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Video Baby Monitor--Wireless IP camera and iPhone?

dadonfire
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 Joined: 2007-08-30
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My wife has decided that our current baby monitoring system (audio only) is no longer adequate.  In the interests of intra-familial relations, I'm taking her complaint seriously, and have started investigating video monitoring systems.  There are a number of manufacturers that make what are effectively audio monitors with cameras attached (so you have a camera/microphone unit and a handheld monitor unit).  So question number 1:  Anyone have one that they like?

My goals are:

1.  LONG Range (I'd like to be able to be at my neighbor's house, next door, and still see it).

2.  Decent picture quality (I want to be able to see what my girl's doing--not just see a blob).

3.  Reasonable price/quality.

4.  Night vision (infrared with illumination).

 

As I've started looking at the systems, it occurs to me that a much simpler option might be to use a wireless webcam of some sort.  If we used a wireless webcam, I'd like to be able to monitor it from our iPhones (rather than toting a laptop around with us).  Again, I'd still need sound and night vision.  I have a wireless (g) router hooked up to my internet connection and my PC; anyone have a suggestion on a video camera that has sound and IR capabilities, that can stream video to the internet (securely) and which video can be monitored from an iPhone?  Anyone?Laughing


‹ Cutting the Cord Revised Parent Project "A Dad's Perspective" ›

Submitted by dadonfire on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 2:36pm.

dadonfire
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 Joined: 2007-08-30
 Dad Points: 42
No one has any

No one has any thoughts?

I've found a few solutions, but none of them appear to have audio capability (which is also a must-have). I was really hoping one of the resident techies woudl have some helpful suggestions...


Wed, 07/22/2009 - 9:42am

Bill Ekhardt
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 Dad Points: 102
I use one with my alarm

I use one with my alarm system, Alarm.com.  They have an Iphone app.  I have a camera in my four year old's room to make sure he isn't dancing around instead of napping.  It is essentially the same as an web cameras.  There are iphone apps available to watch your web enabled cameras if you just want to do a simple system by yourself.

 

-Bill

 

-------------------------- Ekhardt.com


Thu, 07/23/2009 - 9:56am

MileHiDad
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 Dad Points: 1559
FYI

Not the gadgets you want but... click this URL. http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/28/yc-funded-highlightcam-makes-it-easy-to-remotely-watch-babies-pets-and-burglars/

___ The MileHighDad


Wed, 07/29/2009 - 12:47pm

PeterAB
Posts: 90
 Joined: 2006-11-07
 Dad Points: 158
This has got to be a joke -

This has got to be a joke - you want a long range webcam so that you can be at your neighbor's house, next door, and still see what your daughter's doing. Would it reach from the pub too?

 

Peter, Charlotte & Dorothy.


Thu, 07/30/2009 - 2:00pm

dexter
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2009-08-06
 Dad Points: 1
Imogen Studio Bambino

dadonfire, I came across this company's product demo at CES.  I think this might be what you are looking for.

http://imogenstudio.com/node/29

They demo-ed the pre-production unit and showed the video on an iPhone over the 3G network. It was pretty cool. I emailed them recently and they said that they are expecting the camera to come off production at the end of August. Good luck!


Fri, 08/07/2009 - 12:03am

dadonfire
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 Joined: 2007-08-30
 Dad Points: 42
No--not a joke. I don't

No--not a joke.

I don't think it is unreasonable to want to be able to be in my backyard, or my next door neighbor's backyard, or for that matter, my next door neighbor's dining room, and be able to monitor my little girl.  I also don't think that's irresponsible of me.  I'm within 70 feet, and if I can see and hear her, and see my house, I think that's within the realm of reasonable parenting.

From the pub seems like a bit of a stretch, and not an entirely fair comparison to what I'm contemplating.


Mon, 08/10/2009 - 3:25pm

OceanDweller
Posts: 37
 Joined: 2009-01-21
 Dad Points: 41
I agree I don't think its

I agree I don't think its irresponsible at all depending on where you live and how safe your home environment is.  It would be nice to have in an emergency or if your neighbor needed a quick hand with something.  I like mine as I work down in the basement with the 30 mintues a day I have when our 2 year old and 2 month old are simultaniously sleeping.  It has a range of about 200 feet or so has an audio adjuster and camera on off button is the size of a walkie talkie and shows audio if you don't want to listen to crying at night. 

It is a summer day and night handheld video monitor also comes with a belt clip which is nice if your bouncing around the house playing with one while trying to keep up with the other.

