1.2 Ghz Wireless Surveillance System

Comments

1. Jersey Chuck says:

   September 16, 2010 at 12:29 AM

   Review by Jersey Chuck for 1.2 Ghz Wireless Surveillance System
   Rating:
   Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RLWXN826PLWSH This video was taken with a Kodak EasyShare DX4530 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom aimed at my Insignia HD LCD TV that is projecting the images from the Instapark 2.4GHZ Hidden Mini Pinhole Nanny / Spy Wireless Color Video Camera with Microphone.. The “Beeping” sound is from a Driveway Patrol Sensor and Receiver Kit that I have mounted inside a feeder……….. Yes I live a boring life

   BTW, The video did lose about 10% clarity from being taken with the Kodak from the TV.

   Overall a nice wireless video spy camera!
2. K. Espinosa says:

   September 16, 2010 at 1:07 AM

   Review by K. Espinosa for 1.2 Ghz Wireless Surveillance System
   Rating:
   Camera is small and discrete. It works great and the picture and sound is acceptable. The downside is that the camera eats up 9V batteries when you use wirelessly and the camera and receiver cannot be too far apart or you will lose the signal. Also on the signal, there is intermittent static and distortion at certain times and if the camera and receiver are placed too far apart.
3. Unknown says:

   September 16, 2010 at 1:43 AM

   Review by Unknown for 1.2 Ghz Wireless Surveillance System
   Rating:
   I just received my camera today and was impresses with the color quality…. not so much the sound and low lit environments. Great deal for the price though. Just make sure you have a good supply of 9volt batteries on hand because the camera powers through them pretty quick, but for the overall performance that is alright with me. Good buy!
4. Ralph Nader says:

   September 16, 2010 at 2:00 AM

   Review by Ralph Nader for 1.2 Ghz Wireless Surveillance System
   Rating:
   Mini and tiny, you can place it anywhere you want with the 9V battery.
   
   Average image quality in low light. Worth trying.
5. D. Richardson says:

   September 16, 2010 at 2:57 AM

   Review by D. Richardson for 1.2 Ghz Wireless Surveillance System
   Rating:
   This camera is good for what it is. It’s relatively inexpensive – don’t expect great video. It’s about being small and discrete. My issue with it is the range – even plugged in with the AC adapter, it can’t reliably deliver an image to the receiver at more than ~30 feet. Upstairs and across the house doesn’t work well.

   For what it costs it’s usable video camera. Actually, it’s amazing considering the size and cost. But set your expectations appropriately.
6. D12 says:

   September 16, 2010 at 2:58 AM

   Review by D12 for Lorex CVC6998HR High Resolution Weatherproof Color Surveillance Camera w/150ft. Night Vision
   Rating:
   I’m shocked at the quality considering I was told not to buy the “big box store” brand of surveillance cameras. This was once a $200 camera so I figure I’d give it a try. Plus it already comes with 60ft of cord.

   Picture: This camera has a very nice picture during the day but the highlight for me and why I bought it was for at night where I can clearly see everything. My target area is pitched black and you can barely see your feet underneath you, but with this camera I can see everything down to the termite bait stations inground. And to think that I was going to put up a motion spotlight to “help aid” the camera see better at night. pfft

   View: This is the part where you must know what you want in a surveillance camera. For me this Lorex CVC6998HR model is set up to get close up body shots of my monitoring area, while a separate wide angle camera records the wider aerial shot of the area. This camera has a 1/4 chip with a fixed 8mm lens so the shot will be somewhat tight depending on what you wish to monitor. Within my target viewing area I can clearly see a person’s face, clothes, etc. With this camera you can reasonably monitor an area 15ft +/- wide while the length of the shot depends on how you angle the camera. I was able to see over 100 feet down the strip while fooling around. I personally think this would also make a good camera for a long narrow alley or side parking lot. It is possible to view a larger area with this camera, however you’d need to mount it pretty high and far away(at least 75ft away) from the area you want to monitor which would then eliminate it as a zoomed shot surveillance camera. However, If at the end of the day what you really need is a wide shot then this is not the camera for that job. Wide angle camera lens will probably be 4mm or less with a lot of people using 3.6mm cameras for wider shots.

   Durability: Time will tell
   
   Price: Look around as this camera can be had locally for $100 after rebates.
7. Gardener says:

   September 16, 2010 at 3:19 AM

   Review by Gardener for Lorex CVC6998HR High Resolution Weatherproof Color Surveillance Camera w/150ft. Night Vision
   Rating:
   Very clear visual. Daytime is the best with the view in color, but night is also very clear and the view is black and white. A great buy, now I want to change all my cameras to this model
8. Big Steve says:

   September 16, 2010 at 4:19 AM

   Review by Big Steve for Lorex CVC6998HR High Resolution Weatherproof Color Surveillance Camera w/150ft. Night Vision
   Rating:
   This camera is BIG… It’s also very sturdy. Top quality material. The video quality is awesome in both day and night. The Night vision is insane… Worth the buy!
9. Rodrigo Faustini says:

   September 16, 2010 at 5:11 AM

   Review by Rodrigo Faustini for SE Fake Surveillance Camera with Sensor
   Rating:
   This “camera” works as advertised. Although totally made of plastic, it looks realistic enough (the “lens” is black and reflects some ambient light, like the glass of most cameras out there).

   When it detects moviment nearby, it moves in both directions (that is, it pans back and forth) a couple of times, as the red LED light blinks. It uses three “AA” batteries that can last for several months (assuming it is activated around 4 times a day). There’s an ON/OFF switch outside. No wiring needed for installation (it has an actual white wire behind it, faking its insertion into the wall).

   The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that it doesn’t react to movement everytime. Most times it works, but sometimes it just doesn’t (as if it had an automatic on/off timer). But this is not a big issue because even without moving and blinking, it is still there and do intimidate intruders and thieves sucessfully (well, I hope so). Additionally, one of the 3 units I bought just don’t move or blink at all.

   If you want a fake camera that really looks like an original surveillance camera, look for those models with the lens built-in inside a metal body, without movements, sounds or blinking LEDs.
10. Alice Burley says:

    September 16, 2010 at 5:47 AM

    Review by Alice Burley for SE Fake Surveillance Camera with Sensor
    Rating:
    I bought 6 of these cameras for our various offices and they are very noisy. They move alot, but due to the noise they make one would not be able to use them in an office environment. When they move back and forth they don’t really focus at the person who activated the motion sensor, so that appeared to be very unrealistic. Their appearance from a distance might fool some, but they look very much like a toy.
11. Pretty much amazing says:

    September 16, 2010 at 6:17 AM

    Review by Pretty much amazing for SE Fake Surveillance Camera with Sensor
    Rating:
    I bought this as a joke at work. It’s hilarious! It is a little loud. This one messed up after about an hour and started clicking when it rotated. For my use, that only made it better.
12. Carl Jr. LeRoy says:

    September 16, 2010 at 6:23 AM

    Review by Carl Jr. LeRoy for SE Fake Surveillance Camera with Sensor
    Rating:
    I used to be in Security observation, serving convenience stores. I bought one just to try out and it works good! it is not infared so it will not detect movement in low light levels.it uses a electric photo eye, detects changes in light. will detect at least 20 feet away. I’m going to reorder. thanks !
13. M. Morris says:

    September 16, 2010 at 7:12 AM

    Review by M. Morris for SE Fake Surveillance Camera with Sensor
    Rating:
    I tried to use these cameras outside and they are not suitable for that. You have to be very close to the sensor (5′) before the camera starts moving and at that distance anyone familiar with surveillance cameras will probably spot these as fakes. The sensors quit working within a matter of months, but once again I had them outside.
14. Cynthia Early says:

    September 16, 2010 at 7:28 AM

    Review by Cynthia Early for Defender PHOENIX1C Additional Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera for the PHOENIX1 Video Security System (Black)
    Rating:
    We use the product with 2 cameras. We needed something that would allow us to have some visibility of the front door and driveway when we were in a location of the house without front windows. This product allows us to quickly and easily view without going to the front of the house. If exterior lights are on the night view is pretty good, otherwise it is about 8 to 10 feet from the camera with the night vision. We have the monitor set up to the TV to enlarge the view. Based on weather and other external factors the picture may be fuzzy at times…but definately clear enough for what view is needed. We are very pleased with the purchase and would recomend.
15. stirling conrad says:

    September 16, 2010 at 8:11 AM

    Review by stirling conrad for Defender PHOENIX1C Additional Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera for the PHOENIX1 Video Security System (Black)
    Rating:
    I use this system in my check cashing store. It allows me to see and hear whats going on at the front counter from my back office or from next door.The roaming capabilities are good. I can walk to the end of my plaza and still have a good video image. It also allows for a 2nd camera.
16. Elmo's Mom says:

    September 16, 2010 at 8:18 AM

    Review by Elmo’s Mom for Defender PHOENIX1C Additional Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera for the PHOENIX1 Video Security System (Black)
    Rating:
    Purchased this product based on other customer feedback. Unfortunately, I ended up returning this product through my own fault – I did not realize that the camera required easy access to an outdoor outlet and the wire with each camera is only 6 feet in length. I did get in touch with the vendor’s customer service department, who responded immediately. One option would have been to mount the camera to the inside of a window frame if the window had clear glass. In my case, the clearance was too narrow to allow this. I can tell you that the equipment appeared to be extremely well made and the customer service department is extremely responsive.
17. Shaun Andrews says:

    September 16, 2010 at 8:59 AM

    Review by Shaun Andrews for Defender PHOENIX1C Additional Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera for the PHOENIX1 Video Security System (Black)
    Rating:
    I own two of these cameras and I use them as baby monitors for my twins. They’re great, and the night vision is a great plus! Works from across the house and even out to the patio with minimal interference. We have WiFi throughout the house and a wireless phone, and they don’t cause any noticeable interference with the video or audio.
18. B. Armour says:

    September 16, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    Review by B. Armour for Defender PHOENIX1C Additional Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera for the PHOENIX1 Video Security System (Black)
    Rating:
    This security system is only good for daytime inside use. The night vision is not good (blurry vision in the monitor). The purpose for me wanting it is for night vision outside, so i could see who is in my driveway at night time because i live in the county area.
19. Stephen Lerch says:

    September 16, 2010 at 10:05 AM

    Review by Stephen Lerch for LOREX LW2301 4-Channel Wireless Quad Surveillance System with Digital Video Recorder & 1 Indoor/Outdoor Motion Camera
    Rating:
    For the record, I also own the Logitech WiLife Digital Video Security–Hidden Master System Camera so I can do some comparisons for setup and picture quality and features.

    The Lorex is extremely easy to setup. You just have to plug in the base station device, plug in and mount the camera, insert the memory card and you’re all but done with setup. At least physical setup. Before you allow the receiver to go on recording, you will want to set it up using the on screen menus (you must use the supplied AV cable and connect to a TV for this). This device uses composite connections for video/audio to your TV. Using the remote, press the menu button. From here you can easily pair a new device (if you have more than one camera; if just one camera the DVR and the camera are already paired), setup a schedule for recording (say if you want to record a specific place 24/7 or just during an 8 hour day), adjust the date/time and so on. Everything is rather simple and shouldn’t be too difficult to understand.

    The picture quality. I find that the quality of the picture, even with perfect signal strength from the camera, isn’t that great. The images are washed out. Before you say “well it IS a security camera,” this is an instance where I can compare this device to the Logitech Wi-Life system. The camera with the Wi-Life system auto adjusts it’s colors whereas and looks decent; this device seems to only have a single setting and the images are OK to messy. Black shirts appear washed out blue which doesn’t happen with the Wi-Life.

    One thing this system has when compared to the Wi-Life, other than a better starting price, is a camera with built in infrared imaging. The Wi-Life has infrared only as a kind of expensive add on. With the Lorex system, this option is part of the system. The images from infrared are very good (they are black and white, but that’s the nature of infrared).

    Another thing this system has over the Wi-Life system is it doesn’t require a PC to record. The Wi Life will ONLY record if you have it paired to software installed on a PC. I have a laptop setup in my house, hidden, that does my Wi-Life recording for me.

    One thing the Wi-Life has that this system does not however is remote viewing. I can sit in my office at work, log into the Wi-Life system using Logitech’s software, and see what is going on with any of the cameras setup around my house. With the Lorex, there is no such feature available on this model. You have to have the device with you or have the memory card with you. The Wi-Life can also be setup to email you if there is motion detected, another feature the Lorex system clearly lacks.

    I have, however, experienced some issues with this unit. First, there seems to be a short in my power cable for the DVR. Any movement can cause the system to cycle power. This brings me to my second problem. I didn’t realize this was happening and I removed the included memory card… while it was rebooting, and it has apparently damaged the card to the point of no longer being recognized as a device either in the DVR itself or in my PC. I plan on contacting their customer service department to see what can be done.

    Before deciding on this system or the Wi-Life, decide on what features you need. If remote viewing/access is required, this is NOT the system for you. If recording in the dark is required and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, purchase this system. If you already have a PC you leave on all day, the Wi-Life may be the better option. If you don’t want to invest in a new computer and leave it on all day, the Lorex is the way to go.

    Either system will allow you to copy files to another media (CD, DVD, USB stick, etc) to hand off to law enforcement in case the unthinkable does happen. Picture quality on either system is OK and detailed enough to ID someone as well. The only difference is the Lorex is cheaper but also lacks some features found on the Wi Life.

    Over all I’m satisfied with the product. I will likely keep my Wi Life system setup but augment it with the Lorex for areas I don’t want/need remote viewing.

    For me, as long as I can get
20. Andre Lawrence says:

    September 16, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    Review by Andre Lawrence for LOREX LW2301 4-Channel Wireless Quad Surveillance System with Digital Video Recorder & 1 Indoor/Outdoor Motion Camera
    Rating:
    Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R28JDPO0FJ1WVQ * Initial Inspection and Setup
    
    ** Items needed and Optional Recommendations
    
    *** Testing & Results
    
    **** Conclusion

    Lorex’ Wireless System (#LW2301) is a relatively compact surveillance system. It has very few pieces including an indoor/outdoor-”Nightvision” camera, a digital receiver with an RCA stereo output, 2 GB harddrive and an assortment of mounting accessories.

    * I found the installation pretty straightforward and not really needing to consult the manual. However, there is a need for the manual if you elect to attach several (optional) cameras to the system.

    Other than a hammer or a screwdriver to nail the camera’s wall mount, there’s no other mandatory tool you’ll need to get the basic system up and running in a matter of 10 minutes max.

    ** If, as I stated in the video, that you have one of those older model TVs’ that you’re going to use as the monitor, then you’ll need a mono-stereo input converter, which is about $20, to be able to receive the signal from the camera to the receiver.

    I’d also recommend, a UPS (a portable battery backup unit)–prices range from $35- $200 with the median around $60.

    *** When deciding how to use the system, I found it important, especially if you’re considering it for home use to think about where you want to have strict surveillance. If you want to be alerted when someone is just outside your home, the camera must be placed outside. I made an interesting discovery during the first day of testing. I mounted the camera in the foyer with the backdoor several feet away. The foyer is separated by several full-length glass that opens up to the outside. With the camera aimed directly outside past the foyer (with a clear shot of roughly 50′), the camera would stream people going by but wouldn’t recognize them even someone who was directly on the opposite side of the open glass door to the foyer. It was not until the person walked in that the system recognized them. This is not a negative criticism but an observation as to the limits of the system.

    I also wasn’t terribly impressed with the resolution of the image saved on the receiver’s harddrive. As you can see in the video, the image of the person walking by and setting off the alarm (me!) wasn’t sharp despite my being no more than a foot away from the camera.

    **** For what it promises and for the price, I would consider this a good (not a great) buy for a home/ apartment use and maybe for a section of an office in a small business.

    Four stars.
    
21. Margaux Paschke says:

    September 16, 2010 at 10:36 AM

    Review by Margaux Paschke for LOREX LW2301 4-Channel Wireless Quad Surveillance System with Digital Video Recorder & 1 Indoor/Outdoor Motion Camera
    Rating:
    We have just set this system up and it took around 20 minutes to install the camera (you only need a screwdriver) and 10 minutes to get it ready to record. Everything you need to get this indoor/outdoor surveillance is included in the box.

    We installed the camera outside. There are adjustment knobs to help get the exact view you want. The system tells you if your camera is out of range and provides signal strength. You better be sure where you want to mount it before you attach it to your house. We could not place the camera exactly where we wanted due to to poor signals so we have an extra set of holes. Ouch. You have the option of setting the camera to record by the motion detection, set times or by pressing a button. We choose the motion sensor option and are happy with it so far. Since we have just started using it, I will provide an updated review.

    The wireless receiver is a thing of beauty. It places nice with our wireless router (Linxys) and the small size makes it convenient for placement. Getting the system up and running is a piece of cake too – you simply plug it into your pc or tv. There is no software for your pc, it is a self contained unit and does not provide for fine tuning. An automatic configuration is what you get and hopefully, it works for you. The picture quality is good, not great. A basic SD card of 16 GB (4-6 hours) is included with the package for video storage but we will be purchasing one with larger memory.

    I have also used Logitech’s Wilife security system. How do they compare? This one is a little cheaper, has a 4 camera capability versus Logitech’s 6, these cameras attach permanently while Logitech also has suction cup option (but this only works indoors and doesn’t always work well), this camera appears sturdier but video quality seems about the same. The Logitech Wilife has more options in their software but this one can be used on a computer or tv and is ready to record after being plugged in. I would recommend either one for homeowners or small business owners for added security.

    This system is very easy to set up and recommend it for any DIYers, no real skill required. I do not recommend it for use inside homes, you can purchase cheaper systems that don’t need to be screwed into walls for monitoring.
22. T. Hintz says:

    September 16, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    Review by T. Hintz for LOREX LW2301 4-Channel Wireless Quad Surveillance System with Digital Video Recorder & 1 Indoor/Outdoor Motion Camera
    Rating:
    I bought the Lorex LW2301 based on several reviews and a friends experience with it. The unit itself is pretty good. The video is passable and the features in the reciever are good.
    
    My problem came because of aluminum siding interferring with the signal and I wanted to see if there was a way to extend the antenna a small amount to get it in past the siding and closer to the receiver. After waiting on the customer service line for 15 minutes I got a foreign sounding woman that said I needed to buy a range extender even though the camera and receiver were less than two feet apart. (That didn;t say much to the reputed 450 ft range) I sent an email to the customer service address provided on their web site and now a few days later still have received no response.
    
    I finally got in touch with another friend who has installed similar units professionally and he got it sorted out. It now works fine, no thanks to Lorex. They appear very happy to take your money and to sell you anything else they can if you call back but when it comes to listening to the customer, not so much – if you can get them at all.
23. I. R. Smart. says:

    September 16, 2010 at 11:15 AM

    Review by I. R. Smart. for LOREX LW2301 4-Channel Wireless Quad Surveillance System with Digital Video Recorder & 1 Indoor/Outdoor Motion Camera
    Rating:
    The Lorex LW2301 wireless camera system is easy to setup and use. It has a basic set of features that limit its application. It is a very good system for in-premises monitoring.

    Setup

    Unpacking and setting up the system is quick. For testing, I was able to have the system up and runnning in about 30 minutes. This excludes proper mounting/installation for actual usage.

    The package includes everything you need to connect the system using a display (display not included). Once the base unit and camera were powered on, they paired automatically.

    Features

    The built-in IR motion sensor on the camera is a great feature. Other systems I have used rely only on the captures image, which can take processing time and is less accurate. The IR motion sensor range is wider than the camera view point, so motion is detected before the subject enters view,which is nice for a security system.

    The base unit needs to be connected to a display that has composite vide input. This allows for connectivity with most TVs and monitor. The low resolution of the composite connection limits image quality. The user interface (UI) has a basic set of options that are navigated using directional arrows in both the unit and a remote control included in the package. The UI uses icons. Most are intuitive; some require referencing the user manual.

    Recording can be done manually, by schedule and by motion detection.

    The package includes a remote control. The remote is small and not very responsive. I had to hold it with one hand and press keys with the other to get it to respond. I found myself utilizing the base unit controls to avoid the frustration with the remote.

    Conclusion

    The camera system’s main strenght is its simplicity. For monitoring a small room or building entrance, it works well. It avoids complex software and computer setup. The system is not suited for remote monitoring and instant event notification or alerts because it is self-contained with no connectivity. It is not designed for remote security monitoring. This is its BIGGEST downfall, and why you can’t rely on it when you’re away from the business/store etc. What this means is that if someone breaks into your house/store etc when you’re NOT there, you’ll have no idea it happened. Yes, the Lorex will record it, but if the Lorex gets stolen during the break-in, that won’t help you.

    If you are looking for simple local monotoring and record-keeping video, this is a low cost, easy-to-use option. No remote access means it loses a star. But you could certainly do a lot worse!

    4/5
24. David J. Leonard says:

    September 16, 2010 at 11:36 AM

    Review by David J. Leonard for Lorex LW2701AC1 Interference-Free Wireless Accessory Camera Surveillance System (Black)
    Rating:
    I bought the 2 camera system and this camera is Super! Yes you have to run a wire to power it (Duh!). But the signal is sent via 2.4ghz. RF (the wireless part). You can mount the little DVR anywhere that you can get reception. I have mine down in the Den next to my recliner, but, you can move it easily if you need to monitor from, say, the kitchen. The two way “intercom” is nice to have!

    If you need power outage protection, you will need to install a ups power outlet for each camera (use one for a computer and hook the camera supply into the outlet from the ups)

    I set up the system and installed 2 cameras in an afternoon without any stress. It did take a little planning, but, it was really straightforward.

    It is a lot cheaper than the multi thousand dollar systems. And the pictures (even after dark) are spectacular!
25. A. Andella says:

    September 16, 2010 at 12:19 PM

    Review by A. Andella for Lorex LW2701AC1 Interference-Free Wireless Accessory Camera Surveillance System (Black)
    Rating:
    this camera is not wireless you still need to plug it in wicth meens if your power goes out so does the camera and the is not a secure camera I ordered this camera and was not happy to find the wire coming out the back. They make it look like on the picture there is no wire but there is, so buyer beware! I found what i was looking for in wireless with Vuezone!!
26. Duane Starkey says:

    September 16, 2010 at 12:22 PM

    Review by Duane Starkey for Defender SENTINEL11 4 CH H.264 15-Inch LCD-DVR Security System with Mobile Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras
    Rating:
    this is a work of art, has the night vision that is so clear and awesome, this really is an awesome device, its kinda hard to work with cuz it has so much gadgets and info but it all in deed is worth the effort to try and figure out cuz with zoom night vision recording memory the device has a lot to offer and for its price the cheapest i had found its damn well worth it
27. M. Rae says:

    September 16, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    Review by M. Rae for Defender SENTINEL11 4 CH H.264 15-Inch LCD-DVR Security System with Mobile Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras
    Rating:
    I needed a system that was easy to install and use. The Sentinel 11 was that and more. The night vision is awesome and the clarity of the images are great. It took about 6 hours to set the system up, but that was only because we had to crawl in a very tight ceiling to get it done. After one camera was installed, everything else was easy. The system can be viewed from anywhere you are. There are lots of features with this system that make it user friendly. Compared to the more expensive brand this affordable system is up to par and on the same level as those costly systems. I researched the Axis brand and came across Defender and I am more than happy that I chose this system. Like I said, it is an awesome security system. Great product!
28. Armen Mikaelian says:

    September 16, 2010 at 1:36 PM

    Review by Armen Mikaelian for Defender SENTINEL11 4 CH H.264 15-Inch LCD-DVR Security System with Mobile Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras
    Rating:
    I bought 2 of this system because of the 5 star reviews but apparently I didn’t get as lucky as the other guys who bought this troublesome system. Comes withuseless, cheap screws…almost every single one broke half way in even when the holes were pre-drilled. I had to leave some of them in to not damage the plastic mounting base. Hopefully the camera won’t fall off. Image quality is decent but not impressive. after 1 hour of rain one of the “outdoor” cameras burned out and was filled with water on the inside. 24/7 customer support is non-existent…no one ever picks up the phone. I would not buy this again.
29. James Richardson says:

    September 16, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    Review by James Richardson for Defender SENTINEL11 4 CH H.264 15-Inch LCD-DVR Security System with Mobile Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras
    Rating:
    I’ve always been daunted by installing a security system. Going to the local Fry’s had different cameras, power connections, Recorders, monitors, and SW. I was not sure what would work with what. I received the Defender and set it up in a couple of minutes (to test everything). Then ran the cables and now I have a good home monitoring system. Everything works as planned. The phone access is a bit weak but I’m sure this will get better over time.

    I highly recommend this product.
30. B. Kirby says:

    September 16, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    Review by B. Kirby for Defender SENTINEL11 4 CH H.264 15-Inch LCD-DVR Security System with Mobile Phone Access and 4 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Cameras
    Rating:
    About two weeks after the install two of three outdoor cameras fogged up. When I called support they told me to return the cameras or just remove the lense caps and wipe the moisture from inside. I removed the covers and wiped the lenses and in about a week they became covered again. If I am having rpoblems in November I can’t imagine what it’ll be like in July and August.

    The young lady in support has sent me an RMA-I’ll start there and let you know how it goes.
31. JRB says:

    September 16, 2010 at 3:23 PM

    Review by JRB for Defender PHOENIX1EX Wireless Video Security System with Portable LCD Monitor and 2 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera with Clear Signal Technology
    Rating:
    I’ve been using this for 2 months and it works as described. Set up is extremely easy. I didn’t encounter any interference from my other wireless devices which are numerous. I have a camera mounted by each entrance door. One is outside and has been exposed to heavy rains and continues to work fine. The night vision isn’t great, but I didn’t expect it to be. Batteries don’t last for more than 3-4 hours so it’s not a good solution if you don’t have a nearby power outlet, but it’s probably perfect for a portable baby monitor. The only complaint I have is that they don’t make extensions for the AC power adaptors. The 6.5 ft cord wasn’t long enough for either of my installations. It would have been much easier with a longer adaptor cord.

    Update 1/21/2010 Both units have continued to work well when temps fell into the single digits. I had to make an enclosure for the outdoor camera. Snow kept getting on the lens cover and then refreezing. The enclosure is a cheap plastic cup. I just cut a hole in the end, slid it on the front, and used my friend Mr Duct Tape to make sure it doesn’t blow off. I suggest making an enclosure for any outdoor installation to keep the lens cover dry. If it gets wet the video will be blurry until it dries.

    Update 8/26/10 The cameras continue to work great. I found the easiest way to weatherproof is to slip on a piece of foam pipe insulation. The foam tubes with a 1 1/4″ inside diameter fit perfectly. Those are the ones sold for insulating 1″ pipe. You can find pipe insulation at any hardware store for $1-2 per 6 foot length. Snip off a 4″ piece, slide it over the entire camera and adjust so it doesn’t obstruct the field of view. Leave as much extending past the lens as possible.
32. B. Moore says:

    September 16, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    Review by B. Moore for Defender PHOENIX1EX Wireless Video Security System with Portable LCD Monitor and 2 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera with Clear Signal Technology
    Rating:
    buying this product was my first attempt of adding security cameras to my exterior of my house.
    
    I tested out them inside the house first, with the reciever very close, however when I took the camera’s outside.
    
    the signal quality going to the reciever was non existant, I tried over the next few days, never was able to get a clear and acceptable picture. I like the features of the product, but I was never able to get a reliable signal.
    
    I ended up a few months later, finding the logitech wilife system, sold on amazon, and even though it cost alot more. it actually is a better system then PhoenixEX.
33. E. Ward says:

    September 16, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    Review by E. Ward for Defender PHOENIX1EX Wireless Video Security System with Portable LCD Monitor and 2 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera with Clear Signal Technology
    Rating:
    Camera’s are to be indoor/outdoor. I tried to use them outdoors but during rain the camera gets wet and stops working. The camera’s are also wireless which works ok up to about 25 feet past that very poor reception. I would not buy this item for the price.
34. M. Joreski says:

    September 16, 2010 at 4:14 PM

    Review by M. Joreski for Defender PHOENIX1EX Wireless Video Security System with Portable LCD Monitor and 2 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera with Clear Signal Technology
    Rating:
    If you plan on using this in anything but sunlight don’t buy it. The night viewing is limited to 4 feet in front of you and a circle about a foot in diameter. With indoor lighting the picture is dim and the colors are off. I should have paid attention to the other reviews.
35. Peter Wilson says:

    September 16, 2010 at 4:48 PM

    Review by Peter Wilson for Defender PHOENIX1EX Wireless Video Security System with Portable LCD Monitor and 2 Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera with Clear Signal Technology
    Rating:
    Range was stated to be 75 feet, but it is barely 50 feet. Also, I was trying to use the cameras indoors facing out windows; the IR LEDs (they automatically turn on at night) are so bright they reflect off the inside of the window panes, making the cameras unusable at night.

    They’re going back to Amazon.
36. Snowstorm says:

    September 16, 2010 at 5:30 PM

    Review by Snowstorm for TRENDnet SecurView Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP110 (Silver)
    Rating:
    I bought two of these cameras two month ago. The product itself is OK if you plan to use it in a small room. The quality is mediocre for objects located over 20 ft. away, and the objects seem to be much further away then they really are. The software for this camera (SecurView) is very unstable and I could not set up e-mail function to work properly. I also use IP201 camera from Trendnet, and that one is sold with IPViewPro software. Neither TV-IP110 works with IPViewPro, nor TV-IP201 works with SecurView software, so it’s a one big mess. Using my basic HTML skills I ended up creating a web page that I run from my PC to see all my cameras (two TV-IP110, one TV-IP100, and one TV-IP201) on one page. Also, I had to buy another program (Active Webcam) to manage my cameras without headache. Again, the focus in very poor on anything over 20 ft away.
37. Andrew Arnold says:

    September 16, 2010 at 6:08 PM

    Review by Andrew Arnold for TRENDnet SecurView Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP110 (Silver)
    Rating:
    I bought two of these cameras and set them up inside my home after several houses in my neighborhood were burglarized. I own mostly Macs and I am using the excellent EvoCam software by Evological to manage the cameras and allow me to view them via the web on a single web page. This software allows for more flexibility in responding to motion detection. For example, using an AppleScript I can queue intimidating music on my home stereo. One of the cameras is hardwired to my Time Capsule. The other is connected to an Airport Express (also used for AirTunes). These cameras do not offer good quality images in low-light conditions, however, motion detection still works very well, which is all that I need. One of the reviewers essentially complained that Trendnet was not able to help them configure their home network for them. You cannot expect a company that sold you a budget camera to then provide you with IT training. If you don’t know the difference between a LAN and a WAN or what a port number is, then hire your son’s techie friend to install these for you.
38. Darnell Wiley says:

    September 16, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    Review by Darnell Wiley for TRENDnet SecurView Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP110 (Silver)
    Rating:
    I bought this camera to replace a Linksys WVC54GC that I had for 3 years. The Linksys never did work correctly. (I could only get the e-mail alerts if I said “no video”. But it DID make the video. I ended up writing a batch file that sent me any videos it found once a minute. But the number of false alarms…JESUS!) But it did give me peace of mind after my break in.

    The IP110 has WAY more features AND it cost less. But ooohhh you need almost a degree in networking to configure it. I exchanged a couple of e-mail with tech support before I got everything working. The manual needs work. I experienced the hanging and it losing the time when I was configuring it on my own. But once everything was configured correctly, it has been trouble-free.

    Two notes for buyers:
    
    1. This camera sends photos, not videos. Even the FTP just sends photos. It will MAKE motion detector-triggered videos, but it doesn’t send them. I could use the batch file to send the videos like I use to, but the motion detector photos are fast and reliable. I can connect to the camera remotely from work in less than 10 seconds.

    2. The manual talks about a Schedule Profile and a Motion Detector profile. The Motion Detector profile is self-explanatory. The Schedule Profile is used to have the camera e-mail photos constantly during a certain time period REGARDLESS of the motion detector. Not sure what the point of that is.

    But overall I am very satisfied.
39. Kristina L. Waters says:

    September 16, 2010 at 7:32 PM

    Review by Kristina L. Waters for TRENDnet SecurView Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP110 (Silver)
    Rating:
    I agree that the quality is not ‘that’ great, but i’m not sure what people are expecting at this price range. All I wanted was something to allow me to keep an eye on the inside of my house and my animals while I’m at work. This fits the bill fine at a very affordable price. I have one very long room that the camera works much better for, in the smaller room where i have one, it’s tough to position the camera to get a good view of the room, so I can only get a portion. May want to consider something else if it’s a fairly small space.
40. Sri P. Rangarajan says:

    September 16, 2010 at 8:25 PM

    Review by Sri P. Rangarajan for TRENDnet SecurView Internet Surveillance Camera TV-IP110 (Silver)
    Rating:
    I bought this camera as a security measure to monitor my home when I was away. Could not set up the camera remotely. It works fine when on home network. Numerous call and after spending over 4 hours with tech support, still was unable to resolve the issue.

    The tech support keeps saying open the port on your router and even after it is opened, it still is not viewable from a remote location. The manual is HOPELESS, does not talk anything about configuring from a remote location, setup of a static IP address, opening ports on the router nothing. Ultimately, tech support falls back on their excuse of “we cannot help with other routers”. Isn’t the camera supposed to work with any router and not just a Trendnet router? I will be happy if they stop playing this chicken and egg game and produce an IP camera that is easy to operate remotely without someone having any EXPERT networking knowledge. They advertise it as a networking camera, but nothing more than a nanny cam that can only be viewed on the home network.
41. M. Hill says:

    September 16, 2010 at 8:57 PM

    Review by M. Hill for Lorex LH108321C8B 8-Camera Network Video Surveillance System with 320GB H.264 DVR (Black)
    Rating:
    My intended use for the eight camera system is home monitoring. The capability of watching my home from other locations is an important feature I plan to utilize. This is my first video monitored security system, so my comments will reflect only my observations of this equipment. I have three PCs in my home on a local area network connected to the Internet with a wireless router. I will be attaching the system to a 22 inch monitor.

    After unpacking the box I plugged the DVR into the wall and then connected it to my router with the supplied Ethernet cable. Then I plugged the power supply for the eight cameras into the wall and plugged it into the back of the DVR and attached a camera to it. Then I inserted the DVD into my computer thinking it might have some essential software on it I found four buttons, one for the” user manual ” (a hard copy of the manual is included in the box,) “acrobat reader” (if not already loaded on your computer so you can read the manual,) “warranty information” and “buy accessories.”

    When I plugged the DVR into the router it automatically got a network address and then I put the address in Internet Explorer and a log in screen appeared on my monitor. Passwords are disabled as a default, but I’m sure I will change that setting so it requires a password. When completely installed, the screen shows frames for each of the eight cameras.

    The first camera I set up was in a pitch black room (it was evening. I wanted to test the night vision. As soon as someone approached the doorway they appeared on the monitor with the entire room illuminated on the screen. In night vision’s usual black and white, at a distance of 12-14 feet, a face was clearly visible and identifiable. Frankly, I was wowed — this was one of those “isn’t technology amazing” moments. Next, after temporarily mounting all the cameras, I checked the playback (recording) feature on each camera (automatic default)to ensure that feature was working. So, far, no problems.

    Next I needed to get a personal web address to view the cameras remotely from the Internet. On page 44 of the instruction manual the Lorex DDNS website is noted. Once there, I was prompted for my MAC (media access control) address found by going to the “main menu,” selecting “advance” and then “info.” At that time, a customer server name will also be selected. Perhaps this is obvious, but for security purposes, it would be wise to use something other than the address of the property. The equipment will also be registered at this time, along with a password, user name, etc. After that process is complete, an email will arrive from Lorex with some additional information that is needed to be entered into the DVR to maintain the DDNS connection.

    Note, port 80 is used to view the cameras from the Internet outside of your home/business network. The problem is some people may already be using port 80 to host their own website. If you want to change it to a different port, there is information on Lorex’s website on how to configure your router to forward to a different port. Then to configure the DVR to use the forwarded port, the instructions are in the user manual – Appendix C. Go to the main menu displayed on the monitor and select “advance”, “network” and then use the mouse to change the web port from 0080 to something else. Select a number larger than 1024, in order to avoid using a port that may be in use by one of your other devices. Then to monitor your security cameras from the internet, enter your personal web address and follow it with a colon and the new port number. I checked the set-up from a remote address and it worked perfectly – it looked the same as viewing it on a web browser on the local area network.

    Turning the DVR off is a two step process, and it isn’t described well in the manual. And, the process isn’t intuitive. First hold the button on either the DVR or remote control down until the DVR goes into standby mode which is reflected on the monitor. In standby mode the screen is blank but the lights are still illuminated on the DVR, so to complete the off process hold the power key in until the DVR lights go out and the fan goes off. If you just push the power button on the DVR in and then let go, nothing happens.

    If the DVR needs to be disconnected or in the event of a power loss, all of the changes in settings will be lost, including the time and address. Purchasing a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) and plugging the DVR into it is an essential step to protect against power surges and power loss to ensure continuous recording and avoid repeated re-configuration. And, obviously, the user should not frivilously disconnect the system once it is set up.

    Batteries are included with the remote control. Note: there are no buttons on the remote control that light-up so when the batteries are dead it will be a matter of trial and error to determine they need to be replaced. I found the remote had to be aimed straight at the DVR. It didn’t respond well if the remote was pointed slightly above, below or to the side.

    There is no way to mount the camera in a fixed position where it won’t move. No matter what I tried there was always a little play. So, if installed outside, a camera will be vulnerable to a strong wind, an object being hurled at it or even a stick being poked at it, so if possible mount the cameras in a sheltered location.

    There is approximately 30 inches of cable attached to the camera that is then plugged into the 60 foot cable. For exterior installations, that section of cable needs to be installed inside a wall because the connections aren’t weatherproof. Some security cameras run the cable through the mounting bracket so it isn’t exposed at the installation site, and thus it is protected from both the elements and an intruder who can simply cut the cable to steal or disarm the camera. That is not the case with this camera, so there is ample reason to install as much as the cable into the wall as possible, leaving little exposed at the installation site.

    The stated temperature range for operation is 4 below zero to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. For my purposes this is an issue because in Colorado, it occasionally gets colder than 4 below. So, my cameras will be installed inside the property aimed through windows. One of the photos I attached shows the monitor with four of the cameras installed. The poorest quality of the group is the one on the upper right corner (camera 2) which is currently pointed through a window screen. That camera will ultimately be installed through clear glass, but I included it because even through the window screen, the picture on my monitor is clear and impressive. That street is 135 feet from the camera. For reference, the distances for each of the remaining three shots on the monitor measured from where the camera is mounted to the picture on the screen are 12 feet, 14 feet and the 25 feet. The 25 foot shot is the one pictured in the single monitor screen photograph, and it is quite clear.

