Filed under: Accessories, Software, Internet Tools, iPhone
iCam brings video from home to the iPhone
I was intrigued by Lauren's post the other day where she briefly talked about using the iCam phone app [App Store] to do some baby monitoring. I wondered what else I could do with this US$4.99 app, so I gave it a try with great results.One nice thing about iCam is it can integrate up to 4 live video streams on your iPhone, even if the cameras are stand alone webcams or cams attached to different computers. In my case, I had a D-link webcam, a desktop mac with a Logitech webcam, and my MacBook Pro with a built in iSight camera.
I was able to bring all 3 onto a single screen on my iPhone and keep an eye on my house and parrot while I was out for dinner.
Here is the setup. You have to download an app called iCamSource to run on each computer that hosts a camera. It's free. If your computer is hosting 2 cameras, you make a duplicate of the app and run it in a second instance. In my case, my desktop machine had the attached USB webcam, and I was also linking to the D-Link camera that has a built in web-server and a device specific IP address.
With the USB webcam, it was easy to find in the software by name. You enter a unique user name and password. For the second webcam, the D-link, I had to specify an IP address, followed by the required code to bring that camera up. Each webcam does it a bit differently. I asked the iCam support people, and after a few tries we found the right combo for that particular camera. Support responses were very quick, by the way.
I then downloaded yet another version of the iCamSource software for my laptop. It found the internal iSight right away, and I entered my username and password again.
I tried it all in the house using my wireless network, and all 3 cameras popped up in the app. Cool. I then switched WiFi off, sauntered outside and saw the same 3 cameras using the 3G network.
As if that wasn't enough, for an extra dollar you can add the feature of motion detection to any and all of the cameras. You can turn it off and on remotely from your iPhone, and also change the sensitivity. If motion is detected, you get a push notification from your iPhone. You don't have to have the program running to be notified. It's one of the benefits of the iPhone 3.0 OS.
What's not to like? For most people, the hookup just works, without any firewall adjustments. Some may have special circumstances that require support, but the iCam developers, as I noted, are very responsive. The app supports audio, but not from IP webcams. You can also monitor your cameras from any Java enabled browser. I couldn't get it to work at first, then realized I had Java turned off in the Safari preferences.
Doing a demo of this really knocked some people out. It's a low end security system for not very much money. It's worth a look, and it really demonstrates how the iPhone/developer ecosystem is thriving. Of course, it would be even better if AT&T and Apple could get the App Store approval process together.
Other apps with similar capabilities (except for multi-camera screens) are AtHome Camera, $7.99 at the app store, and My Webcam, $4.99 and IP Vision, $7.99. You can also lash up a VNC solution for free. I think for ease of use and versatility though, iCam is the strongest option.
Screen grabs below:
Gallery: iCam for iPhone
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jack said 7:16PM on 8-05-2009
Heres something weird:
I can use this app to STREAM video to my iPhone over 3G!
hmmmmm....
But I can't STREAM video to my iPhone using SlingPlayer..... Hmmmm....
I can also use logmein to log into my computer over 3G.... but....
hmmmm....
I can't call a friend using skype or google voice over 3G......
Hmmmmm...
Couldn't i just hook my TV into iCam, stream it via 3G, then use logmein to send IR commands to my TV???
YES I COULD!
(btw i really love the iCam app)
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meme78 said 1:03AM on 8-06-2009
I need step by step instructions buddy!
thezonie said 7:30PM on 8-05-2009
Thanks for the great review, Mel! :)
(from one of the developers of iCam)
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Brandon said 11:39PM on 8-05-2009
EXACTLY what I've been looking for. Bought it right away. And setup is simple. Thanks!
Brandon said 11:58PM on 8-05-2009
I'm wondering if there's a way I can turn off the green light signifying my iSight is on. Anybody know of a way? I'd only want the setting for this app though.
thezonie said 8:26AM on 8-06-2009
As far as I know you can't, as it's something that's likely hardwired in hardware: When the camera is on, so is the LED.
j0510 said 7:31PM on 8-05-2009
I wonder how long before this is ruined by ATT...
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thezonie said 7:53PM on 8-05-2009
Actually, it took a number of rejections and resubmittals early on before it was approved for sale in the App Store. The issue was the bandwidth used when connecting over 3G and EDGE.
david said 7:40PM on 8-05-2009
how often does the image refresh? (i'm guessing it's not anything ridiculously high, which would explain why this isn't as data intensive as slingbox, etc.)
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thezonie said 7:58PM on 8-05-2009
The zoomed-in frame rate with audio is limited to about one frame every 2-3 seconds over 3G and one every 3-5 seconds over EDGE. We had to limit the bandwidth used when connecting over the cellular networks to get the application approved for sale on the App Store.
Over WiFi it can be anywhere up to 10-15 fps with audio.
david said 7:40PM on 8-05-2009
.
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Carlitos said 8:01PM on 8-05-2009
This is a great app!! I had to to a bit of Port forwarding to make it work over 3G or edge. If you don't know how to do it, the developer can help you and in less than 24 hours you'll have it up and running. The refreshing time depends on your connection speeds, so over Wifi will be faster than over 3G. In Wifi the video refreshing is as good as Skype or iChat, and sound delay is about 1 second. The great thing about iCamSource is that it WORKS! and if you are having some problems connecting they can easily be solved by going to the developer's forum and or emailing them. They respond very quick!, unlike other developers...
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pjones said 9:12PM on 8-05-2009
Great app!
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Justin Williams said 9:14PM on 8-05-2009
Thank you for bringing this app to my attention. I purchased it almost instantly. It is very well done and so easy to use. They did a great job with it.
Keep letting us know about the useful apps you find. It is a great way to find what's junk and what is not.
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John Banning said 9:45PM on 8-05-2009
I have to say this is a wonderful app! The developer has done a great job. I use it throughout the day to check on my dog, cat, and my townouse... i set up motion detection on my main level so I'm aware of any activity. This app rocks!!!
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Aelver said 10:23PM on 8-05-2009
What D-Link cam were you using Mel? The article link just goes to the D-Link site (noting specific)
Thanks.
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ToroBull said 12:39AM on 8-06-2009
I love this app. Ive been using it to monitor my home and pets while Im away...My only request would be to enable recording on the mac...set via the iphone. as in if i see something of interest, i can use my iphone to tell the macbook to begin recording...like a DVR...
I am currently using my built in isight and an xbox 360 cam. I am going to spend the $$ and buy a few wireless IR cams so i can leave my lights off and monitor out front and back of my mansion. LOL.
So far so good!
I cant wait for future updates!
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iJeep said 1:17AM on 8-06-2009
My wife and I have been using this app for months to check in on our dogs during the day. With 4 computers and 12 web cams we can spy upstairs, downstairs and the backyard any time we want. We love it; the only feature I've suggested to add is the ability to quick swap between multiple logins
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Dave G said 1:46AM on 8-06-2009
Seriously.... I mean reeeeally... quite possibly the coolest app I have purchased to date. Read the article, bought the app, installed it (which was as simple as it gets) and that's it. It just works.
Way worth the purchase price. Five-star app by a long shot.
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David said 10:23AM on 8-06-2009
An EXCELLENT app! I've been using it for a few weeks to watch the dogs during the day. The iCam folks did a GREAT job with the app! One suggestion: I use two Logitech Orbit AF cams on two separate laptops and the image quality is excellent! The Orbit AF has a 2mp image which is remarkably better than the standard 1.3mp you find on most webcams.
There are a few little quirks in the app (motion tracking on-off switch), but overall, excellent app!
David in Dallas :-)
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