Surveillance IP/Network Camera that works with Linux

English Hardware
1

I am looking for a indoors network surveilance camera, that is compatible (has software) with Linux. Cloud storage is a must, but I also want option for local network storage to a NAS. Most of the software I have seen for network cameras are Windows exclusive.

Some cameras I have looked into:
D-Link DCS-935L
D-Link DCS-960L
Netgear Arlo Q
Netgear Arlo VMS3130 Base Station and 1 HD camera
Netgear Arlo VMC3030 (Single 1 HD camera without base station)
TP-Link NC250
Nest Cam
Logitech Logi Circle

The Netgear Arlo got an 2016 CES innovation award.

Some tests. One where Netgean Arlo Q where best, the other Logitech Circle.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-home-security-cameras,review-2741.html
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-home-security-camera/

D-Link, Netgear and TP-Link all have their Cloud Service to upload the video. However none of them offers storage to a local server. It is not even possible to opt out of Cloud Storage for Netgear.

D-Link does have a software application that can record the video from their network camera to local storage, but it is for Windows only.

These cameras seems to support recording to NAS:
D-Link Vigilance DCS-2132L
D-Link Vigilance DCS-4201EV
Though I have read something that using D-Link mydlink requires an mydlink activated Cloud-ruter. I reckon that is in addition to my standard WiFi router.

I want Cloud Storage as it is important for security reasons, but I do not want to solely rely on that and would like the ability to store locally on my own network to either offload to my own preffered Cloud Storage solution.

The TP-Link camera seems to need a plugin in order to play video and audio in the web browser.

Axis M1031
This one is expensive, but offers storage to local network with FTP or NAS. It has 3G mobile network, internal web server accessible everywhere. Though low resolution of video with only 1280x1024.

Can anyone recommend a surveillance camera that will work well with my Linux server and Linux desktop?

2

I highly recommend Zoneminder.
https://zoneminder.com/
And, YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=zoneminder

A boatload of advanced features I guarantee you normally see only in very expensive sofware.
Like…

The ability to track individuals as they move across your screen.
Ability to crop and segment your screen into “zones” for different types of tracking.
Ability to save video only when certain actions/movements are detected, and when triggered, the video saved actually <starts> some time <before> the trigger so you save even frames before the triggering event.
Works with practically any kind of IP or other camera in existence.
Despite ability to set up a varied and possibly complex network of cameras, everything is managed through a relatively easy web interface (or scriptable).

I started building an Zoneminder on openSUSE not that long ago but got side-tracked.
Was not a slam-dunk to install on openSUSE easily, but I see the latest news is that they may have modified their install to be easier.

TSU

3

Note that cameras and other iot things are potential sources of DDOS attacked so be sure to NOT to use default passwords and set all security. The recent 1.5 TB DDOS attacks are originating from compromised iot stuff.

4

I know, very lowtech, but transparent when it comes to hard/software:

Raspberry pi 2b with cam module (even fisheye-like modules available now) running motion software. It’s not 100% realtime (some seconds delay). But realtime HD video stream is also possible, maybe with additional motion detection and video/photo storage via motion software.

Just an idea. You set up the system once (e.g. raspian jessie light), copy the SDcard and can have as many systems running as you need.

5

Thanks for the info. Zoneminder looks interesting. It is supposed to work with any network/IP camera.

6

I was thinking of getting the Netgear Arlo Q, however I have found some information that it cannot be used with ZoneMinder since the video is encrypted

According to Netgear’s product manager, Arlo transmits Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) data from the camera to the server, which is then pushed to the Arlo mobile and browser apps “using an industry standard secure Transport Layer Security (TLS).” This would mean that RTSP stream is encrypted and cannot be used to integrate with other apps/software.

List of supported Network cameras in ZoneMinder
https://wiki.zoneminder.com/Hardware_Compatibility_List#Network_Cameras
Netgear is not on the list, neither is Logitech. The two most top tested network cameras.

For Network Cams to work they need to be able to stream MJPEG without the requirement of activex controls.

Motion JPEG. Does it not support real video codecs like H.264?

7

It does seem like ZoneMinder can retrieve MPEG4 or H.264 video from some D-Link network cameras
https://wiki.zoneminder.com/D-Link#DCS-2210_and_DCS-2230

Seems RTSP is needed for MPEG4 or H.264 from the network camera. However I guess it must be non-encrypted or it will get same problem as with Netgear.

8

Although I haven’t looked into it even a tiny bit,

I’d be incredibly surprised if TLS/SSL3 can’t be configured on Zoneminder, since as the snippet you posted described those are very common industry standard encryption methods… eg. It’s done all the time with mail and web servers. Although there is some fudging of the lines, in general TLS and SSL3 are nearly identical although SSL is commonly used in Server/Client connections while TLS is commonly used in Server/Server connections.

So, for instance if you Google “zoneminder vivotek” (vivotek is another camera which transmits RTSP encrypted with TLS) you’ll find solutions.

The only Google hit I get with Zoneminder and your camera is a short discussion between two guys who didn’t have the background to have their discussion (One guy asked the question, the only guy who answered didn’t know any more than the first guy).

TSU