Foscam 8910W Manual Setup [How-to]

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
1

I spent way too long trying to get this figured out, so if this helps anyone else, I’m posting the exact steps I followed. I just got my Vera 3 a few days ago, so I have no experience with the advanced side of things, I don’t know how obvious some of these things are to experienced users, but I hope this helps out any newbies like me.

I have two Foscam 8910W cameras, one was on firmware 11.37.2.49, the other was on 11.37.2.44. Both were setup properly and accessible from my browser, but Vera refused to find them or let me add them manually in the “Add Device” section, not matter what I did. So here’s how I successfully added them.

First, download the file for PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) capability:
I_FoscamPTZ.xml can be downloaded from the following post, you need to be registered and logged in to download it: http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,8832.msg68515.html#msg68515

Upload the PTZ file to Vera:
Go to Apps tab, then Develop Apps, then to LUUP Files. In the Upload Files section, navigate to the file you just downloaded, check the box to restart LUUP after upload, and click the GO button.
Once the file is uploaded and LUUP is restarted, you can add your cameras.

To add a camera:
If you’re not still in the Develop Apps section, go there (Apps > Develop Apps), and create a new device (Create Device)
I followed the directions in this post, copied below:
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,10599.msg76555.html#msg76555

Enter the Following Info:
Device Type: urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:DigitalSecurityCamera:1
Internal ID: (Blank)
Descrition:
Upnp Device Filename: (Blank)
Upnp Implementation Filename: (Blank)
IP Address: (Ex. 192.168.1.200:8080)
MAC: (Blank)
Room: <Select/Associate if you already have the room created>
Parent Device: (Blank)

Select “Create Device”, “Device Created” message should appear with new Device ID

Device should now show up in “Devices → All” (It won’t show correctly at this point, but we will add the rest of the settings to fix this)

Next, find this manually added device… Click Settings (Wrench Icon) & Update at a minimum the following fields:

Settings Tab:
URL: snapshot.cgi
Username:
Password:
IP Address: (Should already be entered in ‘192.168.1.200:8080’ format)

Advanced Tab:
impl_file: I_FoscamPTZ.xml

Close out of settings & click “Save”

Within about 30secs you should see the “Camera Icon” update and if all mentioned settings were entered correctly you will see your camera image update to a live capture.

This manually added camera should now even show up in “Devices → Cameras” menu

Success!
Now your camera should be accessible. You need to repeat creating a new device for each camera as needed.

Update 1:
I do not actually have PTZ capability. I can see the images, but none of the controls work

Update 2:
Custom PTZ Settings
After more poking around, it has become apparent that the commands weren’t being sent in the proper format. I had to modify the xml file to have the user name and password hard coded for each camera. I think the wget method and how the original XML file retrieved the username and password weren’t playing nice with my cameras.

For each camera, copy and paste the following text into a text file and save it with the xml extension. I named mine I_FoscamPTZ_Cam1.xml and I_FoscamPTZ_Cam2.xml. Update each file with the proper username and password, for example, lug_username = “camera1user” lug_password= “camera1userpassword”

[font=courier]

<?xml version="1.0"?> function lug_startup(lul_device) lug_username = "[b]user[/b]" lug_password = "[b]password[/b]" lug_stepSize = 5 end lug_startup urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveLeft luup.inet.wget("http://" .. lug_username .. ":" .. lug_password .. "@" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=6&onestep=" .. lug_stepSize, 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveRight luup.inet.wget("http://" .. lug_username .. ":" .. lug_password .. "@" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=4&onestep=" .. lug_stepSize, 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveUp luup.inet.wget("http://" .. lug_username .. ":" .. lug_password .. "@" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=0&onestep=" .. lug_stepSize, 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveDown luup.inet.wget("http://" .. lug_username .. ":" .. lug_password .. "@" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=2&onestep=" .. lug_stepSize, 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 ZoomOut luup.inet.wget("http://" .. lug_username ":" .. lug_password .. "@" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=26", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 ZoomIn luup.inet.wget("http://" .. lug_username ":" .. lug_password .. "@" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=28", 5) [/font]

Upload the files as described above (Apps tab > Develop Apps > LUUP Files), then change the advanced setting of impl_file for each camera to point to the file with its user and password.

