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    Help with OpenVPN Errors (using Netgear Router)

    As far as I know, we followed all the Netgear steps for installing/activating OpenVPN on our Windows laptop and Netgear AX4200 router. Turned on DDNS in the router and entered the appropriate user/password info from noip.com (successfully communicated with noip.com using the Netgear router...
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    EmpireTech Security Settings

    Thanks for the links, @samplenhold! I read most of these about a month ago, but most of it went over my head. Reading it now, it makes a lot more sense. Much appreciate you taking the time to post these links. Hoping to get a quick answer before we pull the trigger on a new router. As a...
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    EmpireTech Security Settings

    Appreciate the replies/help, @wittaj, @Rob2020, @bigredfish. Thanks for the diagram, @samplenhold! Really helps to visualize future options. I can certainly see why these EmpireTech cams come highly recommended. Huge potential . . . if you can get them setup properly. Just getting IVS to...
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    EmpireTech Security Settings

    @steve1225, thanks for the reply. Without the valid SSL certificates to enable HTTPS this leaves the cameras unprotected from security exploits, correct? If so, how would one go about sourcing a valid SSL certificate for the domain that the EmpireTech cam is operating on? Thx.
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    EmpireTech Security Settings

    The cams are connected to a router via a POE switch (using micro SD's for storage). Don't believe the DMSS iOS app will work with the cams without internet access. @wittaj, appreciate your suggestions earlier. Not sure which option to pursue---or which one offers the most bang for our...
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    EmpireTech Security Settings

    When it comes to networks, I'm a complete newb. Any simple check to make sure I'm not connected to the internet? Been tinkering with the GUI presets quite a bit. There's a chance I coulda switched something I shouldn't have. lol! Thx!
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    EmpireTech Security Settings

    Could use some advice on whether to enable/non-enable the following GUI Security items on our EmpireTech cams: 1. Security->System Service->802.1x, HTTPS HTTPS was not enabled on our cams. I enabled it and started receiving the "Your connection isn't private" browser warning with "https" in...
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    POE Switch Question

    Thanks. What entry level, make/model 16ch POE switch would you recommend? Our current setup is using a Mokerlink 8ch unit. I assume this is another no-name?
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    POE Switch Question

    @DsineR, unfortunately, no available ports on the router. Thanks for the replies @TonyR, @looktall, @NoProblems. Just to play it safe, we ended up ordering a (no-name) 16ch 10/100/1000 POE switch (with dual 2gb uplink ethernet ports and SFP) rather than try to parallel a 2nd 8ch POE switch...
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    POE Switch Question

    Currently using an 8 ch 10/100mbps POE switch with 2 1000mbps uplink ports. One of the two uplink ports is connected to our router. Looks like we're going to need more channels. I'm assuming the two 1000mbps uplink ports on this POE switch are paralleled? If so, can we connect the uplink...
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    No Substream

    Yup, you were right---it was an ONVIF password issue. Got the Substream up and running. Thanks, @wittaj! Funny though, I can access the cam using admin and my current password via the DMSS iOS app, but this same password is invalid for the "User" admin and "ONVIF User" admin accounts in the...
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    No Substream

    Been experimenting with BI to get a basic feel for the app (for the time being we're using DMSS). Got our 5 cams added and are able to view vids. However, can't Access the Substream on one cam (EmpireTech 1/1.8 4mp bullet). After running Find/inspect, the Stream Profiles only show...
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    Motion Detection/SMD Questions/Issues

    @bigrredfish, @wittaj, thanks! This was so far off my radar. Had no idea all these options/switches existed. Not sure how I missed all this stuff in the Events section. @bigredfish, appreciate the screenshots--very helpful (and idiot-proof--lol!). Creating the custom intrusion/detection zones...
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    Motion Detection/SMD Questions/Issues

    Thanks for the reply. Can you explain how. Didn't see any specific switches for turning SMD or IVS off/on in the AI area of the ip/browser. First time accessing this stuff so no doubt I'm missing something.
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    Motion Detection/SMD Questions/Issues

