Wanted: Video conferencing software with AUTO-ANSWER for elderly parent monitoring

werdnanostaw on 03/04/2020 - 12:35

My mother is 93 and she lives alone in the family home. She was receiving twice-daily support visits but we cancelled those when CVP (coronavirus pandemic) started.

I have set up old laptop PCs in kitchen and TV room and I was using VSee to access the cameras in the PCs to check that she was OK. VSee has auto-answer and access both cameras at the same time capabilities.

VSee is used for remote medical consultations but due to CVP they have shutdown all free accounts.

https://vsee.com/

I previously used Skype but, I may be mistaken (IMBM), when they switched from program to Windows Store app they removed auto-answer.

I tried Zoom because it said it had auto-answer but IMBM this is only available in paid accounts.

I have discovered that IOS >= 11 supports auto-answer for FaceTime and other apps. We use FT to call her but her iPad is too old for IOS 11.

https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/auto-answer-calls-iphone-ipad…

Can someone please correct my IMBMs or suggest video conference software that:

  • must have, auto-answer

  • would be nice to have, access multiple cameras at the same time.

Andrew Watson
Perth

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 03/04/2020 - 12:46
    +5

    Alexa shows have auto answer with the drop in feature. No need for a PC and much better sound quality and ease of use. I use it all the time.

    I hope that was helpful, Andrew Watson, Perth.

    • MynyMouqe on 03/04/2020 - 13:16

      I'd agree with this - an echo show auto answers, shows the date, doesn't crash, and can have extra things through voice that can help.

    • Gadaph on 03/04/2020 - 13:18

      I'd also agree with this. I'm currently monitoring my elderly parents in the UK during their self isolation by doing exactly this. Once set up, it is reliable and effective. Setup is also easy.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 03/04/2020 - 18:08
      -1

      Thanks Andrew. I never heard of it before (it's called Echo Show).

      It has an HD camera I see (ah, only 1 MP in the 5.5 inch).

  • triviums on 03/04/2020 - 12:47
    +1

    If you can't find an auto answer service for free a slightly inconvenient workaround would be to use a service such as logmein and answer the video call yourself through remote desktop.

    • werdnanostaw on 03/04/2020 - 12:52

      I use TeamViewer to do this and PC installs etc but video software needs to be used by my partner and sister as well as me and this would be a tad too difficult for them.

      A few weeks ago TV flagged my use as commercial and cut me off. I appealed telling them I only used it to access my mother's PC and they reinstated me.

      I understand that TV have removed commercial use checks during CVP.

      https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/teamviewer-st…

      • Gnostikos on 03/04/2020 - 15:36

        A few weeks ago TV flagged my use as commercial and cut me off.

        That's the first I've heard of TeamViewer ever doing that and as an IT managed services provider, I know of dozens of organisations who use the free version of TeamViewer for remote connectivity and telecommuting (i.e. "commercial usage") across hundreds of devices and users, and have done so for years, without issue (other than the 3-hour time limit that's been imposed on free TeamViewer sessions since TeamViewer 11; even then, you can instantly reconnect after reaching the 3 hour mark and stay connected for another 3 hours).

        • timbo72 on 04/04/2020 - 08:03

          As someone who uses commercial hardware for hobby i started getting warnings mid-late last year and began getting flagged late last year. Its a pain but they have always reinstated my access. Seems to be a new push.

      • crentist on 03/04/2020 - 15:49
        +1

        google chrome remote desktop works well for me. using it to access my office PC for certain tasks

  • spackbace on 03/04/2020 - 12:51
    +2

    What's wrong with a security cam, like a Xiaomi, TP-Link etc? You can login remotely, view her and make sure she's ok. Video quality is going to be superior and a setup cost of $50-$100/cam or so.

    TWO-WAY AUDIO – Use crisp two-way audio to communicate with nosy roommates, family or even mischievous pets.

    $98 @ Officeworks

    Can pan, zoom etc

  • werdnanostaw on 03/04/2020 - 13:01

    Granted netbook camera is pretty crappy but it's enough to see whether she is awake/asleep in front of TV and decide whether or not to call her. Camera in business class PC in kitchen has much better resolution.

    I bought the KMart one some time ago. I could set it up on my home router to be accessible from Internet but I could never find the required setting in her router.

    Thinking about it, that was when she was on ADSL. Her Spintel supplied NBN (HFC) router may be easier to setup.

    If I went down this route, what software would I use to access multiple cameras at the same time?

    I had been thinking about setting one of these up in corridor upstairs so I could monitor it and staircase at 90 degrees.

    • werdnanostaw on 03/04/2020 - 13:06

      A good feature of using PC is that lock screen displays date with day of week which old people lose track of.

  • Naigrabzo on 03/04/2020 - 13:19

    Avoid skype. Awful interface although it seems to have auto-answer on pc.

  • relentless on 03/04/2020 - 13:25

    MS Teams

  • bazingaa on 03/04/2020 - 14:15
    +2

    IP (CCTV) camera with direct access, don't rely on ad-hoc solutions because it can be a life threatening situation

  • Randxyz123 on 03/04/2020 - 14:22

    The Alexa show solution sounds like the best.

  • DJR9000 on 03/04/2020 - 14:25

    would suggest a CCTV camera rather than something like what you are asking for… something like this is easy https://au-en.ring.com/products/mini-indoor-security-camera

  • holdenmg on 03/04/2020 - 15:52
    +1

    Hi,
    Just thought I'd mention

    Red Cross can provide you with a daily telephone call to check on your wellbeing through a service known as Telecross. This provides peace of mind if you are at risk of an accident or illness that may go unnoticed, such as falling and being unable to call for help. The volunteer will check to see that you are well and provide a friendly voice to wake up to each morning.

    https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help/community-services/tele… for those with NDIS or My Aged Care.

  • toomuchdogfur on 03/04/2020 - 16:51
    +1

    Looking at the website, VSee is $49/month for a paid account - considering that the suspension of free account services appears to be temporary, perhaps just paying for it for a month or two would be cheaper and less of a hassle than implementing an entirely new system?

    If not, I second the above suggestions for an IP camera as it suits the always-on, always accessible use case. You might be able to implement extra options with the right system - alerts if the cameras don't see motion for a while, a light to indicate to your mother when the cameras are being accessed, etc.

  • Lacerta on 03/04/2020 - 18:48

    Since you are both familiar with Skype, you may want to stick with it.
    Have you tried downloading Skype for Windows Desktop directly from skype.com? It traditionally has more features than the Skype App from the Microsoft Store. Good luck.

  • munecito on 04/04/2020 - 10:36

    I don't know if this works for Apple devices but it works great with old Android phones

    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivuu

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