Barn camera setup I need, is it out there?

[Gargan]

They are down to $70 each on Amazon which is a good deal.  This is as cheap as they go, I am going to pick up another one today.


http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8910W-Network-Camera-Two-Way/dp/B006ZP8UOW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360777071&sr=1-1&keywords=FI8910W

thanx Jason. im not gonna pass at that price.  Whats a good wifi booster to buy to extend the range ?

 

[savaged]

Alright, I am fairly tech savvy but I am not sure how the IP address camera works.    I could use a Verizon portable hotspot, but wouldn't I use up all my data allowance quickly (because it is streaming video constantly)?    Or, does it only stream the video when I somehow connect to it with a computer or phone?    Also, with a metal barn would I need some way to put my camera antenna and the Verizon hotspot outside?    Finally, how do you connect to an IP camera, do you just type the IP address in as the URL?

Sorry but I just don't know enough about all this, but I sure do need a way to view my camera from any web connected computer or my smartphone.  Can someone clearly explain how to do it in simple language?  ???
 

 

[jason]

Alright, I am fairly tech savvy but I am not sure how the IP address camera works.    I could use a Verizon portable hotspot, but wouldn't I use up all my data allowance quickly (because it is streaming video constantly)?    Or, does it only stream the video when I somehow connect to it with a computer or phone?    Also, with a metal barn would I need some way to put my camera antenna and the Verizon hotspot outside?    Finally, how do you connect to an IP camera, do you just type the IP address in as the URL?

Sorry but I just don't know enough about all this, but I sure do need a way to view my camera from any web connected computer or my smartphone.  Can someone clearly explain how to do it in simple language?   ???
 

You need a wifi or plug in Ethernet connection.  I believe you would be using data anytime the camera is turned on, even if you are not viewing the camera.  Yes, being a metal barn, I would assume the wifi would be severely diminished if trying to connect to a source out of the barn.


Here would be a setup I would consider that would probably work for most people depending on how far their barn is away.  You have your normal internet connection inside attached to a router, from that router, you run cat5 cable all the way to the inside of your barn, inside the barn you connect the cat5 cable to another wireless router, and the camera connect to it.

Cat5 cable is cheap.  $90 for 300 feet of outdoor cable, I am not sure though if you would need some kind of booster to able to send the signal that far.

 

[blackcows]

Alright, I am fairly tech savvy but I am not sure how the IP address camera works.    I could use a Verizon portable hotspot, but wouldn't I use up all my data allowance quickly (because it is streaming video constantly)?    Or, does it only stream the video when I somehow connect to it with a computer or phone?    Also, with a metal barn would I need some way to put my camera antenna and the Verizon hotspot outside?    Finally, how do you connect to an IP camera, do you just type the IP address in as the URL?

Sorry but I just don't know enough about all this, but I sure do need a way to view my camera from any web connected computer or my smartphone.  Can someone clearly explain how to do it in simple language?   ???
 

I am like you, tech savvy...I know just enough to be dangerous.  Read this info about port forwarding which will give you an idea of how to access a camera from outside of the network.

 

[cpubarn]

Cat5 cable is cheap.  $90 for 300 feet of outdoor cable, I am not sure though if you would need some kind of booster to able to send the signal that far.
[/quote]


The 300 feet is right, I have seen it work longer, but not always.  All you would need is a switch (not a router)every 300 feet.  4 port switches are cheap $40.  I have seen people use wifi range expenders, especially if they can put their router in a window of their house, then the range extender in a window of the barn and "jump" the signal over a driveway, etc.  Then use standard cable from the extender to the camera. 

One suggestion is to put your router in the window, then take your cell phone or ipod on wifi mode to test the range before you buy all the goodies and find out it will not work.

Then of course there are tons of higher dollar sophisticated systems that will send these signals for miles, bridges, antennas, .....  How deep are your pockets?

 

[rtmcc]

Cat5 cable is cheap.  $90 for 300 feet of outdoor cable, I am not sure though if you would need some kind of booster to able to send the signal that far.

The 300 feet is right, I have seen it work longer, but not always.  All you would need is a switch (not a router)every 300 feet.  4 port switches are cheap $40.  I have seen people use wifi range expenders, especially if they can put their router in a window of their house, then the range extender in a window of the barn and "jump" the signal over a driveway, etc.  Then use standard cable from the extender to the camera. 

One suggestion is to put your router in the window, then take your cell phone or ipod on wifi mode to test the range before you buy all the goodies and find out it will not work.


Thats exactly what we did with our house router in the window.  And a NETGEAR range extender in the window of the barn.  About 400' in between with another metal pole barn and a 16,000 bushel grain bin directly in the "line of site" between the two.  Works great once i figured out I needed to keep the range extender Warmer than outdoor temps!!

Ron
<cowboy>

Then of course there are tons of higher dollar sophisticated systems that will send these signals for miles, bridges, antennas, .....  How deep are your pockets?
[/quote]

 

[hntwhitetail]

What model range extender did you buy??  So w/ 400' between camera and wifi (house) I would just need an extender to use w/ one of these cameras??  Is the manual pretty self explanatory on being able to view the camera outside of the home (office).  Thanks

 

[BroncoFan]

Call me naïve but how well does this system work as a wireless program when it is cold and I mean well below freezing or if it is foggy?

