From: Van
Submitted: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 5:06 PM
To: www.camerawebpage.com support

My log is filled with this and I cannot log into my info page:

092605 004004 2111003 Failed to update DDNS database.
092605 004506 2111003 Failed to update DDNS database.
....
092705 164258 2111003 Failed to update DDNS database.
092705 164800 2111003 Failed to update DDNS database.

There are more problems I need to ask about like http://69.164.92.51:800 does not work.

But first, are you there?
Thank you, Van Blakeman

Afterthought on 12/05/05:
I believe it was about here that the Toshiba tech, Michael Rapoport, called (great service), which in fact is something I try hard to avoid because I do not remember the particulars of what was said in a conversation. This has been getting me into trouble all of my life, but that is the way it is; I have a lousy memory. That is why I love email - I can store it away within a well-organized tree of categorized folders and refer to it as needed in the future.

Anyhow, I think he said something about changing the port to 8000, among other things.

What I have are some PDF (Adobe Acrobat) documents which he sent to me as attachments. I have (or shall have) manually converted them to html so that they are (or will be) available here:

1. Java_Incompatibility_Resolution_Guide       (How & why to download and install the Firefox browser. I have since done so and I like it.)
2. Netcam_setup_remote_access       (How to configure the router firmware and the Toshiba firmware so they can talk to each other - a must read.)

The comments below refer to information within these documents.

From: Michael Rapoport
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 12:03 PM
Subject: java incompat guide

Here you go sir. Give this a try - i think that it will help you out.

Regards, Michael Rapoport
Advanced Security Support
Toshiba America Imaging Systems Division
office 877.855.1349 - fax 818-981-0550


From: Van
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 9:10 AM
To: Michael Rapoport
Subject: RE: java incompat guide

Hi Mike,

I'm not yet sure whether we have succeeded or not. What had worked all along at CameraWebPage was http://www.camerawebpage.com/van which I guess was just local; that it was showing me what at the time resided at http://192.168.2.4:800. Now that has been changed to http://192.168.2.90:8000 as you suggested.

I seem to recall various "cannot connect" indications on https://www.camerawebpage.com/cp/?t=camera.info or some other similar page in the past. Now everything there looks good, I think.
http://www.camerawebpage.com/van/nwcam01 works, but that's still local?
http://www.camerawebpage.com/van?cam=111361148 also works, but is that local or external?

The reason I am not sure is because these don't work:
http://nwcam01.van.camerawebpage.com:8000/ & http://69.164.92.51:8000/

http://69.164.92.51 (without the port number) does get the Login page for my Belkin router.

I suspect that changing the 192.168.2.4 to 192.168.2.90 probably didn't make a difference.
Also I have no clue why changing port 800 to 8000 would matter. Can you explain that to me?

As I made the suggested changes, I captured an image of each page. If it would help, I can zip these up and send them to you. I will be adding them to the camera page on my web site when I get the chance, so if you like I can send you a link when I do. Here is what is there now:
http://www.blakeman.net/_VA/H/Net/NetCamera.html

Comments about the directions that you sent:
Internet Explorer 6 works fine for me and it already incorporates Sun Java. Where I had a problem was the Toshiba firmware messing with my browser dimensions, so now I use Netscape to open the firmware. But it freezes when I try to adjust the motion sensing areas, so I have to use IE for that. Since IE asks permission to make that Java adjustment, I suspect that there is a setting in NS that I need to change. However, I do want to download Firefox as you suggested and see what it is all about.

Netcam_setup_remote access suggests first physically connecting the camera to the computer. I would need a ladder to do that and am concerned that I would drop the computer while climbing the ladder so I took a chance and left the connection as is - wireless. :)

I already had DHCP off since I had previously made all local settings Static with 192.168.2.4 being the camera. I changed the 4 to 90 and the 800 to 8000 and saved the settings. BTW, both DNS settings are 192.168.2.1 and I'm not sure that is correct.
I also changed the 4 to 90 in the Network Routing Table, with the Subnet at 255.255.255.0, Gateway at 192.168.2.1 and Metric at 1.

