Security cameras with Kubuntu?

[Qqmike]

I'm new to all this. Just investigating, pre-purchase.
Suppose you set up a couple solar, WiFi, home security cameras.
Two leading companies are Eufy and Reolink.

Option#1 is to totally use your cell phone(s) to do everything --
view live/recorded footage from the camera(s); get firmware updates on-line using the camera's app. Correct?

Option #2 -- and this is my question --
Using your Kubuntu OS, are you able to view live/recorded footage through Firefox or Chromium?
(You can do this with Windows OSs.)
The on-line searches I've seen are not real clear on this.
Some users in [camera] "community" websites indicate they are not able to do so with Linux (Ubuntu).

[skyfishgoo]

for eufy at least you can only set up your camera thru their proprietary software (google play or apple store).

but they do offer a webportal that you can use in your browser if you enable that feature in the app

you need to create a eufy acct on their website and login, then provide the safety pin that will grant you access for the period of time you specified when you generated the pin

https://www.eufy.com/blogs/security-...y-camera-on-pc

i've never used it tho, as i don't even have any account with them

[Virginio Miranda]

Hi there Qqmike ,

I own 3 solar, wifi, Reolink security cameras. Two Reolink duo e one Reolink Argus 3.
I have been using this for four years now. Still working like a charm with original battery.

Option#1 - I have been using Reolink App ( Android ) . The app do all of i want. Excellent sensors and notifications; by email or inside the android os. The sensors works for about 30 meters. Not more. Excellent infrared in the night and excellent colors capture in day and night too. i can say good definition for all of them ( Not excellent, but works good. )The duos are 5G and the Argus 3 only 2.4 Ghz. . But does not matters, because even on 5 G the wifi can work easy for about 100 - 150 mts. I use a starlink and two wavlink repeaters. The cameras are linked to wavlinks. They are a AX3000 dual band wifi 6 for external use.

Option#2 - Never could get them to work in a browser or even on a VLC. No way on linux and No way on Windows. To tell you the truth those cameras are not made for direct use or a NVR system. Reolink have another ones that fit this use in a better way.

I have not been using Eufy, only because they use to be a little more expensive in my country, but they are really good too. I dont know if you can use a browser or a VLC in linux to reach them.

[Qqmike]

Thanks skyfishgoo.

Thanks Virginio Miranda:

I was actually leaning toward Reolink. Fact is, relying just on the cell phone would be enough.
It sounds like you have done almost exactly what I would like to do, and it's working OK, including updating firmware (using your cell phone and app)?

For now, I wouldn't really need desktop PC support.
Fact is, I'm just kind of messing around, seeing what the cameras might do for
watching for deliveries at the front door and watching back yard activity (birds mostly, thus far! LOL).

Dumb question: You can use two cell phones to capture the live or recorded film, right?
So either or both people can keep track of things on their own cell phone, maybe even at the same time?
And both cell phones can get both cameras (in a 2-camera setup)?

[Virginio Miranda]

Yes Qqmike. You can do everything inside the app. Everything. A lot of control, including firmware update inside the apk.

There is a microphone inside the camera and you can keep a conversation with people. It is not so loud but is functional.

You can use one, two, three, four and so on app on different smartphones. Each one can keep different capture or recorded film. There is a slot for micro sd card. I have been using 512 MB. SD Card store the capture made for the sensor. There is a limit for the record between 10 and 30 seconds ( your choice ) when sensors capture a movement. The movement can be a car, a person, a dog, a bird ( your choice ). So, it will be sent for you and for the others users by email ( i use gmail )and store in the sd card too. Reolink app notify you inside android too.In this way you can get the capture from the sd card, from email notification and from the reolink apk. There are a lot of control on it. If the card get to be full, the first one is erase, so you dont have to be worried if the card is full.

Remember, this kind of this camera is not for long record. We are talking about solar and battery is the limit ok? About the battery and solar panel, they are both well designed. Even on a low sun condition, the battery get to be full recharge.

The reolink duo get 180 degrees of visualization, but there are a lot of models. i suggest 5 MP minimum.Anyway, install them and forget about. They do not loose configuration. Works very reliable on 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz.

I remember now. There are models that do not work with solar panels.

And yes, all of the smartphones can get both cameras.Not only two, but a much as you have. You can configure this. i have 3 and get all oh them in apk at the same time.

In time: my cameras are for external use. All of them get rain, sun, dust...and no problem at all. Four years working like a charm until now.

[Qqmike]

Great explanation, Virginio. Many thanks.

[skyfishgoo]

you can have the eufy app and many devices once it is paired with your local wi-fi... each of these apps has full control of the cameras and the ability to download/share video or still capture with other devices on your network

using kdeconnect i can easily get a video up on the PC screen for a closer look... this all takes place behind your wi-fi router and it does require good wi-fi signal where you intend to install the camera, so that is a consideration.

i ended up with a mesh system to get good signal out to where the cameras are.

eufy also offers a home base station that may have additional features for networking it with your PC directly, but i think mainly it is for more and longer term storage.

[Qqmike]

Thanks, skyfishgoo. I guess a Wii booster would do. Never used one, but know lots of people who do, especially for cameras.
Looks like Eufy vs Reolink might be close to a tie.