Noob Help Needed - Meteobridge IP CAM. **solved**

[AA5H_AX088]

Hi Folks:

I need assistance getting an IP Cam (Amcrest 5MP) to upload snapshots. I've searched through similar posts and tried every similar suggestion, but nothing works.
- I'm using the latest version of a Meteobridge VM (Licensed). The host is a Dell R630 running Proxmox
- The camera is a typical stock Amcrest 5MP; the camera has a static IP and is on the same subnet as the meteobridge server. Cam is set to tx a Camera snap continuously

Configuration:
- STATION TAB > METEOBRIDGE WEATHER CAM > EXTERNAL PICTURE > Enter Webcam address as follows:
Http://username:password@CAM_IP_ADDRESS (username/password masked)
>Save (Receive a green checkbox)

>>> Go to WEATHERNETS TAB > Keep all at defaults
> press the "lens" button > Opens browser to: https://content.meteobridge.com/cam/b5e ... a9/cam.jpg
> The returned webpage is "404 The requested URL was not found on this server."

>>> Go to Monitor >>UPLOAD STATUS TAB
>>> Indicates "Meteobridge Weather Cam: No upload traffic"

I've tried 30 different Webcam syntaxes, none work. I've tried every "fix" I could find from similar forum posts, but none are successful. I even tried using the "I SPY" app to produce valid logical paths to use for the camera command, none work. I know I'm close to the solution, but I have run out of ideas and need help.

Would appreciate any assistance in Advance!

[admin]

1st step is to get a jpeg image from the cam from within your browser. There you can rapidly try URLs.
Once you get it mastered there, transfer the URL to the Meteobridge.

The manual for the cam is mainly crap, but I found this URL somewhere: http://<username>:<password>@<IP Address>/cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi

[AA5H_AX088]

Admin:

Yes, I tried almost every CGI command for webcams I could find in the forums, amcrest forums, WxForum, etc......none work.

I can enter the following direct CGI call from my browser, it returns a still image as expected: (spaces added, user info redacted)

HTTP: //myusrname:mypasswd@ 10.XX.XX.XXX/ cgi-bin/ snapshot.cgi

When I enter the same command into the Meteobridge Camera URL Box, the red error icon appears, and the command is displayed as an error on the top of the screen.

When I enter simply http://myusrname: mypasswd@10.XX.XXX, the green checkmark appears, and no error occurs; however, no data is uploaded. The green checkmark only seems to indicate that the command syntax is valid; it doesn't appear to functionally test the command for validity. I can even leave the username and password out and it still turns 'green'!

I've tried dozens of other permutations of the command:

HTTP : // myusrname:mypasswd@10.XX.XX.XXX/ cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi.1 #add the channel number to distinguish between main and substream
HTTP : // 10.XX.XX.XXX/ cgi-bin/ snapshot.cgi&username=usrname&password=psswrd #appends login variables to end of CGI command
https: // #same variations as above using https://

I've tried dabbling in RTSP and other streaming protocols, but those ultimately fail as Meteobride requires a static image to upload. I also created an SFTP server on another VM to use as a proxy for the cam images. The cam does push the images to the SFTP server, but the meteobridge templates are confused on the directory and filename structure of the SFTP server; again, no images are uploaded or displayed.

Any other ideas??? Please??

[admin]

Can you give me remote access to your Meteobridge? Please send credentials to "info(at)meteobridge.com".
Here is how to setup remote login: viewtopic.php?t=9885

[AA5H_AX088]

Remote access to my internal network—oh boy, this will take a leap of faith, your not in Nigeria are you? But, yes, let me set it up.

I may need to punch a hole through my PFSense Firewall... I am running SNORT IDS, so I will also need to turn that off while you access.

I'll leave a webcam up for testing, will include the credentials to the Webcam as well.

Thanks for the Help.....should be ready in about 30 minutes.

[AA5H_AX088]

Can you give me remote access to your Meteobridge? Please send credentials to "info(at)meteobridge.com".
Here is how to setup remote login: viewtopic.php?t=9885

Creds sent (1315 CST)

Thanks

Brian

[admin]

Thanks, I can login. The link you are giving IS NOT returning a jpeg image but a HTML page with tons of javascript and alike. When you call this URL with your browser and view the returned source code you will see... When I change the password the same gibberish is returned. Looks like your authentication to the web cam does not work at all.

Did you test the URL with your browser?

[admin]

This URL worked once, now it says password auth failed:

Code: Select all

http://admin:*password*@10.10.30.102/cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi?channel=1

Did you change the password?

[AA5H_AX088]

Sorry:

I created a new user and password for the test. I forgot that Amcrest cameras also need to be rebooted after changing credentials or users.

Please try it again....

This time, use the username "admin" and the previous password I provided. I just tested it directly in a browser: "HTTP://username:password@Ipaddress/cgi- ... ?channel=1," and it returned the camera image.

AND**** use the camera at 30.102 NOT 30.104

I have 20 cams, got them mixed up

Brian

[AA5H_AX088]

Screenshot 2025-05-15 155559.png (326.92 KiB) Viewed 1530 times

]

[admin]

Now we have it working. Issue was, that Meteobridge did not go well with a "$" character in the user/password section. I will release a new version that fixes this.

Working URL:

Code: Select all

http://user:password@xx.xx.xx.xx/cgi-bin/snapshot.cgi?channel=1

[AA5H_AX088]

I didn't have a "$" in the temporary password I sent you?

But I do have a "$" in my other cam passwords. How did you figure it out? Was my old password still in the config somewhere?

I'm testing right now, will report back what I find. THANKS !

[AA5H_AX088]

Your the MAN!

Screenshot 2025-05-15 165147.png (15.36 KiB) Viewed 1523 times

Thank you so much for your help! I've been trying to resolve this for three days.

Brian

[AA5H_AX088]

Ok, Now I know how you figured out the old password had a "$", I left my old password in the Console-setup.php.....!