IChat/Webcam Baby Monitor

I am looking for an inexpensive webcam that works in low/no light situations. I want to use iChat and my computer monitor as a baby monitor. We had a baby monitor, but it broke and I would rather spend the money on something that I will be able to use even after I don't need a baby monitor. I think I could use my camcorder in the "nightshot" mode provided it would work with a long 12-15' firewire cable (if that is even available). The computer and the babies room share a common wall so I can just go through the heat vent with the cord. I don't really want to use this big/expensive camcorder for this if I could get a webcam (with sound) that would work as well, then when we don't need to monitor the baby, I could use the camera for it's real intention of iChat/webcam. Any thoughts/ideas would be a big help.

Hi Richard,
Any USB Web cam (with Mac Drivers) and at least the iChatUSBCam utility
iGlasses from the same people would then be useful.
The link above does have a link to popular cameras that are known to work (it is not an exclusive list though).
If distance is an issue look at a wireless cams
11:06 AM Thursday; January 11, 2007

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Ip camera baby monitor

I've been trying to use a tenvis ip camera as a baby monitor but am having real trouble getting it all set up over my HH2 for viewing from my iPhone when I'm away at work.
I bought it so I could look in on my 9 month old being looked after my mum during the day. I was hoping it was going to be quite straightforward and am not getting any help from tenvis tech support - there doesn't appear to be any real help on offer from them.
It should just work and I am using the icamviwer app on my iPhone. I've read here something about port forwarding? I don't really want to mess around with settings on my router if I can help it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ali
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I just wanted to offer an update, which I hope will be useful to others here.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I sent the original camera back and replaced it with a Wireless IP Webcam UCam247i.
Well, I must say I've been pleasantly surprised because it really did work just as expected and I had it working from my iPhone in about 10 minutes. Even had it working wirelessly by following the video tutorial ucam247 have on youtube.
The camera has quite good video, though no quite high definition, but it works brilliantly over my iPhone and I can even hear audio!
Suffice to say it's a great little baby monitor though you can also use it for home security as it has things like a motion sensor and can record video directly as well.
Alison

Baby Monitor - view live streaming video on iPhone

I am in search of a webcam (to use as a baby monitor) that I can use with my iPhone to view live streaming video from...
Can someone please recommend a webcam (ideally with a low-light setting, because babies like to sleep in the dark;) and a capable app from the app store that would help me achieve this?
Thanks!

That is going to be a very custom app. I really doubt it will be in the app store. I understand the idea. I have a monitor myself that has video. I would have to hook up that video monitor to an input device on a computer networked in the home. For me this would entail video monitor output to a camcorder to firewire to imac. could get quite complicated. Even doing this much could encounter problems like each interface having to be set up correctly. once that is done, you might be able to use the bonjour networking to get from iphone to imac. all of this is hypothetical though. interesting scenario though

Use iChat for home monitoring

Hello. I would like to use the video portion of iChat for home monitoring. Is it possible to access my home iMac camera, through iChat, from my workplace? To make things interesting, my Mac monitor at work does not have a built in camera and I have no external webcam. Is it possible for me to connect to my home camera through iChat even though I have no camera at work?
I look forward to hearing any ideas.
Thank you.

I was setting up my home computer for automatic video monitoring through iChat when I noticed something in the energy settings in system preferences. I wanted to have my screen saver in use or turn the monitor brightness all the way down to save my screen life. I also wanted to keep my computer awake so that I could have access to the home iChat account and computer/camera. However, if I set my Display Sleep and Computer Sleep settings to "Never" sleep, I receive the notice of "Never letting your display go to sleep may shorten its life".
So it seems no matter what, I may shorten the life of my monitor and I would most likely be increasing energy consumption by keeping my monitor and computer awake while I am away from home.
Is there anyway around this? If I used Screen Share (VNC), or any dedicated software like Vitamin D or EvoCam, would I still need to worry about my computer's energy consumption? I suppose if I really wanted a dedicated video monitoring setup I could use an external camera and external computer or server? I've read that some people use a Mac Mini for this, but thats seems like a waste of a Mac mini to me. I was really just planning on doing this occasionally to check in on my apartment.
Thoughts?
I will probably only video monitor a couple of times a week, so maybe the energy settings are nothing to worry about.

