Low End Foscam FI8918W Pan/Tilt Webcam

[TNETWeather]

I have a project need for an inexpensive (will be up to 4) IP wireless camera and decided to look again and see what was out there.

My first show is at a low end Foscam FI8918W.  It arrived yesterday afternoon and I played with it most of the night to see what I could get it to do.

I still plan on mounting it outside in an sheltered area near my office as soon as I can get some power there.  Wireless != No wires unfortunately.

So far, for around $90, it is pretty good.  Won't be able to play with it during daylight until this weekend though to see how the camera does outside, but inside, it is about as good as my Logitech 9000 but with pan and tilt capabilities.

I also have been able to play with it via my Droid.

My list of Pros and Cons are below so far...

Pros

• Works!
• Fairly easy to setup
• Pan and Tilt controllable by both a browser and via my Droid (iPhone if I had one too)
• Wireless assuming you have power where it is going
• Comes with mounting bracket so you could mount at an angle even use upside down.
• Small, and quiet.
• IR LED light source for up to 8m
• Glass Lenses
• Speaker/Microphone (don't really plan on using)
• Wired and/or Wireless access
• Admin, Guest access
• Can be controlled via scripts... haven't messed with this but looks interesting

Cons

Kind of have to take some of this with a grain of salt.  This IS a $90 camera, so some of these would be found on more expensive devices...

• Non-Standard screw in bottom doesn't work with traditional tripods
• No auto focus, but has not really be a problem.
• No Zoom
• No presets.  Actually there are references that you can do this on some forums, but I've not been able to get them towork.
• Roams when the power is turned on (so after powerloss will change where you had it pointed)
• No easy power solution for long hauls yet.  Need a long cable with proper connector.
• No outdoor enclosure I've seen that could work with it.
• FTP snapshot images are an incrementing numbered jpg image.  No options on changing the format or other aspects of the image. ex 000DC5D2DC20(TNETWebF01)_0_20110720125618_327.jpg.  This can be tamed with a PHP and/or cron script to deal with them to make them more useful, but some don't have access to tools like that.
• FTP no timestamps on images, but the image names have timestamps.  A little processing or using existing WD or other tools will deal with this.

Other comments

Might be hard to use in a remote location for temp monitoring.  Would require a router as it doesn't have AdHoc support.  Might be able to get around this by using a WiFi hotspot package but have not tried it yet.  This was one small part of the project I am working on.

Would eventually like to place this in a sheltered outdoor location for weather use.  Thing holding me back at the moment is no power where the camera would be placed.

I have not yet played with motion capture that it supports or the related email options yet.

I have a fixed DNS entry for access to the residential side from the Internet, so other than making a NAT entry in the router, I have not needed to use the included DDNS services it supports.

Have not used ADSL Settings, UPnp Settings, MSN (Really?) Services, Alarm Services, which sounds like a lot, but I wouldn't need or use most of them anyway.

I spend a really little amount of time (~5mins) setting up a webpage for it (No IE access yet).

TNETWeb01 Office Cam at the moment.   So you get a shot of my lights off cluttered office live (I have the IR lights on)... Will do more with it weather-wise when I get it pointed at actual weather and add a similar page on my main TNETWeather pages.

[Stronghurst]

No IE

Looking forward to your adventures.  You put a lot of effort into your "report"  And I thank you for that.

Mark

No IE

[TNETWeather]

No IE

IE is very doable, I just didn't have time at the moment to implement the scripts.  It is not nearly straightforward in that you have to use Javascript etc...  I actually created the links for it, but it didn't work the first time round, so I need to check the syntax.

For streaming for non-IE, it was dead ass simple...

Code: [Select]

<img src="http://WEBADDRESS/videostream.cgi?user=USERID&pwd=PASSWORD" />
That's it... and you have streaming for everything except IE.

Will most likely set up the IE detection and the extra scripting to get that to work.

You can also setup a ActiveX thingy, but it is not worth the effort for that.  The JavaScript will work almost as good.

I don't plan on offering access for pan and tilt though.

[TNETWeather]

Added the MSIE code... works okay though it is much more noticeable when fetching data as the browser keeps showing it is fetching.  The other way, is more of a stream.

Decent enough...

