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Weather Related Organizations => WeatherUnderground => Topic started by: galfert on July 29, 2019, 05:04:10 PM

Title: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 29, 2019, 05:04:10 PM
Looks like big changes are coming for Webcam image upload.

This message was just posted.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

The only problem is that there is no key issued nor showing yet.


EDIT: It would seem as though this is just for FTP webcam upload. There is also no mention if this requires a new Webcam device creation or if existing webcams will receive a key. We would lose camera images if we had to delete these old Webcam devices !!!

UPDATE: Seems like creating a URL Webcam also produces a Key. No instructions on how to use the key with URL Webcam posted yet. But it makes no sense to need a key for URL Webcam. So this new key may still yet be only for FTP....anyone's guess at this point.

UPDATE 2: I've discovered that if you edit an existing Webcam device and save it that a new key is generated. This way you can get a key and keep your history images!   \:D/  Too bad this isn't documented anywhere.
https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=37543.msg386420#msg386420


Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: konz on July 29, 2019, 05:17:18 PM
Looks like big changes are coming for Webcam image upload.

This message was just posted.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

The only problem is that there is no key issued nor showing yet.

Would it hurt the team to post some instructions?
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Notsorusty on July 29, 2019, 05:18:16 PM
I don't have a web cam but I did enjoy viewing the local and distant cams of members that have posted them. Now most are missing and the ones that are visible are spotty at best.  WU has a couple months to generate the Keys and hopefully they can accomplish that. They have not updated the Weather Channel Current Known Issues > Webcam FTP issues regarding this latest development. Last update is from May 06, 2019.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 29, 2019, 05:23:39 PM
Looks like big changes are coming for Webcam image upload.

This message was just posted.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

The only problem is that there is no key issued nor showing yet.

Would it hurt the team to post some instructions?

Well there are these instructions once you go into your camera setup under My Devices:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 29, 2019, 05:24:04 PM
Why do I feel like Charlie Brown about to kick a football, again? (It's a tough job being a surly, old, curmudgeon but somebody has to do it.)

One other comment/observation...I assume, and we know what that does, that "upload key" and "password" are interchangeable terms.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on July 29, 2019, 05:39:25 PM
If you delete your webcam on WU and do the set up again, they do now provide you with the upload key instead of it saying "N/A". I tried to connect my webcam, which I could never do, and after entering the upload key and putting in the username as it appears, it still failed. The webcam I have is a Reolink.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: antstrafer on July 29, 2019, 05:56:28 PM
looks like time to retire my old ubiqitty  camera, use it as a dummy camera out front and delete webcam from my meteobridge .   camera is all blurry and I am not sure how to replace it without going through setup again.   it's a POE using cat 5 and rj45 plugs.  FTP upload

password vs api key vs WTF    ](*,)
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: WSWeather on July 29, 2019, 08:45:07 PM
The interesting grammar in that notice makes me think this project has been offshored.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 29, 2019, 10:43:44 PM
The interesting grammar in that notice makes me think this project has been offshored.

I was waiting for someone else to notice that AND come to that conclusion. Ding Ding Ding.... You win the prize!
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Eguraldia on July 30, 2019, 06:26:58 AM
still failed..even with the new system ..I try with Filezzilla and the same....failed ](*,)
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on July 30, 2019, 06:41:22 AM
I added my webcam back and it gave me an upload key. However, the URL is still failing.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 30, 2019, 07:16:13 AM
At least it's consistent, doesn't work with the "upload" key or the password.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 30, 2019, 11:13:20 AM
I just updated the OP.

It would seem as though this is just for FTP webcam upload. There is also no mention if this requires a new Webcam device creation or if existing webcams will receive a key.

...Well we have time.

UPDATE: I just created a URL Webcam and it produced an upload key. No instructions posted yet on how to use this with the URL Webcam.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 30, 2019, 11:29:59 AM
I can say that I have a "created" FTP webcam, created back in March or April, and it is not displaying an upload key.  It has never worked.  Given that they mention September 20th in their post I don't expect to see an upload key until then at the earliest.  Given the current track record, I don't really expect it to happen in September either.

It's also interesting to note that the "upload key" is blank, but the configuration shows "password" rather than "upload key".  Kind of fits with the "would only work" line.  On the other hand, at least they're showing the basic configuration needed for FTP.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 30, 2019, 11:37:08 AM
If people want to test this new key method I suggest just creating a new FTP webcam device. Keep the old webcam ID with password and DO NOT DELETE IT.

