Best CCTV Software for Aircam

I know there have been several threads recently on cameras but I would like to have a discussion on what software people are using, especially with Aircam.  I got my first one installed this weekend and it works pretty well.  I have had to order a wider lens, but other than that, the install was painless.
 
I installed AirVision onto a WinXP VM as my software.  My intention was to use CQC to view the RTSP stream while home, and log in via the web when away or if necessary use eKeypad which has the aircam on the supported list.  These are the things I have discovered:
 
1.) Playing an H.264 video stream in a browser is not possible by default.  I ended up needing to embed a VLC player in an HTML page an serve it out.
2.) eKeypad's $49.99 video module is supposed to work with the Aircam's RTSP live stream, but I can't get it to work, on my local network or off.  Emailed Jason waiting to hear back.
3.) To access AirVision's web server you have to forward not only the web port but TCP Port 843 and TCP/UDP Port 7080.  It then works on my wifi, but not on AT&Ts 3G network, which appears to be blocking some of those ports.  When are web developers ever going to learn, 80 and 443 on the internet, people, that's it, that's all you use.
 
So I am at that "COME ON" frustrated point you often get in the DIY world, when dealing with these products from developers and vendors who apparently have no common sense.
 
Does anyone have software they use that allows you to view live and recorded video remotely, reliably, securely that works with the AirCam (really just a standard H.264 over RTSP camera)?  I would love to be able to view via web and especially on my IPhone...

Having already been a long time Zoneminder user I made it work with the two Aircams I have in place.  While ZM is capturing the stream via RTSP; the output from Zoneminder is not RTSP.  It can be though either MPEG or JPG via a variety of transports.
 
Aside from this ZM is allowing me a nice means of transition from analog to digital SD to digital HD and currently streaming all three types of cameras via 16 feeds.
 
I have been able to also incorporate it into my HAI panel Omnitouch screens.  The issues though relating to building a ZM box is that its really a DIY effort. The support forum is OK.  It is not a simple plug n play.  That said many folks utilize Blue Iris software and are very happy with it.
 
There are so many different ZM flavors and builds though and it can be a bit overwhelming.
 
Relating to the firewall the viewing, management and PT parts all are via one open port which makes it a bit easier to manage. 
 
That said there are also two built in mobile phone web interfaces which allow the viewing of multiple streams, single streams recorded events etc.  These are functional but not "pretty" interfaces.
 
Here I have settled on the 2.5mm lens for the camera trying also a 3.6mm lens.  As other uses on the Aircam site have mentioned you do see distortion on the outer edges of your field of view whether its a wider or shorter lens.  The plastic cap over the lens too adds to the distortion.  Personally the view is a higher priority than the bit of peripheral distortion.
 
This though is my opinion because of my long time personal use of Zoneminder.  Some folks have tried it and been totally turned off by it; other have tried it and are still using it after a few years.

Thanks, i'll take a look at Zoneminder.  I was under the impression AirVision was based on Zoneminder, but it sounds like ZM is a lot more flexible.  And it looks like ZM has a VMWare virtual appliance built already, NICE!
 
I ordered a 2.5mm and 3.6mm waiting for them to come in.  I guess the default is a 4.0mm.   Getting a full view of my porch is more important for me also than distortions or color issues.

My usage is not that advanced, but I like iSpy. 
1.) Its free.
2.) It supports everything I need. I didn't see aircam in the camera wizard, but I know you can specify a direct camera url (if available).
3.) It can do motion based recording, as well as recording based on other items as well, like item count and non movement.
4.) You can setup triggers to run bat files, so it can be easily integrated with HA packages.
5.) Has a command line interface so it can be easily controlled via HA packages.
6.) Has plugins available for facial recognition and license plate recognition. (Though I have not tried them).
7.) Open source
8.) Android and Win8 apps available
 
Try it out. Can't beat the price. Hopefully it can help you out.
http://www.ispyconnect.com

I personally use Vitamin D to monitor my cameras, but it doesn't provide you with a remote access solution.  I strongly recommend against opening up your firewall for these cameras, unless privacy is not an issue at this point.  I interface my cameras with IP Cam viewer when I am on wifi, or I can log in with my SSH client to my home, and use tunneling to access my cameras remotely.

+1 for ispyconnect

iostream212 said:

My usage is not that advanced, but I like iSpy.

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What is the CPU loading for say something like eight cameras using this software?

Dan (electron) said:

 I strongly recommend against opening up your firewall for these cameras, unless privacy is not an issue at this point.

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Forgive my naivety but what would the issue be? Is a long complex password and obscure port designations not enough to secure these?

BraveSirRobbin said:

My usage is not that advanced, but I like iSpy.
What is the CPU loading for say something like eight cameras using this software?

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I only have 3 cams running. Status monitor says ~8-12% CPU usage with ~90mb ram. You can tweak performance by decreasing frame rate, resolution, or set a CPU threshold that the software will honor.

iostream212 said:

Forgive my naivety but what would the issue be? Is a long complex password and obscure port designations not enough to secure these?

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The issue is that webservers aren't perfect.  Should an exploit/bug appear, your camera is suddenly exposed to the world.  When it comes to cameras aimed at the inside of your property, you better be 100% sure they are secure and can't be exploited (won't happen).  Most IP cameras run a version of linux, so they are powerful enough to be used as a launch platform to attack the rest of your network should they get in.
 
Paranoid, yes, I just want to make sure people understand that most IP cameras/DVRs are computers, and have the same risks.

Dan,

Regarding your above post, what is vulnerable about seeing a camera view of your yard that anyone who drives/walks by can also see (other than the obvious that they could then do it remotely)?

Or are you referring to the risk really being of the attack that can be performed on the rest of the network?

If it is an outdoor camera, isn't as big of a deal from a privacy point of view, but I am concerned about the camera being used as an attack vector.  It's only a matter of time before this happens (especially now that more and more people are buying cheap IP cameras, which don't have the same quality control in place as the expensive Axis/Mobotix units).

Yeah, ideally I would only do it if it was encrypted/authenticated.

Well I'm sufficiently freaked out. What's best practice for viewing remotely? VPN? I like being able to just open my IP cam viewer program and see my cams. I am all for better security, but don't want to enable vpn first, wait to connect, then open IP cam viewer if I can help it.

There is no 'transparent' way, unless you rely on companies which offers a relay.  Logitech comes to mind, their HD cameras can stream via their web service, so you don't have to open a firewall.  It isn't free if you want live streaming (but check to be sure).
 
I'm not trying to scare anyone, more like 'making aware'.  Obviously same goes for exposing any devices to the internet, including your ELK M1/HAI Omni panel.