Alexa compatible cameras with local HTTP access?

[Mike A.]

Wait a tick, does Blue Iris imitate the Hue bridge? That would be a common hack, which can't be used if a real bridge is on the network.

Suppose developers do that as Hue doesn't require a Skill to be discovered.

Not sure exactly how it's done but I have both on my net with no issues. Both are discovered by Alexa independently and work fine directly and via other systems (Wink, ST, etc.).

 

[David Mark]

Then I stand corrected. Alexa and others must allow for multiple bridges.

As to how they do it: UPnP. There's another faux bridge that is a Java applet to control legacy X10 systems.

Will have to try both now.

 

[TimD43]

I recently found an Alexa skill called "IP RTSP/RTP Security Cameras" that seems to allow you to configure the Echo Show to pull an RTSP URL feed from a camera, but so far I'm not having any luck getting it working. I emailed the developer of the skill (he responded within minutes when I pointed out that his configurator page had a typo in a form that was turning "MJPEG" into "MPJEG," but hasn't gotten back to me on any subsequent questions about getting it working after that). I also have a case in with Alexa support, they are trying to be helpful, we'll see if can figure anything else out. I can view the RTSP stream in VLC or other software, but directing the Echo Show to use that same URL just doesn't get anything... Alexa just says "Hmm...

 

[David Mark]

Thanks for the reply. I found some Amcrest models that seem to fit my needs for everything but Alexa (which isn't a real need). Really crappy software though.

Still haven't tried using Blue Iris with Alexa, but it sounds promising.

 

[Monocle]

I recently found an Alexa skill called "IP RTSP/RTP Security Cameras" that seems to allow you to configure the Echo Show to pull an RTSP URL feed from a camera, but so far I'm not having any luck getting it working. I emailed the developer of the skill (he responded within minutes when I pointed out that his configurator page had a typo in a form that was turning "MJPEG" into "MPJEG," but hasn't gotten back to me on any subsequent questions about getting it working after that). I also have a case in with Alexa support, they are trying to be helpful, we'll see if can figure anything else out. I can view the RTSP stream in VLC or other software, but directing the Echo Show to use that same URL just doesn't get anything... Alexa just says "Hmm...

Hi @TimD43,

We offer a similar skill to the one you found for Alexa called Monocle.
https://amzn.to/2E7AUak

See my post here:
Monocle: View IP Cameras with Alexa (Echo Show, Echo Spot, Fire TV, Fire Tablet)

We have been working with a number of users and are trying to address compatibility issues as they come up. As noted in my post, there are certain cameras such as Foscam and ReoLink cameras that are not compatible with Alexa's RTSP viewer out of the box. They exhibit the exact symptoms you describe where the RTSP URL works fine in VLC, FFPLAY, IPCamViewer, etc but refuse to work with Alexa. We have found some workarounds and are working on a more seamless and integrated bridging software for these cameras. Feel free to sign up and give Monocle a try -- If you cameras don't work out of the box, just open up a support ticket in the Monocle web portal and we will be happy to help out.

Thanks, Robert

 

[Monocle]

Thanks for the reply. I found some Amcrest models that seem to fit my needs for everything but Alexa (which isn't a real need). Really crappy software though.

Still haven't tried using Blue Iris with Alexa, but it sounds promising.

@David Mark ,

What exactly are you looking for with Alexa? Are you wanting to view your camera feed remotely via an Echo Show or similar device?
Out of the box, Monocle (Monocle: View IP Cameras with Alexa (Echo Show, Echo Spot, Fire TV, Fire Tablet)) allows your Alexa video enabled device to access your cameras on the local network. Remote viewing can be done with Monocle but it will require some extra effort on your side to run a proxy server and expose the RTSP port on your firewall/router for external access. Reliability and stability of the feeds will depend greatly on your Internet uplink and downlinks.

PM me if you want to set this up as an experiment and see how well it works for you.

Thank, Robert

 

[TimD43]

Thanks Robert, Monocle is working great for me with the proxy solution you provided as a workaround for my off-off-brand (JideTech) cheap camera. And thanks for all the help working through the issues. I can finally use my camera with my Echo Show.

 

[Monocle]

Thanks Robert, Monocle is working great for me with the proxy solution you provided as a workaround for my off-off-brand (JideTech) cheap camera. And thanks for all the help working through the issues. I can finally use my camera with my Echo Show.

You are welcome and I'm glad to hear it is all working now!

Thanks, Robert