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I have an external webcam that is located on my front lawn to watch owls. I have a website with the live video on it. Most people are able to see the video but a few people are calling in saying they cannot see the live video at all, only a blank box, and some people say they can see the owls but it is static picture. This is the code I am using on my website ="http://capecoralburrowingowls.com"]capecoralburrowingowls.com[/URL]


<APPLET name="cvcs" CODEBASE="" CODE="xplug.class" WIDTH=640 HEIGHT=480> <param name="RemotePort" value=80> <param name="Timeout" value=5000> <param name="RotateAngle" value=0> <param name="PreviewFrameRate" value=2> <param name="DeviceSerialNo" value=""> </APPLET>

I know nothing about putting video on a website. Someone gave me the applet code to use.

Can anyone shed some light on why some people cannot see the video. One person reinstalled Java, tried logging in using both FireFox and IE, and none of those things made a difference.

The local newspaper just ran a news article about the webcam and I am getting a lot of visitors to the website, so I would sure like some help getting it working for everyone.
Thanks in advance
The Owl Lady

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For and anyone else running a public IP camera: plugin-based viewers (Java/ActiveX/NPAPI) create a fragile experience for casual visitors. A short, practical plan reduces support calls and gets most people watching without changing browser security settings.

First, provide a no-friction fallback: a single HTTP-accessible JPEG snapshot that refreshes every few seconds. Every browser and mobile device can show that without plugins. Second, add an HTML5-friendly stream (HLS or DASH) so modern browsers and phones play the feed natively; common toolchains use ffmpeg to transcode an RTSP/MJPEG camera output into HLS segments (ffmpeg docs). Third, for scale or reliability, run a small streaming gateway (nginx + an RTMP/HLS module) or use a hosted streaming service so home upload bandwidth and NAT issues do not choke the site (nginx-rtmp-module). Finally, if keeping the applet is unavoidable, replace unsigned binaries with a properly code-signed artifact from a trusted CA so browsers and Windows will not block it.

Troubleshooting checklist to collect from callers: browser and version, OS, whether they see a blocked-plugin indicator, and whether a simple snapshot URL or mobile phone can view the feed. If many visitors fail, prioritize the snapshot + HLS approach first — it fixes most compatibility problems quickly and requires no special action from end users.

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Member Avatar for Member #334542

May be the java is not an updated one or their firewall may be blocked. or the browser may display click to install missing plugins. or javascript may not be enabled.

Member Avatar for OwlLady

May be the java is not an updated one or their firewall may be blocked. or the browser may display click to install missing plugins. or javascript may not be enabled.

I finally got to a computer where I could check to see what was going on. Got the ActiveX message at the top of the screen which led me to the final error message that the digital signature was from an unknown publisher and it gave the IP address of the webcam. Microsoft would not allow the download.
I went into settings and checked allow activeX and also checked allow downloads from unsigned publishers. I turned off the fire wall and allowed popups. Nothing worked. I even looked up the error message regarding the publisher message and followed the steps to correct it and still no luck.

Member Avatar for OwlLady

Wow, that all sounds much to complicated for the non techy computer person. The people that are calling in to say the camera doesn't work have basic computer skills at best.
When I tried to access the webcam on my neighbor's computer I never got the section that gives me a choice as to whether I want to run the file or not.

Beverly

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