Yi Home Camera

bk · 04-12-2018 4:55pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Ha, I ordered the same for black friday, and checked my order this morning only to see that it hadn't been dispatched yet and noticed the price change. Cancelled the original and re-ordered!

Ah, lucky you

mine shipped very fast, but the others bits I needed to set it up, cables etc. still haven't arrived, so it is still sitting in the box, typical!

mugsymugsy · 04-12-2018 4:55pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Oops, forgot the link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YI-Wireless-Weatherproof-Surveillance-Detection-H30/dp/B0776V3CG5/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543937397&sr=8-3&keywords=yi+outdoor+camera

Wow been looking at pulling the trigger and this is way too tempting. Thanks

Edit....I bought £39.99 delivered. Thanks again

mossym · 05-12-2018 12:17am

thanks for that, at that price had to give one a go.

jmBuildExt · 05-12-2018 6:00pm

i got one around black friday too and it was ~60gbp!!

re this...

cherryghost wrote: »

iSpy is free and open source. It can scan for IP cameras on your network and attempt to build a URL based on a massive database of known devices/URLs. Otherwise you could do a packet capture on your network to find what's likely an rtsp url of some sort.

I've done so for some relatively unknown d-link camera model and managed to build a user and pass protected rtsp url from it.

Linky

and this...

Nelbert wrote: »

Can you connect to this without the app? I've a synology nas that I'm on the lookout for a cheap IP camera for i.e. I'd rather a straight IP link to the synology and then use the synology for viewing. removes the reliance on a app which may be abandoned if / when a new model is released.

These don't have a rtsp stream or similar that is visible - its pretty much locked down in that regard.

However, for anyone interested in that type of thing, there is a hack you can load to gain access to the camera via telnet.
Further, there is a binary you can load on to give you an rtsp feed. Involves replacing the firmware.
Following are supported.

Yi Home 17CN / 27US / 47US Camera
Yi 1080p Home Camera
Yi Dome Camera
Yi 1080p Dome Camera

See the github "project" for details.
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3

There are specific instructions for the outdoor camera (its not one of the 4 above, but people are actively working on it) - but they haven't managed to get the rtsp feed going on that one yet...
See the discussion here for details about getting the telnet access
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/82
and here where the guy has rtsp server running on outdoor camera, but not quite well enough to use.
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/228

I believe (from reading above) that the camera will still work as normal with the app/cloud etc after applying said hacks.

Usual warnings/disclaimers apply - above involves loading firmware not supplied by the company so you risk damaging the camera etc
I haven't done it yet - but wll do as soon as i get time

Standard Toaster · 06-12-2018 1:28pm

Where would one find the rtsp binary?

jmBuildExt · 10-12-2018 8:57am

Standard Toaster wrote: »

Where would one find the rtsp binary?

I still haven't loaded this yet... But it looks like it will be buried in the firmware update that you load. It doesn't say anything about rtsp on the main page, but from reading around the discussion in the "issues" section, to me, it looks like it is in there.

The firmware you load will depend on the camera you have.
Step by step guide is here.
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3#getting-started---step-by-step-guide

Firmware releases are here.
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/releases

re the outdoor 1080 cam, the discussion seems to be gone a bit stale.

Standard Toaster · 10-12-2018 11:11am

jmBuildExt wrote: »

I still haven't loaded this yet... But it looks like it will be buried in the firmware update that you load.

I've loaded it successfully on a Dome 1080p camera and no sign of the bianrys on the filesystem/sdcard.

find / -name rtsp*

It does look like it's not included according to this issue
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/15

Only real reason I wanted to hack it.

Edit:
Although, I may give this a go later
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/92#issuecomment-416884641

jmBuildExt · 10-12-2018 1:21pm

ah ok

- you're way ahead of me.
I see now (after you asked) it says nothing about rtsp in the main features - but i got the sense it was around somewhere, because people had referenced it alot in the discussions i read.
Looks like you stumbled onto some of it too

For me it might be enough if I can even ftp some video off it. It'll be interesting to dig around.

Standard Toaster · 10-12-2018 4:24pm

Yeap ftp works fine, no password set by default.

