Android Tutorial Android based Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) example

Better example is available here: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/mjpeg-cctv-server.73792/

This example is made of two components:

Client - Basic4android program that takes the camera preview frames and sends them to the server.

Server - C# program that accepts incoming connections and shows the camera frames.

The code of both components is pretty simple and is a good example of creating network based solutions. Note that both the client and server components should overcome network problems and continue to work when the network is again available.

How to run this example
1. Find the desktop ip address (you can run ipconfig from the command line).
2. Set this address in the device program - ServerIp variable.

Most complicated step:
3. By default Windows firewall blocks incoming connection. You need to open the firewall settings and add an exception for port 17178 (TCP).
Windows 7:

Run the desktop program and press Start.
Run the device program and check the logs in the IDE.

The source code of both projects is attached as well as the compiled desktop executable.

This example requires Android 2.2+ as the API that converts the preview image to JPEG is not available on older devices. The reflection library is also required.

Feel free to ask any question about this implementation.

The client code was updated to use CameraEx class. Note that it requires Camera library v2.0+.

 

[suciwulans]

program suddenly closed unexpected. i am using galaxy tab 2.0 screen blank. what should i do? this is bug?

 

[suciwulans]

cctv example error

You can use this example with a local network or over the internet.

The second case is a bit more complicated. Assuming that you do not have a static ip address you will need to use a third party service that assigns a hostname to your dynamic address.

You will also need to add a "forward port" rule in the router.

There are many online tutorials that can help you with these tasks.

i try your code. unfortunately, program suddenly stop respond and get screen blank. this is bug? i use samsung galaxy tab 2.0:sign0085:

 

[Erel]

Have you checked the logs?

 

[suciwulans]

error connecting

when i try connect from android to server, i got message " error connecting". windows firewall already turn off. what should i do?

 

[Erel]

Make sure to set the correct IP address.

 

[suciwulans]

error conecting. Firewall already turn of. Wifi turn on, ip addres already set on pc. What wrong procedure?

 

[Erel]

This is a network problem. Can you ping the device IP address from the computer? Are you setting the correct IP in the device?

 

[Geezer]

Hi Erel,

I thought the example you gave was perfect for spying on the new puppy and expanded on it a little so I could have multiple cameras.

The attached files are the amended app and a new server file which allows up to 4 cameras.

Double clicking the camera view on the server opens a new popup you can watch.

Server is now in vb.net because I don't remember C# :BangHead:

The app itself now has a # button to cycle camera number 1 through 4.

Again, the code is mostly Erel's example, I just added to it. Hope it's useful.

 

[Erel]

Thank you for sharing this!

 

[suciwulans]

This is a network problem. Can you ping the device IP address from the computer? Are you setting the correct IP in the device?

yes i can ping from computer. I still get error connecting on my galaxy tab 2.0. Any suggestion?

 

[Erel]

The router might also block the connection.

 

[suciwulans]

Hi Erel,

I thought the example you gave was perfect for spying on the new puppy and expanded on it a little so I could have multiple cameras.

The attached files are the amended app and a new server file which allows up to 4 cameras.

Double clicking the camera view on the server opens a new popup you can watch.

Server is now in vb.net because I don't remember C# :BangHead:

The app itself now has a # button to cycle camera number 1 through 4.

Again, the code is mostly Erel's example, I just added to it. Hope it's useful.

Multi cc tv server and multi cctv client also ia got error connecting. scenario, i connect my pc to galaxy tab 2.0 ip all set, ping is ok but still cannot receive streaming camera from device to pc. any ideas? desperate.

 

[Erel]

As I previously wrote to you, there is a network problem on your side. We cannot really help in this case.

 

[suciwulans]

I got error for this example. i modified for IP and port address using edtip.text and edtport.text also btnstartstream button here is the code
after modified from cameraCCTVCLient.zip

Sub Process_Globals
   Private frontCamera As Boolean = False
   Public ServerIp As String
   Public ServerPort As Int
   Private IntervalMs As Int = 150
   Private lastPreviewSaved As Long
End Sub

Sub Globals
   Private Panel1 As Panel
   Private camEx As CameraExClass
   Dim edtServerIP As EditText
   Dim edtServerPort As EditText
   Dim btnStartStream As Button
End Sub

Sub btnStartStream_Click
ServerIp=edtServerIP.Text 
ServerPort=edtServerPort.Text 
   StartService(Communicator)
End Sub

is it correct i modified the source code? thanks

 

[Erel]

Have you solved the network issue you encountered?

 

[cadcamman]

Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) example

Hi Guys

I get an error when i run this example, I have added a screenshot. i get the same error on my phone

can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

Cadcamman

 

[Erel]

Note that it is better to copy the error from the logs (right click to copy).

CameraEx class requires Android 2.3+.

 

[cadcamman]

Camaraex Error

Hi Erel

I am using Android 2.71

 

[derez]

I am using Android 2.71

2.3 + is the device's android version, 2.71 is the b4a version

 

[cadcamman]

Thanks Dererz