How To Set Up Live Camera Feed?

Camera Options

• i'd get an ip security camera that can stream directly.
• alternatively, an ip security camera that streams rtsp to a computer running obs, then stream that to the internet.
• get a 4k wifi or poe based camera. ptz's
• most of the cameras come with apps or a web app. where you can view, record,pan, tilt, zoom.
• get a camera supporting the onvif standard. this ensures the video feed is accessible outside the app, as well as giving you a way to find the url, and increases the chances of it having a web interface also
• use onvif device manager or similar to view the feed and find a url for it, probably via rtsp - i use vlc on windows to view the direct rtsp link from my cameras
• almost any network camera can do this - but it really is “almost”, and unless you're buying from a retail store, it can be a pain to confirm in advance.
• game cam would be the recommended device, it is rechargeable and runs on a charger. or runs on adapter at the same time. you can view it on your phone, over the internet.
• but if you mean you want it to go public, then the game cam can be programmed to broadcast to a website, that hosts public access to it.

Power And Connectivity

• decide on whether you will use ethernet, or wifi for connectivity
• decide how you will get power to it - a simple extension cord and plug pack are fine indoors, but not outdoors.
• power over ethernet may be a better option, even if you use an “ethernet” cable for power, but wifi for network connectivity
• id not recommend wifi for this, your running a cable for power anyway, so just get a poe camera, much less hassle.
• wifi is a 2-way street and over such long distances, it probably will not work.
• in terms of power and internet distribution, you will want a network switch that can deliver power over the ethernet cable. ("poe")
• do note that you will want to select cameras first and check that they can receive poe.
• some cameras will need more power, usually denoted poe+ or poe++.
• it's not impossible that your existing network equipment can do this, but it is not a common feature on non-enterprise equipment, so you should presume that you will need to buy a network switch with poe until proven otherwise.

Internet Speed

• install wifi start with 100mbps if you are using 1 camera. and as you increase the number of cameras, increase the internet speed.
• 4k uses 40-50mbps.
• you can also go for 1080p(7-8mbps) for close range areas.
• another consideration to hosting a 24/7 live streaming cam is your internet speed (more precisely, your upload speed).
• previously with charter spectrum, i had up to 35mb/second upload speed, which typically ran less than this.
• fortunately, i was able to run two cams at 2k with this particular upload speed.
• since then, i have fiber optic cable through att and have 2.5 gb upload and download speed. as such, i was able to upgrade my two cams to running 4k each.

Streaming Protocols And Platforms

• the cameras should be capable of streaming to the internet directly.
• that means they should support an internet streaming protocol like rtmp or srt.
• in terms of a platform, you are looking for something cheap or free that can receive the specific video protocol your cameras can transmit.
• i'd recommend youtube to start with. it's free and it's where the viewers are.
• note that, if i recall correctly, youtube only accepts rtmp.
• rtmp is the old workhorse of the streaming industry, but it can have difficulties in low-bandwidth or low-stability network situations.
• getting your video stream easily accessible to the public via a browser could be a pain - definitely look at webcam hosting sites, rather than trying to do it yourself.
• it really looks like it should be trivial to just run something like vlc on linux to transform or act as a reflector, and put it out as a simple web-accessible stream. it's not nearly as simple as it should be.
• get wifi based ip cam (ip 67) assign static local ip and forward the ip in router either give wan ip or bind it to url and publish.

Equipment Checklist

• you'll need several items. i hesistate to suggest models without a budget.
• cameras
• power and internet distribution (to the cameras)
• a platform
• easy set up a camera some coax cable to the house and a computer to use for a stream.
• provides the power to the camera over ethernet (poe)
• this is most of the equipment, but i had to get ethernet connectors to connect the cable to run the full length of the outside run towards the house and as you will see pvc conduit pipe, connectors, etc.