2

I was thinking PTZ means…pan tilt zoom…

I had 2 foscam and bought my 3rd…

that last is with a different configuration and sensor was not created. I can see differences between the advaced sets of that last and firsts.

is some way to turn equal this settings ? I put some variables values equal that firsts and running ok. i.e. I put xml file and appears the preset numbers but when I click that says: no implementation…

I think I am in the right direction but with scare of crash all.

3

Yep. you’re right about the PTZ.

And I though everything was working, but now my cameras won’t respond to any controls. Oddly enough, today I’m getting some different results when I try to manually add one. So, I guess this is a good how-to for seeing a static image from your Foscam, because now that’s all I can do.

Did you add your first two cameras with the Foscam app? I guess it was recently renamed to Vistacam, but it says it supports Foscam cameras. The Luup file for the app is I_VistaCamPT.xml, and it gave me an error when I tried to use it.

4

please see my values. my 3 cameras is running fine.
the plugin has been named, but is ok for me.

check your username and password in advanced tab. this information is necessary for access.
the ip of your vera is necessary in : gatewayaddress

device type is: urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:DigitalSecurityCamera:2

device file is: D_DigitalSecurityCamera2.xml

Impl_file is: I_FoscamPTZ.xml

variables:

URL: /snapshot.cgi

Directstreamingurl: /videostream.cgi

5

Piwtorak, thanks for your help. My device type was urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:DigitalSecurityCamera:1, but updating it to 2 did not work. I’ll keep trying to get the default file to work, but I figured out a way to get access in the meantime. Do you know which firmware you’re on for your cameras?

6

For my surprise:

2 more old are:

Device Firmware Version 11.22.2.44

Device Embeded Web UI Version 2.4.18.17

One more new:

Device Firmware Version 11.22.2.30

Device Embeded Web UI Version 2.4.18.15

I will go update right now.

7

Maybe there’s something different in the firmware between 11.22.2.xx and 11.37.2.xx that makes it so an 11.22.2.xx camera will work with the default file, but an 11.37.2.xx camera won’t. According to the firmware update page, http://www.foscam.com/down3.aspx, you need to make sure that an 11.22.2.xx camera does not get upgraded with the 11.37.2.xx file and vice versa.

I also tried setting the ip of one camera to user:password@ip:port, and left the user and password settings blank to see if that would work with the default file, but it didn’t. I don’t mind using custom files as a workaround, when I have more time, I’ll probably fiddle around some more to get presets going.

8

I am new to Vera 3. I have two FOSCAM FI8910Ws and they work great on IE, but even using all this info I am unable to get them to work on UI5. Looking for any, other tutorials. Looked through the forum, appears the UI5 changed things and all the old tricks posted, besides this one, do not work. Anyone find solutions to get their FOSCAM FI8910Ws to work?

9

I have the opposite issue: I have no idea how mine got added. I’ve had VeraLite for a long time. I recently bought two of these cameras and got them on my network. A few days later, I decided to hook them up to the VeraLite, but when I logged in, there were already in my interface… The same had occurred a couple weeks earlier when I borrowed a friend’s D-Link cam. I have no clue why or how they were added…

10

Fuzzy - first time poster (basically) relative Newbie.

I got the camera added, THANKS - however, I have no image: 'Camera URL is invalid" I have a cable modem, connected to Apple Extreme router. Vera3 firmware 1.5.622

I have 4 cameras, 1 added (adding other 3 now) that I can view thru IE on local network. but I haven’t gotten integrated into Vera yet. Rest of system is fine: Ademco alarm panel integrated, Schlage lock integrated, Gargae door control integrated, 4 in 1 sensormultiple z-wave switches and receptacles also. Everything else is working fine, just cant figure out the cameras…

Searching threads while waiting response…

Got all 4 cameras added… sometimes i get an image on F1891W cameras, but no image yet on the F1982W camera

11

Thanks all for the information so far in this. I am on a slightly later release.
My Vera3 is on UI6.
My camera Foscam FI8910W is on 11.37.2.56. I believe from other postings that from .54 or .55 or .56 (not sure which), Foscam implemented a different authentication protocol in which the username and password have to be in the URL string.

