Creola

Hi I made the mistake of getting a Swann ADS446 CCTV camera, the App and Website for this camera are really poorly designed and unreliable. After wasting many hours on Swann I want to see if I can make use of the CCTV camera they have based this on. I have managed to get into the back end and got hold of latest HIK Vision firmware. I do plan to write a "how to" blog on this but first I need to figure out a few things!! I want to recreate the facilities of the Swann App and Website using cost free solutions, but without using a PC, so first of all I want to know if there is any open source LAMP based software for CCTV. LAMP is Linux, Appache, MySQL and PHP, it is basically what runs web servers. I have seen iSpy which is Windows based and so needs a PC to be on 24/7. I want to create a basic system, using just the camera, maybe an SD card, email, FTP and to perhaps improve the alerts and to find a way bridge the gap to push notifications to a no cost solution. Just thought I would ask if there was some sort of open source webserver based CCTV solution? So far I have only found linux based alternatives that run in the home. I see each camera has a mini webserver with alerts that can use FTP and send Emails, but I would like to create a web based console that does what Swann is supposed to do. Thanks for your help.

I have had similar experiences to others on this thread including: Swann Website times out but then will not let you log back in (have to use ccleaner to wipe all cookies and web cache to get back in. Swann App does same thing but no way back in. Registering was hell with QR code nonsense, I had to go into back end via wired ethernet, put Wifi details into Camera, even then it was very hit and miss. If you are going to call Swann support you might be better off calling the Samaritans, they probably have more technical knowledge! Actually it is the same sort of responses, "I understand how this must make you feel" but no solutions, did not know the most basic thing, I asked a basic question and the guy said "hold on I need to look in the manual" he then put me on hold for 7 minutes. I spoke to 5 of their operatives, just Filipino call centre, absolutely awful experience. Hours on phone, then you get cut off. They do call you back, but they have very little knowledge at all. One told me to delete app and re-install it, I did, 5 times! Thing was far too sensitive to begin with, 39 alerts on first day, then I went to test it and got no alerts. The app has a pic from 3 days ago. It says camera is offline but it is not (I have a live stream to my laptop). Swann female operative was the most condescending c^*&$£_, never been treated so rudely by support person, then her VoIP based phone system cut me off after about 45 minutes, nothing was achieved in that time and she did not call back. She did say a new farmwure would be issued in next few days, but I think that is something they say to get rid of people. One tip when dealing with Swann Samaritans, do not give them to much detail and only ask them to solve one thing at a time. Most support techs benefit from a "story so far" approach, Swann reps go glass eyed. So far the only benefit I can see from using Swann is alerts to mobile (when they work) and compression. I have pretty much given up on Swann, you can't depend on their web portal or app, you buy these kind of products because you need to be able to depend on them. So I am just going to see if I use alternative web solution using FTP, Email etc. I am saving images of things as I hope to put a blog up to help others make some use of this piece of junk.