ncpilot

As a follow up, I finally got a reply from logmein regarding port usage. "Hello Marc, The LogMeIn program does not use port 80 for anything, it uses 2002 and 443. Thanks, Free LogMeIn Customer Support"

There is no port configuration at all... I'm using Zonealarm firewall along with a router, and there is zero configuration involved. I have experienced no noticable delay between moving my mouse on the host screen as it appears on my local computer, and the actual movement on the screen. Of course, this assumes hi speed internet. I've got pretty consistent 2.5-3 Mbps down, and probably about 345k up. So the real speed limitation is the upload. I've linked up to 2 remote computers, and to my own computer from work, and I saw no lag in mouse movement. You really should read the white paper (I posted link earlier) on all the security measures used, and how logmein functions in general. Even if someone physically broke into their servers, there's no way they could compromise anyone's computers. No login information like passwords are stored on their servers. [edit] Let me add, that even if you set up logmein on 2 computers next to each other, the only way you can connect to the host, is if the host sends you an invitation, you then must click on the invitation link in your email in order to attach. Once you've done this, you can add that host computer to your list of possible hosts...

Full view of the desktop as it appears on the host computer... If you have 2 computers at home, try it out...

I guess the point would be that I could use any computer anywhere in the world that has internet access, and has either IE or FF, and connect to a remote computer, without needing to have any software preloaded. At most the browser might load a plugin, just like it loads media player plugins, or adobe plugins. I wouldn't have to carry media with VNC on it... or go to a website so I could download, then install, then configure it... If you're ALWAYS at your work computer, or ALWAYS carry around your laptop that has VNC on it, then there's no problem connecting to a remote system. Otherwise, I like the ability, if ever needed, to be able to go to my PC on any browser available. I can move to 10 different computers at work if I wanted, and by simply opening a browser, and going to the logmein site and logging in, I can access my home computer. I'd say that's a pretty good marketing idea. But whatever, it's obvious you've made up your mind...

The logmein home site has several "white papers" available, one of which discusses security issues at length, and the exact way that logmein works. https://secure.logmein.com/wp_lmi_security.pdf I believe samjade is correct.. if I understand, logmein establishes a connection with the logmein hosting service, so it is not acting as a server on the local machine, it is not listening on any ports--it has an active connection with a computer at logmein's facility. I don't think both of you can be either right or wrong at the same time... so I will take it on as my personal mission to find out the definitive answer about port 80... To be continued...

From everything I've read, the low end Core 2 Duo spanks the high end Pentium D 9xx series with no problem at all... and there are Dell's available with Intel. I was on their site yesterday looking at options...

Maybe you could enclose it in something decorative that doesn't look out of place on a condo balcony... Take a close look at other balconies, are there any items that a camera would fit in? Put a fake flower in a pot, and hide the camera inside... etc...

You probably can't mount anything on the railing either...

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. The issue of condo regulations and common property "modifications" comes up all the time in the home theater forums with regard to satellite dishes and antennas... Many have successfully put dishes on their patio with a cement type base for stability. A camera weighs much less, and doesn't provide nearly the surface area to catch wind...

Where do you get the notion that your PC's info is on a web database? It looks to me like logmein accesses the normal login screen of your computer, under the control of your computer, as if you required login on your own PC. At no time do you have to give logmein your personal PC login information, you only tell it to require login at the PC level--in addition to the first login into the program. So now explain to me how you have remote web access to cameras through a product like Geo or Video Insight if you don't have a server sitting on the computer listening on multiple open ports? Is that safer than logmein?

I've used logmein several times to help people out (non-cctv related)... It uses 256 bit SSL encryption all the time, and you can require a second login on the target computer before gaining access, so it's quite secure... The nicest parts are 1) Free 2) Very easy web-based use, essentially no setup involved 3) Encrypted

Damn! The price of living in paradise can be high...

Yes! A non-Geo question... Thought I'd post here in case others might find it of interest, rather than go direct to Video Insight support. I have just read the entire 3.0 manual--both User Guide and Setup, and have a few questions. 1) Can I change server configuration remotely without the Enterprise Manager? What does it require if anything. Or do I have to BUY the Enterprise Manager? 2) If I have a VJ60 card (so I know I've got 30 fps per camera group), and set to record with motion only, and I have 2 cameras in the same group, both specified for 30 fps--what happens if both detect motion? Is the FPS divided? Or if one detects before the other, what FPS will the 2nd camera have? 3) If I want to record time lapse, say one frame every 10 minutes, AND have max FPS motion detection, then the only way is to set up an Event Trigger in the Task Manager for Motion? (the per camera recording settings have a single "recording type", only one of which can be selected: On, Off, or Motion) I have spoken with several people at Video Insight a few times in the past several months (Jessica and Linda most recently), and have uniformly been impressed with their willingness to speak candidly with me on many topics--pretty good considering I have not yet purchased their product...

I've used logmein, great free product... didn't think of that...

Interesting comment... What about a "regular" dome, not VR, how would they compare to a bullet cam? I'm just finishing up a labeled overhead view of my house, with potential cam locations, distances, problem spots, etc... For walkways up to entrances, I was thinking a B&W dome, for both resolution and low profile, seems it wouldn't be quite as noticeable as a bullet cam? And for you, "budget" pricing level would be?

