Webcam replacement options

tschat

n3wb
Apr 21, 2026
4
2
United States
I currently have an old bullet optical zoom camera that is configured to FTP an image every 1 minute to a server that he hosts online for me. The host server wants to discontinue FTP access for something more secure. The host server is not on my network, so everything will need to be initiated by the camera for the transfer due to firewall settings that I am unable to adjust. All the cameras I see are setup for motion activated capture/transfer and not a strict time capture/transfer. What options do I have out there? The host server is open to adding any necessary services that I can use as long as they are secure. TIA.

Thomas
 
If the old bullets support SFTP, it's certainly an option, but I'd be surprised.

Maybe with the camera model it's possible to check what else it supports, but I wouldn't be surprised if FTP is the only upload method if it's old. In that case, an option would be to spin up your FTP server, but again, security...
 
If the old bullets support SFTP, it's certainly an option, but I'd be surprised.

Maybe with the camera model it's possible to check what else it supports, but I wouldn't be surprised if FTP is the only upload method if it's old. In that case, an option would be to spin up your FTP server, but again, security...
I looked and it doesn't :(

Thomas
 
  • Sad
Reactions: cdf1982
FWIW, Blue Iris can FTP or SFTP an image from that camera to a server on a set interval that you chose but you'd need a PC running Blue Iris 24/7/365 (or at least during the time frame you wanted the FTP to occur).
 
FWIW, Blue Iris can FTP or SFTP an image from that camera to a server on a set interval that you chose but you'd need a PC running Blue Iris 24/7/365 (or at least during the time frame you wanted the FTP to occur).
I have cameras on 3 separate buildings/networks that I am looking to transfer from. I really am looking for a self contained solution.

Thomas
 
  • Like
Reactions: TonyR
I have cameras on 3 separate buildings/networks that I am looking to transfer from. I really am looking for a self contained solution.

Thomas
Hmmm.... info suitable for your first post. :cool:
 
Have you thought about using an FTP to SFTP bridge like couchdrop? - There are probably others too as the web is full of people offering similar things.

A bridge would allow your camera to connect via FTP and that connection would then cause the FTP server to open a SFTP connection to the specified SFTP server.

Problem solved?!
 
  • Like
Reactions: cdf1982