UPDATE: Just edit your old Webcam device and save it. A new key will be generated if you are missing one.

I just created a new webcam FTP device and it produced a key. I tried to use it and I get the following error (using Meteobridge):
Error: Weather Underground Camera FTP upload failed: ncftpput: cannot open webcam.wunderground.com: username and/or password was not accepted for login.

I'll let it ride for a while and see if it takes some time to propagate to the servers before you can actually begin uploading. If not then I can fall back to my old regular FTP with password which was working right up to this point....well working in the sense that it was hit or miss with the 3 FTP servers as usual.

One nice thing I noticed is that under My Devices the new Webcam now shows up with a link to it where my old webcams (FTP and URL) do not have a link under the Name column.

Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on July 30, 2019, 11:55:44 AM
Neither method of using a key or my password is/has been working. I removed the cams and added them again - makes no difference. The problem lies with them accepting FTP.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 30, 2019, 12:14:11 PM
Update: I created a URL Webcam. It produced a device with an upload key. There are no instructions posted that I could find on how to use the upload key with a URL Webcam.

This just does not make sense. A URL Webcam would indicate to me that you are giving WU a URL to fetch an image from some server on the Internet. Why or how would an upload key be relevant in this situation???? If you embed the key in the URL then the server on the Internet with your image is not going to like seeing that key in that URL.....unless it ignores it. But still seems pretty pointless regardless. I can't wrap my head around this. ????? Anyone???

Edit: Maybe WU filters out the key from the URL before using it to fetch the image.....but why bother requiring it? I just don't see the point.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 30, 2019, 12:21:20 PM
Well, I was going to comment that their original "pop-up" mentioned all cameras.  Exactly how that applies to a URL based camera beats the bedickens out of me.  How you're going to pass the upload key to them is beyond my pay grade.  Maybe they're shutting down URL based to save resources?
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 30, 2019, 12:24:53 PM
Well, I was going to comment that their original "pop-up" mentioned all cameras.  Exactly how that applies to a URL based camera beats the bedickens out of me.  How you're going to pass the upload key to them is beyond my pay grade.  Maybe they're shutting down URL based to save resources?

This pop-up warning only happens when you go to edit an old FTP Webcam device. It doesn't happen when you edit an old URL Webcam device.
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 30, 2019, 02:25:39 PM
I sure hope we don't need to create new Webcam devices with upload keys.  We will lose our old images!!!
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 30, 2019, 04:07:26 PM
I meant the "pop up" that you posted at the top of this page.  Somehow, I think before all is said and done, if I live that long, that both the weather station and camera will need to be re-created.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: antstrafer on July 30, 2019, 04:37:05 PM
since camera image became square and then moved to page 3, I really can't whoop up much enthusiasm about what happens.  I would imagine lots of camera folks will just give up their camera feed rather than jump through the latest set off flaming hoops like a Chihuahua on meth. 
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 30, 2019, 05:08:28 PM
I have the "vapaas".  I got a "key" and tried a manual login from a command prompt.  It worked!  I'm in shock!  Once I recover I'll  re-config the camera to actually try getting an image uploaded, albeit in square format and post the results.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on July 30, 2019, 05:11:03 PM
This is a first for my Reolink camera I have. It never said the ftp test succeeded until now, but still no images on WU yet. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on July 30, 2019, 06:21:25 PM
Just checked to see if my camera is reporting images now and it is for the first time, but only to the WU website, not the android app yet.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 30, 2019, 06:24:00 PM
So much for the "vapaas".  It returns a "1F" failure code.  I'll let it percolate overnight and see if anything changes.  Wonder if it's related to the image/file size?  I may reduce resolution on that substream and see if that helps.

Edit -

The "vapaas" are back, once again.  I lowered the resolution and viola, a picture actually appears on my dashboard.  Maybe they actually did fix it.  For those interested, the stream is set to 640X480(VGA) with a max bitrate of 256kbps.

Second edit -

The "vapaas" have dissipated once again.  One image managed to up load.  Since then the wonderful "1f" error has reappeared every five minutes.  Next question is have they limited the number of images per hour/day/month/year/decade/century?  I'm also wondering about that resolution change helping at all.

