ISpy and Older Cameras

iSpy is an open source video surveillance application (software). It claims to be able compatible with a large number of cameras from many different vendors. And it is.

I have an "all in one" (cameras, DVR (Digital Video Recorder), storage disks, etc.) surveillance system with 8 cameras. In addition to that I also have several old indoor cameras that have PTZ (Point, Tilt , and Zoom) capability, along with a new outdoor camera with the same features (plus its waterproof). My "all in one" surveillance system has been limited by the vendor to handle only eight cameras.

The iSpy web site has lots of cool information about camera vendors and how to gain direct access to their video feeds. Below is the information for my cameras. I was able to test each one with VLC (originally VideoLAN Client) media player. I also discovered that web browsers used to support a myriad of different protocols and plugins that have been deprecated because of security concerns as the software was build on Netscape technology.

Tenvis TH661 (bought circa 2015)

RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol): rtsp://UserName:Password@IPAddress:554/1 (11, 21, 31, 41, etc. all work too, plus 2, 22, 32, etc. provides a lower resolution stream)

HTTP: Not available (tried the videostream.cgi? URL, but it didn't work)

JPG "Snapshot": http://UserName:Password@IPAddress/tmpfs/auto.jpg (as of Internet Explorer 7 and later, IE does not support including a user name and password in a URL KB834489)

Secure Digital Card: http://UserName:Password@IPAddress/tmpfs/sd (the rest of the file system is available up one level too.)

iSpy Information: https://www.ispyconnect.com/man.aspx?n=tenvis&page=6

Vonnic C907IP (AKA WanLink , Foscam, etc. Brands too) (bought 1.2012)

RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol): Not supported

HTTP: http://IPAddress/videostream.cgi?user=UserName&pwd=Password&resolution=8&rate=13

JPG: UserName:Password@IPAddress/snapshot.cgi

iSpy Information: https://www.ispyconnect.com/man.aspx?n=Vonnic