IPhone as baby monitor

ALoha,
I would like to set up a webcam and use my iPhone as a baby monitor. I can set up a camera and connect it to my MacBook Pro (or possibly my wife's iMac). I would like to be able to monitor that video on my iPhone. I think just being able to view it around the house via my wireless network would be fine. I don't suppose I need to be able to watch it over the internet. (Why on earth would I be that far away from my sleeping baby!!). I've tried a couple of programs (EvoCam, Remote Buddy) but with no luck. I need a program that provides video and sound and it needs to keep the sound on even after the screen goes to black. Does anyone know of a solution?

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it. UStream's iPhone app will only search the popular and featured streams. Since mine is neither, I can't view it in the iPhone. Plus I'm not crazy about having to upload to the internet. I'd much prefer a way to do this over my little home network.
I tried using Quicktime Streaming Server (Darwin Streaming Server, actually), but I can't figure out how to view that on the iPhone either.
This should be simple!
Thad

I purchased an additional audio function for the apps ＂baby monitor＂today, but this function didn't work on my ipad. Grateful if you would let me know how to refund the cost.

I purchased an additional audio function for the apps ＂baby monitor＂today， but this function didn't work on my ipad. Grateful if you would let me know how to refund the cost.

Refund
http://www.apple.com/emea/support/itunes/contact.html

Viewing video baby monitor on iphone

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how i might be able to take a regular video baby monitor, and have it be viewed on my iphone?
I would like to purchase a baby monitor (that comes with a monitor), and be able to view that in my home, as well as view it when i'm away from home.
any advice is appreciated

Brian Sieman wrote:
thanks for the insightful reply..
You're most welcome.
i'm looking at this setup: http://www.securebaby.com/sb860qgp719.html
with the hand held and wireless monitor. There is at the bottom of that page a wireless router, would that help my situation? i do have a lynksys wireless gaming adaptor/router, would this work? then i'd download the software that was mentioned?
again, sorry for the questions that i'm sure are pretty elementary, but i do appreciate your help.
For those of us (me included,) who is not expert in wireless internet security monitoring, my strongest suggestion is that you discuss your needs with your Apple retailer. He will know which questions to ask about your system, what iPhone connectivity is possible, and exactly what you need to accomplish. Based on that discussion, your local retailer should be able to offer you the best and lowest cost solution that requires the fewest (sometimes costly) additions to your existing system. Moreover, he can offer local help with total system wireless network expansion and internet connections that may be more complex than you presently contemplate. In short, based on the questions in your latest post, I suggest you approach this problem with a local supplier. However, here follows my thoughts on your posted question.
While the device in the link you posted will likely provide useful monitoring while within range of its wireless transmitter, I doubt that it will be compatible with remote viewing via internet when you are away. Rather than guessing at its capability, if you want to pursue this particular approach further, I suggest that you contact the seller and ask him whether this product (or perhaps another that he sells) will do exactly what you want and whether he will guarantee that it will perform your intended purpose. The best information on these technology solutions should come from the people who sell and support it.
After you have checked out the monitor you are considering, you might also want to call the EvoCam people and talk with them to verify that their product can provide the functions you need, even if not in exactly the manner that you initially contemplated. Unless you are determined to use one particular brand, comparing the approaches offered by different vendors may give you additional and valuable options of which you are presently unaware.
If you need more info before discussing your needs with a potential supplier, we will try to offer detailed responses to your specific questions.
EZ Jim
G5 DP 1.8GHz w/Mac OS X (10.5.7) PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11) iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9) External iSight

Will there be an Apple TV if so will it have pip baby monitor and app?