 

Brad


Tue, 08/25/2009 - 4:13pm

OceanDweller
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 Joined: 2009-01-21
 Dad Points: 41
oh it also has night vision,

oh it also has night vision, I have droped it like 5 times and still works "I am hard on things", and there are some from 135-180 google search shopping.

Brad


Tue, 08/25/2009 - 4:14pm

fuqueue
Posts: 2
 Joined: 2009-09-21
 Dad Points: 2
Wireless IP security camera

I've found a lot of models which offer infrared nightvision, as well as 2-way audio.  Any of these would probably make a kick-ass baby monitor, plus i wouldn't mind having one of these around after the kid grows up!

iPhone/Blackberry streaming is a MAJOR bonus.  Why carry around a seperate monitor, if i always have my smart phone with me anyway??

I just want to make sure I get a good brand.  Anyone have any experiences?  Here are a few that I'm looking at:

Zavio F312A Wireless IP Camera, iPhone Compatible, POE option

TrendNET also has some [seemingly] good models for under $100, though I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to cheap out on one of these things.  I think I'm looking around in the $200 range, I figure that ought to get a very good camera.  Does anybody know about TrendNET brand in particular?


Mon, 09/21/2009 - 8:50am

fuqueue
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 Joined: 2009-09-21
 Dad Points: 2
Audio??

Looks like the iPhone app already has several apps that support a wide variety of cameras.  However, word is that the iPhone doesn't support RTSP protocol which is essential for streaming live MPEG4 video.  What the apps in the appstore do is they insist on taking an mJPEG stream, which is just a series of JPEG images.

 

I really need audio with my video.  Any ideas on an IP cam that supports audio to the iPhone as well??


Mon, 09/21/2009 - 8:42pm

JohnGilroy
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 Joined: 2007-04-26
 Dad Points: 670
Baby vs the Pub

Honestly Peter if the alternative is bringing the baby to the Bar I would rather leave her at home and get the barkeep to put the stream up in the corner of the football games.


Mon, 09/21/2009 - 9:30pm

webdad
webdad's picture
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 Dad Points: 176
Bringing convenience to an extreme

I would say why take a chance on an audio / video system for your own convenience of stepping out when you want to? If you were to go to your neighbors house while your child is sleeping, I would think the chances of something happening (if it's going to) are greater than if you were in the house with the baby, the aditional 3-4 seconds it might take you to get back to your house could mean the difference between servere fall or just a bump.

While I agree just an audio system is not really adequate and a visual is needed, with that said, I wouldn't take advantage of that system to go to a neighbors house even though that may be nextdoor.

There's nothing wrong with putting the baby in the carrier or stroller and taking a walk over to the neighbors, or even hanging out in the back yard, I had to do that many time with the twins. This helped me with any insecure issues of what might be happening. The inconvenience to me to do that was minimal compared to not being there when I should have.

I do believe in a better monitoring systems for our children but not when it's for our own convenience over the childs safety.

Bob


Tue, 09/22/2009 - 8:09pm

Christopher J
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 Joined: 2010-04-19
 Dad Points: 4
I've used the AirCam app

I've used the AirCam app with my computer webcam and iphone. It works a treat, but there is a 3-4 second delay.

 

You can set up your ports and stream over the internet too. Fly to Paris for lunch and check up on your kid from an internet cafe.


Mon, 04/19/2010 - 6:56am

OceanDweller
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 Joined: 2009-01-21
 Dad Points: 41
Webdad, when you have

Webdad, when you have multiple kids to watch you cannot watch them all at once so things like this are pratical.  He said he would want it to work at his neighbors house, not necissarily that he will be neglecting his kids, who knows maybe their 14 year old daughter would be playing with the kids, we don't know the entire story...

Brad


Wed, 05/19/2010 - 4:33pm

TotalControlApp...
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 Joined: 2010-08-28
 Dad Points: 2
We have Iphone/Blackberry

We have Iphone/Blackberry apps as well as Android and Windows Mobile over here at http://www.totalcontrolapp.com

As already stated Iphone/Ipad/Itouch app is strictly mjpg.  just video no audio.

For Blackberry we do support rtsp mpg4/h264 streaming but there are strict requirements such as:

  • no authentication supported in this mode.  camera either needs to just put our rtsp stream or on some cams you can disable authentication for rtsp stream.
  • typically no larger video than 320x240
  • Blackberry has to support the codec.  Most support mpg4 but only a few support h264
  • rtsp port must be available to phone to process the video.  aka

 


Sat, 08/28/2010 - 4:53am

bhorc
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Posts: 7
 Joined: 2010-08-24
 Dad Points: 11
good video monitor

We have the summer  day and night video monitor. It has a large screen and a hand held, works good at night. With my son we had just the sound monitor but when my girl came we got the video and love it, I do not know the range on the hand held.  I think there is a way to hook it up to the tv, but it is a seperate receiver.


