Hi to you all.
I have read many IPVM posts and I'm not sure this fits in with a professional site like this, but I thought IPVM might have their fair share of learners and someone, somewhere might learn something from my mistakes.
First, some background: I run a small business in Spain which provides English language satellite TV systems to British expats. The TV market here is not what it was and for a long time I have been considering offering CCTV to my clients and am presently trying to learn about IP camera systems, but it's giving me heartache!
I didn't want to spend a lot on a camera because I just wanted to see if I could learn the processes involved in setting up an IP system and because it was just a research tool my reasoning was that if I didnt spend too much, I had less to lose if I decided IP CCTV was not for me. I have since learnt that although I wont be losing much in terms of cash, the amount of hours I have spent on this project is staggering, but I have to admit I am learning at a great rate, which is something. Better to learn at my house than a clients!
So I brought a cheap IP camera via ebay. The box says it's ONVIF compliant, but there is no brand name or model number. Initially, the software did not fully work and the supplier sent me a revised software package; I should add that ebay actually forced them into action because they were ignoring my complaints.
I can now view the camera over the LAN and WAN and both the day and night views are actually much better than I expected. The problem I have is that the server I am using, via the supplied software is in Chinese, which will not translate and therefore I am unable to 'get inside the camera' to carry out the necessary adjustments. I have tried Milestone Xprotect Go & Essential, plus a few other free or trial vcm software packages and none of them will 'find' the camera, even after I supply the camera IP address and port number, so I am unable to get on another server.
I acknowledge of course that this is my fault and it's happened because I got a cheap camera, but in my ignorance I did not realise it would cause me this many problems. I assumed the picture or build quality would be lacking, but I didnt expect the type of problem I have ended up with.
So, when you all stop laughing, can anbody suggest what I should do next? I'm expecting the top answer to be get a better camera, but if there are any other suggestions I would be grateful.
Signed by Anonymous!