# Image Grabber

> Symcon documentation · English · generated on 2026-09-26  
> Index: https://www.symcon.de/en/llms.txt

Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/image-grabber/

The Image Grabber saves webcam images from a specific address. These are automatically added as media objects and are therefore also available to the Visualization.

> **Warning:** As of IP-Symcon 4.0, the media created by the Image Grabber are only written to the hard disk after closing IP-Symcon. The intelligent caching protects the hard disk/ flash memory and the content is only stored in the working memory. The current content can be accessed at runtime via [IPS_GetMediaContent](../functions/management-media.md).

### Integration in IP-Symcon

Set up a new instance via "Add object" -> "Add instance" -> Manufacturer: "(Other)".
The following settings can be made in the configuration tab.

> **Note:** With a [MJPG stream](../concepts.md) it is possible to display a webcam with moving images.

> **Note:** In contrast to most other instances, this module does not need a parent instance

### Settings

| Option             | Description                                                                                                                                                          |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Address            | The address of the webcam and the path/URL to the image. See list below                                                                                              |
| Type               | In which format the image should be saved. If the file extension in the address is not ".jpg", ".gif", ".bmp", ".png", the file format must be specified explicitly. |
| Interval           | In which cycle in seconds the image should be queried                                                                                                                |
| Use authentication | Whether authentication should be used: Yes/No                                                                                                                        |
| Username           | Username for authentication                                                                                                                                          |
| Password           | Password for authentication                                                                                                                                          |
### Addresses
All common manufacturers/models are listed under the link listed here. The standard stream addresses can also be seen under the respective model, which may have to be integrated via a [Stream](../concepts.md).

[List of manufacturers](https://www.ispyconnect.com/cameras)

### Example

![Example](https://www.symcon.de/media/pages/service/dokumentation/modulreferenz/geraete/image-grabber/cbc38c1397-1790424938/imagegrabber-konfig.png)

## IG_UpdateImage

Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/module-reference/devices/image-grabber/ig-updateimage/

`bool IG_UpdateImage(int $InstanceID)`

updates the image of the instance

**Parameters**

- `$InstanceID` (int): ID of the Instance of the device to be switched

**Returns** (bool): If the command succeeds, it returns __TRUE__, otherwise __FALSE__.

ID of the Instance of the device to be switched

**Example**

```php
// The picture of instance 12345 is updated
IG_UpdateImage(12345);
```