Record Old Foscam System's Live Feed Locally: A Solution

Record Old Foscam System's Live Feed Locally: Solution

Foscam, a popular brand of wireless/wired, pan/tilt IP cameras, has discontinued support for older models, such as the FI8918W. Instead of tossing away your old Foscam system, you can still stream video to your browser using alternative methods. This article will guide you through the process of recording the live feed locally.

1. Understanding the Foscam System

The Foscam FI8918W is a versatile IP camera that offers wireless and wired connectivity, as well as pan and tilt functionality. However, Foscam no longer provides updates or support for this model. To continue using the camera, you will need to find alternative ways to access and record the live feed.

2. Setting Up a Local Stream

To record the live feed from your Foscam camera locally, you can use a media server like VLC or OBS Studio. These tools allow you to capture video from various sources, including IP cameras, and save it to your computer.

2.1 Using VLC Media Player

VLC is a free and open-source media player that can also function as a media server. To set up a local stream with VLC:

1. Download and install the latest version of VLC Media Player from the official website.
2. Open VLC Media Player and click on Media > Open Network Stream.
3. In the Network tab, enter the IP address of your Foscam camera in the following format: http://:/videostream.cgi?user=&pwd=
4. Click on the Stream button.
5. In the Stream Output dialog, check the Display locally option and click on the Next button.
6. Select the File option and click on the Add button to choose a destination file for the recorded video.
7. Click on the Next button, then choose the desired video codec and click on the Next button again.
8. On the final screen, click on the Stream button to start the local stream.

2.2 Using OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a free and open-source live streaming and video recording software. To set up a local stream with OBS Studio:

1. Download and install the latest version of OBS Studio from the official website.
2. Open OBS Studio and add a new Video Capture Device source by clicking on the + button under the Sources box.
3. In the Properties dialog, select your Foscam camera from the Device dropdown menu and click on the OK button.
4. Adjust the resolution, FPS type, and FPS value as needed.
5. To record the live feed, click on the Start Recording button in the lower-right corner of the OBS Studio window.

3. Summary

Even if Foscam no longer supports your old IP camera, you can still record the live feed locally using media servers like VLC or OBS Studio. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can continue using your Foscam system without relying on official support or updates.

4. References

• VLC Media Player
• OBS Studio