RE the router settings, you mentioned that I should extrapolate my Belkin settings from the D-Link directions, which I did:
In the Firewall section, I clicked on Virtual Servers. I typed Camera01 in Description and 8000 in all 4 Port boxes: Inbound Port and Private Port and 192.168.2.90 in Private IP address. Then I clicked on the 'Apply Changes' button.
I assume this is what they mean by "Port Forwarding". Is that true?

I had previously disabled the Belkin Firewall thinking it might interfere with the signal or something. Since I have ZoneAlarm Pro running 24/7 (with 192.168.2.4 "Trusted" (now .90)), I figured I could do without the router and XP firewalls.
Now I have re-enabled the Belkin Firewall.
Under LAN Setup/LAN Settings, I already had "DHCP server" on, but I raised the "IP Pool Starting Address" to 192.168.2.100 (Ending 192.168.2.249). I clicked on the 'Apply Changes' button and Logout. I then rebooted the computer to get everything back to normal.

Later I began to wonder if I should have given the Virtual Server the same name I use everywhere else for the camera, so I went back in and changed "Camera01" to "nwcam01" and hit Apply. I took a look later on and saw that the change did not take. Tried again. Tried deleting it. Nothing would take.
Disabled the Firewall. Killed all other Aps. Nothing works. Re-enabled the Firewall. So it is "Camera01". I hope that is okay.

There is probably more I could tell you, but this is Friday and I want to get it off before you break for the weekend.
What should I do now?

Thanks for all your help, Van Blakeman


From: Michael Rapoport
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 3:59 PM
To: 'Van'
Subject: RE: java incompat guide

Van,

All looks well my friend. You can access via certain links and addresses, but not on others simply because you are local to the camera. Just as I can only access it now via your public IP address:port number, or your DDNS name:port number.

Or I could go to your camerawebpage.com/username page, and it will autosense if I am local or not to redirect me to the appropriate IP address (local or external).

Changing the port to 8000 got around your ISP's blockage of port 800, or so it seems, [actually, Adelphia only blocks port 80] and the fact that your router's IP address is in the camera's DNS settings shouldn't be too much to worry about, although if it becomes a problem and your router is not caching DNS servers properly then you may want to use the ones provided by your ISP - or try this:

Using public DNS servers

DNS server addresses should be automatically configured by DHCP to use the proper servers assigned to your router. If you believe you are having problems related to DNS server issues, try using one of these DNS servers in your camera: 209.244.0.3 = resolver1.level3.net 209.244.0.4 = resolver2.level3.net The above servers are popular because, for most Cable internet providers, they are probably the fastest and closest DNS servers on the internet. These servers are multi-homed and the IPs listed above will take you straight to the server at the nearest Level3 peering point, which is probably also your nearest HSI peering point due to network arrangements between the major companies » www.level3.com/press/5357.html. 4.2.2.1 = vnsc-pri.sys.gtei.net 4.2.2.2 = vnsc-bak.sys.gtei.net 4.2.2.3 = vnsc-lc.sys.gtei.net 4.2.2.4 = vnsc-pri-dsl.genuity.net These 4 servers are popular because the IP addresses are easy to remember and have a similar relationship with the major Telco networks (DSL). If these do not work for you, then try the Level3 DNS servers mentioned above.

I hope that clarifies everything with you.
Regards, Michael Rapoport

From: Van
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 4:17 PM
To: Bernie
Subject: Camera

Can you see me now?? http://www.camerawebpage.com/van (If you get a red X, hit Refresh)

From: Van
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 4:19 PM
To: Sue
Subject: My Camera

Hi Sue, Can you see our driveway? http://www.camerawebpage.com/van

From: Van
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 4:22 PM
To: Bob
Subject: Our Camera

Hi Bob, Can you see our driveway? http://www.camerawebpage.com/van

From: Van
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 8:45 AM
To: Jody
Subject: Our driveway

Hi Jody, Can you see our driveway? http://www.camerawebpage.com/van How long did you wait for the image? Can you navigate it okay with the provided arrows to see the house?
Also wondering about http://www.hostedvideo.net/sys/... Do they require you to download anything? How long, and can you navigate?
Also, can you capture any relative screens for me?
Are you on dial-up or high speed?
I'm writing an article about my network camera so would appreciate any impressions and detail you can provide, now or later.