Final edit -

It is accepting uploads on an irregular basis.  Certainly better than no uploads accepted, but still...
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Eguraldia on July 31, 2019, 01:32:02 AM
Finally online! FTA working with te new system \:D/ [tup] =D>
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on July 31, 2019, 06:53:52 AM
Yes. For the first time in 4 months my webcam has now appeared!
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 31, 2019, 07:28:00 AM
If you're camera is working again, how many images are actually being shown?  Just a guess from one casual look but I'm going to guess only about a third of the uploads are actually happening.  The odd thing is that it doesn't seem consistent at all, random intervals between each image based on an, admittedly, quick look.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on July 31, 2019, 07:30:20 AM
No idea. I am getting no errors in uploading - I upload every 5 mins. There are gaps between the images being shown, though. However, it has been like that for me ever since I had a webcam on there.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 31, 2019, 07:37:54 AM
I had the same camera running, before the "upgrade", for well over a year and every image displayed.  In fact I was uploading every minute back then.  Now I've limited it to every five minutes and it's very spotty. I upload using Blue Iris and it shows the "1f" error quite often now.  My last check showed an image with a time stamp, embedded in the video, of 06:34 and it's now 07:30.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 31, 2019, 09:33:32 AM
I've discovered that if you edit an existing Webcam device and save it that a new key is generated! This way you can get a key and keep your history images!   \:D/ 
No need to create a new Webcam device.

Too bad this isn't documented anywhere.

Newly generated keys or new Webcam devices with keys do not work right away. It takes some time (less than an hour) for the FTP login to work and get properly propagated across servers. Be patient and just try your key FTP login later.

Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: rormeister on July 31, 2019, 10:26:59 AM
For the rest of us poor Minions using URL pull method, we're still S.O.L.  ](*,) :roll:  :sad:
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 31, 2019, 11:04:41 AM
Sorry, rormeister, it was the other way around not too long ago but I'm sure that URL will get fixed as well, unless they drop URL in favor of FTP.

I switched the camera to the main steam at 1080P.  I couldn't deal with the poor resolution even VGA was supplying (spoiled, ain't I).  Anyhow, it's taking the uploads and truncating the video don to the "wonderful" little square of space that's allocated for a webcam.  Apparently resolution is no longer a factor.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: quailvalleywx on July 31, 2019, 11:18:23 AM
If you're camera is working again, how many images are actually being shown?  Just a guess from one casual look but I'm going to guess only about a third of the uploads are actually happening.  The odd thing is that it doesn't seem consistent at all, random intervals between each image based on an, admittedly, quick look.
It is only about a third since 2 of the servers have been non-functional for months for providing images to wundermap nor apps like video creation.  If you send direct to 52.36.136.128 rather than webcam.wunderground.com you should get to 100%.  It's been this way for months in IBM's WU.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Lighty269 on July 31, 2019, 11:37:33 AM
What is the preferred camera to use?  I do not want to dedicate a PC.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 31, 2019, 12:43:26 PM
A preferred camera is an IP camera. You won't need a computer to run it. But not proprietary like Nest, Ring, Arlo (stay away from these). It needs to be one that adheres to open standards like ONVIF and RTSP. It can be Ethernet or WiFi but there is little advantage to WiFi because you'll need a power source anyway so why pay more for WiFi. There are some applications where WiFi may work if you have easy accessibility to power outlet. There are some solar powered with battery backup WiFi IP cameras but then the price goes up for that convenience. A decent model will have a built in web interface to configure settings and even configure direct FTP of image, but you can still capture image with software if you want. You'll also want to be sure to order sometimes a separate PoE (Power over Ethernet) injector with power adapter. This is because the camera is often powered via the Ethernet cable....but most people do not have a PoE switch on their network, so the PoE injector lets you send power through the Ethernet cable after it leaves your network switch on its way to the camera (its a pig tail Y-type splitter for injecting power). Then you only need to run the Ethernet cable to the camera and the power source is over by where you plug into the network switch/router. A good camera will be weatherproof for outdoor use and have night IR (infra-red for nigh vision) with a good IR throw of at least 60 ft.

My favorite camera is the Hikvision DS-2CD2042WD-I with 4mm lens. I prefer bullet type cameras over dome type.