Recording are in /tmp/sd/record/%DATE%

C:\Users>ftp 192.168.1.103
Connected to 192.168.1.103.
220---------- Welcome to Pure-FTPd [privsep] ----------
220-You are user number 2 of 50 allowed.
220-Local time is now 15:22. Server port: 21.
220 You will be disconnected after 15 minutes of inactivity.
504 Unknown command
User (192.168.1.103:(none)): root
331 User root OK. Password required
Password:
230 OK. Current directory is /root
ftp> ls /tmp/sd/record/2018Y12M10D14H
200 PORT command successful
150 Connecting to port 58741
17M06S.mp4
18M00S.mp4
23M06S.mp4
24M00S.mp4
226 4 matches total
ftp: 51 bytes received in 0.00Seconds 51000.00Kbytes/sec.
ftp> quit
221-Goodbye. You uploaded 0 and downloaded 0 kbytes.
221 Logout.

b.gud · 10-12-2018 4:57pm

Standard Toaster wrote: »

Edit:
Although, I may give this a go later
https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/92#issuecomment-416884641

Let me know if it works for you, was planning on trying it myself but haven't had the time, new born baby at home

, to try it out

Standard Toaster · 10-12-2018 6:12pm

b.gud wrote: »

Let me know if it works for you, was planning on trying it myself but haven't had the time, new born baby at home , to try it out

I'm in the same boat! It's the baby cam I'm modifying

mossym · 10-12-2018 10:24pm

is anyone using the paid cloud services? 20 euros for a years sub seems okay, just wondering how people found it?

getoffthepot · 15-12-2018 2:54pm

mossym wrote: »

is anyone using the paid cloud services? 20 euros for a years sub seems okay, just wondering how people found it?

Hi, What's the benefit of the cloud when it takes a mircosd card?

OldMrBrennan83 · 15-12-2018 2:57pm

getoffthepot wrote: »

Hi, What's the benefit of the cloud when it takes a mircosd card?

So as someone can't just take all the footage by taking the camera and card if they break in.

mossym · 16-12-2018 1:32pm

getoffthepot wrote: »

Hi, What's the benefit of the cloud when it takes a mircosd card?

plus remote access, handy if you travel a lot with work

getoffthepot · 17-12-2018 11:41am

mossym wrote: »

getoffthepot wrote: »

Hi, What's the benefit of the cloud when it takes a mircosd card?

plus remote access, handy if you travel a lot with work

I have the sd card in mine and can access the camera and alert videos remotely without the cloud access.

mossym · 17-12-2018 11:43am

getoffthepot wrote: »

I have the sd card in mine and can access the camera and alert videos remotely without the cloud access.

really? okay, may not need the cloud access so. probably put mine up this week as i'm finished up for the holidays, will give it a try then

bk · 17-12-2018 8:05pm

mossym wrote: »

really? okay, may not need the cloud access so. probably put mine up this week as i'm finished up for the holidays, will give it a try then

Viewing pictures on the SD card remotely via the app and notifications of course do use a cloud service, though they give this for free.

They also store 6 seconds videos of activity detected in the cloud for free.

If you want longer videos or continuous video recording in the cloud, then they have pay options for that.

All pretty reasonable IMO.

mossym · 18-12-2018 5:09pm

ended up mounting mine pretty low down to cover the area i wanted, so i think i'll fork out the 20 euros for the minimum package, it's pretty easy for someone to screw off the camera from the mount, and cut the power lead and it is gone. i'm tempted to glue the camera onto the mount to prevent someone whipping it, i don't envisage moving it again from where it is

Alanstrainor · 18-12-2018 5:19pm

mossym wrote: »

ended up mounting mine pretty low down to cover the area i wanted, so i think i'll fork out the 20 euros for the minimum package, it's pretty easy for someone to screw off the camera from the mount, and cut the power lead and it is gone. i'm tempted to glue the camera onto the mount to prevent someone whipping it, i don't envisage moving it again from where it is

Trying to decide on how high to mount this on my house. The spot I have in mind is quite high, certainly high enough to be out of reach of any normal person. But stepping up on a bin would have taken fairly quick. I kind of think if someone is that desperate to do something then I'm goosed either way.

ted1 · 18-12-2018 6:38pm

mossym wrote: »

plus remote access, handy if you travel a lot with work

You have remote access to the SD card. Also if the cloud is down it still records to the SD card

mugsymugsy · 18-12-2018 7:53pm

Did you all have to do a bit of work to extend the USB cable length. I havent had time to have a look yet and set it up but had a quick look at you tube videos

mossym · 18-12-2018 8:06pm

ted1 wrote: »