Outdoor Setup

• if you're placing them outdoors, they should be waterproofed and the glass treated for fogging.
• that probably means ip security cameras, as someone else mentioned.
• copper will work over long distances again, with proper engineering.
• to do it correctly and reliably, you need engineering and professional cameras and mounts.
• this will not be successful with a few soffit-mounted temu cameras
• mounting is indeed likely to be a pain
• most indoor cameras will pan left/right, and tilt up/down at a low price, but not zoom
• most outdoor cameras will not move, and if they do will only rotate left/right (depending on how you mount it)

Ethernet Installation

• as mentioned above, i had to decide if i could go wifi or ethernet.
• the cams are located about 65 feet from the back of my house, which is too far for reliable wifi coverage.
• i was also not sure about wifi extenders and signal reliability.
• ethernet (which is basically a wired connection) can be used over greater distance and also supplies power to the cams (poe - powered over ethernet).
• getting power to the wifi cams would have also been a problem powering wifi cams, running electrical wires, using batteries or solar panels.
• so, i followed in scott’s footprints with ethernet.
• as i mentioned above, the cams are about 65 feet directly behind my house.
• however, i couldn’t run the wires directly, but had to run them around my driveway.
• this involved me digging an 85-foot ditch in which i would lay pvc conduit pipe and pull the ethernet lines (three of them) through the long run of pipes.
• hole drilled though brick facade and ethernet line run into basement garage. weatherproof cover installed
• ethernet switch allows several lines to router through one line
• running ethernet cable through floor to main floor of house

Software

• the cams come with axis operating system software, which allows you to control and adjust the cam.
• camstreamer is used to stream to youtube, or other video streaming platforms including facebook or vimeo.
• this means that you have to learn to operate several new softwares or platforms (axis, camstreamer and youtube) if you want to stream live.
• there is also obs software which is opensource operating software that is good and also free.
• using just axis software will not allow you to make any cam settings remotely, as you will have to have software to remote into your computer to do that.
• while obs is free, keep in mind that to use obs software for a 24/7 livestream broadcast, one needs to keep it running on their computer in the background 24/7, which may even require a separate dedicated computer, so you don’t have to worry about running out of resources or the stream go down to reboot your computer or use too many resources to where the stream falters.

Browser Viewing And Public Access

• what is the best way to set up a 24/7 live bird feeder public webcam viewable through a browser w/out a pc? i have power at the location & wifi to my router but have only seen stuff that needs a pc, or streams to a device at a time or needs an app.
• amazon has the wansview wifi ip cam under $40. you need an internet device to do setup then watch on any other internet device.
• i prefer a computer for the setup after that pick up the signal on the web like any other webpage.
• it’s pretty weatherproof too
• very simple the tough part is mounting the camera. all configuration is simple.

Security And Recording

• assume that this camera will expose your network to hackers, and try to isolate it on something like a “guest” wifi network.
• if it has p2p settings that you can turn off, that will significantly improve the security - but you will lose the option of remote access (outside your network) via an app, and the motion detection notifications that can be so handy for knowing when your wildlife are visiting
• consider options for recording video or timed or motion triggered pictures, to a memory card, or sent via email or to an ftp server.
• my cameras send me emails when motion is detected, during certain times of the night - i need to setup the ftp option again

Buying Notes

• shop around. you may find an identical camera at a lower price, or with better accessories.
• or a nearly identical model, with higher specs or better features, possibly at a lower price than the one you couldn't resist ordering.
• and you could easily get stuck with a lemon - research and refunds can be very important
• if you don't want to spend much, but want to play around and learn more about the features, configuration, software etc, you could get some cheap cameras from an online chinese store - just make sure you have at least a 30 day guarantee, as you should expect about a 50/50 unusable, or doa, or doesn't have the listed features, rate.
• if you want something that you can get a refund on if it dies in two months, you'll likely be spending 2-3 times as much, and get fewer features, but probably get a camera that will survive well over a year - maybe two or more.
• amazon reviews could be valuable here, confirming that it's waterproof, or that the ethernet and power over ethernet can be separated, or are really standards compliant, or which pairs of pins the power is delivered on.
• if you go the cheap route, expect to wind up with incompatible “passive” poe gear - sending or receiving power on pairs 1,3 or 2,4 - accessories most likely to be the opposite of what your camera needs.
• real poe is more expensive, but well worth it for numerous cameras as long as you can confirm that the cameras are truly standards compliant, and will negotiate everything with the switch - remember that money back guarantee i mentioned?
• ps be wary of “ptz” markings on camera listings, especially the zoom - and remember that refund guarantee.