LaView ONE Dot question

[m4paws]

Hi all,
Great forum here. Not sure if this thread is for posting issues, or not, but here goes.

I am a complete newbie to IP cameras and just got a LaView ONE Dot, Model PWF812B-U. Before I received it, I downloaded the manual and it indicated that I could use the camera with a desktop by using an ethernet cable to connect the camera to my router, which is what I want to do. But when I got the camera, the manual in the box just talked about setting it up via smartphone app.

I did set it up via wifi and the app with my smartphone, and I am able to determine the camera's IP address. However, if I type the IP address into my desktop's browser, I cannot access the camera.

The camera does not have an ethernet port and the power cord has a USB connection on one end to plug into the power plug, so I am wondering if I got a USB to Ethernet adapter, would this work so I could initially set up the camera to work with my desktop and their desktop software?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TonyR]

Can you return it?

It's a cloud cam, using P2P to communicate with a Laview server. Anytime you scan a QR code with a phone app and especially if you have to create an account, it'll be a cloud cam. What that means is they can see your cam, maybe require storage fees at some point and you are subject to their every whim. And the fact that it's wireless is the clincher. I'm pretty sure the USB port is so you can use the plethora of 5VDC USB chargers and mini-, micro- and type C USB cables that are out there simply to power it, I doubt it has any networking ability.

You might be able to run a network packet analyzer like Wireshark to find out some stuff but not sure if that's worth your time, let alone in your wheelhouse (no offense). Hey, I wouldn't spend the time either.

This is a partial screenshot of LaView's datasheet on that cam, full version ==>> here. Note the 'proprietary protocols'.



Here's my suggestion if you want a 'cube cam' like the Lavew but want to be able to look at it wired to a PC or stream video to Blue Iris one day:
Read @VorlonFrog 's post >here< where he states "...Hikvision cube cameras, 2, 3, or 4 megapixel varieties. Check for the 2MP Annke rebrand for $60 from Amazon or the 4MP Hykamic rebrand for $90."

EDIT: Also, more info on the Annke cube cam on page 27 of the Cliff Notes ==>> here.

 

[mat200]

Hi all,
Great forum here. Not sure if this thread is for posting issues, or not, but here goes.

I am a complete newbie to IP cameras and just got a LaView ONE Dot, Model PWF812B-U. ...

Welcome m4paws,

Looks like they made a generic PDF for the WiFi cameras and not one which actually fully represents the camera you got:
https://www.laviewsecurity.com/files/documentation/user_manual_Wifi Cam.pdf

That really sucks, and is clearly deceptive given you've found no ethernet port on that camera. Careless on LaView's part.

Looking at the spec sheet:
https://www.laviewsecurity.com/files/datasheet/LV-PWF812-U.pdf
Protocol: Laview cloud proprietary protocol

Time to return it.

Some of LaView's cameras are good solid IP PoE cameras, there are evens models which are Hikivision OEM Cubes - similar to what TonyR mentions.
Example, unfortunately it is OOS: LaView laView Wifi Camera

Some of the LaView cameras are cloud cameras, like TonyR mentions - they tend to go on sale often.

 

[m4paws]

Thank you both very much for the replies, I really appreciate it. I'm feeling pretty lost here. I was able to run it with some software on my PC, something called LaView NET client. There are also 2 other softwares, LaView NET Storage Server and LaView Stream Media Server (which I can't figure out how to make the SD card on the camera be the storage server, and I don't know what the media server does.

The camera doesn't have a USB port. The only port it has is for the microSD card. The power cord from the camera has USB on the other end, which you plug into a wall wart in order to power the camera. After doing more research, I believe I can't buy a USB to Ethernet adapter because I need power for the camera and I don't believe my router powers the Ethernet ports.

After much trial and error, I got the camera to show up in the LaView Net Client software, and can access live view and also the camera's settings. I have also installed a microSD card in the camera for storage. I definitely don't want to pay for cloud services.

This is terrible software, no help files at all. It's a miracle I even got the camera to show up. But it's Live View only. I have recorded on the camera onto the SD card, but I can't or don't know how to access the recording from the desktop software. I can only access the recording from my smartphone. I'm going to play around with it some more.

What I'm doing with the camera is I put it facing the window so I can see the swimming pool. Another question I have is will I be able to be at work and see the camera at home without using a cloud service, and just the smartphone app?