You have remote access to the SD card. Also if the cloud is down it still records to the SD card

yeah thats the bit i was missing, i assumed cloud was needed for any remote access.

mossym · 18-12-2018 8:08pm

mugsymugsy wrote: »

Did you all have to do a bit of work to extend the USB cable length. I havent had time to have a look yet and set it up but had a quick look at you tube videos

mine was long enough on the end, it's on the outside of a steel shed and i ran it through the wall and into a socket inside.

i had tested it with a generic usb extension lead i had lying around just in case and it worked just fine

ted1 · 18-12-2018 9:50pm

mugsymugsy wrote: »

Did you all have to do a bit of work to extend the USB cable length. I havent had time to have a look yet and set it up but had a quick look at you tube videos

USB is just 2 cables 5V and 0V very easy to extend it. Just cut it and strip back the red and black and then extend. I used small white terminals

Alanstrainor · 24-12-2018 3:16pm

So I got mine installed 2 days ago, and it works well. Maybe this camera isn't as good as the other Xiaomi Mijia Dafang camera I've used for a year or more now. One small gripe is that the mount doesn't allow a full 90 degree turn, it's more like 80. Not to worry, I'll see if I can modify it/mount differently a bit later. But the software is good and the image quality is good. Can't complain for the money. I'd be tempted to get another.

mossym · 27-12-2018 9:43am

Yeah, been running mine for a week now and mixed feelings. Camera is not as good as the ring camera. Not a big deal, it's good enough for what I need.

Bigger issue is the detection triggers, I have the sensitivity set to the lowest setting, have the notifications set to the fewest setting, yet I wake every morning to ~ 10 alerts created by raindrops falling in front of the camera, fair enough they are visible on the screen, but I would have thought they would be ignored given the sensitivity setting.

If I then don't watch each one I get reminders all day about them .I could tell the phone not to notify me, but then I'd miss something I'd want to see.

Bit daft that a single rain drop( or an insect) can set it off at lowest sensitivity. I shudder to think what highest must be like.

jmBuildExt · 10-02-2019 6:51pm

More of a general electrical question... I want to put one of the dome cams up where I currently have ac spotlight fitted.
They (the camera) run off usb (5v). I don't have it in my possession yet.
What's best way? Or the most normal way.
Can you get some type of a adaptor to stick up into the space, like the ones for the 12v spotlights... Except they put out 5v.

ted1 · 10-02-2019 7:18pm

jmBuildExt wrote: »

More of a general electrical question... I want to put one of the dome cams up where I currently have ac spotlight fitted.
They (the camera) run off usb (5v). I don't have it in my possession yet.
What's best way? Or the most normal way.
Can you get some type of a adaptor to stick up into the space, like the ones for the 12v spotlights... Except they put out 5v.

5v is a standard USB connection. So you need a socket.

You can cut the usb cable and extend it easy enough so you could run it anyway

bk · 11-02-2019 10:43am

jmBuildExt wrote: »

More of a general electrical question... I want to put one of the dome cams up where I currently have ac spotlight fitted.
They (the camera) run off usb (5v). I don't have it in my possession yet.
What's best way? Or the most normal way.
Can you get some type of a adaptor to stick up into the space, like the ones for the 12v spotlights... Except they put out 5v.

I simply put a standard plug socket on the end of the AC cable, into which I could then plug the USB adaptor for the Yi camera.

I put the plugs in a waterproof electrical case, all of this is inside a sort of shed and out of sight, so may not work for everyone, just an example of what I did.

jmBuildExt · 12-02-2019 3:31pm

bk wrote: »

I simply put a standard plug socket on the end of the AC cable, into which I could then plug the USB adaptor for the Yi camera.

I put the plugs in a waterproof electrical case, all of this is inside a sort of shed and out of sight, so may not work for everyone, just an example of what I did.

I was thinking that alright, but a socket on a lighting circuit would be odd, plus i didn't want to have to open the hole in the ceiling anymore than it is.
What i was hoping for was some kind of existing transformer (e.g used for low voltage lighting) with AC input screw terminals and 5v out. Then hack the usb cable to plug into the 5v output

Anyway - may be a mute point... the missus isn't keen.

