IC Realtime Video Surveillance Cameras Integrate with Amazon Echo Show

By way of development work with Amazon’s camera API, IC Realtime has made it possible for more than 100 of its video surveillance cameras to stream live video to Echo Show. Sent securely through IC Realtime’s ICMyCloud service, the video is activated by simply saying ‘Alexa, Show My Camera’

  • Jun 22, 2017

IC Realtime announced today a surveillance camera integration with Amazon Echo Show. The result of a significant development project wherein IC Realtime’s R&D team worked with Amazon’s camera Application Programming Interface (API), more than 100 existing IC Realtime surveillance cameras have the added ability to stream live video to Echo Show.

IC Realtime offers a wide array of video surveillance cameras and recorders. The brand is well-recognized within the professional security channels for its products’ performance attributes and ability to natively integrate with complex home automation systems. The company’s products are sold and installed worldwide by security systems and audio-video integration specialists.

IC Realtime models compatible with Echo Show include the brand’s suite of ‘ICIP’ series IP cameras (68 models in total) as well as dozens of its Standard- and High-Definition cameras that work in conjunction with an IC Realtime digital video recorder.

According to IC Realtime Technical Manager of Software Integration Chris Callaway, because the Amazon Alexa architecture is primarily Internet-connected, a requirement of the Amazon integration is that connectivity of cameras must take place through a back-end cloud service.

For several years IC Realtime has offered subscribers a cloud storage service called ICMyCloud, which grants users in home and business settings the ability to stream and record high-definition video footage from their IC Realtime cameras as often as 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.  IC Realtime’s Echo Show compatible cameras connect through ICMyCloud.

Locations in the home where security cameras are commonly placed include nursery rooms, entertainment and living rooms, front/side/back doors, garages, pool areas and more. 

The ICMyCloud camera works with Echo Show the following way: “The Alexa ‘skill' pulls the ‘Camera Name’ you’ve assigned within ICMyCloud,” says Callaway. “Let’s say for example you have named a camera for the Nursery.  You simply say, ‘Alexa, Show the Nursery camera.’ Alexa would respond with ‘OK, showing Nursery camera’ and begin its stream. When you are finished, you would simply instruct Alexa to ‘Hide my Camera.’”

Callaway also notes that keeping the video data safe is of the highest-priority. “IC Realtime implements stringent security protocols for the cloud- and internet-connected camera integrations, ensuring support of strong encryption methods, password complexity, and unique session URLs to guarantee the strongest integrity possible,” says Callaway.

“The ability to share video from our security cameras via the Cloud to Echo Show is a prime example of today’s ‘Smart Home’ graduating to an ‘Internet of Things Smart Home,’” says IC Realtime CEO Matt Sailor. “IC Realtime and its parent company IC Real Tech continue to bring to market innovative ways for people to capture and interact with their video surveillance - from crime/forensics to 360-degree lifestyle video.”Expanding upon the popular Alexa devices such as the Echo and Echo Dot, Echo Show adds a 7-inch touchscreen, dual Dolby optimized speakers, video-calling and a front-facing camera.

IC Realtime is the leading IP video surveillance camera brand in the custom residential channel. The company makes a vast array of security cameras and video recorders. Notable achievements include the company’s pioneering of the Cloud Video Recorder™ and the IC Real Tech ALLie Home 360-degree x 360-degree Lifestyle camera. 

For more information on IC Realtime cameras compatible with Amazon Echo Show, visit www.icmycloud.com/alexa.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.