Webcam software recommendation.

[Hugh Whalen]

I have been using Evocam (long since discontinued) as software for my webcam. Time (or past time) to update.

I need something very simple.
1. Connect to my Logitech wireless webcam.
2. Save snapshot every x seconds to a specific folder on my Mac
3. Upload to website. (optional)

Any recommendations?

Hugh

[xairbusdriver]

That's a good question. My SCNC3924 (WiFi/Ethernet/PoE) is also out-of-production. No software needed. Just tell WC where it is and WC takes care of all the rest.

[Hugh Whalen]

I know the URL. However, the webcam needs a username and password. How do I do this?

Currently, this is what it shows:

[elagache]

Dear Hugh, X-Air, and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

I know the URL. However, the webcam needs a username and password. How do I do this?

Yes any Internet security expert would scream over the idea, but you can send username and password as clear text as part of the URL.  If the string doesn't get beyond your local area network, that should be okay.  Here is Stack Overflow article on how to do it:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/50528467/how-to-add-login-credentials-to-url

Basically you include the username and password in this format:

Code: [Select]

http://username:password@domain.com/
This won't work if there are any complications in the URL processing.  However, I would expect that your camera would be an extremely simple HTTP server, so there is at least a chance it would work.

Please let us know if it does!

Cheers, Edouard

[Blicj11]

I have been using Evocam (long since discontinued) as software for my webcam. Time (or past time) to update.

Any recommendations?

Hugh, take a look at this short thread in the forum.
https://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2565.0

[Steve]

As another long time EvoCam user, I switched to SecuritySpy several years ago. (bensoftware.com) But it is neither cheap nor simple, so likely way more than you want or need.

Like Xair, I have several Sharx cameras. I have mine set to send an image to a folder on my Mac every minute, and WeatherCat picks it up there and adds the weather overlay. But I doubt the Logical software does that, or you wouldn't be asking.

Hopefully, Edouard's link will help solve your needs.

Good luck!

[EDIT] Thanks Blick!

[Blicj11]

Steve, your yard is looking amazingly spring-like.

[Hugh Whalen]

I tried http://username:password@domain.com and no luck. So I tried SecuritySpy. I can connect to my camera but cannot figure out how to save snapshot to my Mac.

[Hugh Whalen]

Problem solved. Contacted SecuritySpy and they provided me with an AppleScript file.

Hugh

[Steve]

Problem solved. Contacted SecuritySpy and they provided me with an AppleScript file.

Fantastic! That's above and beyond these days. It is an expensive software package (I have the 8-pack) but is a quality application with a lot of versatility!

I have it set to upload the captured image to my hosting company's server. Then point to that in WeatherCat to apply the on-screen data. What does the AppleScript do instead?

[Hugh Whalen]

Applescript sets the directory. It then takes a snapshot of the image and writes it to the directory. Then tell WeatherCat where the file is so it can modify it and upload it.  Here is the script.

repeat
   set theFile to "/Users/hughwhalen/Documents/WeatherCatExports/webcamimage.jpg"
   
   tell application "SecuritySpy" to capture image as theFile camera number 1 with overwrite
   
   delay 10
end repeat

[Hugh Whalen]

Forgot to add this.

Go to Applications and select Utilities then Script Editor.

Open up a new script. Give it a name. Copy script above and paste it in Script Editor. Save the Script.

You will now need to make an Application.

Go to Script Editor > File > Export ...

On the File format select Application. Put the application wherever you want. Just remember the directory.

You now need to set it up to run when your Mac starts up.

Go to System Preferences > Users and Groups

Click on the User you want.
Click on the lock to make changes and put in your password.
Click on Login Items
Click on +
Go to the directory in which you stored the executable
Highlight the app
Click on Add
You can also select Hide if you do not want it to appear when you start your computer.
Click on the lock to prevent changes..
Close System Preferences

You're done. Next time you log on the script will run automatically.

Hugh

[Blicj11]

Thanks for posting the solution Hugh. I love it when a WeatherCatter figures out a solution.