Pros
This webcam software is easy to set up and easy to use. Adding badges (date, time, captions, etc.) to the image and using motion detection zones is a snap. Image adjustments are easy to manipulate. Except for the problem mentioned below, you can simply set it up and forget it.
Cons
After running for a few days the software starts to consume huge amounts of CPU time; well over 100% on both a 2009 Mac Mini and a recent MacBook Air. I tried running this software on several different Macs under several version of Mac OSX, always with the same disappointing result. I've let the developer know about this problem many times over the years, but the problem was never fixed and eventually they simply ignored my email messages.
Here's what it looks like after running a few days:
PID COMMAND %CPU TIME #TH #WQ #PORTS #MREG MEM
173- EvoCam 113.4 158 hrs 15/3 4 965+ 813+ 252M 235M+ 0B
Summary
Eventually I decided it wasn't worth having to dedicate and entire machine to running webcam software. So, I rolled my own using launchd, a few shell scripts and some basic command line utilities.
YMMV
Pros
I'm not the most tech savvy guy on the block; I typically know just enough to keep me curious which then leads to frustration as I stumble through the modern world. That being said, EvoCam gave me a morale booster! The program is pretty easy to use and they let you take a test drive before you spend any $$. Getting my Foscam 18905W to work smoothly with EvoCam was a piece of cake and the monitoring/alert options are vast. I love being able to save multiple "documents" which allow for totally different monitoring & alert configurations from a single camera. I have Daytime versus Night time settings (documents) on my exterior camera and the motion alerts from both are stored in separate files. Trust me, once you play around with this software for any length of time you'll realize how awesome it is. Last but not least, the fast and courteous email support I've received from "Nick" over the last few days has been awesome and that's a huge plus!
Cons
I'd like the option of calling Support rather than emailing back and forth, it'd be nice to walk through some issues while on the phone. That being said, the prompt & detailed replies I did receive were more than sufficient in helping me figure a few things out.
Summary
If you're a MAC user and are in need of some surveillance software, you should give EvoCam a try...I can't imagine any other program/software out performing it at a comparable price!
Pros
Timelapse movies are easy to set up.
Monitoring from a remote site very easy.
Cons
Files can be large but manageable. Easy to accidentally close a document instead of hiding it and leaving it active.
Summary
I used previous versions of EvoCam and was not extremely impressed, I went with SecuritySpy instead. A couple of days ago I downloaded 4.2.2 and am really wowed by the features and capabilities of it. I have a home in Arizona and live in Minnesota. I have 8 cameras in and out of the house to keep an eye on it between visits. I was looking mostly for a program to do time-lapse movies and to view live. This is definitely it!
Pros
lots of features, almost too good to be true for $30.
Cons
crashes every one or two days
too bad there isn't an email feature that alerts you when it crashes (actually, quit unexpectedly) , you have to wait for a user to tell you that the site is down.
then you have to login remotely ( and buy a program to do it) and reopen.
Summary
Great idea and when it works, it is wonderful.
Pros
None does not work.
Cons
Not supported on PPC
Summary
Bad listing
Read reply (1)
Reply by drfritzi on February 5, 2012
Perhaps you should stop a note to CNET to suggest they update the specifications page here, rather than giving the app a 1-star rating inappropriately...
Pros
Price! Works very well, able to change window size (so you aren't monitoring bugs but people). I use my webcam as a security camera and this works GREAT!
Cons
Would like to be able to create custom size/shape of "motion sensor" item.
Wish had the capacity for multiple camera (2 or 3) recordings.
Summary
I'd recommend this to anyone. Works great, no complaints.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I'm based in the UK and was looking for a Mac app that could handle a wide variety of cameras. I have emailed Nick at least 10 times and invariably get an email the next day. He's handled each enquiry for how to access yet another camera by replying with exact information and a sample string to enter in to EvoCam. I call this service above and beyond the call of duty - especially for such a reasonably priced piece of software. Norman Leftly
Summary
...the
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Evocam now crashes everyday we don't know why. Here is an earlier 12/22/09 unedited email to Evocam support and their response:
> We use Evocam and archive timelapse movies from triggered motion sensors.
> Problem: I am on a Mac 2 x 2.8 Ghz Quad-Core Intel Tower running OS 10.6.2 with Time Machine.
>
> 100% of the time, Time machine will stall, continues to TRY and backup, but will not.
> Only fix? Quit Evocam.
Unfortunately it is QuickTime which is preventing backups while video is being captured, so we're
not able to fix or work around this problem in EvoCam.
Nick
Evological
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
I've been playing with EvoCam used with two TrendNet network cameras and the built-in camera on my iMac. It's well worth the price. I've successfully setup my airport extreme so that it maps the port of the iMac and see the EvoCam web server from outside my local network. (the EvoCam documentation doesn't explain how to do that.) I'm still experimenting with using the motion capture settings. Given the price I am amazed at how many features EvoCam has. The combination of the cheap TrendNet cameras and the inexpensive server software allows you to set up a very powerful video setup. It wold be good program for a bed and breakfast that wanted to setup a webcam of the view of the local mountaintop.
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.
Great program, great support!
Please Wait