 

[jd438]

We aren't using outdoor cameras, and they seem to be working fine.  We placed them under a roof, but located so they can turn out.  The only issue I see is the infared night vision is limited this way.  They are the foscam cameras I think someone recommmended before.  I would expect any outdoor camera could be foggy if it got frost on it.  Here is a picture today and it is 26.  It looked the same the other day when it was 0. 

 

[rtmcc]

We have the Foscam/Wansview type outdoor cameras and they worked perfect at -25* and -50* below wind chills this week!
We just have a regular Netgear Network Extender out in the barn window.  I did have to enclose it a little and put a 75 watt lightbulb next to it to keep it warm enough.  But the cameras are fine in the cold.
it took a little to get it all worked out and working with our internet provider to get a static IP address but its worth it! I love being able to check the calving barn on my phone while sitting at the sale barn trying to make a living! 

Ron
<cowboy>

 

[hntwhitetail]

We have the Foscam/Wansview type outdoor cameras and they worked perfect at -25* and -50* below wind chills this week!
We just have a regular Netgear Network Extender out in the barn window.  I did have to enclose it a little and put a 75 watt lightbulb next to it to keep it warm enough.  But the cameras are fine in the cold.
it took a little to get it all worked out and working with our internet provider to get a static IP address but its worth it! I love being able to check the calving barn on my phone while sitting at the sale barn trying to make a living! 

Ron
<cowboy>

Thanks for the info.  So you just have the wireless router in the house and the extender mounted in the barn?? 

 

[rtmcc]

Exactly.  And then we hard wired from the Extender to the cameras because our camera's din't seem to work with a N series router.  Something beyond my IT knowledge there. 
Works great!

 

[Limiman12]

Am I correct assuming that the foscam are not gonna be compatible with a Mac computer?

My folks live in a underground home, I am figuring we will need to just run a couple hundred feet of wire, but wondering about compatibility with a Mac.  Or does the computer on the network even matter if you can control the camara from a smart phone or IPad?

 

[ejoe326]

We put together a camera dvr, 2 PTZs, 2 barn cams, and audio connected to the internet via CAT5 buried from about 380' from barn to house for about 3400.00.  We went with the high rated outdoor PTZ cameras with great night vision.  One has a wiper on it and both have heaters for the weather.  The 2 stationary are high line cameras with even better night vision.

We could not go with wireless because we have a metal sided house.  We used extenders and everything else but it would not work reliably.

We tried the various services to get a static IP and had more problems than not.  I finally got the static IP here at our house and it has made a big difference. 

I can see the cameras on my phone and wherever I might be. 

They have more than paid for themselves.  I think audio is a big benefit and our add on microphone was 29.00.

That being said I have a brand new system I tried to sell last year that 2 people said they wanted and never paid for.  If anyone is interested let me know and I can send you info.  I paid 1400.00 for it and will sell it for 500.00 to get rid of it.  Absolutely nothing wrong with it just decided to go with the PTZ cameras instead.

 

[hntwhitetail]

That foscam is a great little setup.  I was up and running in minutes!!  It will sure beat going down to the barn @ 3am to check on heifers!

 

[rtmcc]

Am I correct assuming that the foscam are not gonna be compatible with a Mac computer?

My folks live in a underground home, I am figuring we will need to just run a couple hundred feet of wire, but wondering about compatibility with a Mac.  Or does the computer on the network even matter if you can control the camara from a smart phone or IPad?

We have all mac computers and have no problems interfacing with the camera's!

 

[DB]

So I have been reading all these posts.  I would like to have cameras in calving pen also.  I actually was researching this and then found this post also.  I was looking at a maginon camera but then was told to steer clear of it cause it was cheap. 

So I actually thought about looking at the foscam but also saw a bad review on the outside camera.  The one that you guys are talking about is actually an indoor camera correct? FI8910W correct.  Can you access this camera via your smart phone. I have an android.  Does the cold weather affect the camera at all.  Also, The software for the camera have to go on a host computer or not?

Again, THanks for the information!

 

[ejoe326]

I am not familiar with the Foscams or which version anyone is running.

The thing to watch on any camera is the IP rating for dust and water resistance.  IP67 what we mostly have but IP66 is also good. The first system we bought were cheap cameras that didn't handle the barn conditions.  That being said we also have 1 wireless camera/monitor set that is not really an outdoor setup that is going on 3 years without problems. 

The software depends on the camera setup. 

To give you an idea I have 1 of these cameras  http://www.123-cctv.com/2-megapixel-hd-sdi-camera-200ft-infrared.html  and really like it.  The hood will help with glare from windows and doors.  This is also the company where we have had the best luck. 

Cold weather doesn't seem to be bothering any of our cameras.  The wind will sometimes be hard on the wireless connection.  Watch for branches and metal and you should be fine.

I'd be happy to help if you want to ask me specifics.  I'm not any sort of expert but we do have a bit of experience that might be helpful.

I forgot to add I would also be happy to tell you companies to absolutely avoid! 

 

[rtmcc]

Our camera is a Wansview NC 543/W Waterproof IP Camera. It handles the -35* just fine.  We did have to keep our wifi extender warm to keep it working.

Ron  <cowboy>

 

[DB]

ejoe,  thanks for all the information.  Which companies would you say to stay away from. That would be good info for all of us that are thinking about getting a system set up.  I know I would like to get the video on my phone as would most of the other people I am guessing.

thanks