Y-Cam Security Cameras Software

[barry1010]

I don't think I'll be able to explain the problem very well as I don't understand it, but here goes.

Some years ago I bought 3 Y-Cam cameras and I was very pleased with them, and still am. The camera quality is good.
Y-Cam promised 'free for life' cloud storage (each recording stored in the cloud for one month, downloadable if need to keep) but two or three years ago they said this was no longer viable and charged for the storage. I currently pay £100 a year but that also includes the fee for my Y-Cam alarm.
They have also disabled the web access so I have to use the app.

The problem is that the app that used to work so well has become unusable and more worryingly hasn't been updated since June. I would very much like to use my cameras with different software but Y-Cam tells me this isn't possible (they don't want to lose their £100 per annum).

Does anyone know a work around?

[Gizmonster]

Can't you store your recordings onto a hard drive?
I'm not familiar with Y-cam so I can't comment specifically about it, but I bought a 4k Swann CCTV system a few months ago that came with a 1TB hard drive, which I upgraded to 6TB. The hard drive now lasts approx 6 weeks before it's full and it overwrites the oldest recordings first.

[barry1010]

How do you connect them to hard drive? My cameras are wireless

[Gizmonster]

My system is hard wired, but a lot of the newer systems are wireless, so it is possible, but I've no idea what your set up is.
All the cameras would communicate to a DVR/NVR box, either wirelessly or through a wire. with a hard drive installed in the box.

[bhg481]

I have a system, bought from Amazon, similar to Giz's except that my cameras are connected wirelessly to a base station containing a hard disc; the base station is also connected to the internet. The hard disc is 1TB and supports 4 cameras for over a month. The connection to the internet allows me to monitor the cameras and pay back recordings from any internet-connected device, so I can monitor whilst on holiday.

[Gizmonster]

Yea I'm same as you bhg - my system is connected to the internet, so I can view my cameras whilst I'm away and playback any recordings from specific times, etc.

[barry1010]

I think I'm going to have to buy a new sysy

[Gizmonster]

By the way Barry - the system that I have does not require a regular payment of any kind. It's all set up so the recordings are stored onto my hard drive and I can view the live cameras remotely and I can also access recordings remotely as well.

[Dagman]

Try different apps, I use ARCCTV for an internal cam and CamHi for external. I don't know but they may be generic if you're lucky and pick up your cams. They work very well.

[Dagman]

Just to mention, my cams have sd cards in them so I can access the recordings straight from them, there are cloud options but I've never used them so cant say how that works.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm intrigued by the fact that they consider a lifetime to be a few years only. Companies ought not promise, in order to sell, what they haven't arranged to continue as agreed.

[barry1010]

OG, I agree. Rip-Off Britain highlighted an issue this week. Big outlets such as B&Q, Wickes, Curry's are still selling Hive cameras that will not work after 2025.