PS. I posted a while ago about a firmware hack available for these (to make them open). I see the outdoor 1080 camera is now officially listed as supported now.
Although RTSP is still not available. But there appears to be some new activity in the support threads on that.

jmBuildExt · 15-02-2019 9:13pm

Anyone having any trouble with the android app?
My notifications aren't coming through to android.
The app itself gets the notification pretty much straight away (or as soon as could be expected considering the round trip to China or wherever that it has to do) it just doesn't come up in the same way as eg a text or Gmail alert comes through. I've checked the app settings on Android, it's not blocked from there. Also the yi app itself seems like it should work.

It used to work when I had the app installed a few months ago, but I had since deleted it and only installed it in the last week when I started using the camera again.
Cheers

ted1 · 15-02-2019 10:00pm

jmBuildExt wrote: »

I was thinking that alright, but a socket on a lighting circuit would be odd, plus i didn't want to have to open the hole in the ceiling anymore than it is.
What i was hoping for was some kind of existing transformer (e.g used for low voltage lighting) with AC input screw terminals and 5v out. Then hack the usb cable to plug into the 5v output

Anyway - may be a mute point... the missus isn't keen.

PS. I posted a while ago about a firmware hack available for these (to make them open). I see the outdoor 1080 camera is now officially listed as supported now.
Although RTSP is still not available. But there appears to be some new activity in the support threads on that.

Plug it in upstairs and drill a hole through the wall or out a window or something

Kalyke · 27-02-2019 6:09pm

jmBuildExt wrote: »

Anyone having any trouble with the android app?
My notifications aren't coming through to android.
The app itself gets the notification pretty much straight away (or as soon as could be expected considering the round trip to China or wherever that it has to do) it just doesn't come up in the same way as eg a text or Gmail alert comes through. I've checked the app settings on Android, it's not blocked from there. Also the yi app itself seems like it should work.

It used to work when I had the app installed a few months ago, but I had since deleted it and only installed it in the last week when I started using the camera again.
Cheers

Got mine yesterday and I dont get any notifications. Alerts are on the app but not notifications.

jmBuildExt · 27-02-2019 6:18pm

Kalyke wrote: »

Got mine yesterday and I dont get any notifications. Alerts are on the app but not notifications.

So im not the only one - Ive tried everything - its nothing to do with app permissions or anything like that as far as i can see on my end.
Im using android 7.1.1

Kalyke · 27-02-2019 6:23pm

jmBuildExt wrote: »

So im not the only one - Ive tried everything - its nothing to do with app permissions or anything like that as far as i can see on my end.
Im using android 7.1.1

I am 7.0 I have emailed Yi support. I was also supposed to get 30 days of Yi Cloud storage but when I try to use it I am asked to enter the "18 digit service code" For the life of me I cannot find any 18 digit code. The OH is not getting Notifications on her phone either and hers is on 8.1.0.

Manzoor14 · 28-02-2019 10:03am

Having the same issue with notifications here, as is my Uncle. I've tried everything to fix it, including trying different Android versions etc. Looks like everybody has the same issue based on app reviews and other forums. Notifications stopped working a couple of app updates ago I think.

jmBuildExt · 01-03-2019 9:56am

Kalyke wrote: »

I am 7.0 I have emailed Yi support. I was also supposed to get 30 days of Yi Cloud storage but when I try to use it I am asked to enter the "18 digit service code" For the life of me I cannot find any 18 digit code. The OH is not getting Notifications on her phone either and hers is on 8.1.0.

Must have been something you said

Low and behold, a notification has just come through on my phone.
Funny thing is the app wasnt updated. The log says it hasnt been updated since 17th Jan.
Will see if it keeps up.

Manzoor14 · 01-03-2019 10:09am

jmBuildExt wrote: »

Must have been something you said
Low and behold, a notification has just come through on my phone.
Funny thing is the app wasnt updated. The log says it hasnt been updated since 17th Jan.
Will see if it keeps up.

Ha just logged on there to post the exact same, two notifications just came through there for me. First time in months its worked!

jmBuildExt · 01-03-2019 10:11am

Manzoor14 wrote: »

Ha just logged on there to post the exact same, two notifications just came through there for me. First time in months its worked!

Yeah seems to be trotting along now - They are actually annoying me now

Kalyke · 01-03-2019 11:01am

Three alerts today but still no notifications..