From: Sue
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 8:09 AM
Subject: My Camera

Hi Van, I do see the driveway and Eileen's car... All is well, hi to Eileen, Sue

From: Van
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 11:03 AM
To: Sue
Subject: My Camera

Hi Sue, I have been struggling with that camera since mid-July and you are the very first from out there in the twilight zone to see it working. You can't imagine what wonderful news that is.

Now we should be able to watch the place from CA. One or both of us should be out there by mid-Nov.

Does the toolbar above the image provide navigation arrows? If you click on an arrow, or on the image off-center, does the image move?

I have been documenting the whole thing at http://www.blakeman.net/_VA/H/TheNetworkCamera.html Thanks, Van

From: Sue
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 12:16 PM
Subject: My Camera

Hi Van, I used the navigation arrows on the toolbar to move the image... Sue

From: hostedvideo.com
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 3:44 AM
Subject: HostedVideo.com - Account activated!

Your account has been activated on HostedVideo and your cameras are now available for viewing!

To view your cameras, simply login to http://www.hostedvideo.com and then click on the view video link to access your viewing interface.
...

From: Van
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 11:50 AM
Subject: (Hosted) white box - no video

Finally figured out port forwarding, I think, but all I get is a white box with P/T+ controls at http://www.hostedvideo.net/sys/{97F08E32-F82F-4335-9044-BCEAF965079D}


From: D3Data LLC (hostedvideo.com)
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 7:37 PM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Van, When I attempt to view your camera directly at the IP address you provided I can login to the camera but I get an error message on it and it is a blank screen. This is most likely why you are unable to view the camera in our interface. Let us know once you get the camera displaying images and we can try troubleshooting this again from our end.
Best regards. Joel


From: Van
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 10:42 PM
Subject: RE: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

http://192.168.2.90:8000 gives me a clear image as does http://www.camerawebpage.com/van on my computer.
In my Belkin router Firewall Virtual Server, the Inbound Port of Camera01 is 8000 - 8000 and TCPs to the Private IP of 192.168.2.90, Private Port 8000 - 8000. What am I missing? Van


From: D3Data LLC
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 7:34 PM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Van, When we view your camera through our interface we are able to see it fine. If you are still experiencing any issues on your end please let us know.
Best regards, Joel


From: Van
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 12:04 AM
Subject: RE: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

I'm glad one of us can but your viewer is still white on my screen. I can see the camera locally and through Toshiba's Camera Web Page viewer.
Any suggestions? Van


From: D3Data LLC
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 2:34 AM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Van, Try clearing out your internet cache and offline objects. Also make sure your security settings are running at default levels and make sure you have no script blocking installed. Are you attempting to view your camera through our interface from a computer on the same local network as the camera?
Best regards, Joel


From: Van
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 12:28 PM
Subject: RE: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Cleared IE6 internet files including offline, but not cookies. However View/Refresh in the toolbar should update the web page anyhow.

The camera and my computer are on the same wireless LAN. Don't know how it could be otherwise.

I also tried to open it in Netscape 7.2 and got more problems there. The images at the top of http://www.hostedvideo.com/default.view would not open. I guess IE uses something different because the images open fine there. NS indicated that I needed Macromedia Shockwave, so I went to download it. It would not download by their normal method but they provided a link for a "Standalone Download". I did that and it downloaded and installed. Didn't help; the NS images still would now show. Clicked on "View Videos" anyhow where it went to http://www.hostedvideo.net/ but now the whole screen is white in NS; I don't even get the interface around the small white window that I get in IE which is at http://www.hostedvideo.net/sys/{97F08E32-F82F-4335-9044-BCEAF965079D}.

