA. First you hook it up to your computer via hard wire. Then you teach it to go wireless unless you can keep it hardwired. Once you do that you need to teach your router port forwarding for the IP address so you can have two way communication from more than just your home network . Afterward you can eventually get the web stream address figured out to hook to your apex. Eventually your cam will change its IP address so you need to give it a static IP.

Yesterday, I lost connectivity to my camera and need to once again get on my desktop computer to figure out what happened.

Unless you're somewhat tech savvy you might want to reconsider hooking up an IP cam. They can be difficult if you don't know where to start. Its not as easy as just connecting your phone, laptop or tablet. With a bit of research you will get it figured out though.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Sounds like a pain ! Thanks for the advice. Is there an easier way?? Maybe it's the camera you picked? I'm not looking forward to all those problems lol!

 

[ReeferBee]

I've found Dlink cameras to be very apex compatible definitely easy setup. Good quality too.

 

[Waters]

Based on my research, it isn't worth even doing due to the limitations of ApexFusion. You are better off just using the software that comes with your camera which will allow you to pan, zoom, use higher resolutions, etc.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Based on my research, it isn't worth even doing due to the limitations of ApexFusion. You are better off just using the software that comes with your camera which will allow you to pan, zoom, use higher resolutions, etc.

I agree it looks like it could be a pain. Maybe Neptune systems will soon come out with a plug and play camera for the systems "fingers crossed" ! I agree the software with the camera would work just fine . I like the idea of having it integrated with the dashboard....

 

[120reefkeeper]

I've found Dlink cameras to be very apex compatible definitely easy setup. Good quality too.

What model number Dlink did you use?? Does it allow you to zoom etc??

 

[Waters]

What model number Dlink did you use?? Does it allow you to zoom etc??

Unfortunately the ability to zoom doesn't work with Apex....doesn't matter what camera you use. It only allows a streaming live feed....no controls over the camera.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Unfortunately the ability to zoom doesn't work with Apex....doesn't matter what camera you use. It only allows a streaming live feed....no controls over the camera.

Is it possible to go from the cameras web based software.... Zoom etc... The go back to the dashboard?? I would think you could do that??

 

[jonmos75]

Is it possible to go from the cameras web based software.... Zoom etc... The go back to the dashboard?? I would think you could do that??

Yes you can control cameras from the mfg software or I use IP Cam on my cell phone to PTZ two of my three cameras and the changes show up on Fusion.

 

[Waters]

As Jonmos75 stated...the camera is just providing the live feed. If you zoom the camera in or change camera positions (using external software), it will be reflected on your Apex live feed. You just can't control it within ApexFusion.

 

[Drauka99]

I have 2 Foscam ip cameras on my tank, one turned to the skimmer and another on the tank display itself. Nice thing is with the camera software i can adjust the camera angle on the one so I have a view of the room as well.

They were not to bad to setup, a few duh moments but I figured it out. Making sure the cameras had the latest firmware was the most time consuming thing.

there is a whole section on the neptune Community forums on setting up cameras and troubleshooting issues.

I view mine about 90% on the camera ap rather than on Fusion but it is nice.