Help with a stupid simple to operate cam system.

looney2ns

looney2ns

IPCT Contributor
Sep 25, 2016
16,113
23,855
Evansville, In. USA
I have a neighbor that has dementia, it has gotten to the point his daughter is going to hire someone to care for him live-in.

This is not a BI case, at all.

I'm going to suggest these cams (four to start). IPC-HDBW4231F-AS | Dahua Technology - Dahua Technology

She wants to use her IPhone to check in on him. Anyone used the DMSS exclusively to view content recorded on in cam SD cards remotely? Is it straight forward? The daughter is 70 yrs old, and tech challenged.

How about using DMSS with a Dahua "lite" NVR? This would give longer retention, but does that change the game any as far as usage via DMSS?

Full disclosure: I know nothing about Dahua NVR's

Of course I will become the default support for said system, so I'm trying to limit my grief in that regard. :)

Thanks.
 
looney2ns said:
I have a neighbor that has dementia, it has gotten to the point his daughter is going to hire someone to care for him live-in.

This is not a BI case, at all.

I'm going to suggest these cams (four to start). IPC-HDBW4231F-AS | Dahua Technology - Dahua Technology

She wants to use her IPhone to check in on him. Anyone used the DMSS exclusively to view content recorded on in cam SD cards remotely? Is it straight forward? The daughter is 70 yrs old, and tech challenged.

How about using DMSS with a Dahua "lite" NVR? This would give longer retention, but does that change the game any as far as usage via DMSS?

Full disclosure: I know nothing about Dahua NVR's

Of course I will become the default support for said system, so I'm trying to limit my grief in that regard. :)

Thanks.
Click to expand...
the BI mobile app is much easier to use than dahuas...if this will be used indoors and you dont want to be involved, then I suggest 4 nest cams and pay the premium...doesnt seem like see would need more than ten days of storage..
 
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns
Have not tried it direct from the camera SD card, but iDMSS works great and as simple as you can ask for on the iphone via DVR. Open App, click on camera or group, see live video. Double tap to see full screen. Not sure how much easier it can get.

I can view live or playback by MD, time, Alarm, whatever.

In live view I can take a snapshot, video clip, zoom a VF cam, adjust basic image settings, and the paid "plus" version (like $5 or $6) allows for push notifications with instant playback of the MD clip

Mom is 80. She had it down in about 3-4 minutes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Probird79 and looney2ns
This might be total blasphemy for this forum, but what about something simple and canned like the Blink cameras or Netgear Arlo? I find myself in the same position, where if I recommend all of these speciality cameras like Dahua I become the defacto support for them. I don't mind putzing around with these cameras for myself, or even for my parents, but quite frankly for anyone else I'd prefer they go with something mainstream where they can call an 800 number for help. Just a suggestion. I realize there are a number of downsides to that type of camera, but I'm just thinking simple and easy to support.
 
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns
Hey @looney2ns you can download the iDMSS/gDMSS lite app for free and test it. As mentioned it works great for me on 3 DVR's, no problems at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns
looney2ns said:
Thanks for the replies, trying to avoid WiFi, and batteries. But give's me more to ponder.
Click to expand...

Totally not trying to push Blink, I have no personal experience with them and normally I'd be in the same boat as you recommending against WiFi but I think they use a proprietary wireless protocol rather than WiFi. They seem to have a bridge module that connects to your network rather than connecting directly to your WiFi. So this gives me some minor assurance against someone knocking them offline with regular WiFi tools, of course they may very well be using the same crowded 2.4ghz band as WiFi.

I try to keep up a little bit on the regular consumer type cameras, I consider the stuff on this forum to be kind of "enthusiast" or borderline professional stuff and not the "it just works" type of thing that everybody should use. So I try to have some recommendations I can throw to people where I don't have to involuntarily become their IT guy :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns and bigredfish
fenderman said:
the BI mobile app is much easier to use than dahuas...if this will be used indoors and you dont want to be involved, then I suggest 4 nest cams and pay the premium...doesnt seem like see would need more than ten days of storage..
Click to expand...

Ok, after playing with the DMSS app, and showing both to the user, hands down BI app is the simplest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RobbertLarson, 00Buck and fenderman
Hmmmm I'll have to try it. Ive been happy with iDMSS
 
bigredfish said:
Hmmmm I'll have to try it. Ive been happy with iDMSS
Click to expand...

The Bi app is fairly self explanatory. The DMSS apps, even I had to do some digging to find how to play back video from an SD card.
Don't get me wrong, the DMSS app is a good app, but for a complete technophobe, BI app is much simpler.

Jury is still out, Questions are being asked and answered as we go along.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom