Cisco-Linksys WVC11B Wireless-B Video Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this camera to view activities in a datacenter. While the packaging specified compatibility with various Windows platforms it did not make it clear that the image can ONLY BE VIEWED FROM WINDOWS PLATFORMS USING IE. So, the center managers Solaris box could not view the image and my MacOS X workstation could not view the image. When I viewed the image from a Win2000 box the quality was horrible, very grainy even in a well lit area. I have ended up connecting an Apple iSight to one of the rackmounted XServes in the center and using getting a much higher quality image for considerably less money. I really expected better of Linksys. One star is being kind.

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Unlike standard web cams, that are anchored to a PC, the Linksys WVC11BWireless-B Internet video camera has its own web server. It can connect directly to a computer network over a Wireless-B (802.11b) connection or via a 10/100 Ethernet cable. From there, it provides MPEG-4 video compression for a 320x240 video stream that can be sent to a web browser anywhere in the world. It also works well as a monitoring or security device to keep an eye on your home, kids, workplace or just see whether the squirrels are getting into your birdfeeder. Other features include time stamp and text overlay, the ability to connect up to 4 users simultaneously, multi-platform support--TCP/IP, SMTP (e-mail), HTTP, and DHCP . Of course, the video stream itself is secure behind your router, but you can always open an appropriate port on the router and use the SoloLink DDNS (a trial version is included with the camera) to give password-enabled users access to the camera, or simply leave it unsecured and open for public use. Additional security features include WEP encryption up to 128-bit. There's also a Security Mode feature that sends an email with a video attached whenever its motion detector senses something in the line of vision. Then you can capture the images onto your hard drive. The camera is wall-mountable or can be attached to its stand for desktop use. Its Windows-based setup wizard makes get ting started easy as well. The unit measures 3.35 x 6.10 x 3.15 inches and weighs just over a half pound.

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Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The image quality of this camera isn't great, and as the other reviewer states, it needs lots of light. The resolution of the video is fairly poor, comparable to a very cheap 4-year-old webcam. If you need to see detail in the image (e.g. for certain security-camera purposes), then it will not work.
Another thing to note is that this camera is much bigger than it looks--it is about the size of your hand. I was hoping to squeeze it into a tight space, but the camera's size took me by surprise. It will be difficult to hide this camera if you are hoping to use it for hidden security purposes.
In sum, if you need a cheap camera that can sit out in the open and take low-detail video of a well-lit room, then this is your product. Otherwise, you should look for more professional (or wired) cameras.

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The Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera sends live video through the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world! This compact, self-contained unit lets you keep track of your home, your kids, your workplace -- whatever's important to you. Unlike standard "web cams" that require an attached PC, the Internet Video Camera contains its own web server, so it can connect directly to a network, either over Wireless-G (802.11g) networking, or over 10/100 Ethernet cable. The advanced MPEG-4 video compression produces a high-quality, high-frame rate, up to 320x240 video stream. The Compact Internet Video Camera's unique form-factor and wireless connectivity allows you to mount it on a wall nearly anywhere, or slip it into its included stand for desktop use. Once it's connected to your home network, you can "see what it sees" from any Windows-based PC in the house, while the video stream is secured from the outside world, hidden behind your Router. If you want the video to be visible from outside your home network, you can open an appropriate port on the Router, and then create password protected accounts to manage access to the camera, or leave it wide open for the world to see. The SoloLink domain service (trial sign-up included) lets you access your camera using an easy-to-remember "name", even if your home Internet connection uses a dynamic IP address.

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D-Link D-Life Internet Surveillance Camera Starter Kit (DHA-390) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I can't fathom why anybody would actually buy this product. Across the board, everything about it is just plain wrong.
Powerline networking is a relatively good idea, but it looks like the marketing department at D-Link got together one day to see what kind of products they could cram it in to. With this surveillance camera, the implementation is sloppy and unnecessary.
Keep in mind too, that Powerline networking isn't always as straightforward as plugging in a "wall wort" and connecting ethernet to it. If you're using any multi-outlet adapters, or if your home's wiring isn't nearly pristine, the experience can be almost as painful as just running CAT5 cable through your house.
The camera itself is massive compared to any web cam made in the past decade, and assembling it to the base is needlessly complicated for what it is. On the plus side, the base is quite heavy, so it isn't going to be knocked down easily. On the other hand, you absolutely must use wall anchors if you plan to mount the camera on a wall. And given the size of this camera, it's so large and obvious that your baby and pets are the only ones who aren't going to notice it.
Perhaps the most mind boggling issue I have with this kit, is that you can't host it yourself. To see what's on the camera, you have to go to D-Link's site (which is simply not possible if you aren't using Windows and Internet Explorer) and create an account. Once you've done that, you can only see the camera through D-Link's site.
I'm not typically a paranoid person, but that really raised an "Are you serious?" from me. Why the heck would you have a camera in your home broadcasting to D-Link's site? What stops D-Link from peeking in? And perhaps more importantly, what happens if D-Link goes under, or decides that they're just not interested in offering the service anymore? More likely than not, you'll be left with expensive, useless junk.
Don't get me wrong, I can see the value in offering a camera that "just works", but not having the option to host it yourself, and being locked in to Internet Explorer are ridiculous barriers.

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D-Link DHA-390 Internet Surveillance Camera Starter Kit

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Cisco Syst. 851 Ethernet SOHO Security Router ( CISCO851-K9 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a home user, after upgrading my broadband to 6.0mb/s from Comcast, both my netgear and linksys routers were overwhelmed and couldn't cope up with all the activities for the 5 computers, Xbox360 and Slingbox in the house. After researching all the business class routers, including Netgear, Linksys, Sonicwall and others. Finally, I've decided that Cisco is the best product that would solve my problem. Knowing that this is a sophiscated product, I ordered the most basic router without wireless access (hence less variables to configure). Amazon has the best price among all the websites though you certainly don't get any type of technical support from them. As expected, the router requires some professional knowledge to configure. Being a home user, I only changed very few settings through the SDM software that came with the router and it worked very well within my network. The performance of the router is impressive and I am getting the same download speed if I connect my PC directly to the modem. With all the loaded activities in the house, the CPU usage was just around 40%. This router certainly is of professional quality and doesn't even warm up after leaving it on all the time.
On the flip side, I found that the user interface (SDM) to manage the router is a little over complicated. It could be much more simplier but is still acceptable. The command line interface through the console port is definitely for professional who knows exactly what they are doing. Through the command interface, you can get almost all status and configuration from the router. I dare not to modify any configuration using the console interface because I'm not sure what I'll be changing. In addition, this router is 4 times more expensive than the ones you can get from local retail stores. Overall, I would recommend this router if you need the quality and performance. Otherwise, stay with the consumer products from Linksys or Netgear.

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MODEL- CISCO851-K9VENDOR- CISCOFEATURES- Cisco 851 Secure Ethernet Router Cisco 851 Ethernet to Ethernet Router. Cisco 850 Series integrated services routers are fixed-configuration routers that support broadband cable and Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) over analog telephone lines connections in small offices. The Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) Web-based configuration tool simplifies setup and deployment and centralized management capabilities give network managers visibility and control of router configurations at the remote site. Cisco 850 Series integrated services routers offer:- Secure connectivity with Stateful Inspection Firewall and IP Security (IPSec) VPN support for small offices.- 4-port 10/100 switch- Easy setup deployment and remote management capabilities through Web-based tools and Cisco IOS Software.* Stateful Inspection Firewall and IPSec VPN Support Provides secure access when connecting to the Internet or connectingsmall offices to a central site.* 4-port Mbps 10/100 Switch High-speed LAN ports connect multiple devices to the small officenetwork.* Cisco SDM and Remote Management Features of Cisco IOS Software - Cisco SDM helps resellers and customers to quickly and easily deployconfigure and monitor a Cisco access router without knowledge of theCisco IOS Software command-line interface (CLI). - Out-of-band management with an external modem through the auxiliaryport allows IT managers to remotely manage routers at small officesites. - Cisco Configuration Express Service supports factory-loadedconfigurations in high-volume deployments. - Support for the Cisco CNS 2100 Series Intelligence Engine enablesplug-and-play installations with centralized configuration management. -- SPECIFICATIONS ---------------------------------MEMORY - 64MB DRAM included no

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Cisco-Linksys WVC54GC Wireless-G Internet Video Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With a long history of many failed attempts at IP wireless cams, Linksys creates what others could not; one that works.
Configuration with WEP was pretty easy. It's a little temperamental with distance compared to the tolerances of other G devices, but it works. It does not react well to low light levels and tries to compensate via its own gain. If you are using this in a home without AMPLE light, expect a grainy picture.
Frame rate is about 20FPS and is annoying. The security feature works. It senses movement and mails a captured video file. With only 4 seconds at the medium setting, the video images were over 500Kb. This is not for a dial-up AOL user.
There is a remote viewing option that lets you use their web servers to hit your cam from anywhere. Of course expect to pay about $40 for two years access.

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The Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera sends live video through the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world This compact, self-contained unit lets you keep track of your home, your kids, your workplace -- whatevers important to you. Unlike standard web cams that require an attached PC, the Internet Video Camera contains its own web server, so it can connect directly to a network, either over Wireless-G (802.11g) networking, or over 10/100 Ethernet cable. The advanced MPEG-4 video compression produces a high-quality, high-framerate, up to 320x240 video stream. The Compact Internet Video Cameras unique form-factor and wireless connectivity allows you to mount it on a wall nearly anywhere, or slip it into its included stand for desktop use.

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Panasonic Wireless 802.11 b/g Network Camera and Pet Cam (BL-C30A) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Panasonic BL-C30A is a wireless camera with embedded web server. It can be connected to your home network through an ethernet cable or wirelessly (the initial setup has to be performed through the ethernet connection). Once you've properly configured it for wireless mode, you don't need a computer: just plug the power adapter into an outlet and place the camera wherever you want (within the range of your wireless network).
Anyone can connect and view/control the camera remotely. If you have a broadband connection and know how to configure your router to open a port and assign it to the camera's IP address, you can see your webcam from anywhere in the world. Very handy to keep an eye on your office or empty apartment while you're away.
The embedded web server supports access restrictions through passwords of course; and users can pan/tilt the camera lens -- the only drawback is that Internet Explorer is required to use the camera (the display and controls are handled through an ActiveX control, which basically means that only Windows PCs with IE will be able to use access it).
Image quality is pretty good: you have a choice of straming video at 320x240 or 640x480 (at a reduced frame rate) and you can control brightness and video quality from remote. Users can also take 'snapshots' (i.e. save individual images).

I have another wireless webcam (a Linksys WVC11B) and the Panasonic's image quality and features are definitely superior (on the other hand the Linksys is also $100 cheaper).
The camera also offers additional advanced features like heat detection (which can turn the camera on automatically and send an email alert if someone, or something, warm gets within the sensor's range) and scripting. I've never used this, but I suppose it can be useful if you plan to set up the camera as part of a rudimentary security/surveillance system. Some cameras offer motion detection, but it can be triggered by changes in light -- heat detection seems to make more sense.
Main caveat: configuration can be tough, especially if you're a newbie. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable and it still took me a while to get it work with my wireless network until I figured out that I had to set the WEP encryption mode to 'open key' on my wireless access point (shared key mode is not supported, though this fact is buried in the documentation).
Overall, I recommend the BL-C30A but I wish Panasonic provided a way for non-IE users to access the camera (and the configuration software could also be vastly improved).

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Wireless Network Camera 802.11g, Automatic Network Configuration, Universal Plug and Play, Set-up Wizard, Remote Pan/Tilt Control, Built in PIR motion detector

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Defender SENTINEL1 Ultra Compact Web Ready DVR Security System w/7-Inch LCD & 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I installed the system myself on April 12 and it has been working great. The quality of the images is very good and it gives me peace of mind to know that everything that goes on around the house is being recorded. The DDNS is a plus!! I'm constantly monitoring the system over the internet.

We have an alarm system that calls my cell phone when it goes off and before purchasing this system I had no idea as to what set the alarm off. Now I simply write down the time of the call and when I get home I simply search the video for that time period.

I purchased and additional 60ft. cable in case I need to move one of the cameras further.

Thanks for bringing this great unit at such an affordable price. I did quite a bit of research and this system was above the rest.

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Defender SENTINEL1 Ultra Compact Web Ready DVR Security System w/7-Inch LCD & 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance CamerasTechnical Details * Includes compact DVR; playback footage directly on a 7-inch LCD screen * Features 320GB Seagate h

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Panasonic BL-C140A Outdoor MPEG-4 Network Camera (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is going to be somewhat technical and I'll mention some other choices. I've installed more than 10 Panasonic network cameras across the product line; so how does this one compare? The whole series is rock solid reliable. As far as the practical use as an outdoor cam, the BL-C140A is a middle of the road compromise. As other reviewers have discovered, the night time image quality is not very good. The BL-C140A has a 1/4" CMOS sensor which produces a little bit better daytime image than the 1/6" CMOS on the popular BL-C111A and BL-C131A models. If you're looking for a cam to mount in an outdoor location that is protected from direct moisture (like hanging under a sheltered roof eave) then I'd recommend the Panasonic BB-HCM511A instead. The BB-HCM511A uses a CCD sensor (vs. CMOS) that produces a richer dynamic range of colors during the day, and has much better low light sensitivity. It can still show the scene under moonlight, whereas the BL-C140A would show a pitch black view. If you truly need an "outdoor" camera because it's going to be exposed to the rain, then the BB-HCM531A is an excellent outdoor model. The only difference between the BB-HCM511A and BB-HCM531A is that the BB-HCM531A comes with an extra plastic cover for the connectors in the back. Panasonic charges more than $200 for this piece of plastic, so it you're crafty you can make your own weatherproof cover for the BB-HCM511A cable connectors and save some money (hint: silicone sealant works). Note that if you don't already have a POE enabled switch, the BB-HCM series doesn't come with a POE injector so you need to order that separately. Coming back to this BL-C140A model, the other thing I didn't like is that the POE (Power Over Ethernet) is proprietary instead of using the industry 802.3af standard. So if you have a POE switch then it won't be able to use all the neat power management features. The BB-HCM series however does support the 802.3af POE standard. If your budget is just enough for this cam, the BL-C140A still a wonderful unit. If you can afford to pay just a little bit more then check out the other models I mentioned and you'll get a superior night time view. Here's another tip, if you want to have the camera view on your desktop all the time in Vista or Windows 7, go to the Microsoft Windows Live Gallery and search for Panasonic to download the CoconutView Sidebar Gadget. Then you won't even need to open the browser windows to get a peek at what the camera is seeing.

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Panasonic Outdoor MPEG-4 Network Camera

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Cisco-Linksys WVC54GCA Webcam 640x480 802.11G Wireless Internet Home Monitoring Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this camera 2 weeks ago and put it above my front door looking out onto my walkway and street and it works great. It's 802.11 G/B so it scales back if you have only a B access point. It takes good 640/480 up to 30 frames per second video. It's got a couple of low light enhancements you can turn on which work pretty well. DONT be disappointed if it can't see in the dark it's NOT a night vision camera. However... I don't yet know if it can see IR. I guess I need to get out a remote and see what happens.So a few people posting reviews have said it's not easy to setup. Not True!! I guess if you don't know anything about home networking, port forwarding, or WIFI then yeah of course it's going to be hard to setup. But don't come bashing the product just because you lack the skills to set it up correctly. Now I will admit I'm a IT professional and make a living doing so but, anyone with basic networking skills should be able to get this camera working in 10 minutes. Now... That doesn't include the time to tweak all the settings as it will take several days and some time to get everything just how you want it.
I got an iPhone that I use all the time to watch streaming video. In fact I used the iPhone to setup the camera using it as my hand held display so I could see what the camera was seeing.
One thing I will mention that I'm not really fond of is the motion detection system. If you turn it on, it requires you to choose either FTP or Email for the alerts. The problem is that even with the sensitivity really low it still triggers and you get like 10 million emails. Now that's not entirely the blame of the camera cause every time a cloud goes over my house the sidewalk changes because of the lighting and causes the camera to trigger a motion detection event. But if you were using the camera inside your house it would most likely function much better.
The camera comes with a CD that has some recording software that works ok. I've had it crash more than once in the past two weeks but it seems to happen when you have the motion detection enabled to send videos via Email. I switched this feature to JPEG's instead of motion and the application hasn't crashed since.
The camera does do audio but only when watching the playback on the software or using IE 6.0 or greater to watch the live video directly from the camera. I.E. you can't hear the sound with Firefox or Safari. However, you can adjust all the settings and get it going without IE so if you're a Mac person like myself you will need to have access to a PC at some point especially since the recording software, motion detection, and live video viewing with sound portion of the camera uses a Active X control that only works in IE.
All in all this Camera is an Awesome camera for $107. It did everything I wanted and more and it works well. I ended up buying 2 more of them since I was so pleased with the first one.
Just make sure before you buy this that you meet the following requirements.
A. Know what your doing when it comes to networking or you will be disappointed as with any network device it takes a level of skill to set it up.
B. Make sure you have access to a PC to setup all the things that require and Active X control and IE 6.0 or greater
C.Don't expect the device to see in the dark with great precission
D. Remember that you only paid $107 for something that does almost as much some of the other expensive stationary network cameras on the market.


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The Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera sends live video through the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world This compact, self-contained unit lets you keep track of your home, your kids, your workplace -- whatever is important to you. Unlike standard "web cams" that require an attached PC, the Internet Video Camera contains its own web server, so it can connect directly to a network, either over Wireless-G (802.11g) networking, or over 10/100 Ethernet cable. Choose either MPEG-4 or Motion JPEG video compression for a high-quality, high-framerate, up to 640x480 video stream.

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Cisco ASA 5505 Security Appliance 10 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros:
* Very stable. Many home and even business grade Firewalls will occasionally start acting up and have to be rebooted, but the ASA is completely solid.
* 8 port switch w/ 2 PoE ports is great for things like IP Phones and Wireless Access Points.

* AnyConnect SSL VPN with 2 client licenses included is a great value. This lets me access my home network from work, despite them requiring a proxy server.
* Supports Spanning Tree and Rapid Spanning Tree, allowing you to build redundant uplinks to STP compatible switches.
* 256 MB RAM and 128 MB of flash is plenty of Memory for future software.
* Tons of VPN options - Straight IPSec, DMVPN, L2TP, SSL, AnyConnect, etc. The IPSec VPN is support on the iPhone, so it's pretty cool to be able to access my home network from my phone.
Cons:
* High learning curve, especially if you don't have previous experience with Cisco PIX or routers. Even using the Java-based ASDM, it can take a few hours of training to find your way. Also, ASDM is not compatible with the latest version of Java (you'll get an 'unconnected sockets' message).
* Only supports 1 internal VLAN with default license. This is fine for most setups, but disappointing since the Cisco routers will do at least 2 VLANs. It prevents, for example, having separate VLANs for voice and wireless, or creating a DMZ.
* No built-in Wireless option. Check out the 870 or 1800 routers if this is important. Adding a Wireless AP is easy though, especially with the PoE ports.
* No support for DHCP reservations. I like to configure Servers and Printers this way, and can't find any good reason Cisco wouldn't support it like they do on their routers and Layer 3 switches.
Summary - A great value as a SOHO Firewall and VPN Appliance. The ASA 5505 is priced the same as the PIX 501 was, but adds 2 PoE ports and SSL VPN Capabilities. The biggest drawbacks I can see are the high learning curve, no built-in Wireless, and lack of DHCP reservations. Before purchasing, you'll probably want to take a look at the 870 series routers since they may be a better choice depending on your requirements.

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Businesses today require high-end networking capabilities, give it that ability with the Cisco® ASA 5505 Series Firewall Edition Bundle. The Cisco ASA 5500 Series Firewall Edition enables businesses to securely deploy mission-critical applications and networks in a highly reliable manner, while providing significant investment protection and lower operational costs through its unique, modular design.

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Avaak Vue SB2300 Personal Video Network with Wireless Remote Video Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using the Vue system for several months (part of their beta test program). If you understand the intended purpose and application for this product I think you'll be happy with it. The cameras are completely wireless - no network or power, plus they are extremely small and unobtrusive. This allows you place them almost anywhere. Because they are wireless, the product isn't designed for constant recording (battery life). The Vue system is intended to provide you with the ability to remotely check in and view your home for a few minutes at a time. While not perfect, it does this job very well.
I use this to check on my lake house when I'm not there. I have one cam pointed out a window looking out over the dock and another at the main living area. I always wonder if a storm or high wind has created any problem with the boat - so this allows me to check in, take a peek and put my mind at rest. Plus I can see if the lawn guy cut the grass or not. And when I'm at work and wish I was at the lake, I can get a quick fix ;)
Pros: extremely simple setup. Wonderful design for the cams - no wires and extremely compact. Easy to login online and view images from cameras live.
Cons: website is a bit flaky and controls are somewhat strange (but I expect that will improve over time). Image quality is adequate.
Bottom line: If you want high quality streaming video 24x7, this is not the product. If you want an easy to install, easy to use camera system to check in remotely periodically for a live view this fits the bill.


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The award-winning Vue wireless camera system is the easiest way to remotely view your home or business from anywhere on any PC or iPhone.
Lose the cords!Vue battery powered cameras install in minutes using patented peel and stick wall mountsno software to load or power cords to run.Put them anywhere!Just open your web browser and start viewing at VueZone.com. The system comes with everything you need including two wireless cameras and your private online account.No professional installation required!

Uses for the Vue are limited only by your imagination:

Keep in track of your home when you are at work or away
Check in on your kids at home after school
Watch over an elderly parent when you are not there
Check in on your pets to see what they do all day
Mind your business or keep tabs on your warehouse
Get away to your second home for a quick peek
See your family and kids when traveling

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Panasonic Network Camera and Pet Cam (BLC1A) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The BL-C1A is listed as "requiring" both Windows and Internet Explorer. After a bit of experimenting, it seems it doesn't, and is perfectly usable with Ubuntu (or indeed any OS) and Firefox. No need for Windows at all.
So, for anybody else who wants to use the BL-C1A camera with something other than Windows here's how.
First, ignore the shiny Windows CDROM in the box. Plug the camera into your router with your own network cable (they don't supply one!) and plug in the power supply. Wait a minute. If your router is 192.168.0.1, the camera should default to 192.168.0.253 (or 192.168.1.253 for a 192.168.1.1 router, etc).
From Firefox on the local network just go to the IP addess of the camera (as above) followed by ?mode=local and you should get the camera's built in web server. (The mode=local is essential, to activate it). Create an admin userid/password, hit enter. That's it.
Configuring the cameras for static addresses, different ports etc is all done via the web interface after that point, so still doesn't need Windows or IE in any way.
With a few lines written in the manual they could drop the Windows/IE requirement.
Camera works very nicely, and so does emailing, and the viewnetcam dynamic dns service (after a bit of a battle with router settings). One warning: you can't test the viewnetcam service from the same network that the camera is on, so before you think it's not working try it from elsewhere!
Camera does the job fine for the price, one point deducted for not having any non-Windows installation instructions.

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Package Contents: Panasonic BL-C1A Wired Network Camera, bracket, power supply, mounting hardware, CD-ROM, software and instructions.
The Panasonic BL-C1A Wired Network Camera handles your digital photography needs at a price that won't hurt your wallet! This color surveillance camera allows remote video monitoring of a home or business. Remote home and business surveillance just got a lot more affordable. Receive an e-mail image when the home security camera detects motion--you'll always know what's going on at home or at your business. The 10X digital zoom and color night viewing makes sure you don't miss a detail. It's easy to install, easy to operate and requires no additional software for viewing on your PC. Indoor use only.
Server Features: Image Buffer--About 250 frames (320 x 240, standard image quality). Image transfer via e-mail (SMTP) or FTP. View snapshots and control them from a compatible cellular phoneSupports up to 12 camerasIPv4 Multi-Language Interface -English, German, Spanish, Italian, French and Japanese
Camera Features -1/4 320,000 pixel CMOS image sensor 10 digital zoomViewing Angle -53° horizontal, 41° verticalAuto exposureAperture -F2.8Illumination -10 - 10,000 lux (normal), 4-10,000 lux (night view) Motion Sensor with Email AlertAuto & manual White Balance Network Connection -RJ45 Ethernet (10Base-T/100Base-X) System Requirements -Windows 98SE, 2000, ME and XP; Internet Explorer 6.0 or later Camera Dimensions(WxHxD) -3-3/8 x 3-3/8 x 1Weight -0.22 lbsNetworking Protocols -HTTP, FTP, SMTP, TCP, UDP, IP, DHCP, DNS, ARP, ICMP, and POP3 before SMTP

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Outdoor Waterproof Wireless/wired Ip Camera with Night Vision and Motion Detection Alarm, Apple Mac and Windows compatible, Silver. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this camera. There are all kinds of cameras out there but very few that are designed and hardened to outdoor use. This camera is much larger than I expected, it's bigger around than a soda can and about 50% longer than a soda can too. It looks very robust. It has a lot of features and configurations so that you can set it up the way you want it.
One thing I've found in dealing with IP cameras is that the software is terrible. The software for this one actually looks decent though I don't use it. I only use the software that came with it to do the initial configuration. I use a program called "Blue Iris" for my installations and I can highly recommend it. The nice thing about Blue Iris is that it will work with many different cameras, from $10 web-cams to top end IP cameras. This allows you to add "views" to the system as you can afford it and as you find bargains on cameras. It's very nice to not have to spend more on a camera than you need to and can integrate it into your system with minimal hassle. Blue Iris controls all the motion detecting, provides web access, etc. This is very important if you have a real firewall with limited node access to the WAN. Instead of 10 cameras (which would be nodes...) using up licenses there's only the one on the machine that's actually controlling everything. If you're creating a surveillance system it's well worth the $50 bucks for the program.
The focus and infrared on this camera are absolutely fine. I have the one I just bought watching my garage door on the alley behind my building. No problems so far with wireless networking. I did upgrade the firmware as soon as I got the camera, before deploying it. If you're not comfortable with things like upgrading firmware I suggest you buy a pre-configured wired system and have all that fun pulling wires 'cause you're not going to have any fun at all with building your own system.
I can't speak to other people's experience with this camera but from my perspective it's a great camera. The only reason I bothered to write this review is that I didn't think it was getting a fair evaluation from the previous review. If you're into this kind of thing, this is a great device and I'll be buying more of them for exterior views.
Oh, one thing I should mention. You're not going to get the same kind of studio quality HD picture from a surveillance camera in this price range as you would from a $1000+ camera, it's just not going to happen and it's unrealistic to expect that. This camera gives a picture and records video that is more than ample for checking on "things that go bump in the night" or for giving a video to the cops to identify the bad guy(s). I want my surveillance system to allow me to see what's happening without sticking my head out the door and to give me evidence if I need it. This camera is more than suited for those purposes. It's a very fine camera and the quality is excellent.
UPDATE: I posted some snapshots pulled from video frames shot by this camera so people could judge for themselves. I don't know when Amazon will put them on the page but I did upload them so if they're not visable check back in a day or two.
For the price I can find no fault in this camera at all. Time will tell how long it lasts, how durable it is, etc. For right now I'm very happy with it and it gives me a 24 hour view where running a wire is just not possible.
UPDATE: Five months of service on this camera and it still works as good as it did out of the box. Considering the price I have no complaints about this camera at all and have just ordered another one to replace an older wireless pair of non-IP cameras on one side of my residence. I plan on buying at least two more over the next year to phase out some cameras that don't have infrared. There are motion detector lights that make those cameras serviceable but the infrared is much better and much more stealthy. So far I have provided evidence to the police twice and prevented vandalism and theft on my property several times with this camera.
I'm not saying this camera is the equivalent to far more expensive equipment, I'm saying that this camera does a fine job for the use it's put to. I'm very happy with this camera and after using it for a while I have no problem recommending it. It does a great job for what it costs. If you want HD TV cameras go out and spend the money on them, if you want to see what's going on and to be able to record for evidence, this is a great camera.
A note about the color situation that others have mentioned. I don't give a flying fig if the burglar's green shirt looks purple or his black tennis shoes look yellow or any of the rest of that. I want clear pictures of a face and enough of a shot of the clothing to provide a decent description so he can be arrested. If he's wearing a football jersey and the lettering and numbers are legible the colors don't matter. I want to see what they're doing, not make comments on their fashion sense and the color-coordination of their clothes.
Again, I can't recommend the Blue Iris surveillance program strongly enough. The software that comes with any camera in this range is garbage. Blue Iris is only $50 and it makes a world of difference. I can log onto ALL of my cameras from anywhere I can get an internet connection. I have Blue Iris set to send text messages to my cell phone when armed. I have a burglar alarm that uses motion detection and it calls my cell phone too. If I get calls from multiple interior cameras in an alarm state AND the burgler alarm call there's no doubt about an intruder and I can (if internet is available) log onto my system and look to see what's going on while I tell the police which room the bad guy(s) is in, what he's carrying and what he's doing. This camera makes a good and indispensable component in a very good, fairly cheap security system.
Sure, there are better cameras to be had but if you'd rather have 5 cameras with 5 views instead of one expensive camera with one view, well you see where I'm going with that...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Outdoor Waterproof Wireless/wired Ip Camera with Night Vision and Motion Detection Alarm, Apple Mac and Windows compatible, Silver.

>Wi-Fi compliant with wireless standards IEEE 802.11b/g >Support both WEP & WPA Encryption >Motion detection alert via email or upload image to FTP >Multi-level users management with password protection

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D-Link DCS-920 Wireless-G Internet Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought DCS910 in Nov.2008 and DCS920 one month later. I am quite satisfied with both of them and I did not meet any problem till now, or say I could solve the problems that I have found.
The network attached camera supports up to 640x480 in resolution. It is higher then lots of other network attached camera which has only 320x240. So the image quality is quite good. It has good vision in dim light. you could see image or video on your web browser. It supports both MS ActiveX and Sun Java for live video monitoring but it does NOT support sound :(
You may need to install ActiveX control plug-in and Sun Java plug-in for your browser to support live video.
The supplied DViewCam software also supports monitoring up to 32 cameras and you could record videos into computer hard disk. I have not used video record feture till now because it requires turning on computer and consumes too much router/switch band width. I think check from web from time to time is good enough for my needs.
It support user account management, NTP time sync, DDNS name service, FTP and email deliver of photos at the frequency you defined.
The device does not support SSL protocol, so your password could not be encrypted for delivery. So you could not use https or ftps for secured communication. But this is understandable because encryption cost too much resources for the embeded system. You could not expect too much from tiny embeded device. Anyway, normal web access and FTP upload are good enough if you do not have too much security concern.
It is quite simple to access the device from within the internal/home network because you PC and the camera are in the same network segment. But if you want to access the device from external/Internet, there are some other things to take care. You need to have some basic networking concept for the setup.
I have seen one user complain the tech support and blame the device to be not usable. I could understand the mensioned situation. It is not the user's fault nor the product's fault. Tech support is not wrong on what they said but they should explain clearly on the technical background and guide the user for a smooth set up. User is not network expert so it will be a little difficult for them to understand and follow the network rules.
Normally, ISP will only give one dynamic IP address to a user. The IP address will change when you turn on the router or after a certain period of time. So you need to keep track to your current IP address on the WAN port of your router. This is usually done by register a DDNS service(free or paid service). Most router support DDNS auto update service and this camera also supports it but you need to set it up in your device. All the devices in your home network will share this single IP address. Network applications will monitor communication port for TCP/IP communication. Different devices in your network have different unique IP address. The IP address for a specific device is unique in the network. So if you want to access your camera through the internet in a remote location, you need to have DDNS service set; set up a internal static IP address to your camera; setup your router port forward to your camera IP address. For example, use http://dcs910.mydomainname.com:9011/ to access your camera, you need to buy(or register a free child domain name from some website) your domain name 'mydomainname.com'; register your domain name to a DDNS server(paid or free service); setup your router to auto update DDNS for your current IP address; set router to forward 9011 port request to the 80 port of the static internal IP address that you have assigned to your camera(such as 192.168.0.3 depends on the settings on your router and camera). You may need an experienced friend to help you for the setting.
Even if you have set everything correctly, it not necessarily means you could watch live video in your office. You should be able to access static current image from web browser in your office but live video is another story. Normally office network is protected by firewall on gateway. Most office firewall uses proxy and only open ports for web requests and some predefined application ports and bann all other communications. The ActiveX and Java live video of this device may need dedicated port connection to open communication session but this will not be allowed by default on the proxy. So unless you know your network administrator and could ask them open the port for you, you will not able to access live video in office. This is not the problem of the device, it is the rule of the network security. But anyway, you could see still image of your home which is good enough.
I have used my DCS910 and DCS920 for 3 months and I am quite satisfied with the device. I would like to highly recommand this device to you for its clear image, easy setup(if you understand networking in and out), and resonable price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DCS-920 Wireless-G Internet Camera

The D-Link Wireless G Internet Camera (DCS-920) connects to an Ethernet or wireless network to enable remote high-quality video recording. 802.11g wireless technology allows you to place the DCS-920 in places that were previously inaccessible such as ceiling and walls. Support for the WPA and WPA2 standard ensures that you will be provided with the highest level of security when connecting to your wireless network.

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Dropcam Wi-Fi Wireless Internet Home Security Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a 24/7 caregiver for my wife, this camera has made a wonderful contribution to our life together. I'm constantly alert to her safety and needs when we are together, but always a little anxious when I'm away from her room. Now, she's visible whenever those anxieties arise, either on my computer or on my iPhone.
Setup was very simple. We needed to run a 75 foot Ethernet Cat5E cable from the camera to our router; the unit comes with a 13 footer. The company's service was superb; their response to my question arrived within 24 hours: "The Dropcam product or router will neither affect the ethernet signal as the performance will be due to the quality of the ethernet cable itself as well as various environmental factors such as EM interference. Under normal circumstances, I personally would not anticipate any issues with a 75 foot cable."
The camera could be improved with a simple cover that would allow the user to turn it off or on (I use a wash cloth draped over the camera to block transmissions, but worry a bit about overheating the unit). I would hate to see my wife featured on a pirated YouTube video, especially during some of our more intimate caregiving activities.
And, I'd be similarly concerned if I was monitoring a home safe, and images could be pirated with enough definition to read the combination.
But, for everyday monitoring of my wife while I'm off washing clothes or dishes, cooking, walking the dogs, running to the store -- anytime when I'm away for a few minutes -- it's wonderful to be able to see her on demand.
In other caregiving applications, I could see mounting the unit close to the floor showing only the legs and feet of the person being cared for. If they fell, of course, their entire body would be visible. The unit also comes with a sound feed -- the Dropcam Echo Wireless IP Home Security Camera with Audio and Online Recording -- which we may upgrade to, but hasn't seemed necessary to us so far.
Robert C. Ross2010

