Foscam FI8904W

This is a basic IP camera, with passable daytime video quality and IR night capability available cheaply for only £65 from Amazon in the UK in December 2011.

I wouldn't expose it directly to the elements without some shelter. Note also the plugs/sockets from the box are captive and have only a ~1m lead so you'll need something like an external junction box to terminate them.

The camera I have arrived with

Firmware Version 11.25.2.38

Embeded Web UI Version 2.4.9.15

Note that a request for updated firmware from Foscam support offered me a much older firmware.

The details on the Foscam page were a very useful in getting this setup, especially in passing your username and password.

The below assumes you have got the camera setup and connected to your network, and use a static IP address. You will have also setup a new user on the camera and are using that account to retrieve the snapshots or video.

Using the FI8904W with Zoneminder

You can either use the snapshot stream, or video stream.

If the IP Address of the camera is 192.168.1.100 then the monitor settings for each are:

Snapshots :

For a 640 x 480, ~ 5-7 frames a second stream :

Protocol : HTTP

Mehtod : Simple

Remote Hostname : <your camera's static IP address>, eg 192.168.1.100

Port : 80

Path : /snapshot.cgi?user=<username>&pwd=<password>&resolution=32&rate=6

Colours : 24 bit

Width : 640

Height : 480

I found the camera could supply a maximum of 9-10fps.

The only other issue is your box running Zoneminder box will be quite busy decoding jpgs - the libjpeg-turbo MMX libraries do help here if you have a modern CPU. Alternatively, switch to the videostreaming method below,.

Video Streaming :

Config as above, but the path changes to

Path : /snapshot.cgi?user=<username>&pwd=<password>

To get a stream running about 10-12fps. I found that the stream wasn't entirely smooth, with a small pause every 2 seconds. Forcing a frame rate just slower than this does help give you a smoother stream, and so better playback:

Path : /snapshot.cgi?user=<username>&pwd=<password>&rate=6

Gives for me a framerate for me of 7.5fps, and rate=3 gives 10fps.

Changing the Lens :

I understand the camera uses CS format CCTV lenses, which can be swapped if you don't mind some disassembly of the unit - there are a few videos on Youtube showing people doing this.

The camera I have arrived with a 3.6mm lens which gives quite a wide field of view, but I've got 6,8, 10 and 12mm lenses coming which will give more of a 'zoom' as the lens gets 'longer', but I am expecting will require careful focussing.

They're easily sourced via eBay for £3-5 from suppliers in Hong Kong.