A nice thing about a camera like this is if you decide to get more cameras you can then also get what is called an NVR (Network Video Recorder)...its another name for a DVR for IP camera use. This lets you plug in all the cameras into the back of the NVR as some models have built in PoE switch. Now you can have a local recording of the cameras and perhaps dedicate some of them to home security. If you configure it (camera or NVR) with dynamic DNS and open the right ports you can even get mobile apps to see the cameras. I suggest not opening up HTTP ports and configuring only for HTTPS.  You can also built your own NVR with various different software solutions and a regular PoE switch. With an NVR like this you won't need the PoE injectors as the built in switch should power the cameras. Typically it is best to stick with same brand camera and NVR to gain most features and ease of configuration.
Favorite NVR: Hikvision DS-7716NI-I4 / 16P (get it without hard drives and then add your own WD purple drives ...much cheaper this way - up to 4 drives)

Another great alternative is cameras and NVR from Amcrest. One thing that is confussing about Amcrest when it comes to their NVR is that the NVR that they market as being for 16 cameras only has 8 PoE ports. So you have to get the NVR for 32 cameras to get the 16 PoE ports. This is because the NVR is capable of running more cameras if you have your own PoE switch....but that just makes things confusing. If you are building a home security system 8 cameras may seem like enough. But 8 cameras leaves a blank black square on the screen if you dedicate a monitor to viewing the cameras. Just a pet peeve of mine to see that empty black square. So to fill up 9 cameras you need the 16 camera system. That is what I got a 16 camera system with 9 cameras. (yes there is a 16 camera view but that is too small to be that useful even with a large TV as monitor). I now plan to add some extra cameras that I don't have to have showing but are there if I switch screens...like one inside the garage would come in handy...it will still be there but I don't have to have it be one of the ones in my main 9 camera view on the monitor. I also plan on adding another camera to really be a dedicated weather cam as the one I'm using now isn't really pointed at the sky because it is serving mostly as a security function.

* You don't need the NVR....that is optional....but if you have multiple cameras it just makes sense to probably get an NVR. The camera alone does not record. You have to have a system record the video...a computer, an NVR, a website...etc. When you follow what I've delineated there are no service fees nor subscription fees.

Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 31, 2019, 01:47:19 PM
My two cents.

I prefer turret, or eyeball, style cameras over bullet style.  If you're using the onboard IR with a bullet camera it becomes an instant magnet for spiders and flying insects at night.  Domes have similar problems along with the dome, eventually, getting cloudy due to IR and UV from the sun.  If it's always in the shade that won't be much of a problem but the IR/bug problems are still there.

The arrangement of the lens and IR on a typical turret/eyeball camera tends to keep the bugs away from the lens.  It's not perfect but a lot better than bullets.  I typically go on spider patrol on a weekly basis for the bullets I bought before I knew any better and only rarely have to do the same for the turrets.  Last night I did have to clean up around a turret because a LARGE, about 1" body, spider was busy building a web about a foot in front of it and I do have the IR turned on in that camera.  That's the first time in almost two years I've had a spider problem around it.

My favorites are the Dahua IPC-HDW5231R-ZE, IPC-HDW2231R-ZS and IPC-HDW4231EM-ASE.  The 5231 and 2231 are both turrets with ~3-12mm varifocal lenses.  The 4231 is a fixed lens, 3.6mm, bullet that is concealed in a tree where a turret won't go.  The 2231 is a lower priced version of the 5231 and does not have multiple streams or built in audio.  All are capable of excellent night vision without IR.  My "weathercam" is a 4231 and the IR is shut off due to lots of available light from street lights.  I can leave it in color mode, but the gain gets too high which makes motion tend to blur at night so I swicth it, along with all the rest, to BW at night.  They are all 2 megapixel, 1080P, cameras.

I know cameras with much higher pixel counts are available, but 2 megapixel sensors seem to be the "sweet spot" for night vision.  It's a result of how much light actually strikes each pixel of the sensor.  A physically larger area will receive more light.  For example, assuming the same diameter sensor, a 2MP camera will receive twice as much light per pixel versus a 4MP camera.  This is a very rought explanation, but it does apply fairly well.  There are a few, new, models out with higher resolution and larger sensors, but they are more expensive, x1.5 or more, and still don't perform quite as well at night.