Sat, 08/28/2010 - 7:34pm

Rdj3385
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2010-08-29
 Dad Points: 1
WOW People!

First of all, take it easy on the judgement. Let's start by assuming that the original poster is a responsible parent. I dont think this is too much to ask. I think it is a great option to consider. I see no problems with stepping over the the neighbors back porch while the child sleeps, much the same as it would were you in the house.

I work for a company called APX Alarm. As one of the earliar posts mentioned, there are some great cameras and options that having an alarm in your home provides you. The most important to this thread, obviously, would be the option to add a camera to that system. I just got mine set up in my daughters room and it works great. Though my company is still beta testing them, they are scheduled for release later this fall. Its also nice to know that the camera is tied into the alarm for the additional security. You can be watching the feed, while your system is armed. If for some reason the burglar is able to get into the home without setting off the alarm, and you see this on the camera feed on your phone, simply press a panic button, the siren goes off, and the police are on the way.

Just FYI, the new panel my company released is also capable of doing much much more. They have a thermostat that ties into the system allowing you to remotely monitor and control the homes temperature. They will also soon be releasing deadbolts, light modules and garage door attachments that will allow you to control nearly your entire home through your phone or anywhere else with an internet connection.

As you can probably tell, I am pretty excited about home automation through our security panel, and all at a reletively cheap price. Of course, the more conveniences, the higher the cost, but where in life is that not true.

Good luck finding the proper gear for your setup, and if you have any questions regarding the setup I discussed, please let me know.

P.S. The picture quality is great, though I have not seen the IR cameras yet. Cant wait.


Sun, 08/29/2010 - 5:48am

stubbbbone
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 Joined: 2010-08-31
 Dad Points: 1
setup a CCTV security system with one IR cam in kids room

The new ones hook directly up to up to your router, i have one on the front door, one on the yard/driveway, another in the back yard, and the last in the twins room. If you have a decent router, you can easily view it over the wireless network, mine makes it two doors down and is encrypted. The cost of the DVR was 120 bucks with no hard drive, throw in a 500 gig sata drive for an extra 40-60 dollars and install it yourself. The cams can be had for between 30 and over 100 dollars. The one in the twins room has sound, the other do not, but have motion sensors that when set send me an e-mail when they go off. My car was broken into and vandalized, the house/ garage was broken into, so in went a regular security system and this as a backup. here is a quick video of what the camera looks like when watching them from IE8.   Taken in IR mode in full darkness. Here is the link to the one I bought on ebay for 129.00. With four cams and 500 gig drive I get 400 hrs of recording before it starts to record over the older files.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350328212533&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2568wt_1137

 


Tue, 08/31/2010 - 1:28am

RockinDad
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2010-09-01
 Dad Points: 1
video baby monitor iphone

I just bought and tried out ibabyvideo on my iphone.  It's super cool and works really well.  No problems with it so far!


Wed, 09/01/2010 - 3:38pm

Ariel3618
Ariel3618's picture
Posts: 284
 Joined: 2008-10-13
 Dad Points: 505
Asak Mole

Just picked up an Astak Mole Wireless IP Camera at Costco.  Claims it works with iphone.  I'll post how it works when I find out.  Best thing is, since it's Costco, it's returnable without hassle (doesn't qualilfy for 90 day electronics clause).


Tue, 09/07/2010 - 5:11pm

douglasoppelt
douglasoppelt's picture
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 Joined: 2010-09-11
 Dad Points: 1
Zavio

We just installed Zavio v111t  video server and used any standard camera. We could view it on iphone or itouch using icamviewer app or by typing in ip address in safari browser. It does have audio as long as your cam as audio, or you could use a mic.   Works great . Bought it online for $300 and they have great  free live telephone tech support


Sat, 09/11/2010 - 8:42pm

mikeJ
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2010-09-17
 Dad Points: 1
knight cam

I have just seen these. looks good


.


.
.  wonder if there is audio availible ?

any idea?

 

 


Fri, 09/17/2010 - 6:26pm

jasperswart
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2010-09-25
 Dad Points: 1
Iphone does support rtsp...