Then back in your interface in IE I noticed "Install Viewer". I had wondered about that in the past and looked for some Help or FAQs or whatever to find out more about it, but could find no helpful info. There should be Help options right on that interface page but there are not. I am reluctant to install anything unless I know a lot about it. Since I'm desperate now I went ahead and clicked on Install Viewer. It downloaded and installed BrowserVideoSetup.exe. Didn't help.

Restarted the computer. Didn't help.

I have developed my custom IE security settings over many years so I was reluctant to mess with them. But it seems to be the only thing left. I hit Restore to save the system settings. Then I captured 11 images of my current IE security settings. Then I hit the "Default" button, "Medium", and closed the box. Closed IE and reopened. Went to http://www.hostedvideo.net/sys/{97F08E32-F82F-4335-9044-BCEAF965079D} where it wanted to install Macromedia Flash Player so I went through that process (the main HostedVideo page had been fine). No go. I still only get the white box.

Now each time I Refresh the screen it wants to download MFP again.

In Manage Add-ons under ActiveX Controls, Shockwave Flash Object is listed (Flash.ocx). Update says there is no new update. Likewise SYSBridge Class. It also shows CamImage Class by Axis. All 3 are "Not Verified". Also Windows Media Player. I disabled the latter two just to see. Now the white box has been replaced by a black one with a red X. I re-enabled CamImage and got the white box back. Still getting MFP message every time and a large D3DATA CORPORATE banner top left.

I have rebooted the computer a couple times during these processes. Also followed the suggestions on the Macromedia site. Still getting the white box.

Help! Van


From: D3Data LLC
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 7:35 PM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

If you want we can try entering the LAN IP address to see if that will work for you to view your camera locally through our interface, although it would not be accessible from outside your LAN with this setup. It seems like it's probably an issue with your router not being able to loop back an internal request from the internet, if that makes sense. If you let me know the LAN IP address here of your camera I can try entering that in and you can see if that works for you.

Best regards, Joel


From: Van
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 12:01 AM
Subject: RE: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

No thanks. The idea is for us to see our place while we are away for the winter. It just seems to me that we should be able to see it locally or externally. We can see it through Toshiba's www.camerawebpage.com which they say detects whether you are local or external and adjusts accordingly.

However I would like to know more about what you mean by my "router not being able to loop back an internal request from the internet". What does that mean? I guess I should talk to Belkin about that.

If you are interested, I am documenting all this at http://www.blakeman.net/_VA/H/TheNetworkCamera.html which helps me get my head around it. Hopefully it will help others too. Anything you can add to help educate, if not resolve this problem, would be appreciated. You have already been very helpful.

Thanks, Van


From: D3Data LLC
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 1:49 AM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

That documentary page you have there looks to be a great guide for anyone looking to examine the process of IP cameras from start to finish, would you mind if we referred some people there so they can take a look at a personal experience of someone working with an IP camera from the ground up?

To explain the "router" comment that was made, I'll explain the difference between a hosted service like ours and a piece of software that runs on your computer. A piece of software running on your computer can determine whether someone is connecting from the internet or whether someone is on the local network that the camera is attached to. It can then easily provide the appropriate IP address to either client (the internet user or the local LAN user).

The difference with our hosted service is that everyone logging into our interface is considered an internet user (unless of course they sneak into our data center and plug into the same switch as our servers!) so when determining the IP address to display the camera it will always attempt to use an internet address. The issue with always using the internet address is that some routers will not allow you to use the internet address of your location if you are connected to the LAN. So the issue that we are hung up with right now is that you are attempting to view your camera with an internet address from the same location that the internet address is pointing too, which your router isn't handling correctly right now preventing a live video to be displayed.

I imagine if you attempted to login to your account from another location that the video would display fine since the router would correctly see the incoming request as originating from the internet.