Since I'm setup for video surveillance I'm using Blue Iris with a PoE switch and a separate subnet for all the cameras.  I've experimented with other brands with, usually poor results.  Hikivision is also an excellent choice, though, and their "Dark Fighter" series is on the same level as the Dahua "Starlight" or "StarVis" series.  Yes, Dahua and Hikivision are more expensive, but if you want good, reliable, performance, especially at night, they are an excellent value, good bang for your bucks.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 31, 2019, 03:08:29 PM
FYI - Amcrest is Dahua.

Or more accurately Amcrest is a branded reseller of Dahua. Much like Ambient is a branded reseller of Fine Offset. There are many brands out there that are actually Dahua but the user support experience may vary depending on branded reseller used.

Hikvision does not have branded resllers (that I know of). The two of these companies represent the grand majority of the IP camera/NVR market. I like them both. Hikvision is a bit more expensive.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Lighty269 on July 31, 2019, 03:23:49 PM
Thanks for all the info, I just need something simple to setup with POE.  Checking out the 2CD2042WD

Thanks again!
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on July 31, 2019, 03:31:02 PM
This is the one I have and have been very happy with it. It's wifi, 5MP, 4x optical zoom, ir night vision, and motion detection.  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on July 31, 2019, 04:01:09 PM
For what its worth both Dahua and Hikvision are banned products from US government agencies as of last year. Law actually takes effect soon I believe where government offices are by law supposed to remove these cameras.

https://ipvm.com/reports/ban-law

What is most interesting is that I've read reports where many government agencies are having a hard time determining what equipment they are using. Because Dahua resellers are often even American brands it can be right out confusing as these reseller brands may resell from different OEM. These are companies like Panasonic, Flir, Qsee, ADT, Honeywell, Lorex, Amcrest....etc....many many more. There are over 50 companies that resell Dahua and many times the association is something that the companies hide. Many try and pass off the finished product as their own with no mention of Dahua...they don't have to tell you that. But to an experienced person who has dealt with many of these brands the similarity is apparent and often obvious in the software and web interface as the features and menus are often minimally changed. They change more than just logos, as sometimes menus have a different order or features are different or worded differently....but if you know what you are looking at you can recognize it.

It is also interesting to note that Hikvision and Dahua are two totally different Chinese companies....but their products are so so so similar. You could read the manual to one brand and be able to use all the advanced features of the other brand. Its all there pretty much and works exactly the same. Its like the Chinese copy from each other and they end up with almost cloned copies of their products. That doesn't happen in the US without permission. If you take a video editing program and you learn how to use it and then you go use a different video editing software you may be able to figure your way around but there are going to be a lot of differences. That is not the same thing as what I'm talking about with Dahua and Hikvision...they flat out copy each other down to how controls and features work.

But none of that really concerns me in my private use of these cameras and NVRs. If the Chinese want to spy on my house so be it. I'm already making one of my cameras available publicly anyway. It is true that who knows what other embedded malware could possibly be installed that is spying on the rest of my network I guess. But what are the alternatives? Reolink you say?...yep Chinese too. I do have advanced IT skills to monitor the network with advanced intrusion detection gateways...and so far I've seen nothing nefarious or strange traffic coming to or from from my camera system. YMMV.

Perhaps the good that this law will do is enable other camera brands to flourish and come about. So far I've not seen the industry turn to anything newer nor better....maybe this will take time.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on July 31, 2019, 04:23:29 PM
For what its worth both Dahua and Hikvision are banned products from US government agencies as of last year. Law actually takes effect soon I believe where government offices are by law supposed to remove these cameras.

https://ipvm.com/reports/ban-law

What is most interesting is that I've read reports where many government agencies are having a hard time determining what equipment they are using. Because Dahua resellers are often even American brands it can be right out confusing as these reseller brands may resell from different OEM. These are companies like Panasonic, Flir, Qsee, ADT, Honeywell, Lorex, Amcrest....etc....many many more. There are over 50 companies that resell Dahua and many times the association is something that the companies hide. Many try and pass off the finished product as their own with no mention of Dahua...they don't have to tell you that. But to an experienced person who has dealt with many of these brands the similarity is apparent and often obvious in the software and web interface as the features and menus are often minimally changed. They change more than just logos, as sometimes menus have a different order or features are different or worded differently....but if you know what you are looking at you can recognize it.

It is also interesting to note that Hikvision and Dahua are two totally different Chinese companies....but their products are so so so similar. You could read the manual to one brand and be able to use all the advanced features of the other brand. Its all there pretty much and works exactly the same. Its like the Chinese copy from each other and they end up with almost cloned copies of their products. That doesn't happen in the US without permission.