I did the code basically with (would need to be worked for whatever pages you are using)

Code: [Select]

<div style="margin-top: 20px; ">
<!--[if IE]>
<img src="http://WEBADDRESS/snapshot.cgi?user=USERID&pwd=PASSWORD" name="foscam" id="foscam" width="320" height="240" onload='reload()'>

<script type="text/javascript">
    function reload() {
        setTimeout('reloadSnapshot("foscam")',200)
    };
    function reloadSnapshot(id) {
        var obj = document.getElementById(id);
        obj.src = "http://WEBADDRESS/snapshot.cgi?user=USERID&pwd=PASSWORD&t="+Math.random();
    }
</script>
<![endif]-->
<![if !IE]>
<img src="http://WEBADDRESS/videostream.cgi?user=USERID&pwd=PASSWORD" width="450" height="335" />
<![endif]>
</div>Doesn't work with Google Chrome or Safari!

Using a simple IE check to know if it is IE, if so, it displays the "image" and then runs a short JavaScript script to keep updating it.  If not FF, it does the simple entry I showed before.

Need to add some logic to check for source IP as I have to use a local IP to "see" it when I am at home, and the normal remote IP for other access.  It currently is using the outside address and a port setup with the router to direct it to port 80 on the webcam.

I snarfed the JavaScript from elsewhere so I still need to check it to see if it can be made "better".  I'm not much of a JavaScript person.

Might move it in the morning to the back patio area so it can see some green during the day.  Need to be careful since that is on the South side of the house.  Not many power options available at the moment.

Will give a better idea of picture quality as well.  The office is not a good example.

[TNETWeather]

Funny thing about assumptions... I had not yet tested the code with Google Chrome or even Safari...  I just assumed it was working, until I tried it. was wrong of course...

Neither Google Chrome or Safari work with the non-IE version of the code and work fine with the IE version....

hmmmm..

So... I removed the non-ie code and am currently using the ie code for all access.

Added the stuff to my WD weather site TNET Webcam - WD Site.  Been a while since I've made any changes there.  Basically the same code took me 3 times longer to add to the older PHP site than the newer WikiWeb site.

New code that appears to work with all browsers:

Code: [Select]

<img src="http://WEBADDRESS/snapshot.cgi?user=USERID&pwd=PASSWORD" name="foscam" id="foscam" width="320" height="240" onload='reload()'>

<script type="text/javascript">
    function reload() {
        setTimeout('reloadSnapshot("foscam")',600)
    };
    function reloadSnapshot(id) {
        var obj = document.getElementById(id);
        obj.src = "http://WEBADDRESS/snapshot.cgi?user=USERID&pwd=PASSWORD&t="+Math.random();
    }
</script>


[TNETWeather]

Moved the webcam to the back patio (only place that has any power).  It is currently looking out towards the south, but is tucked under a covered patio.  So it is coming out of a darker area looking into a brighter area.

[Stronghurst]

Looks good.  What do you think of the camera's capabilities?  And how is the tilt and pan?  Do you think it would be a good buy?

Mark

[TNETWeather]

Looks good.  What do you think of the camera's capabilities?  And how is the tilt and pan?  Do you think it would be a good buy?

Weather watching was not really the intended purpose for this project... the real project is an inside office type thing, and a possible portable remote project as well... but that being said, it certainly is a lower cost option for someone that needs/wants pan and tilt.

It certainly would be hard to compare this to a much more expensive camera, and is missing some of the features they offer (zoom, better resolution, perhaps focus adjust), but at around $90 it is actually pretty good.

I've only been playing around with it since Tue evening and some more time might dig up some other issues but for now, not bad.

It was easy to integrate into web pages, and there are many other options that could be used with it as well (WD webcam support being one of them).  Being able to control it via the web remotely and even my droid is a big plus as well.  I have played more with moving the camera around with my droid that the web interface it comes with.

Also, being wireless, even though you still need to get power to it, it does provide more flexibility than a USB camera.  Where the camera is now is easily a good 90ft from the AP it is connecting to and that is with 2 inside walls and the outside wall between them.  It would be pretty hard to put a USB camera where it is currently sitting.  A CCTV camera would be a little easier, but with this all you need is power and you pretty much can go.

[WNCweather.net]

[quote author=TNETWeather link=topic=52024.msg418365#msg418365 date=1311195782 I have a project need for an inexpensive (will be up to 4) IP wireless camera and decided to look again and see what was out there.[/quote]


Hi Kevin!
You have a great topic here, many can gain from your technical observations.