I hope this helped more than it added to the confusion, please let me know if you need further clarification or have any more questions!

Best regards, Joel


From: Van
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 10:53 AM
Subject: RE: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

"would you mind if we referred some people ..."

I would be honored. However, I have since broken that large file into smaller ones and renamed the entry page. Please use this link:
http://www.blakeman.net/_VA/H/Net/NetCamera.html. Thank you for the compliment.

Also thanks for the router clarification though the software you referred to is not installed on my computer; it is on the camerawebpage.com web site server.

Do you know of a wireless router that will "allow you to use the internet address of your location if you are connected to the LAN" and hence allow me to view my local camera within the Hosted Video interface?

On the other hand, I suppose I could subscribe to NetZero or such to go online through my winmodem and phone line to view the camera.

Another is to use my cell phone to connect. My place in the California mountains has no power or phone as of yet. A couple years ago I could connect through my standard cellular service (charged by an inverter in my car) but now Cingular wants an additional $75/mo. to do that - which is way out of my range. Do you know of any affordable alternative to that.

However, if I understand correctly, since my notebook has a wi-fi port, I should be able to go into town to a Starbucks or such and go online. Do I have that right? I guess I could just go to a Starbucks here in Massachusetts and try that out before I leave for CA.

Can you still see my driveway within your interface?: http://www.hostedvideo.net/sys/{97F08E32-F82F-4335-9044-BCEAF965079D}

Van


11/20/05:
Either I got that Cingular charge for "Unlimited" usage wrong or they have reduced it to $60. However, I have signed up for their $35 "DataConnect" plan that allows 20MB of usage, though nobody seems to know what that is. Connecting to the internet, downloading email, website cookies, "temporary internet files" plus uploading my email and to my web site files will eat up that 20MB but how quickly can only be determined after the fact.

I then downloaded the requisite "Communication Manager" which does not yet work, but does manage to kill MS Outlook's attempts to download email. Fortunately I had first saved a system Restore Point which I was able to revert to after uninstalling their Communication Manager. I will call them about this. BTW, my email first passes through a spam filter called K9. K9 and MS Outlook communicate through port #9999. I am beginning to suspect that the Communication Manager uses the same port. Changing the port that K9 and Outlook use reenables my email.

This concerns a question I posted at the ToshibaNetcam.com Forum Index -> Toshiba IK-WB01A and IK-WB11A

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 11:09 pm       Post subject: External Alarm sensors

Does anybody know of a good source for infrared or whatever sensors that can be attached to the IK-WB11A?
The built in sensor is great on an average calm day but goes nuts during downpours or branch shadows waving in the wind.
I am assuming that something that detects warm bodies or engines might be more reliable.
A Google search for Toshiba Sensor (and similar) gets no worthwhile results.
_________________
Van

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:55 pm       Post subject: External Alarm sensors

Hello Van! Though I haven't tried any yet, I was looking at PIR [Passive Infrared] as used in a wired security system. I found the BV-300 listed here: DSC BV-300DP Digital Bravo 300 PIR Motion Detector. It requires 9.5 to 14.5VDC at relatively low current, so I think it could be run off of the camera power supply. This is an indoor sensor. I haven't located any reasonably priced exterior sensors. From your post it looks like outdoors is what you want. Maybe a tube of RTV [Room Temperature Vulcanizing silicone] would do the trick...

Post if you have any luck - good or bad - setting something up.
Regards, Ken

From: Van
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2005 10:02 PM
To: CameraWebPage Support
Subject: IR sensors

Where can I find a selection of IR sensors that can be connected to the alarm input terminal of the IK-WB11A camera?
I cannot find any real specs on that terminal, nor a good diagram or schematic.
Thanks, Van Blakeman


From: CameraWebPage Support
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 4:46 PM
Subject: RE: IR sensors

Van, This question could be best answered by Toshiba Technical Support. You can reach them directly at 877-855-1349.
Thanks for contacting us. Jonathan
CameraWebPage.com
Customer Service

From: Don St. Mary
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:07 PM
Subject: Your Support Ticket

Hello, I noticed your support ticket in our system and wanted to follow-up with you and see if we can answer any of your remaining questions. I know that you have been working with Joel on the outstanding items, but I wanted to provide you with my contact information, as well.