 

[TonyR]

Hence, the negative reasons, as you cited above, for the "special" promotion.

You might be able to see it via smartphone, but P2P still uses a server outside your LAN regardless if you have to pay or not or have storage or not.

 

[looney2ns]

Return it or sell it on Ebay are the best options.
Avoid wifi and cloud based anything in the future for cams.
Then read the Cliff Notes in the Wiki at the top of the page.

 

[mat200]

Thank you both very much for the replies, I really appreciate it. I'm feeling pretty lost here. ..

Hi @m4paws

Completely understand, I too was lost at all the options and products out there when I first started my journey.

Thus, I highly recommend the cliff notes to get started on your journey.

Don't worry, just start reading as you have time and you'll quickly get there.

Once done with the cliff notes start expanding your knowledge by reading particular topics you want to learn more about.

Then perhaps order a good solid IP PoE camera and PSE ( power sourcing equipment ) and start playing with that to get an idea of what can be done.

IPCamTalk WiKi | IP Cam Talk

 

[m4paws]

Hence, the negative reasons, as you cited above, for the "special" promotion.

You might be able to see it via smartphone, but P2P still uses a server outside your LAN regardless if you have to pay or not or have storage or not.

Thanks, Tony. The smartphone app works but when I record, it records onto my smartphone and not the camera's SD card. I don't know if it's an issue with the app, or that's how the camera is, but I can't imagine why it would have the option to add a microSD card and not be able to record to it. When I go into the app's settings, it does show the camera's SD card as storage. But when I record something, the only way to access the recording is through a "playback folder" and those videos clearly are on the smartphone. The app has an option to search video history but nothing comes up.

Return it or sell it on Ebay are the best options.
Avoid wifi and cloud based anything in the future for cams.
Then read the Cliff Notes in the Wiki at the top of the page.

Great advice! This camera is definitely a dud, but I'm glad I didn't pay for it except shipping cost of $6. Then I'd be really upset and would have returned it. I got to try out the android app at work today and it was kind of fun watching my cat walking around the house.

I don't think I'd sell it on Ebay because I don't want anyone else to be as frustrated as I am.

Hi @m4paws

Once done with the cliff notes start expanding your knowledge by reading particular topics you want to learn more about.

Then perhaps order a good solid IP PoE camera and PSE ( power sourcing equipment ) and start playing with that to get an idea of what can be done.

IPCamTalk WiKi | IP Cam Talk

Thanks, Mat, I really appreciate it. Looks like I have a lot to read and this site looks like a treasure trove of knowledge.

 

[m4paws]

Update: Hey guys. Well I think their tech support got sick of me, so they're sending me a different camera, the Laview LV-PW65382, and can be seen here: LaView IP Cameras

I wanted to get the one that Mat200 referred to but it's still out of stock. Do you think this LV-PW65382 is better than the other one I have?

 

[TonyR]

Update: Hey guys. Well I think their tech support got sick of me, so they're sending me a different camera, the Laview LV-PW65382, and can be seen here: LaView IP Cameras

I wanted to get the one that Mat200 referred to but it's still out of stock. Do you think this LV-PW65382 is better than the other one I have?

On a plus note, it appears to be able to be configured to work with an NVR using an IP address (not limited to P2P and a cloud) so that's a good thing.
On the down side, it appears it's only wireless but it's still 'better' than the 'ONE Dot', IMO.

 

[m4paws]

Thanks, Tony. When you say only wireless, does that mean no ethernet? I do see in the specs where it says it has ethernet interface.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks, Tony. When you say only wireless, does that mean no ethernet? I do see in the specs where it says it has ethernet interface.

Nope, you're correct...it does say that in specs...my bad, I missed that so let's hope that's true. Now it's MUCH better than the ONE Dot.

 

[m4paws]

Thanks, Tony, I really appreciate the reply Now I wonder if the ethernet is only for hooking up to the router for configuration of the camera, or will I be able to use it plugged into my ethernet switch so the camera would be hard-wired. Not that it really matters I guess.

They also had another camera, a 4MP with H.265 encoding, but I don't think they would send me that one anyway, and I also wondered if I would have had problems with it having H.265 and Windows 7 and browser support.

But anyway, I'm happy that they're even sending me a different camera and one that is better than the One DOT. I've also been reading and reading the wiki here and really appreciate the great help on this forum.