But none of that really concerns me in my private use of these cameras and NVRs. If the Chinese want to spy on my house so be it. I'm already making one of my cameras available publicly anyway. It is true that who knows what other embedded malware could possibly be installed that is spying on the rest of my network I guess. But what are the alternatives? Reolink you say?...yep Chinese too. I do have advanced IT skills to monitor the network with advanced intrusion detection gateways...and so far I've seen nothing nefarious or strange traffic coming to or from from my camera system. YMMV.

Perhaps the good that this law will do is enable other camera brands to flourish and come about. So far I've not seen the industry turn to anything newer nor better....maybe this will take time.

Yup, Reolink is made in China and headquartered in Germany, but I could care less to be honest. It does what I want and I like everything it is capable of. It's all preference.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on July 31, 2019, 04:58:10 PM
That's why all of my cameras are on a separate LAN that is not routed to the internet.  Additionally, the MAC addresses of all the cameras are blocked at the router.

I tried a Reolink, years ago, and found it has no, true, control of the video stream.  Most irritating is the lack of being able to set an iframe, the reference frame, interval.  That makes it of questionable value for surveillance use.  WiFi is just not secure and can be easily blocked by miscreants.  If it works for you, in this application, great though.  I can tell you that digging 200 feet of trench and installing conduit wasn't a lot of fun but I've never suffered a dropout from the remote cameras.  I tried a WiFi, for my first camera, and it was offline more than online.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: antstrafer on July 31, 2019, 07:01:20 PM
hardwire always better
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 01, 2019, 11:06:03 AM
From what I see on my dashboard the uploads stalled sometime last night. Exactly when I can't say since playback of yesterday stops at around 7:40PM while the photo showing is in black and white, which indicates after local sundown.  I think Brutus needs to kick start the server, again.

Anyone else seeing this?
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on August 01, 2019, 11:07:46 AM
From what I see on my dashboard the uploads stalled sometime last night. Exactly when I can't say since playback of yesterday stops at around 7:40PM while the photo showing is in black and white, which indicates after local sundown.  I think Brutus needs to kick start the server, again.

Anyone else seeing this?

I noticed the same thing, but just a little bit ago it is current again for me.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 01, 2019, 12:08:23 PM
I just checked, and tried Edge just to be sure, and it's still showing last night for me.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on August 01, 2019, 02:28:39 PM
I have some news!!!

I finally have URL Webcam showing up. I actually have both FTP and URL so that I can test both types. I had pretty much given up on URL as most people are saying that URL just does not work at all. My FTP Webcam upload has never really stopped working ever other than the fact that 1 of 3 FTP servers only work and even then it wasn't totally reliable...but I consistently still got many frames uploaded every day using FTP.

Well it seems URL may be coming back into a working thing. As of today for the first time in a long time I have URL Webcam working. Here is what I did to fix it. You have to edit the Webcam device and just make a small change like maybe you change the name by one character and then click "I accept" and then Save. I also have the frequency set to 300 seconds (5 minutes). But we all know that 5 minutes isn't going to happen. Right now it is too soon to tell how many frames per day this will capture using URL. It probably wont be much compared to FTP method, but that has always been the norm for URL.

If your FTP or URL Webcam doesn't work then do the following:
- Edit Device
- Make a small change like in the name (you gotta have something changed to enable Save to do its thing)
- Set frequency to 300 or more seconds (which is 5 minutes)
- Click "I Accept"
- Click Save
- Then wait a couple hours and see what happens, hopefully you'll see status .Online

Maybe this works maybe it doesn't. Worth a shot though. Let us know your results.

UPDATE: It only worked for a moment. I got 1 frame in 24 hours and now nothing for URL method. Strangely the URL method status shows as Online. FTP method still works though with a good number of failed uploads but sufficient to get a decent amount of frames per day.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on August 01, 2019, 04:07:42 PM
My webcam has stopped working again. The FTP is successful, just no images showing.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 01, 2019, 04:11:05 PM
I just changed the name, but the camera showed as "online" already,  before the name change.  There have been no failures with upload, as far as I can tell, since 20:50 last evening.  That would seem to indicate the .jpg files are making it to the server, just not coming back out on the other side.  Maybe Brutus should kick that server a few times.  I'll wait a few hours and see if anything changes.  I am uploading to webcam.wunderground.com and if this persists I'll try an IP address instead.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mirwin275 on August 01, 2019, 06:19:55 PM
So the camera reporting status still appears to be very inconsistent and mine has not updated since 2 and a half hours ago. The servers are obviously not working at 100% for the cameras right now. I also still have not seen my camera appear on the android app yet, since it showed up on the website.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 02, 2019, 08:54:56 AM
So after more than a day of not seeing any images update I decided to run Wire Shark on port 21 and see what was going on.  The log in occurred normally but it couldn't delete the existing file for some reason.  The message was file or directory doesn't exist.  On a whim, I removed the default directory of "\" and now everything is back to normal, or what passes for normal.

