Internet Camera via 3G/HSDPA & Wireless Router

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mranderson

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Hi, wondering if you would be able to check over the validity of this solution before I head down this road.

My scenario is that I would like to be able to intermitently monitor interviews in an office in JHB from CT The solution I have in mind is a Vodacom HSDPA Card, a Linksys Wireless 3G Router and lastly a wireless Internet camera. So in short, as long as the HSDPA card is inserted into the router, I should be able to connect to the Internet camera (over any Internet connection in any location) and view the room remotely.

I've been reading posts relating to connecting to a computer/router/camera etc. from outside the 3G network and from what I understand this is now a possibility (via internetvpn APN). Is this correct, is there any configuration required and is there any cost for this functionality?

Do you forsee any other hicups with this proposed solution?

Thanks in advance for any assistance or suggestions.
 
Ok. It seems a bit of a complicated way to do it but nonetheless, it is possible.

Here are a few things you need to make sure of.

Set a Dynamic DNS address to your Linksys Router - you are going to need it as I think vodacoms ip's are assigned dynamically. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_DNS
https://www.dyndns.com/account/
most routers have a dnydns capability nowdays.

Check which port your wireless IP camera is listening on.
Set your router to forward traffic on that port only.

and it should work.

You will just have to point your client program at the correct address

example.ath.cx:1234
 
Will work, but you might need to open a VPN tunnel to get around the incoming port blocking on the HSDPA network.

Otherwise you could use the Unrestricted APN (should be available in the next few days).

But it will work, just remember you're going to use the HSDPA uplink, i.e. limited to 384Kb/s.

Another option is to look at a camera such as the Nokia PT-6 that can send a MMS clip today. The new version (PT-7?) will allow you to do a video call as a normal call, i.e. you won't need a data connection, but it won't be as good as the IP cam idea.

I've just ordered one of these to play with: http://www.axis.com/products/cam_214/index.htm

It's supports Mpeg-4, has a 26x Optical zoom (you might want to see the interviewee in detail!) as well as audio and works in low light conditions.
 
The Axiz camera looks hot! I was thinking of going with a D-link DCS-2100G initially, doesn't quite offer 26x zoom!, but 4x should be adequate. The question I'm now asking is how much bandwidth is going to be required per minute for a reasanoble picture?
 
mranderson said:
The Axiz camera looks hot! I was thinking of going with a D-link DCS-2100G initially, doesn't quite offer 26x zoom!, but 4x should be adequate. The question I'm now asking is how much bandwidth is going to be required per minute for a reasanoble picture?
Click to expand...

At least 256Kb/s, these cameras were not designed to be light on bandwidth with typical usage normally on a LAN.

If you really want low bandwidth, look at cameras that will support 3GPP or consider using a streaming server that can stream something live realvideo. I've had good success streaming live video with audio over GPRS with Real One!

Also, look at bandwidth requirements between MJPEG and MPEG-4.
 
vodacom3g said:
Will work, but you might need to open a VPN tunnel to get around the incoming port blocking on the HSDPA network.

Otherwise you could use the Unrestricted APN (should be available in the next few days).

But it will work, just remember you're going to use the HSDPA uplink, i.e. limited to 384Kb/s.

Another option is to look at a camera such as the Nokia PT-6 that can send a MMS clip today. The new version (PT-7?) will allow you to do a video call as a normal call, i.e. you won't need a data connection, but it won't be as good as the IP cam idea.

I've just ordered one of these to play with: http://www.axis.com/products/cam_214/index.htm

It's supports Mpeg-4, has a 26x Optical zoom (you might want to see the interviewee in detail!) as well as audio and works in low light conditions.
Click to expand...

Any updates to this?
 
Reason why I'm asking - I'm planning to install a few cameras with Zoneminder at the house, to keep tabs on the children and so on, so when parents have a query regarding a fall or bump, you can check on the record what happened.

At this stage it's all in the planning stage - and gathering bits and pieces of information here and there. :)

Thanks for the feedback

Libs
 
The_Librarian said:
Reason why I'm asking - I'm planning to install a few cameras with Zoneminder at the house, to keep tabs on the children and so on, so when parents have a query regarding a fall or bump, you can check on the record what happened.

At this stage it's all in the planning stage - and gathering bits and pieces of information here and there. :)

Thanks for the feedback

Libs
Click to expand...

PM me a number and time that suits you, and I'll call you and we can have a lekker chat on this.

In your application more, fixed cameras might be better than one expensive PTZ. You can get good quality day/night cameras for under R1K.
 
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