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Use Dropcam Wi-Fi internet cameras to watch the things you love from anywhere in the world. All you need is a laptop, iPhone, or Android phone to watch what matters. No computer is required to watch your camera over the internet! Use Dropcam to keep an eye on your front door or driveway, watch your baby when you have to go back to work, or just keep an eye on your pet to watch their crazy antics when you're not around. You lead a busy life and Dropcam helps you stay in control.

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Defender SN500-4CH-002 Feature-rich 4 Channel H.264 DVR Security System with Smart Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Hi-Res CCD Night Vision Cameras Review

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(More customer reviews)***Updated in the comments section 1 year into owning the system*** (K.H.)
This is a video review of SN500-4CH-002 which is Defender's feature-rich 4 Channel H.264 DVR Security System with Smart Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Hi-Res CCD Night Vision Surveillance Cameras.
This all-in-one system contains everything you need to setup and record a 4 camera surveillance system in your home or business.
For my installation, I did not need to buy anything extra or subscribe to any monthly service to use the system. I can now access the system through any computer in the world as long as it has internet access. I can also access footage by using my smart-phone when I am on the go.
I really do recommend the Defender SN500-4CH-002 system for anyone looking for an affordable 4ch DVR security system with web and smartphone access.

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Protect your hard-earned possessions, assets, and family; know who has been on your property; rid yourself of uneasiness when you travel on vacation or business. The SN500-4CH-002 offers some of the most advanced surveillance options available but in a hassle-free, do-it-yourself approach so you can have a fully functioning security system for your home or business in less time and for less money. The SN500-4CH-002’s online viewing feature allows you to conveniently access your DVR’s live or recorded video footage on any computer in the world with Internet Explorer. Checking in on your property is easy and means you will never miss a moment. This DVR is loaded with features that will help keep your property safe and secure. Record over 2 years of continuous video on the built-in 500GB hard drive. The SN500-4CH-002 is an effective and simple solution for protecting your property.

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D-Link DCS-930L mydlink-Enabled Wireless N Network Camera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this camera to use as a cheep wireless IP webcam. It offers the ability to hook into your network either with the wireless WSP functionality or with an ethernet connection. It is fairly small with the camera being about the size of an iphone (maybe about 80% that size). The base allows for you to mount it in multiple settings, but be clear, this is a very simple design...not rocket science by any means. The ac power cord is about 4 feet long.
Setup: I ran into an issue when I was trying to set up the wireless connection. I could not get my camera and wireless router to talk at all. I called tech support (the free version) and they were useless. The rep had no clue about the specific devise and it is clear that he was just in a large call center that probably supports dozens if not hundreds of products. I had NO problem when I hooked it into my network via an ethernet cable. The set up application runs very nicely and easily gives you the option to select either wireless or wired set up as needed.
Back to my wireless problem. I decided that I would pay $32 for D-Links premium support for 30 minutes of help...I rolled the dice, as they do not guarantee they will fix your problem for your investment, but I had a feeling my issue was something simple with my network configuration...and I was right. The rep was great, she remoted into my pc, checked out my wireless settings on my router and determined that I had a bad character in my site name. None of my other wireless products had a problem with the character, but the D-Link cam did not like it. She changed the name of my wireless network, we restarted the router,and instantly the camera linked in wirelessly.
I am absolutely convinced that if I had not had a dash in my wireless network name, then this wireless set up would have been a breeze. So, I can't place blame for this issue on D-Link, but it was interesting that no other wireless device I use had a problem with the naming convention of the network.
Once that hurdle was cleared, it has been smooth sailing. I really like the ease of use and the functionality included with the set up...through a web interface, you can control video size, audio (yes it has a mic and sends the audio over IP in realtime), you can set motion detection, auto emailing on detection, and it even has a built in ftp server to send the images where ever you like.
Simple camera that does exactly what it says...it provides decent video and audio wirelessly to your network and then you can do with it what you want.
Pros: Simple, straight forward, nice setup application used on your pc, D-Link offers free remote viewing via their web portal MyD-link, and they also offer a free iPhone app (no audio on the iPhone app).
Cons: Seems somewhat fragile...I would not want to drop it form more than a foot off the ground. A fall from any higher seems would shatter it.
Overall I think this is a really good value.


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Stay connected to everything that you love 24/7 with the D-Link DCS-930L Wireless-N network camera, which is compatible with the mydlink portal (mydlink.com)--allowing you to easily and securely view and manage the camera from virtually anywhere over the Internet. With its small size and easy installation, the DCS-930L is a discreet and flexible way to check on your home, children, or pets in real time--even on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
The DCS-930L is ready to be viewed over the Internet in just three simple steps(see larger image).

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