IP camera compatibility

[Kalle]

How I can add my IP camera to almond ?  I would love to add my Ip cams to the Almond + interface too.

[LGNilsson]

 At the moment, you can't. We expect to have something working later this year, but as of right now, you're going to have to use whatever app came with the cameras. To be honest, I don't know if we'll be able to support a wide range of third party cameras, as it's not easy to do, at least there isn't a way that we're aware of.

[fillibar]

Would it be possible to implement a frame, and have the target of the frame be the stream from the camera? Just wondering because that is the way (or something like it) Neptune Systems uses for their Apex controller. They do not offer a camera but you can use others with their cloud service (APEX Fusion) and even the controller web page (Apex Dashboard). Here is their forum section devoted to it, which has a nice thread about what video URLs different cameras use.
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/forumdisplay.php?45-Camera-amp-Media-Integration-with-APEX-Fusion-amp-Classic-Dashboards

[LGNilsson]

It's not that it can't be done, but what's the point of having local access to a local camera on the Almond+?
The point of adding camera support would be so you can have remote access when you're not at home, no?
Getting this integrated with the app won't be easy and as I said, I don't know what route we're going to head down, but I have a feeling that not everyone will be happy.

[mparadis]

Personally I'd love if it acted similar to the android app ip cam viewer in which various models are compatible for viewing in the app itself while the cameras still have their own web servers. In addition to allowing me to plug in an external drive to the a+ to store footage. Turning the almond into a defacto camera server. Even third party development on this would work for me.

[mparadis]

I actually think the software I mentioned above can be used as a dedicated video server on any android device, which is pretty neat. The app website lists something like 1,900 compatible cameras. Maybe the easiest way to implement something like this is to partner with someone already doing it... The pro version is only like 4 bucks too, which is waaaaayyyy cheaper than Blue Iris, which I have also used, and both are pretty feature rich.

[LGNilsson]

Partnering with someone = $$$$$
I used to work for a NAS company before and they have a dedicated team just working on adding support for various IP cameras.
This stuff doesn't come for free and as far as I'm aware, no-ones even doing what you guys want in a way that we could add support for it.
But if anyone knows of a company crazy enough to do this for free...

[mparadis]

Actually, upon further review, the IP Cam Viewer developer's webpage has an article up right now with the following quote "Integrating IP Cam Viewer with third party apps and products is possible with the app’s embedded web server API, Android intents and launch URLs. Device integration include Android Wear watches, Amazon Fire TV/Stick, Chromecast, HDMI sticks, Google TV, Android TV and SmartThings home automation hub."
I truly don't know much about this kind of stuff but it seems the app developer is at least interested in working with people and has already done work towards making that possible. I know costs can be expensive it was just an idea. His website is hit-mob.com. Maybe its worth a look, maybe it isn't in the end. Just a thought. 

[LGNilsson]

Hmmm. Ugly looking, but he seems to at least have done a fair bit of work. Doesn't hurt getting in touch with him I guess.

[mparadis]

Website is very ugly, the app however, is quite functional even though it isn't an eye-catcher by any means. Even if it was offered as some sort of "add-on" where you needed to purchase a license for the ip camera stuff I'd still be really interested. I think that would be a home run as well when talking total home "solutions." I think a lot of people see "smart" homes as a combination of sensors and actions and cameras to see everything else.

[LGNilsson]

Yeah, no worries, we're aware it's what people want, it's just a matter of how we can implement it all and make it work smoothly.

[mparadis]

I was playing around with the app I mentioned above and found a listing of all the apps apis currently available. Apparently they can be used with tasker so there is quite a bit done. I can post the list if anyone is interested. I may try to play around with some of the tasker stuff but I only just got tasker and haven't used it at all yet. Anyone know if tasker can control any a+ stuff?