Attention Wansview IP camera users!

[Matthew Craig]

New Wansview IP cameras use a firmware where you must use their cloud service, If you have the older RTSP and HTTPS based cameras (Models W3 and W2), Do not update the firmware if you wish to keep compatibility with 3rd party software such as Blue iris, Ispy, or Zone minder. The ONVIF function for these applications will also not be functioning.

To make sure your cameras do not update by themselves, change the DNS address in the camera's network settings to a different IP address. If possible, in your router's settings disable WAN inward and outward traffic to the camera's IP address.

 

[GentlePumpkin]

Another highly dubious behavior of Wansview:

Since I blocked internet access for a Wansview cam, the cam stops working after a few minutes, disconnects from the network and reconnects with a SPOOFED MAC-Address trying to bypass the internet block. Holy s***!

As this seemingly still didn't work, the camera faked it's MAC adress several more times and changed other network settings (use DHCP, select an IP address in another subnet).

Actually I wanted to check what the Wansview cam is doing on the internet, but I think it's a complete timewaste, so I chose the @fenderman solutionTM: -> garbage.

In a nutshell: Do not buy cheap noname china cameras.

 

[TonyR]

Actually I wanted to check what the Wansview cam is doing on the internet, but I think it's a complete timewaste, so I chose the @fenderman solutionTM: -> garbage.

Yes, but on occasions you need something handy to throw at a coyote crapping on your lawn or to prop a door open, etc.

 

[fenderman]

Wow!

 

[crw030]

That’s a terrifying new level for a camera to try to “break free” of restricted internet access. I don’t have one but I am happy my cameras are physically on a separate network with Blue Iris computer as the only reachable endpoint no matter their charade.

 

[whateverworks]

That’s a terrifying new level for a camera to try to “break free” of restricted internet access. I don’t have one but I am happy my cameras are physically on a separate network with Blue Iris computer as the only reachable endpoint no matter their charade.

Yikes! Wish I'd have found this page BEFORE getting sucked into the Amazon "Deal of the Day" - boxed and being returned as we speak!!!

 

[Matthew Craig]

Yikes! Wish I'd have found this page BEFORE getting sucked into the Amazon "Deal of the Day" - boxed and being returned as we speak!!!

Wansview cameras are all cloud based now if I remember correctly. They stopped production of the W2 and W3 a whole ago and released their horrible cloud exclusive camera which doesn't have an RTSP server or Onvif compatibility. This is next to Zmodo level of sus.

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

ooooh, i have a friend work there, Swann do some OEM at wansview, have some small brands do OEM at their company.

 

[Woody70]

I do not see any problem like this. I have had a Wansview W9 camera for some time and it works fine in Blue Iris.

 

[Matthew Craig]

I do not see any problem like this. I have had a Wansview W9 camera for some time and it works fine in Blue Iris.

They must have made the firmware on the W9 similar to the older models. /live/ch0 ... is the same RTSP path for the older models before their cloud software. Kinda cool that you can use RTSP again, but I still wouldn't trust their security.

 

[Woody70]

That's fine but I don't use their cloud service, I only use it with Blue Iris recorded to my PC. So I don't worry about security.

 

[rdwilson]

Can someone recommend a cheap indoor WiFi cam that will work in "offline mode?" I am returning the POS Wansview and looking for a replacement.

Resolution is not an issue, even 720p will be fine. I just need to keep an eye on my sick dog without sending audio/video to China. Needs to work with BI.

I cannot use PoE like all of my other cameras as there is not always a network drop where needed.

 

[bigredfish]

Amazon.com

 

[rdwilson]

Amazon.com

Thanks for the rapid reply! I need this ASAP. Order placed.

 

[bigredfish]

Lots of folks use this cam, I have 2. Just don’t sign up for it connect to their cloud service.

They come with 2 IP addresses, one for Ethernet and one for wifi.

Like all wifi cams they can put a strain on your network if you try using too many and try to stream/record to an NVR full time. I don’t record these to my NVR for that reason. But for occasional live viewing they work well.

 

[rdwilson]

The camera came today. Setup was a breeze on the camera VLAN. I set a static IP, and added it to the camera group that's internet blocked. It works great!

My only gripe, and it's a minor one, is the requirement for a complex password. Since the camera is isolated on an internal VLAN, there's no need.
BTW, I read an article the other day stating that the U.K. is "banning" the use of "admin" and "12345" as passwords. Security theater.

Thanks so much for your quick recommendation. This is exactly what I was looking for. The Wansview would go into the garbage bin but I want my $22 back...