Why I chose Xeoma + few questions

[Yaniv]

Hi everyone!

I first conacted Felena support by email but they asked me to post this ‘review’ here. Here it is:



Hi guys!

I've dedicated a day to choose a video surveillance software that will work for me. Not an easy thing to do I must say as I'm not a professional.

The candidates I found in Google were Speco Central, Everfocus, Wirepath, Digital Watchdog, Milestone and Xeoma. Plus I've tried Geovision software as one of my cameras is Geovision cam – it turned out that this software supports only geovision cams and the rest of cameras wouldn't work at all.

Wirepath software seemed to be a joke. It wouldn't let me download in any other browser but Internet Explorer 8 (seriously, who uses IE?). Ok I've tried with IE, but still no result – I couldn't download anything. This way I didn't even get to try Wirepath.

Everfocus frightened me away with different products for Linux and Windows platforms. I planned to have server on Linux and clients on Windows. Anyways I downloaded it to test thinking maybe I will figure something out if I really love this product. Fail – it seems to work only with Everfocus cameras, and I don't have any.

Ok, next was Digital Watchdog. It was a relief as I made my cameras work in it, so I could ACTUALLY test the software. The design is a bit muzzy and all the connected cameras were displayed in different sizes. I would like it to be more laconic. I didn't find prices on their website, I guess you need to contact them or their dealers for it. All in all this software was ok and I put it aside as a potential software for my security system.

Speco Central was another waste of time – I couldn't connect any of my cameras...

Milestone. That was one heavy file to download! After downloading was finished I figured out that it wouldn't work on my Windows 32 bit. The server works only on Windows 64 bit and clients can be launched on Windows 32 also (neither Linux nor Mac platforms.) I was really disappointed as I wanted my server to be on Linux. Still I spent 5 hours trying to figure it out and connect my cameras. Then I gave up.

By the time I found Xeoma, I've almost given up. However, Xeoma, performed beyond my boldest expectations. It installed smoothly on my Linux machine and I figure it works just as smoothly on other supported systems. Loved the design - nothing like any other programs I've tried before, and very user-friendly! Motion detector can be fine-tuned in next to ANY way. You can draw the zones you need to be monitored (just like in image editor!), you can make it ignore false alarms, handle light conditions, etc, etc.

I did find some drawbacks as well though. I figure there’s no iPhone app, or 2-way audio, or zoom in/out. Some kind of logs would be great. You know what also would be great? A panic button. Does the Windows Xeoma client have to match the Linux server? Can I download some pieces of the recorded video on to my client? Any chance these will be added?

[lbs8476@gmail.com]

I use Chrome Remote which runs on iPhone and my MacBookPro (which is my Xeoma server). Plus I've installed a 3rd party program called "Sdreen Saver Engine". My Mac Book is set to never sleep. I then activate Chrome Remote on my Mac Book when I'm leaving the home. This allows my iPhone to remote control my Mac Book, log in as there is a screen saver running, manipulate Xeoma to my heart's content, then activate screen saver again when I'm done, then quit Chrome Remote on my iPhone. Works really great and good security on Chrome Remote.

[jrmymllr]

You know what also would be great? A panic button. Does the Windows Xeoma client have to match the Linux server? Can I download some pieces of the recorded video on to my client? Any chance these will be added?

If by panic button you mean something on the GUI or a physical button that would activate recording, yes, I've though this would be useful too.

Yes, you can download segments of video. While in the archive viewer, go to the menu button at the lower left. There's an export feature there.

[Admin_N]

Thank you for the review and for suggestions! We do value your opinion and are always happy to enhance Xeoma with users' requests in mind!

I figure there’s no iPhone app

Good news -we've recently released Xeoma for iOS, you can download itfrom AppStore.

zoom in/out

Already available! While in the Single Camera View mode or Camera Archive Viewer, go to Main menu to enable the Zoom mode. Then just use the mouse wheel or +/- to zoom in/out.

2-way audio

On its way! Planned to be released soon.

Some kind of logs would be great.

You can have logs if you run Xeoma in console with a -log key. Also, you can get logs with information about cameras malfunctioning, network failures, etc. with the "Problems Detector" module.

A panic button.

Xeoma does have this feature with the help of "HTTP Sender" and "Button Switcher". See more in this article

Does the Windows Xeoma client have to match the Linux server?

Server and client can be on machines with different operating systems from our list of supported OS. OS on server and client machines doesn't have to match.

Can I download some pieces of the recorded video on to my client?

As jrmymllr noted, this feature is in the Archive Viewer's menu.

Any further ideas? We'll be grateful for any feedback and suggestions!