 

[mat200]

Thanks, Tony, I really appreciate the reply Now I wonder if the ethernet is only for hooking up to the router for configuration of the camera, or will I be able to use it plugged into my ethernet switch so the camera would be hard-wired. Not that it really matters I guess.
...

HI m4paws!

Looks like a much better camera!

The ethernet cable will work for setup as well as data, just need to power via the barrel adapter iirc.

 

[TonyR]

....Hi,
I got a LaView One Dot too...

Maybe you can clear this up once and for all:
Are they strictly wireless or do they also have an Ethernet port?

 

[m4paws]

Hi Tony, no ethernet port on the LaView ONE Dot. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving your opinion. They were going to send me the Laview LV-PW65382 but even though specs on Laview's website says it has ethernet port, it doesn't. It does have ONVIF however. I just wonder if it would be accessible via a browser if it's not hardwired first when initially setting it up.

So now I have a choice of 3 cameras and can't decide which one to get. There is one that is 4MP but that one doesn't have ethernet port either, but does have ONVIF standard. The second choice is a 2MP with an ethernet port and supposedly has ONVIF. Then the third choice is the LV-PW65382.

I can't find the 4MP one on Laview's website but found it on Amazon, PWF604. It says it has H.265 compression and I don't know if that would present any problems: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-LaView-Surveillance-Security-Detection/dp/B078PBWR26/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

The the other 2 cameras are here on Amazon (both are listed on the same page). This is the one without ethernet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0779D32YM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A36U4Y2Z2BV55K&psc=1

Lastly, this one does have ethernet, the LV-PWR302, and even though specs on Laview's website says ISAPI for standard, I was told it has ONVIF: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077966J5F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A36U4Y2Z2BV55K&th=1

If you or anyone else has any opinions of which of these 3 cameras to get, I'd appreciate it.

 

[TonyR]

Lastly, this one does have ethernet, the LV-PWR302, and even though specs on Laview's website says ISAPI for standard, I was told it has ONVIF: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077966J5F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A36U4Y2Z2BV55K&th=1

I have no experience with any of those but if a cam is being sent to you in exchange for the ONE Dot I'd go with the LV-PWR302, the one with the Ethernet port.

And that's based on a picture, specs can be misleading and wrong...what a PITA!

 

[m4paws]

Thanks, Tony! I'm leaning towards the LV-PWR302 because of the ethernet port. I do like the good reviews for the 4MP one but no ethernet. One review said he got it to work with Blue Iris too. Yeah, specs are definitely misleading, but I'm not surprised after reading their instruction manual. They use one manual for all their wifi cameras. I am curious though if a camera is ONVIF standard, and it does not have an ethernet port, are you still able to access it via a browser on the desktop by typing in it's IP address? I know the ONE Dot is not accessible this way but it is not ONVIF, if that makes a difference.

 

[TonyR]

Thanks, Tony! I'm leaning towards the LV-PWR302 because of the ethernet port. I do like the good reviews for the 4MP one but no ethernet. One review said he got it to work with Blue Iris too. Yeah, specs are definitely misleading, but I'm not surprised after reading their instruction manual. They use one manual for all their wifi cameras. I am curious though if a camera is ONVIF standard, and it does not have an ethernet port, are you still able to access it via a browser on the desktop by typing in it's IP address? I know the ONE Dot is not accessible this way but it is not ONVIF, if that makes a difference.

I don't have a lot of experience with P2P but I believe that usually when a cam is wireless and they want you to use an app to set it up, the HTTP port you'd use to access via web browser is possibly altered or not available. An experienced person with a packet sniffer might be able to discover more and make the necessary moves to access it via browser. Now if it has an Ethernet port you're very likely going to be able to access the cam via browser.

Not all cams with P2P ability are bad, most allow you to NOT use it. You just don't need to be locked into that, especially if it involves a cloud and the cam is wireless only.

 

[m4paws]

Ok, thanks. I know with the ONE Dot, I was able to access it via my desktop pc, but only through software, and not directly via ip address in a browser. That way I was able to get into the camera's settings (the android smartphone app has no image settings and very few camera settings). I think I should probably just go with the PWR302 since it does have ethernet and supposedly is ONVIF (which I hear is something good to have in an ip camera, still reading the wiki