A customer emailed us with the following question related to our iCamViewer surveillance camera iphone app:

I got the VS7100 along with the Icamviewer app on my iphone. I can't seem to get this to work - is there additional setup instruction available?

Here is the answer:

In order for the Vivotek VS7100 network video server to work with the iCamViewer app, you must set the 1st video stream to MJPEG, by doing the following.

1. From a web browser login to you VS7100
2. Click on the Configuration link on the left side of the screen
3. Then click on the audio & video link on the left
4. On the Audio & video settings screen set the mode to JPEG for the first stream as seen below:

Note: you can still use set the 2nd stream to MPEG if you want to record MPEG video on your NVR.

A customer contacting CCTV camera pros with the following question:

Could you please advise if you have a product that can convert a couple of outdoor analog PTZ cameras which are still in good order, into Internet protocol transmission and control.

In particular I'm wondering whether you have a product that will handle these legacy cameras and facilitate accessing and controlling the PTZ controls via an iPhone.

CCTV Camera Pros recommendation:

Thank You for contacting CCTV Camera Pros. Yes, you can use a network video server, also known as an IP video server, to turn the analog signal of a CCTV camera into a digital IP signal. This effectively converts your CCTV camera into an IP camera. We have two brands of video servers available that I recommend for your consideration, Zavio and Geovision.

This model will enable you to access your camera through the safari web browser that is built into the iPhone and iPad. The Zavio video server is and also compatible with our free iPhone app, iCamViewer.
http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/Zavio-Network-Video-Server-p/v111t.htm

Here is a link to the free iPhone app:
http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/CCTV-Camera-iPhone-App-s/362.htm

The iCamViewer unfortunately does not support PTZ controls at this time so it is really better for non-PTZ cameras. You can control the PTZ of the camera from Safari using the Zavio video server. Please also be aware that the remote viewing and controls work great from a Windows PC through Internet Explorer.

The second choice is Geovision video servers which can be found here. There is a 2 channel and 4 channel model available.
http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/Geovision-Video-Servers-s/435.htm

The Geovision video servers offer a free iPhone and HD iPad application that does support PTZ controls. In addition, like the Zavio server, the Geovision server also lets you connect to your camera from Internet Explorer and the controls work great from there.

One other option if you are considering to replace your legacy CCTV DVR or VCR is our iDVR. Our iDVR video surveillance recorders are network capable and have one of the best iPhone apps available. The iPhone app supports remote PTZ controls. Please take a look here when you have a chance:

http://www.cctvcamerapros.com/Internet-Video-Surveillance-DVR-s/424.htm

You will find on that page many screen shots and videos that show the iPhone app.

Please let us know if you have any further questions regarding converting a CCTV camera to IP camera or anything else related to video surveillance.

Hello Today we had a customer call with the following question.

Question: Can you unplug the external USB HDD and plug in as needed to be used like a "hot swap hard drive".

Answer: Every time you want to remove it, you have to log into the web interface and Log into the storage settings right next to the format section there is a "Remove" button.That is the safe eject button. If you just unplug it, the most recent video files would not be properly written into the database the "Eject" button forces the database to update before removing it from the storage pool.

I am having a heck of a time getting my new Vivotek VS7100 video encoder to e-mail me. I went to the manufacture site and they said the SMTP server needs to be the RECEIVER's SMTP. I have tried it a dozen different ways with my SMTP and with Gmail's but still no luck. Do you think it's a port or authentication issue?

Customer had the following question:

I have a question about the Geovision GV-VS02 IP video server. Does it control Pelco Coaxitron protocol?

CCTV Camera Pros answered as follows:

Unfortunately the Geovision GV-VS02, as with all other IP network video servers that we carry, support PTZ controls with RS-485 and RS-232 protocols / connectors.

Please reply to this forum post if you have any follow up questions.

Thanks.
-Mike