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    Show HN: Clearcam – Add AI object detection to your IP CCTV cameras

    (github.com)
    230 points roryclear | 12 comments | 24 Aug 25 11:34 UTC | HN request time: 0.823s | source | bottom

    This runs YOLOv8 + bytetrack with Tinygrad detections (depending on user config) are saved and can be sent to the companion iOS app along with a notification, all video processing is done locally, all footage is encrypted before leaving your computer, and the sending notifications + videos part is optional. This uses tinygrad, so it runs well on my apple silicon macs and should be able to run on a lot of hardware (or will be able to when I remove other deps).
    1. waschl ◴[24 Aug 25 12:48 UTC] No.45003862[source]▶
    Anyone can recommend a good quality camera without spyware and ideally open sw stack. I am willing to do it myself with little soldering etc. that’s one rabbit hole didn’t enter yet
    replies(7): >>45003937 #>>45004171 #>>45004215 #>>45004779 #>>45004981 #>>45006598 #>>45007371 #
    2. biinjo ◴[24 Aug 25 12:58 UTC] No.45003937[source]▶
    What about the Ubiquity gear? It’s maybe not AS open as you would prefer but no spyware and required cloud services is a big win in my book.
    3. dns_snek ◴[24 Aug 25 13:46 UTC] No.45004215[source]▶
    Depending on your definition of "good quality", you might find this project useful: https://thingino.com/

    Most cameras on that list are low cost, typically with 4-5MP sensors. They don't compete on the high end in terms of image quality but you will have an open source firmware stack with root access over SSH.

    Models from Eufy, Cinnado, Jooan, TP-Link, WUUK, Galayou are relatively easy to source on Amazon or Aliexpress.

    4. mysteria ◴[24 Aug 25 15:06 UTC] No.45004779[source]▶
    It's not open source but used Axis cameras are pretty cheap and have rtsp and onvif support. Those mostly come from commercial installs and can be configured offline using a web interface.
    replies(1): >>45004959 #
    5. rkagerer ◴[24 Aug 25 15:28 UTC] No.45004959[source]▶
    Axis cameras are great. Their product support is awful.
    replies(1): >>45005380 #
    6. giobox ◴[24 Aug 25 15:30 UTC] No.45004981[source]▶
    The best option is just to assume any IPCam is unsafe and firewall them off in my experience; even with a fully open source camera stack connecting it directly to internet is not that great a practice. Put them on a no internet access VLAN and you can largely buy whatever cheap IPCams you want, etc etc. If you want remote access you should expose the server running the camera management software/NVR securely, not the cams.

    This is basically how I run Frigate at home today, with only the NVR able to reach the camera IPs on my no web access “internet of nothing” VLAN.

    replies(1): >>45009420 #
    7. mysteria ◴[24 Aug 25 16:13 UTC] No.45005380{3}[source]▶
    For used cameras I don't expect to get any form of official support. IMO their documentation is clear and they provide software updates for 7 years.
    8. snickerdoodle12 ◴[24 Aug 25 18:43 UTC] No.45006598[source]▶
    reolink is acceptable
    9. brk ◴[24 Aug 25 20:14 UTC] No.45007371[source]▶
    Nothing good has an open software stack. There are some brands (eg: Axis, Bosch, Hanwha), that support 3rd party apps that can run on the camera and perform various tasks, including AI applications.

    Any product that would fall under the good quality segment is primarily targeted at the commercial market, and nobody there is looking for open software.

    replies(1): >>45011283 #
    10. mbasho ◴[25 Aug 25 01:41 UTC] No.45009420[source]▶
    Related to the original comment - can anybody recommend a budget router with vlan?
    replies(1): >>45028633 #
    11. _flux ◴[25 Aug 25 07:35 UTC] No.45011283[source]▶
    There's https://openipc.org/ , if open source camera firmware is of interest to you. I actually ordered a few supported IP camera modules (basically complete IP cameras but without the case) from Aliexpress and tested that I'm able to compile a firmware, I shall see if I get it working once they arrive.

    It's not quite clear to me what the firmware is actually able to do, though. Apparently its motion detection is very basic, though, so you'd need to use e.g. Frigate for that.

    12. fc417fc802 ◴[26 Aug 25 16:18 UTC] No.45028633{3}[source]▶
    Buy recycled last gen corporate hardware off ebay or similar.