    Been testing/using two EmpireTech cams with the DMSS iOS app. Having different motion detection/SMD issues in each cam: 1. Originally had a 1/1.8 4mp 3.6mm bullet installed in our driveway. There was enough ambient lighting that it stayed in color mode through the night. SMD human and...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @wittaj, @bigredfish, thanks! On paper, the 4k/x/t's seem like the cat's meow. The cons, inaccurate focus (and no IR), are disappointing. Nice to discover this now, rather than later. Again, thanks. @Teken, you nailed my perspective on this journey perfectly. Passion (and money) are...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @Teken, thanks for clarifying all the factors that go into choosing and using micro SD cards. I assumed they were more reliable. We used micro SD cards in a bunch of 720p/1080p wifi cams (continuous recording) for many, many years and never had a failure. I'm guessing this was due to the...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @wittaj, wow! Thank you for taking the time to make this post! It really put our options, moving forward, into much clearer focus. I don't think we'll be in a position to make any good, knowledgeable decisions on any of this until we have a better grasp on security risks, costs...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @mat200, thank you for the explanation. I've read the DORI section. Can't say I'm fluent on its contents, but it is one of the reasons I could somewhat appreciate how/why the 1/1.8 4mp EmpireTech cam came recommended by a number of folks here on ipcamtalk. Have to say, low light capability...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    In my post I concluded the hardware was up to the task based on the Reolink iOS app's excellent playback performance. Be default that puts the onus on the DMSS iOS app. That's why I posted "The playback problem appears to be with the DMSS iOS app itself." Are we not saying the same thing? I...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @wittaj (and everyone else), as always, thanks for your replies. I didn't run any of the cams in default/auto. I adjusted every possible default/preset and checked the results. Not trying to win a photo contest with the EmpireTech cam--lol! However, when 20-25% of your vid is unviewable due...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    Got our EmpireTech 1/1.8 4mp bullet cam (IPC-B54IR-ASE-3.6mm) up and running with the DMSS iOS app in our backyard yesterday. According to Andy it has the same sensor/optics/firmware as the turret version (IPC-T54IR-AS 3.6mm). Only difference is the bullet has one IR LED vs. two on the turret...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    Thanks for the reply! Good to hear. Just to confirm, when you receive an alert notification on your phone (in my case an iphone) are you able to view the video for that alert within a few seconds of receiving the notification on your phone using the DMSS app? If it matters we're recording...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    Not familiar with iDMSS. Is it functionally the same as the DMSS iOS app? We've been recording 24/7/365 to Samsung micro SD cards in our 7 wifi cams for over 5 years and never experienced a failure. We've been using 256gb cards in our Reolinks cams and manage almost 96 hours at ~6100 kbps...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    I was researching Pushover when you mentioned it in an earlier post. Will probably dig deeper once we've confirmed DMSS is a no-go.
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @wittaj, I only used BI for a few hours, but I did notice the thumbnails pop-up for each alert---nice feature. For us, not a deal breaker. Our cameras will not be pointed at any high-traffic, public areas. On a typical day we usually received 4-6 alerts when we had our cheap wifi cams. We...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @mat200, surprised to hear you had to go hybrid to get the alert coverage you needed. Hope we're not asking for too much from one app. Time will tell I guess.
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    @wittaj, thanks again for your reply. I'm very clear on the good cam/bad OEM software and bad cam/good OEM software relationship. However, what would be helpful, at this point, is knowing how the DMSS iOS app handles alerts. Yes, overall the DMSS iOS app may be seen as inferior to Reolink...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    Got the 5 Reolinks connected and running with BI. Did this just to get a general feel for BI. No doubt, BI offers massive flexibility, but requires more hardware, additional support software and lots of tweaking. We love the simplicity of a POE switch and micro SD cards. However, if we can't...
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    Newb with Questions About Reolink Cameras

    Thanks for the reply, @wittaj. Have the record-on-motion sent to 15 seconds---the minimum. The Reolink cams appear to record video in 2 min blocks. During video playback you can see a slight hesitation when it transitions from one block to the next. My guess the app and/or camera can't...