Tweaky · 05-03-2019 2:55pm

Outdoor camera down to £55 on Amazon as a deal of the day
YI Outdoor Camera

jmBuildExt · 06-03-2019 4:00pm

Standard Toaster wrote: »

Where would one find the rtsp binary?

Im Looking into this again and I came across this...

https://github.com/TheCrypt0/yi-hack-v4

Worth keeping an eye on - looks like its just about there.
Edit: Just to say... I havent loaded it -just literally came across it.

Standard Toaster · 07-03-2019 11:14am

Yeap, been following it too. Nothing ready just yet. Cheers

Standard Toaster · 14-03-2019 12:17am

https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/15

A working implementation is out now.
Not sure if/when the code will be made public.

"@shadow-1

I've finally finished my RTSP implementation, it works nicely with Home Assistant, Shinobi and other DVRs.
It is available on the Discord for the supporters of the new project.

I'd like to reward all the people that have put their support on the Bounty by giving them full access to the RTSP on Discord.

Is it possible to close the issue now? Without that, Bountysource cannot mark it as solved.

Thanks,
Crypto"

jmBuildExt · 14-03-2019 9:45am

Standard Toaster wrote: »

https://github.com/shadow-1/yi-hack-v3/issues/15

A working implementation is out now.
Not sure if/when the code will be made public.

"@shadow-1

I've finally finished my RTSP implementation, it works nicely with Home Assistant, Shinobi and other DVRs.
It is available on the Discord for the supporters of the new project.

I'd like to reward all the people that have put their support on the Bounty by giving them full access to the RTSP on Discord.

Is it possible to close the issue now? Without that, Bountysource cannot mark it as solved.

Thanks,
Crypto"

Excellent.... I think strictly speaking, due to licensing (the original is under GPL), he has to make it public - or at least, he can't stop anyone else making it public.
But I wouldn't mind paying for it, I've 3 cameras and one on the way. Be nice to be cloud free.
I've set up the SDK for the chip, just need a couple of days to get playing with it - I want to hook them into my home alarm setup over mqtt - goal is to switch the camera on and start recording when the alarm comes on.

Alanstrainor · 14-03-2019 2:41pm

Yes this looks interesting. The Yi Home app is absolute rubbish. I actually paid for the cloud subscription but the camera had decided to not upload to the cloud for a few days. Despite being online and viewable from the app. The only solution was to clear the cache on the app and connect to the camera again. It then started to upload.

What's even more annoying is that Xiaomi Mi Home app, which is for their cameras sold in China is way better. I have another camera running on that app for a year or more now with no issues. The camera is much smarter and can distiguish between a person and some other nonsense that might trigger the camera. It has other nice functionality well beyond Yi Home too. I guess there are regulatory reasons that this app can't be used in the EU...

Blanchy90 · 14-03-2019 4:05pm

Is anyone using an indoor camera looking out a window? I want to keep an eye on my bike which is around 15m away from the window.

I will eventually get an outdoor camera but I need to sort out a power supply in the attic

Alanstrainor · 14-03-2019 4:13pm

Blanchy90 wrote: »

Is anyone using an indoor camera looking out a window? I want to keep an eye on my bike which is around 15m away from the window.

I will eventually get an outdoor camera but I need to sort out a power supply in the attic

Yes. I have this:

https://www.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi-Dafang-Smart-1080P-WiFi-IP-Camera-White-384022.html

Although it was not that expensive when I bought it maybe a year and a half ago. It was more like 20 quid. It works well. The only thing that will not work well is the night vision. Since it uses some infrared lights which reflect off the glass and make the nightvision image distorted. That being said, if there are any street lights around then it will work rather well as it's low light footage is rather good.

Blanchy90 · 14-03-2019 4:27pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Yes. I have this:

https://www.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi-Dafang-Smart-1080P-WiFi-IP-Camera-White-384022.html

Although it was not that expensive when I bought it maybe a year and a half ago. It was more like 20 quid. It works well. The only thing that will not work well is the night vision. Since it uses some infrared lights which reflect off the glass and make the nightvision image distorted. That being said, if there are any street lights around then it will work rather well as it's low light footage is rather good.

Thanks there's a pretty decent street light over the bike so the area is pretty bright

Yi Home Camera

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