Sounds like you have been through quite the process to get the camera up and running on your driveway. Are there any remaining items that you need to accomplish that we might be able to assist with? Did you get a breakdown of what services we can potentially provide you with at http://www.HostedVideo.com?

Please let me know and we look forward to working with you.

Best Regards, Don St. Mary
Vice President of Operations, D3Data, LLC


From: Van
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 12:59 PM
Subject: RE: Your Support Ticket

Thank you Don, I did receive a response from Joel so I'll follow up on that.

Van Blakeman


From: Don St. Mary
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 4:26 PM
Subject: RE: Your Support Ticket

Van, Sounds good – thank you. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Best Regards, Don St. Mary

From: D3Data LLC
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 10:17 PM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Van

As far as I know Don sent you a seperate email to address any further concerns so I'm wrapping this up and answering a few of these questions here before doing so. As far as the routers are concerned I'm really not 100% sure which allow loopback IP's, it may be a setting somewhere or even dependent on the ISP. One idea I did get though while mulling this over in my head is to sniff the incoming connected IP address and if it matches the one listed in our system to instead route the camera through the local address since a matching IP would indicate both the computer and camera are at the same location.

Also I am still able to view your camera from our interface so I imagine if you go offsite and connect from a Starbucks for example you would be able to view your camera fine.

Best regards, Joel


From: Van
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 5:46 PM
To: D3Data LLC
Subject: RE: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Hi Joel,

"sniff the incoming connected IP address ..."
Is that something you would do or I would do? If myself, then how?
In either case, I'm not really sure what you are talking about in terms of how it would affect my view of the driveway and that of others (or myself) from other locations.

I did go to the local library about a month ago and try it from one of their computers where it wanted to download something into their machine and I did not think I should do that, at least until I know more about it. It did see the driveway from there through www.camerawebpage.com/van.

I also tried with the notebook and it would not even connect, there or in a nearby pub, both wi-fi friendly, so I strongly suspected my notebook circuitry or settings even though they work fine at home - which really doesn't make sense.

Shortly after all that my notebook suddenly quit connecting at home too. I don't know why. I tried everything to get it working again but to no avail. Since I had been suspecting that something might be wrong with its wi-fi circuitry, and because my livelihood (and sanity) require online access, I went to the local Staples and bought a desktop. I came up for air a few days later with all software installed and a good strong hard-wired connection to the router. It worked very well and has continued to do so.

Of course, about then my notebook began to wi-fi connect again and has worked fine since then. I don't know why.

The new hard-wired desktop also ends up with the aforementioned Hosted Video white screen, so that probably rules out the notebook and the wi-fi, leaving the router suspect as you suggested.

I went back to the library today and tried again. The notebook showed a strong wi-fi connection and yet nothing worked. The WNC Status showed that a few packets had been sent, but none received. I left it trying for nearly a half hour while I also got on one of their better machines. Again it wanted to download sysconnector.dll but nothing would happen, so I assume the library system blocks downloads. The instructions say to browse to the SYS Server, but with no guidance as to where I was supposed to find it.

I need to stop here.

Thanks, Van


From: D3Data LLC
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 6:16 PM
Subject: Case Update: 760 - (Hosted) white box - no video

Van

In regards to the incoming IP addresses, that is something we would implement into our software to determine if the connecting client and the subsequently selected camera are residing at the same location. If it were the case, we would use the LAN address instead of the external address.

It sounds like your local library is probably blocking certain downloads from happening which would directly affect your ability to view our interface since we require an ActiveX control to get downloaded.

I've added a feature request to be able to differentiate the local and external IP addresses through our interface and flagged your email address in the request so that we can get back to you when it's implemented so you can help us try it out.

Best regards, Joel