Repurpose security cameras?

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

Hi,

I have a number of old IP cameras (10-12 years old maybe roughly 8 years old) from a home security system I had, and I'm wondering if it's possible to repurpose them. The alarm system consisted of the cameras, a wireless router (based on OpenWRT if I recall correctly) and an Android tablet. I'm not sure at what level it's been locked down, does anyone know if it's possible to flash the camera's firmware with something open source/generic? I have very little knowledge of how IP cameras work. I've tried coaxing the cameras to communicate, but I can't get it to connect to a network. I've scanned the network using nmap on Linux, tried the camera's Ethernet and Wi-Fi, tried fiddling with the reset button and WPS button (two different iteration of the company's cameras). Even took one apart, but that was more for fun I guess.

The camera that has a WPS button started to beep once per second or so, and it continues to do so even after a power cycle. I think I broke its spirit. Or logic-bricked it between a WPS setup and a proprietary software lock. The system is very much a generic Chinese, off the shelf system with some sticker branding and I'm sure there's a way in. I tried logging in to the router to see how it's set up, SSH and web GUI is available, but obviously password protected (I've tried the basics).

The cameras are decent. 1080p, IR, pan/tilt, ethernet, wi-fi, mic, speaker, microsd card slot and some alarm pins. Would be nice to do something fun with them. I have a few of them, so I'm OK risking to brick one or two. I just have no idea what steps to take, and I'm hoping for some guidance. Does anyone have any tips? Can I add any information that would help?

Thank you!

Edit: Corrected age of cameras.
Edit2: To clarify, I don't need the cameras, and I don't need to replace them or buy new ones. Unlocking them is part of the challenge, and that's where I'm looking for guidance.

 

[DanDenver]

My oldest IP camera is about 5.5 years old (HIK Vision 4MP small sensor) and it won’t be around for more than another year as the functionality/quality is so sub-par from my other cameras.

Maybe a fun Arduino/Camera experiment for the kiddos? Arduino is an excellent intro to software/hardware integration and coding turorials. There is another thread on this forum of a contributor combining the two together successfully - just today by the way!

Here it is: ARDUINO & BLUE IRIS 5 | 2022

 

[DanDenver]

If the cameras are not ONVIF compliant then they are proprietary and will only be useful with equipment from manufacturers that support that specific closed eco system.

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

My oldest IP camera is about 5.5 years old (HIK Vision 4MP small sensor) and it won’t be around for more than another year as the functionality/quality is so sub-par from my other cameras.

Maybe a fun Arduino/Camera experiment for the kiddos? Arduino is an excellent intro to software/hardware integration and coding turorials. There is another thread on this forum of a contributor combining the two together successfully - just today by the way!

Here it is: ARDUINO & BLUE IRIS 5 | 2022

The point was to use them because I had them, along with some Raspberry Pi's I have laying around. Doesn't feel right recycling them as they're perfectly fine for lots of projects, and the projects don't warrant buying new hardware.

 

[DanDenver]

Arduino!! Awesome re-purpose!

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

If the cameras are not ONVIF compliant then they are proprietary and will only be useful with equipment from manufacturers that support that specific closed eco system.

I'm not sure how I would go about confirming ONVIF compliance if I can't communicate with them. I'm assuming ONVIF is partly software regulated, and it could be added if you had control of the firmware/software? I'm assuming IP cameras in general will request a DHCP lease from a router either way?

Is there such a thing as a generic firmware/software for IP cameras? Like OpenWRT can be used on all kinds of routers for example. I'm fairly certain that these cameras exist without a locked down firmware.

 

[DanDenver]

Is there such a thing as a generic firmware/software for IP cameras?

Possibly if they are kickstarter cameras. But most companies do not expose their source code since these are by definition: “security cameras”. So I am not too sure how far you might get with that. However, i am just an avid user/reader so am always up for learning something new in this field.

 

[DanDenver]

I'm assuming IP cameras in general will request a DHCP lease from a router

Plug a camera into your router and then look to see if it was given an IP address by the router (most likely a DHCP lease). If you don’t see an IP being assigned to a new MAC address, then I might suggest a packet sniffer as your next debugging stop. I like WireShark, but there are many available

 

[DanDenver]

I'm assuming ONVIF could be added

A reasonable ‘no’ to this. That would be a re-write of the cameras code base, so possible, but I am thinking out of scope for what you might be willing to dip a toe into and/or is even possible. But with cameras that are over a decade old, maybe there is something for me to learn here!