    Other than plugging in the DVR, no electricity is required in connecting the cameras, so if you have access either through an attic or basement, and a tool to thread the cables through your walls and a drill, it is a viable do-it-yourself project. Dropping the cables through the wall and fishing them down into an unfinished basement and then to the DVR will, in some locations, require more than the included 60 foot cables. On the website, additional 60 foot cables can be purchased for $24.99 each plus $4.50 for the connector needed to attach the two cables together.

    Ultimately I am impressed with this system. Granted, it isn’t a commercial grade set-up, but for a homeowner, the price is very reasonable and the cameras have a strikingly clear picture, even in pitch black applications. The downside for me is the temperature range, which although broad, isn’t quite broad enough for me to safely install the cameras outside. Exterior installation in Colorado might always be an issue considering the number of snowstorms experienced each winter. The cameras might be frequently covered in snow and not provide helpful pictures even if the temperature range permitted installation.

    The cameras work beautifully, and the computer set up was smooth. I haven’t attempted to contact customer support so I can’t speak to their responsiveness. For me, the wiring issue was minor, but that may or may not be an issue depending upon the installation site. So, far I am very pleased with the system. The ability to check on my dogs and my house remotely, and when home, being able to see who is approaching my driveway and front door, is to me invaluable. I don’t know how the system will hold up over time, but I will update the review if I run into any problems.
    
42. ~Z~ says:

    September 16, 2010 at 9:14 PM

    Review by ~Z~ for Lorex LH108321C8B 8-Camera Network Video Surveillance System with 320GB H.264 DVR (Black)
    Rating:
    Let me start off by saying we have a small business that consists of a used car lot and repair shop. Every once in a while we have items stolen from cars on the lot or find that someone had dumped their garbage in our dumpsters. The Lorex LH108321C8B 8-Camera Network Video Surveillance System hopefully is going to put a stop to the invaders.

    After opening and inspecting the items in the box, we decided where we would set up the cameras to have the best visibility on the premises. We began installing the cameras at 10am and we finished by 3pm. Installation was simple and did not involve any really hard work except drilling holes into the aluminum siding and feeding the camera cables to an upstairs office. Only two screws mount the cameras. The only negative comment I can say about the installation is that the knob to secure the cameras does not “finger” tightened every well. When a strong breeze flew by, the camera would move. We used a wrench to tighten the position of the camera but made sure not to strip it. We connected the DVR to a 20″ computer monitor by using an HDMI connector cable. We were impressed with the quality of the images. Colors are vivid and no really noticeable fuzziness. The only thing we noticed with the images is that scenes directly in front of the camera are crystal clear but as you look further past it starts to become less clear. We could not wait to see how the night vision worked. The next morning we reviewed the previous night’s recording. It only used 47GB of the hard drive after 18 hours of continuous use. You do have the options of setting up specific times you want the video to record so you use less space on the hard drive. The night vision worked well except in areas where there was floodlights or streetlights. The images from those cameras were fuzzy. Just make sure to mount the cameras in areas that the camera view is not directly facing some type of night lighting. When reviewing the video you are able to pause it and zoom in on images. The DVR interface is extremely easy to navigate. You can select your options manually by using the buttons on the DVR or use the included mouse.

    I cannot really comment on the remote access options since we do not intend to use those features. However I will mention that I found it amusing how the instructions had a little picture and stated if you had to be highly skilled for certain connections. Included a one long ground cable which we had no clue where to put it since the directions did not mention it.

    The unit only comes with one “warning premises under 24 hour video surveillance” sticker. I wanted to have one warning sticker on all four sides of the building. You are able to purchase additional stickers, cable extensions and accessories directly from the manufacturers website. I ended up buying generic stickers and you can get them really cheap from Amazon, here is the link Security System Warning Stickers, 4-Pack.

    Overall, great camera system for a home or small business. Easy to install and operate.
43. J. Davila says:

    September 16, 2010 at 9:26 PM

    Review by J. Davila for Lorex LH108321C8B 8-Camera Network Video Surveillance System with 320GB H.264 DVR (Black)
    Rating:
    I chose this system because everyone said it was easy to install (2 hrs), but I found the hard way that that statement depends on how your home was built. The back right side of my home was terrible! The corner had double insulation & some thing keeps blocking the passing a cable through the ceiling. I had to change the placement of cameras to overcome this problem which took me all day just to end up putting the installation on hold. Otherwise the system is good, I tested the cameras before installing and I like the fact I will have a full-time DNS to monitor it over the web. But that too, I will have to wait and see. There is one thing I do not like about the system. That is; the pictures depicting the cameras is misleading. I cannot install the cameras to the ceiling, plus the description leads you to believe the cameras have audio. When you go the user manual it is clear the cameras are NOT audio capable, so there is no audio with this system. I will update this posting after I complete the installation. But this is NOT an EASY install by any means! Amazon needs to make sure the photos provided by the vendors is an accurate depiction of the product being sold. These cameras are depicted one way, but when you get the item they are different. CAUTION!
44. June E. Seto says:

    September 16, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    Review by June E. Seto for Lorex LH108321C8B 8-Camera Network Video Surveillance System with 320GB H.264 DVR (Black)
    Rating:
    My brother called me after he visited Fry’s in Seattle. He said that Lorex was top of the line for home security cameras per a sales persone he spoke to at Fry’s. This was a fantastic price from Amazon and the shipping was free. My son installed it over the course of a week (planning where to place the cameras, etc.) and this system is great. The clarity is amazing both day and night. It’s easy to operate for playback and we haven’t had any problems at all. Hopefully if anyone comes on our property again, we can get a good pic to give to the police!
45. Electronics Nut says:

    September 16, 2010 at 9:46 PM

    Review by Electronics Nut for Lorex LH108321C8B 8-Camera Network Video Surveillance System with 320GB H.264 DVR (Black)
    Rating:
    This unit works but has two downsides that would make me not buy it again:

    When the fan comes on it sounds like a blender. I called Lorex and they don’t have a solution. They say I can replace the fan with a quieter model at my expense. They also said that they were working on a firmware upgrade to lower the speed of the fan to descrease the racket- but I’ve checked their site twice in 2 months and no such offering.

