D'Link DCS-935L, DCS-5222L, DCS-2630L
Mobile App - My DLink
A lot has been said about this app, and I don't think I have much to add. I do like the fact that I get to see my router together with cameras on the same screen.
And I also like the additional information such as Frames Per Second(FPS) and the Bitrate in kbps. (I guess I am a freak)
OWLR App - Android
Because I have 3 cameras running, I wanted something that would allow me to view all of the cameras in one screen. A bit of searching and I found this app, free. Once set up, it works and works well. The FPS and bitrates drop to accommodate the app, but overall it is very nice to see all the cameras on one screen.
The setting up is easy enough, with auto discovery etc etc etc... and if your a complete newbie, sufficient to get things working. But it was this app, that led me on to learn and discover features such as UPnP, Port Forwarding, HTTP, HTTPS, RTSP and correctly setting things up.
OWLR has a version for FOSCAM specific, and one or two more. They also have a generic one available. If you are running cameras at home and have UPnP running, do check this app out.
The CONS List
So I will be honest, what is not so great about doing things the DIY method, DLink, the learning curve?
For one, if you are not familiar with IP addresses, static IPs, changing passwords, managing the web interface, then perhaps a call to an organization who will supply and install is a better idea. That said, I started with very little knowledge of these things, always afraid of screwing something up. But after trying, reading, and learning (I still am learning), it has been rewarding. I did this as a hobby/project for the family as my kid was born, we have a maid, etc etc etc.. you get the idea... So my advice is if you want, anyone can learn this.
Secondly, DLink is probably not the greatest provider of web interface for the devices. Not to mention documentation of their devices, documentation of firmware upgrades and general "Pls help me" situations. But that said, it is definitely do-able. I can tell you, one my first cam, the DCS5222, I probably had to hard reset a couple of times. The DCS935, perhaps 4 times. And its not that the device was stupid, it was very likely a user problem combined as well.
UPnP - Still many questions
For some reason, the DCS935 will link to port :8080. The DCS5222 to :80. Automatically, every time I reboot the router. Why I have no idea, and if you know the answer,
do drop me a PM. I didn't like this, as when accessing my router over the internet "http://58.xxx.xxx.xx:80", I would get the camera login. This annoyed the crap me, as I generally do not want external parties to see that my IP address is live.
The solution was an Android App,
TSP UPNP Manager. This app allowed me to delete ports which were open, and leave those I wanted running. Its a crappy APP, crashes, and hangs most of the time, but when it does work, its good. Once again, if anyone has a better way of doing this,
do let me know.
SOLVED Check out
http://www.xldevelopment.net/upnpwiz.php
Wifi Transmitter - Why am I seeing this?
The picture below, express my confusion. Why do I see the DCS935L and not the DCS 2630L? Its not the app, every app/software I have tried shows the same. If you know,
do let me know.
Conclusions
Am I happy? Yup. It works, I know what I am doing, and I get a kick of playing with the cameras when I travel for work. Watch the kid.... Watch the wife.... (Haha dont tell her).
Would I repeat the same things all over again with DLink? I would say yes, but now the itch of trying other brands and integrating it into what I already have would probably be the direction
I would like to setup recording on a NAS/NVR something like that, but for now, just live monitoring will do. Cost is of course a consideration. And a decision to get a dedicated NVR, or a NAS with surveillance function is in order.
I didnt go with the SD card in the camera route. I did suspect that the cards would not be able to sustain writing/re-writing over and over. Also, access was a pain, and just not my preference of how to do things.
On a side note, I did consider the DLink NVR-202L, but with its 720p only recording ability, USB 2.0 only,10/100 ethernet instead of gigabyte and minimal feedback reviews, I decided not to go down that road.
So,I hope this has been helpful, combined with whats already on the web, I hope it inspires the newbies, illicit some comments from the experienced, as we all try to share what we know.