Just wondered if ther existing Apple TV has a pip baby monitor an app?
If not will apple bring out a TV set and will this be a feature like Samsung ?

Hey drexfarrakhan,
Thanks for the question. For video, you can use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable or adapter. Our online store has a few offerings:
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI - Apple Store (U.S.)
http://store.apple.com/us/search/Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI#!
However, your MacBook only supports video out via this connection:
About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4241
So you’ll need an external stereo or speakers to output the sound to, using the headphone out port and a 3.5mm cable (or adapter, if needed):
MacBook Pro (17 inch, Early 2009): External ports and connectors
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3407
Thanks,
Matt M.

New to IChat & webcam is not always recognized

Hi. I have an ichat and AIM account and just got an Ezonics mac-compatible webcam. On either account, it almost always will not recognize that the camera is plugged in. Its okay with an audio chat, but not a video. My image appears in the monitor, the camera is working and listed in the USB plug-ins. It has worked once, only when someone requested a videochat with me. Everything is downloaded as well. Any ideas out there about this? Is firewall or netbarrier the cause of this do you think?
Thanks for your help!
powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6) Ezonics EZ 622 webcam

Hi LA Apple,
Welcome to the Apple Discussions
Does this improve things ?
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/ichatusbcam/
9:23 PM Thursday; February 22, 2007

Baby monitor/live web cam

We have four iSight camera enabled Macs in our house, an Airport network, fast cable Internet, and a hosting plan with iPower as well as MobileMe. I would like to set up a Mac in the kid's room so that I can monitor him from other parts of the house/workshop when he's sleeping and also so that my wife can look in on "us" from time to time from her office in town. It seems like this should be an easy thing to do considering all the tools we have available. I just don't have a clue as to how to do it. I read the info on EvoCam's website, but I was hoping that I was already paying for something like that with what I have.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hi,
It could be done with iChat.
On the Home Network the computer in the Child's room would need iChat to be set up with the Bonjour account Activated (iChat > Preferences > Accounts).
Then in the iChat > Preferences > Alerts you would set the top item to Video Invite and then lower down the AppleScript option and then select Auto Answer in the Drop down list.
In iChat the Bonjour Accounts takes the Mac User that is logged in Address Book > My Card detail as the Buddy Name and broadcasts this to the other Macs.
You would need your Mac to have iChat's Bonjour Account enabled.
This does mean that each Mac needs to have a different User Logged in.
MobileMe Account names are valid AIM screen names as well
You may need to shorten the password to 16 characters as a MAx as this is the AIM server end Limit.
Family sub account names will not work. So you may have to register for either an AIM name or an @mac.com name.
Your wife would not be able to Call-In if you were already using Bonjour.
However with 3 Valid AIM names she could Text you and then you could Invite her to a 3 way Video Chat (Join an existing Video chat)
This would require that you had at least 500kbps as Upload as well as download to support the two stream of Video from home and Host it.
( A 1-1 Video chat can be managed with as little as 128kbps Upload. For a 3 and 4 way Video Chat Apple says the min is 384kbps to be the Host but you also have to allow for the fact there will be two Video streams from your end)
Evocam
Evocam gets the Video feed from the camera and snapshots it as jpegs.
These jpegs are then sent to a web page.
If that page is local to you (on your computer or on a another home computer) this posting and refreshing the page can make for a stuttering look "live" video feed.
You may also have issue as to whether your ISP allows you to Host a Web Server. It is not always allowed.
You would also have to make changes to your Router set up to process Requests for the page to that computer that Hosts it.
If the page is on an External Server then the time taken to FTP the file up to the server adds more jerkiness.
I have version 3.5 which is not the latest but I don't read of any changes on that front on their site.
However it does provide the option of allowing more people to access it.
Koowy
Koowy is a Web Site that is free.
You go to that Link and enter a "room" Name.
This then creates a page (URL for you) that "Contains" the room.
Flash has to be Enabled on the Browser that is involved.
Once you are in the Room a Flash Pop appears asking you to Allow access to the camera.
(In some cases you may need to choose the camera type in the Tab for Cameras)
Once another computer or person has the URL of the room that can enter it and set up/Allow their Camera or just view the Stream.
Audio can be Muted.
As Baby Boomer says looking for older threads by mining the More Like This options will also produce answers.
8:37 PM Thursday; July 14, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.7),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

IChat Webcam

I just bought a Mac Pro and I am using a LCD TV as the monitor. I plan on using iChat frequently and I'm unsure of what type of camera is the best option. I'm pretty clueless about the whole situation so any advice and opinions about types/brands/compatibility/software are welcomed. Thanks.