    Also, I’m not a camera expert, but the image is fuzzy on the recording. I doubt a face could be recognized at more than 20 feet even though the range is claimed to be much more. Lorex said “you must have forgotten to remove the protective film covering on the camera lenses” but my cameras were shipped in baggies that had no such film covering on the lenses.
46. Andrew J. Hogan says:

    September 16, 2010 at 10:06 PM

    Review by Andrew J. Hogan for Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Security Video Camera -w/2-Way Audio
    Rating:
    Highlights: reasonable value for the money – good hardware, better than WVC200, lousy software – having used it for a few months, I would buy another, but there’s still lots of room for improvement. PTZ: only digital Zoom (not optical – so really, there’s no Zoom, just Pan, Tilt).

    Details: I purchased the camera in December, 2008. Prior to using the WVC210, I’ve used two WVC200s. The 210 is an improvement over the 200 – better color, better image in low light, two-way audio, and I haven’t had to reboot the 210 (the 200s are prone to lockups, occasionally). I use the “Kiwi Syslog Daemon” with all the cameras. And, the 210 audit trail is much improved over the 200. One key logging feature that the 210 has, is the ability to audit who logged in/out (and when) – the 200 does not do this. If you think about infrastructure security, this is a plus for the 210 and a HUGE mark against the 200. Like the 200, the 210 does not do motion detection – they both look at overall light level changes in a defined region. Labeling the function as “motion detection” is false advertising. Two outdoor examples: (1) if you setup a screen region and turn up the sensitivity, changes in sunlight (caused by clouds coming and going) will trigger a false motion-detection event (2) after turning down the gain to eliminate false sunlight triggers, objects (person, dog, car) that appears small at a distance can pass through the region without detection. Both cameras use an ActiveX control to view/listen to video/audio. The problem is, most public internet computers block the install of ActiveX controls, so if you want to check on your camera(s) while on vacation (off site), you better have your laptop along. Additionally, neither the 200 nor 210 accommodate this known shortcoming – for example, both could easily have a firmware upgrade to allow the user to see a snapshot JPG of the current image (when the ActiveX interface is not available) – neither camera has this feature. As for the monitoring software bundled with the 210 and 200 products, here Cisco has done an awful job as it takes over the ownership of these products from Linksys. The “Video Monitoring System v1.0.0.0″ bundled with the 210 is not at all backward compatible with the 200. Adding insult, the interface is user-hostile, not allowing you to size it or move it – it has to be in the upper left corner of the screen and it wastes a lot of screen real-estate. The “Monitor v1.0.0.18″ bundled with the 200 has a smaller footprint and it allows you to size and move the interface. It is forward compatible to the 210, but video only (not audio). It also gives you much more configuration control at your fingertips including volume control and on-the-fly record / stop / playback. In a nutshell, the interface of the old software is much better than the new stuff. If you will have a mix of WVC200 and WVC210 cameras, and if you want to use the monitoring software to record surveillance video, you will have to use the software that comes with the WVC200. You can search for e-pinions by me for reviews of the WVC200 for more details about pros/cons of this family of ip cameras.
47. Dennis F. Colligan says:

    September 16, 2010 at 10:39 PM

    Review by Dennis F. Colligan for Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Security Video Camera -w/2-Way Audio
    Rating:
    Camera works well in low light and color is good. Does not play nice with Windows Vista,,( needs a patch). For the novice user the setup can be difficult. Video can stream to my Smartphone quite well. (Storm). User install and user guide info is incomplete but again if you are above average technically it’s OK. Overall I would say it does what they advertise but you may need help making everything work to it’s capabilities.
48. James E. Tate says:

    September 16, 2010 at 11:11 PM

    Review by James E. Tate for Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Security Video Camera -w/2-Way Audio
    Rating:
    The WVC210 works great in Linux using the ZoneMinder application. (Found in most Linux Repo’s)
    
    Running in Firefox web browser at a IP address
49. Randy W. Abner says:

    September 17, 2010 at 12:04 AM

    Review by Randy W. Abner for Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Security Video Camera -w/2-Way Audio
    Rating:
    I saw the options and the maker of this camera and thought wow – a great deal from a reputable company.

    I was sadly mistaken. the camera software was very lacking. the camera controls were very jerky. the low light quality was terrible. the audio (in/out) was very poor. the ftp application would not work. i returned it.

    kudos to Amazon for handling my refund so cleanly!

    it is a great design idea, but the saying you get what you pay for is true. I will save my pennies for a canon c60(it actually works as advertised but it cost a lot more)…

    thanks
50. Alfred says:

    September 17, 2010 at 12:13 AM

    Review by Alfred for Cisco WVC210 Wireless-G PTZ Internet Security Video Camera -w/2-Way Audio
    Rating:
    I purchased this PTZ wireless internet camera so I could easily watch my home while away (see how our dog is doing in the kennel). It is satisfactory in this capacity. The “Zoom” is not what I expected. There is no optical zoom, only a 2x digital zoom. This only works inside of the browser plug-in that comes with the device. Doing a 2x zoom produces a very grainy image. In my opinion, this is not desirable. The pan/tilt functions work fine as do the 8 preset positions (note that zoom is not presetable). The unit has a fairly sensitive microphone but the squelch level is not adjustable so medium to soft sounds are full of audio dropouts. Color balance, in automatic mode, has a decidedly greenish tint. After several days of operation, the unit will stop streaming video. Fortunately, a “reset” function can be performed remotely which restores normal operation. Normally I use Internet Explorer to access the camera from the Internet (a special plug-in must be installed within IE). The application software (actually hosted by a computer inside the PTZ) is functional though a bit confusing at times. Presets are defined, modes selected, IP addresses configured, even overlaying date/time on the video feed are all settable. When away from a desktop, I use a program called “IP Cam Viewer” on a Google Nexus smartphone to view streaming images from this camera. No audio is supported on the IP Cam Viewer however I can flip among the pre-established presets. (When the camera pans and tilts, it is fairly noisy. This sound is easily heard by anyone in the room.) My setup consists of the CISCO PTZ camera with a wireless connection to a Linksys wireless router located about 40′ away. The router is connected to a cable modem. I opened a port in the router to allow access to the PTZ from the general internet. This all works. One final comment, the “stand” that comes with the unit is non-adjustable and was a real pain. It is designed to hold the PTZ on a desktop so it is angled upwards. I wanted the camera to sit on top of a bookcase and look down into the room. The stand would not allow this position. So I finally had to build my own stand that holds the camera more vertical so I could achieve the downward angle wanted to image the room. Would I buy this again? Probably, but I would take a close look at the marketplace to see what else is there. The misleading claim of zoom capability, the color balance, and inability to preset-with-zoom are drawbacks in my opinion.