I would like to throw in my perspective on the foscam model or possible mine which may be x-foscam from what I have read.

In any event, I have 6 of the Foscam models you have, as well as  two of the FI8904.  I purchased all of these off of eBay.  I found that there are many x-brand Foscam, for more information see:

http://www.gadgetvictims.com/

So not exactly sure what I have, 4 of the 6 like yours have came in a green and white box, the other two in a red and white box.  Never the less, they work the same.

I also want to mention I have a expensive Panasonic, which I purchased before I bought these, it is a Panasonic BB-HCM371A, cost me at that time around $600.00

All of my camera's have been in operation for 1 year or longer. Both of these cameras are live at http://wncweather.net/webcam.htm

From a non-technical point, I really like the foscam or it's clone, especially from the $$$ point of view.

The Panasonic, from my perspective is great, especially because the viewers can operate it with ease, with the scripts that make it go for them.  The draw backs are the cost, and loss of night vision.

The foscam, all work better than the Panasonic at night, which is what I wanted, my "critter cam"  is far better than the Panasonic.  Down side is the script for the end user to use it live.  I am sure you have found that the script is odd, thus the single image is easier to use. especially with WD.  I might add that WD works great with the Foscam.

I use all the rest the foscams apart of our security for our house...  They work Great!

My take on both of these comes down to use, one out performs the other, day or night, but for the cost, I can tell you now, I will not replace the Panasonic when it goes bad, as I can get 6 more foscams for one of those.  

Any questions on them, please let me know, as I can turn (port out) any of the inside ones on for viewing.
Steve

[arthurhh]

I have played with a Foscam, they work but there are some gotchas and some neat upgrades look here for info http://www.gadgetvictims.com/search/label/ip%20camera

[NorCal Dan]

Kevin, what's the verdict on this cam?  I need a wireless solution to put on my patio, under the eve, to show my front door and possible some sky to the west.  Wondering if it washes out in direct sunlight?  How hard is it to interface to WD?  About 12 feet to my door, how is it for focus up close?  I see 8m for night vision, or 26'...any comments on the night vision?

[TNETWeather]

Kevin, what's the verdict on this cam?  I need a wireless solution to put on my patio, under the eve, to show my front door and possible some sky to the west.  Wondering if it washes out in direct sunlight?  How hard is it to interface to WD?  About 12 feet to my door, how is it for focus up close?  I see 8m for night vision, or 26'...any comments on the night vision?

1) Direct sunlight.

I've been careful not to allow the camera direct access to the sun... figure it wouldn't be good for it.

2) I've not attempted to interface it with WD, but can't imagine that being a problem.  You can setup the webcam to send a jpg file to a server though it does not support a static name (filename includes a timestamp in it).  I have not played with WD's webcam stuff, so I am not 100% sure, but think that would be okay.

3) Focus is fixed, but I've not really had a problem with it.  Most of the testing was in my home office and it had not problems there.  Currently it is still sitting outside (almost forgot about it).

Outside, colors are off due to no IR cutoff filter.  The same company offers a similar camera in the same price range that has an IR Cutoff filter built in.  It is under a different brand name. Will look it up in the morning.

For a door viewing it should be quite good.

[TNETWeather]

Info on other cameras with IR Cutoff filters.

From foscam, I got the following when I asked them about a replacement lens:

Currently there is no lens replacement that will fix the FI8918W. Rather, it needs a new image sensor which is part of the main board. The only real solution is to purchase another camera.

We have new cameras which have the IR-Cut Off filter to prevent the colors from being washed out as well as an auto-brightness feature to automatically adjust the brightness depending on lighting conditions. In addition, we have improved the audio quality so that it is noise free. You can get these at www.Agasio.com

The similar camera to what I have been playing with with IR Cutoff built in is:

http://agasio.com/ir-cut-filter-ip-cameras/agasio-a502w-pan-tilt-wireless-ip-camera-ir-cut.html

They have a discount code (10%) available.

[NorCal Dan]

Thanks Kevin.  If you mount it upside down, does it flip the image for you auto?

[TNETWeather]

It won't do it automatically, you have to set it in the configuration, but it will do it.