Also a X-box 360 cam if you have one.
8:13 PM Thursday; October 1, 2009

Fuji E550 as an iChat webcam?

Wondering if anyone has a link to open source code (or other idea) for turning my Fuji FinePix E550 into a webcam? User manuel says it's only Windows compatible. Any thoughts, leads, suggestions greatly appreciated. Would like to iChat with it and not have to buy a new camera.
~Rembalynn

EZ Jim,
From:     "Ecamm Support" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject:      Re: iChatUSBCam Customer Support
Date:      Mon, 3 Oct 2005 16:51:53 -0400
To:     "Amber Nesbitt" <[email protected]>
Hi Amber:
I don't think it works. I don't have one myself to try, but i've heard
people have not had any sucess with that.
Sorry!
Thanks,
Ken
I got this message back from a tech support guy (Ken) about iChatUSBCam. I installed the software, then saw the camera icon on iChat, but when I clicked on it the "working" mouse icon came up and never did anything. I eveantually had to force quit iChat. Help?
Thanks.
~Amber

IChat webcam for G3?

Happy New Year all,
Just wondering if anyone uses their G3 iMac for iChat with a webcam? I was thinking of trying an iSight camera, but since Apple only build these into new Macs and Amazon advertise the old cameras at £600 a pop (!!! gold dust!!!) I haven't a clue what to do. Any other firewire cameras used or success with USB cameras on USB1.1???
As usual, many thanks in advance for any experiences shared…
Simon

Hello Simon
For Firewire alternatives to external iSight, take a look at Unibrain, iSweet, Fire-i, or others that claim compatibility with your version of Mac OS X and the apps you want to use with your webcam. Remember to check for microphone capability if you need that.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.1) External iSight

Ichat webcam icon.

people who i know who have webcams, have the icons. other people, have the webcam icon, and say they don't have one. is this possible, or just bs? lol. just seeking a little clarification on this topic. thanks.
macbook Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Hi Steven,
It is possible to use an Add-On utility called iChatUSBCam and not have a camera.
It provides a workaround fro starting One-way video chats when you are not the one with the camera.
Having said that I would think this would only apply in very few cases and is probably not what this is about.
The AIM servers send info to iChat about the capabilities of your Buddies.
You can see these if you click once on a Buddy to highlight an then press the Apple key and i together (Get Info).
Then from the drop down at the top of the window that appears you can select the buddies screen name.
This is where to look up their profile (if they have set one) and keep notes about them.
Also on this page is what they can do in terms of Chats and file sending and so on.
Does the listing of capabilities match what you see or what they are telling you ?
If it matches what you see then try deleting com.apple.ichat.AIM.plist
This is in Users/(your account)/Library/Preferences and restart iChat
It may ask you to confirm your details in the Start Up Screens.
2:37 PM Thursday; March 22, 2007

Baby monitor requires WPS button to be pressed on router. How can I get connectivity?

I recently bought D-Link DCS-5222L baby internet monitor. I've been having problems connecting it to the internet. I'm trying to connect it wirelessly. The monitor user guide is requiring the WPS button to be pressed on the router, but Airport Extreme doesn't have this (I'm new to MAC). How do I connect the two?

What do you mean by 'see it on the AirPort'?
If you want to see the camera online I believe mydlink needs to be used, or you can forward ports if you use a web browser to access the camera.

IChat/Webcam Baby Monitor

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