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

Plug a camera into your router and then look to see if it was given an IP address by the router (most likely a DHCP lease). If you don’t see an IP being assigned to a new MAC address, then I might suggest a packet sniffer as your next debugging stop. I like WireShark, but there are many available

I did, I've set up an air gapped network to play around with. I've scanned the network using nmap, tested the router it came with, some other router I had, and I set up an OpenWRT router on a Raspberry Pi. Even set it up with the same subnet that the proprietary router was using but to no avail. Not sure if the cameras aren't broadcasting or if they're locked with some sort of firewall rules. But it still has to support being added to a security system after the initial setup. And it came with OpenWRT router and an Android tablet with basically an app. Well, I guess a custom Android bootloader with the app on it - still basic Android with all standard android apps.

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

A reasonable ‘no’ to this. That would be a re-write of the cameras code base, so possible, but I am thinking out of scope for what you might be willing to dip a toe into and/or is even possible. But with cameras that are over a decade old, maybe there is something for me to learn here!

Well yes, that's what I meant with flashing with an open source firmware. I have no idea if it's possible, if there's a generic firmware to use or if I'd need something for that specific model.

 

[DanDenver]

Well yes, that's what I meant with flashing with an open source firmware. I have no idea if it's possible, if there's a generic firmware to use or if I'd need something for that specific model.

A firmware update that does not update the original code but re-writes it for purposes never intended by the manufacturer is for sure dark web stuff that I have no knowledge of. Sorry!

Sounds like you are on a creative adventure for sure, hopefully you will report back with what fun things you learn!

 

[sebastiantombs]

Sounds to me like they can be repurposed as paperweights.

 

[tangent]

If it's as old as you say I really doubt there's much value in trying to use them. You're likely familiar with Moore's law and how computer chips change over time. Image sensors a little slower but the difference between a camera today and one that old is tremendous. Even something like a wyze or blink camera would be better ($5 on sale).

If you're determined to try to make them do something channeling your inner kid who took the vcr apart, you'd need to at least identify the model numbers or find the fcc id. My feeling is they might be some junky old 640x480 ADT pulse cameras (perhaps even 320x240) from 5-10 years ago and might even require a monthly subscription to function (assuming the server they query to see if you're paying still exists). You also may need to dust off a VM with a copy of Windows XP to view the video. People aren't going to bother spending much time helping you with this, especially without model numbers, fcc id, or even a picture.

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

Sounds to me like they can be repurposed as paperweights.

They've been spiderweights in storage for a number of years. So what I'm gathering is that there's no such thing as a generic firmware for IP cameras?

 

[DanDenver]

Ki

fine for lots of projects, and the projects don't warrant buying new hardware

Sounds like you have something specific in mind. I am curious as to what you will use them for should you get them to run?

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

If it's as old as you say I really doubt there's much value in trying to use them. You're likely familiar with Moore's law and how computer chips change over time. Image sensors a little slower but the difference between a camera today and one that old is tremendous. Even something like a wyze or blink camera would be better ($5 on sale).

If you're determined to try to make them do channeling your inner kid who took the vcr apart, you'd need to at least identify the model numbers or find the fcc id. My feeling is they might be some junky old 640x480 ADT pulse cameras from 5-10 years ago and might even require a monthly subscription to function (assuming the server they query to see if you're paying still exists). You also may need to dust off a VM with a copy of Windows XP to view the video.

They're not going "into production", I wanted to set up some projects for me and the kids since I already had the cameras laying around. But if I can't control the software side, it's not going to work. I've attached a picture I found that looks like one of the cameras.

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

I overestimated the age of the cameras, they're 8 years old, roughly.

 

[SomeAsymmetryRequired]

Here's the back of the camera.

 

[tangent]

They're not going "into production", I wanted to set up some projects for me and the kids since I already had the cameras laying around. But if I can't control the software side, it's not going to work. I've attached a picture I found that looks like one of the cameras.

View attachment 134723

That's not going to cut it. To be of any help, we'd need multiple pictures of your actual cameras showing things like the model number. Honestly though, you're better off just selling them on ebay.