In the setup WU says either '\' or leave the directory blank.  It was working fine with the backslash, then stopped working.  Obviously something has changed at the WU end, again.

Bottom line is if you're having a problem, remove the backslash from the upload directory.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on August 02, 2019, 10:59:47 AM
No images for me and the FTP login is back to failing again.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 02, 2019, 12:28:23 PM
I just had a look at my log and it did fail at 12:20 with the, good, olde, "1f".  That's been happening a lot since this latest iteration so I'm not too worried, yet.  Only time will tell.  I just hope it's not a harbinger of more problems with FTP.  I will also say that it seems obvious, at least to me anyway, that they're still working on the FTP system so sporadic things like this may keep happening for a while. (I can't believe I said that)
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: GreyOwl on August 02, 2019, 03:29:43 PM
My camera is finally showing associated and seems to be uploading again.
Now if they could figure out where they are getting my RH at 255% and pressure at 19.99",  that would be great. No idea where they come up with that figure since I don't send any RH or pressure data due to no sensors for it.

https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KNVNORTH32
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 02, 2019, 03:48:36 PM
Brutus must of kicked the server, hard enough and in just the right spot I guess.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: GreyOwl on August 02, 2019, 03:55:40 PM
Now if he could only find the right spots to fix the rest of the problems :shock:
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Mapantz on August 02, 2019, 04:24:13 PM
All working again. This reminds me of the hokey cokey.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: Molyvos Weather Station on August 04, 2019, 08:21:54 AM
I added a new FTP webcam using the new key and (drum roll) . . . . . IT WORKS.

https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/webcam/RobandCarol/2

Sadly, the URL method still does not work. WU support keep telling me that it does work, but it really doesn't.  ](*,)

Even worse both the iOS and Android WU apps don't show the working camera, only old cameras that no longer exist. I've tried flushing the cache, uninstall and re-install but it makes no difference. Even the Webcam layer does not show the working webcam.

Big sigh. :?
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: rormeister on August 05, 2019, 09:52:08 AM
I added a new FTP webcam using the new key and (drum roll) . . . . . IT WORKS.

https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/webcam/RobandCarol/2

Sadly, the URL method still does not work. WU support keep telling me that it does work, but it really doesn't.  ](*,)


I tried adding a second cam (FTP) as well (first cam is my current URL). No joy. After 24  hours I am still getting the same spinning hourglass as I see on your camera 2:
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]


 :oops: Who said Darwin didn't have a clue. Just noticed my login was using CAM1 rather than CAM2. Looks like it actually accepted my image. Now that that is working, I'm considering splitting my image into 3 pieces, left, center, and right. Then I can use CAM1 for Left, CAM2 for Center, and CAM3 for Right. That way you'd get a nice panorama ;)
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: galfert on August 07, 2019, 05:59:02 PM
Today my Cam2 (URL) shows an image for the first time. The thing is that is is not my camera! I'm getting someone else's camera showing up on my Dashboard! It is just the one frame. It shows nothing in the daily movie view.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: rormeister on August 07, 2019, 08:05:57 PM
Today my Cam2 (URL) shows an image for the first time. The thing is that is is not my camera! I'm getting someone else's camera showing up on my Dashboard! It is just the one frame. It shows nothing in the daily movie view.
Sounds like Brutus is sipping a bit of the burbon. <hic> :shock:
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: awsum140 on August 07, 2019, 08:23:26 PM
I think hi foot is sore from kicking the FTP server.
Title: Re: NEW - WU Webcam Changes - Requires new Key - changes required by 9/20/2019!
Post by: imaduffus on October 24, 2019, 11:14:50 AM
Thnaks alot for all the information. Finally my webcam send pictures again :)