I have fought for many many frustrating hours to get this going so…To describe the full load process

  1. To get it going, I added the device manually using the Vistacam plugin

2)In the Advanced tab
the IP address needs the port number on the end. Mine defaulted to 80 thus 192.168.X.XXX:80

  I am using device_file D_DigitalSecurityCamera2.xml

  Similarly device_type should have 2 on the end, so urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:DigitalSecurityCamera:2

   username and password are filled appropriately (note at one point something truncated the password)

   I have created a custom impl_file called I_FoscamPTZ_Cam1.xml. Details of the content are below. In addition to the previous user I have implemented the Horizontal and Vertical Patrol option, as well as Stop Patrol (NOTE - however, the Stop is only implemented for Horizontal. The command for Stop Vertical is different (27 not 29), but there is only one Stop button on screen. Will continue to work on this issue - for now you can stop it by pressing a direction arrow)

   I have included the Zoom commands even though 8910 does not have that - should work for others

   ReversePan is set to 1

   Gateway is set to IP address of my Vera

  1. Use the usual add LUUP files to add it to Vera

  2. A very usfull file containing all the Foscam commands can be found at

[url=http://www.foscam.es/descarga/ipcam_cgi_sdk.pdf]Soluciones Foscam

The code for I_FoscamPTZ_Cam1.xml is as follows. You need to replace YOURUSERNAME and YOURPASSWORD with your own

<?xml version="1.0"?> function lug_startup(lul_device) lug_username = "YOURUSERNAME" lug_password = "YOURPASSWORD" lug_stepsize = 5 end lug_startup urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveLeft luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=6&onestep=5&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveRight luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=4&onestep=5&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveUp luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=0&onestep=5&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 MoveDown luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=2&onestep=5&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 HorizontalPatrol luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=28&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 VerticalPatrol luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=26&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 StopPatrol luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=29&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 ZoomOut luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=18&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5) urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:PanTiltZoom1 ZoomIn luup.inet.wget("http://" .. luup.devices[lul_device].ip .. "/decoder_control.cgi?command=16&user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD", 5)
12

… forgot to include one important detail

URL is set to

/snapshot.cgi?user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD

(replacing the relevant details as needed of course)

13

adamhay!!!
I have the 11.37.2.56 software for my foscam 8910w and I followed SO MANY THREADS and what to do. your Luup file and configs fixed my camera from no picture to success!!! I thank you!!!

14

[quote=“adamhay, post:12, topic:175362”]… forgot to include one important detail

URL is set to

/snapshot.cgi?user=YOURUSERNAME&pwd=YOURPASSWORD

(replacing the relevant details as needed of course)[/quote]

I just recently upgraded .56 firmware on my 4 Foscams and then it quit working on the Vera using the UI6, Found your post and first I added this string to my Url’s that were already using the foscam plugin and it worked. Didn’t have to add new cameras or anything. Thanks!!

15

I just bought a Veralite and have setup several switches and sensors. I have a Wansview IP Camera that I have had for several months which works great and I am told it is exactly the same as Foscam just different branding. I have setup port forwarding for it and can access it from my phone and turn on the motion detector and it sends me emails and texts from the camera itself separate from Vera and it works great.

I got it setup in Vera just using the standard device setup and I can see the image, and I can make it take pictures when a sensor is tripped but that is it. What I would like to do is have the motion detection turn on as part of a scene in Vera. Pan and tilt are not much concern to me since I can do that from another app on my phone and even record video to my phone.

Does creating .xml files allow you to turn on motion detection as part of a scene?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

16

I would really want the Foscam camera to act a s a motion sensor in Vera, as play2lose wrote above.

Is this possibe for the 8910W?

17

The only issue with using the camera as a motion sensor is that it can give off way too many false positives. Just keep that into consideration.

  • Garrett
18

noir or anyone else, did you get the motion sensor scene running?