That is not entirely true. I iphone does support rtsp. I have found an app named OPlayer. It is not the best thing there is but it can play an rstp stream. I use it with my edimax IC-7000Ptn. There is one flaw: at the moment it only plays about 3 seconds of audio. Then it is silent. But it is proof that the audio is possible on mp4 webcams. The edimax has another problem: it has no night vision.

And i see there is an app called IP Vision that says that they're also supporting rtsp. But there is no mention of audio. It is 8 euro's. Maybe i will download that one some time soon. I have sent them an email asking about the support of audio.

I will post back here.


Sat, 09/25/2010 - 5:16am

TotalControlApp...
Posts: 2
 Joined: 2010-08-28
 Dad Points: 2
this is correct.  better

this is correct.  better terminology would be that the iphone development environment doesn't support rtsp.  that being said people can 'roll your own' rtsp player but as you can see it is very difficult to successfully implement.  since there is no hardware decoding support (roll your own is software implementation only) the final output is less than desirable for many use cases.  either the video quality is horrible, the audio is out of sync or stops after a short time, some combination of both, etc.  also in some some cases it may be rtpoverhttp support not rtsp.  this is different than regular rtsp.


Mon, 10/11/2010 - 10:06am

david88
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2011-03-14
 Dad Points: 1
Dropcam WiFi Cam Can Keep an Eye on Your Baby Girl

It sounds like a Dropcam would be the best solution here.  Dropcams can stream and record up to a month of audio and video via WiFi to the cloud.  They stream video over the Internet automatically so there is pretty much no setup involved other than entering your wireless password when setting a Dropcam up.  With the video stored in the cloud, you can watch your baby girl from any computer or your iPhone via the free Dropcam app.

A useful feature for you will be the free email & iPhone notifications.  Anytime your baby cries, you'll immediately get an alert.  Because Dropcam is recording 24/7, you'll be able to watch and save your baby's precious moments for you to always keep.  You can also securely share your video stream so grandpa and grandma can watch your baby too!

You can view sample video at http://www.dropcam.com/demo and see that this is likely to help you out :-)


-David

www.dropcam.com


Mon, 03/14/2011 - 5:56pm

adam002
Posts: 2
 Joined: 2011-05-19
 Dad Points: 2
IP Camera or Dropcams, may be CCTV

Yes, this is true suggestion, iphone does support rtsp. I think you should go for IP Camera or Dropcams, may be  CCTV.

CCTV Cameras


Thu, 05/19/2011 - 3:01am

santeedad
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2010-04-04
 Dad Points: 1
iPhone Option....

 

This setup lets you use a pan-n-tilt IP camera so you don't have to have a computer in the baby's room 24/7.


.

 

They now have audio available on all apple devices (iPhone, iPad) as well as on Android. Also support for all browsers including Mac browsers.

 

http://www.nextstepbabymonitors.com/video-baby-monitors/iphone-video-baby-monitor.htm

 


Wed, 06/15/2011 - 6:06pm

pattigranda
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2011-06-24
 Dad Points: 1
There are a few wireless ip

There are a few wireless ip camera guides out there,

I found this one very helpful in selecting the right one.

 

 


Fri, 06/24/2011 - 4:31pm

nicolas
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2011-07-10
 Dad Points: 1
Nowaday everyone is concern

Nowaday everyone is concern about their security system. As dadonfire is concern about his girl and baby likewise other might be thinking of making your home secure or safe form robbery. The best way to make your home secure is by puttig a CCTV around your home and connecting it with your PC or Iphone. You can find different types of home security system for your home. You just need to choose the best one for you. Keeping only a camera also might not be sufficient so find your need by checking different home security system in the market and get the one that is perfect for you home use.


Tue, 07/12/2011 - 12:46am

lamipisan
Posts: 1
 Joined: 2011-08-12
 Dad Points: 1
I want to setup nanny cams

I want to setup nanny cams around my house (Not in bathrooms) to record audio and video. I would also like to monitor nanny web traffic when she is using our home computer. I know that in Maryland you need consent to record audio and I also know that wiretapping laws need consent to monitor electronic communications.

My question is, can I setup signs saying by entering this property you are consenting to video, audio, and electronic survalence & monitoring or should I make each nanny sign a consent form stating as such? I would prefer the signs because the nanny would just assume that cameras are on the exterior of the house not inside. If I make her sign something, she will know they are on the inside. I would like to keep this as candid as possible as I don't want any nanny to figure out where the cameras are and evade them doing bad stuff. Thanks in advance for any information or guidance you can offer.

 

_________________________

iphone 5 case


Fri, 08/12/2011 - 11:24am

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