Seems all the software has a feature for email alert, which is fine if you're at a computer, or if you have email on your cell phone... But lacking email on a cell, and assuming you'd like a notification no matter where you are, and considering that text messaging is way cheaper, has anyone tried to do this? (generally you have to pay a monthly fee to have email, whereas texting can be paid for per message) I've done the internet research, and found ways to use either a GMS modem or phone attached to the computer, and there appear to be website services that allow you to send text messages for free. But are there any command line programs that would allow the same? (like a URL that contains all the options) It wouldn't seem difficult for software to allow the option to execute a program in place of or in addition to launcing an email... Or is this just a crazy idea?

Sorry to say, that from your various postings, it seems that quite a few things don't work there... You're killing our notion that it's a "paradise" over there...

It only took me about an hour, but I finally found what I was looking for... T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com Cingular: phonenumber@cingularme.com Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com where phonenumber = your 10 digit phone number This is how you can send an SMS text to your own phone (or someone elses for that matter), without needing another middleman service (like teleflip). Tried it out, and it took about 5 seconds from pressing the email send, until I got the message...

Thanks... I'll check that out.

Yes, but for my cell service, it's an extra bundle fee in order to have email (which I don't use). However, it only costs .10 per text message, and I average about 2-3 per month. So it would be much cheaper compared to email... I suppose if I really want that capability, I could just pay the monthly fee...

On one hand, this is what some forums should be all about, product comparison. On the other hand, so many times, comparisons get into pissing matches... but it strikes me that the handful of people in this forum that have the expertise to answer this question, are pretty level headed and not prone to fighting over who's is bigger... What if we tried to do this by asking specific performance questions, rather than a general comparison? For example, I was wondering... without having to read all the documentation, which now is difficult to get for the Video-Insight because I believe they removed links to download the manual. I assume both cards will allow motion detection (or combined with the software). Do both systems allow masking the frame for inclusion or exclusion of areas? Do both systems allow for some kind of alert when motion is detected? (email, sms text message to cell, etc?) Do both allow "shunting" of extra FPS to the motion detection camera? Other comparisons are the requirements for remote viewing. Are there specific browser requirements? ActiveX? Do they both have the same variety of compression formats? I'm not suggesting anyone make judgements on which is better... but it sure would be helpful if those that have used either or both could give us some real world insight into the operation and performance. If we could easily try each product, then return the one that didn't fit our needs, that would be great. But short of that, we have to rely on input from those with more experience to help us in our decision... For home use, which is my application, the cost is not inconsequential for either product... ====================== All that said, after my research, on paper only... I'm leaning toward Video-Insight because: 1) I like the software philosophy and the platform on which it is built (however I don't know how well it really works other than just watching the web demo). 2) I like the remote viewing capability that is not browser specific and doesn't require any plugins. 3) I like that it is a "local" company--i.e., US... But these may be pretty thin reasons to make a decision... I'm not 100% sure yet...

In the past I've been able to look at the specs on the various capture cards, but the new Video-Insight website has absolutely no links (that I can find) that gives any info on the various cards. Have they stopped selling them to end-users? Is it only complete systems now? It's very disconcerting, since this product is just about 99.9% what I've decided I want to use for my home system--I really like the apparent robustness of the software and the platform on which it is built... but if they've made changes to availability, then my only other reasonable choice seems to be Geo (nothing against it... I just like the software of Video-Insight). Thomas or VST_Man? [edit] I just went to the website of securityideas.com--only because I got a hit on it when Googling for Video-Insight, and their links to images from the Video-Insight website appear to be broken, no images appear... further making me wonder what's going on...

Ok... I had a conversation with a few people at Video-Insight today, and indeed, they are attempting to change their business focus from a hardware company to a software company with integrated solutions for CCTV... They did remove info on their site about their video cards, but of course, as has been pointed out here, they do still sell cards. In the "earlier years" they saw hardware as their market, geared towards the more technically inclined end user that wanted buy a video card and put together their own system--to a large degree based on the need to be competitive with Geovision. Obviously, by concentrating on an integrated solution, tech support should become a bit easier compared to supporting video cards in who knows what kind of computer configuration. They also see IP systems as becoming more important and prevalent in the future, and feel their software/system approach is the way to go (if I remember everything correctly)... Very interesting conversation...

I don't have an issue with the requirement to go to a dealer, I'm not saying I expect to buy from them, and some time ago, I was in touch with a dealer rep that could help me... What I'm asking is why they've apparently gone from providing information on their site, allowing people to do research, versus providing no information. Sorry when I said "sell to end user", what I meant was that by no longer providing information on the cards, separate from complete systems (which is all they advertise on their site), I drew the conclusion that perhaps they simply were not available on their own... How do I even know if I'm really interested in their DVR cards if I can't see their product line? The internet is a key way to perform research. They've eliminated that option... What about new product releases? If info isn't available on the company's own site, where does a consumer go? How do I know they may have released a new card? Etc... And, although I trust that dealers will try to provide accurate information about the products they carry, I still like to go to the source. Look at what happened with securityideas, their links were broken--now how does that help me as a potential customer? What confidence does it give me that a dealer is selling something, but the informational links are broken? I'm just saying it worries me when this happens with a manufacturer--no matter what the product. I was hoping someone here noticed the change and knew something about it... It's good to know though that cards are still available... thanks for the feedback...

I understand that having sufficient memory on a video card is a good thing to help image processing... but... Does that help when viewing live images either remotely or on the DVR computer? Does it interact with image processing when purely recording a video stream? Where in the data flow chain exactly does it interact? What I'm trying to get at is if I have a "system" with the primary purpose of unattended monitoring and motion recording (i.e., no one is sitting at a console or monitor constantly looking at live feeds), how much effect will the video card and memory have on the overall system performance?