FAQ

Frequent Asked Questions as well as a User Manual

#1 What do I need in order to use WardenCam?

Currently you need at least two android devices and any gmail account to use the surveillance feature of WardenCam. If you have a Dropbox account, you can then enable the cloud recording feature including "motion event logging" and "24/7 video logging".

#2 I have the downloaded the app to both my devices. What's next?

Click Dropbox button to authorize WardenCam to create a folder in your Dropbox space. WardenCam only has access to that folder. Type your gmail username and password. Then select sign in as "Cam" or "View".

Dropbox button

Select "Cam" or "View"

#3 I can't sign in with my google account. Why?

There are three possible reasons.

1. Username and password are not typed in correctly

2. You try to sign in with a public WiFi or a coorperate network, which may disable the normal communication port with google server. In this case, you will have to enable "public port" option in settings

3. Your google account is protected with 2-step verfication. You can either disable the 2-step verification on your existing account or register a new google account for surveillance purpose

Check this link for more detals about google 2-step verification

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1064203?hl=en

To sign up for a new google account dedicated for WardenCam

https://accounts.google.com/SignUp

#4 What are the other two buttons on the sign in screen?

Settings button: contains user options to customize app behavior for a particular application and network condition

Info button: contains a user guide and a link for premium version upgrade

Settings button

Info button

#5 What if I select "Cam"?

The device that you sign in as "Cam" will be used as a surveillance camera. You will see the camera screen. A camera task will be running in the background. You just need to turn off the screen and connect the power cable.

#6 What if I select "View"?

The device that you sign in as "View" will start the viewer task that receives live video, audio streaming, motion events, and video logs. You will see the live view screen. Live video is streamed only if the app is running in the foreground. While in the background, the task will still receive motion alerts and generate user notifications if a motion is detected by the camera. In case the internet is temporarily disconnected, viewer task will automatically retry connection if internet service is restored.

#7 Can I get live streaming anywhere with internet?

Yes. WardenCam works everywhere with internet service WiFi or 3G/4G. If you sign in as "View" you will receive live streaming as long as the camera is online. This is a key advantage of WardenCam. No local network (LAN) restrication. No ip configuration required. No server required. No technological knowleage needed. With WardenCam home surveillance is as simple as checking a mailbox.

#8 Can I sign in with a public WiFi network?

With public network, it is possible that the network administrator blocks the normal communication port with Google server. But you can still enable "public port" in settings to sign in with a public wifi such as a cooperate network, university network, or any shared public network. You should always be able to sign in with your own home network. So try with that first.

#9 What is P2P connection? Can I use P2P connection?

P2P means peer to peer connection. P2P is the most efficient and reliable way to establish connection between two ip endpoints. P2P connection is handled automatically by WardenCam without any inputs from the user. However there are some network configurations which disable the P2P connection. For example many 3G/4G carriers will block P2P for various reasons. In this case, server based architecture will be used. If you observe a red exclamation mark on the connection icon, that means P2P connection is not established. Try avoiding server based architecture for long term use.

P2P connection established

P2P connection failed

#10 How to start motion detection?

First authorize WardenCam to create a folder in your Dropbox space on the camera device. Then in the camera screen, click the "shield" button to start motion detection and arm the camera. Once armed, the "shield" button will have a red background color. You can also arm the camera from the viewer screen. Once a motion is detected, camera task will start video logging 5 seconds before the event until the end of the motion event. You can specify the maximum number of stored events.

Arm the camera

#11 How to view motion detection events?

On the viewer deivce, link to your Dropbox folder. As soon as a motion is detected, a motion alert is sent to the live view screen showing a red flag with the number of total motion events. Click the "red flag" button to view and playback the full list of motion detection events.

Motion event alert

#12 How to start 24/7 video logs?

Same as motion logs, you need to authorize WardenCam to create a folder in your Dropbox space on the camera device. By default, video logging is disabled. You can enable 24/7 video logging in settings. Also, you can specify the total size of Dropbox space reserved for video logging. New video logs will automatically overwrite the old ones. If the internet speed is low < 6mbps, you may disable video logging to save bandwidth.

#13 How to view 24/7 video logs?

On the viewer device, first link to your Dropbox folder. On the live view screen, click the "cloud" button to view and playback the full list of video logs.

Video logs

#14 How to use dual-way audio?

On the viewer device, click and hold the microphone button. Record the voice message and then release the button to send the message.

Send voice message

#15 My device is 3+ years old. Occasionally the app is not responding. The frame rate is very low. Is there anything I can do to improve the user experience and the frame rate?

WardenCam is designed with a variaty of hardware conditions in mind. Our philosophy is to make as many android devices as possible to a surveillance camera, which would be otherwise no good use. Therefore the app provides a number of customization options including "image resolutions", "video quality", "w or w/o audio" to accomodate different cpu and ram capacity.

To disable the audio is the most effective way to reduce the cpu work load and improve the software reliability. Therefore if you ever expereiced a "not responding" error, please start with disabling the audio first and prove reliability.

Frame rate (FPS) is mainly determined by the device processing power and image resolution. Use a lower resolution can certainly boost frame rate. Also you can try disable audio (settings) to get a higher frame rate. A device with a single core 1GHz processor can produce 5 frames per second if audio is disabled at the resolution of 800x480.

#16 How to enable HD video quality?

Use "Compression Quality" high to generate HD video, if P2P connection can be established. Increase video resolution to 720P and 1080P. In general a higher resolution image will reduce the frame rate. So only use high resolution with a relatively new device with dual core processor higher than 1ghz.

#17 My device is losing power while charging. How to reduce power consumption?

A powerful device can deliver a high frame rate; but also drain lots of power. If the battery is running out even when the device is being charged. Please check the save power option.

#18 Why do I need a SDCard / local storage?

Recordings are saved in the SDCard before uploaded to Dropbox. Unmount SDCard will disable recording.

#19 I have tested the app for 24 hours. I like the results. How can I become a premium user?

You can purchase the premium upgrade through google in app purchase. With a small amount of payment, you can upgrade all your devices. Your purchase is permanently linked to your google play account. Take note of the licensed account as you will need it to activate your other devices. There is no refund. So please complete testing before you upgrade and make sure it produces the results you like in your given use case.

#20 I used all the trial hours. Can I have more trial hours for testing?

Sure. Just send an email to wardencam360@gmail.com. We will provide you more trial hours for testing.