External (and internal) wired IP Cameras

Anyone got any experience/recommendations on the above?

Not bothered about one with DVR, I'd rather keep it simple (less to go wrong/set on fire). So just a wired external IP camera system so I can look at my camera anytime anywhere (presuming I have access to the net obviously! ).

Ta

No experience of wired ones but Philips do a great wireless pan and tilt one. Used one of these hidden in the electricity meter box outside the house to try and catch the b@stards that were trying to nick my TT.

You don't have to use an IP camera, you can just use a normal webcam with some security software running on your PC. You will need to open up ports on your router etc to get at it from the internet though. You will also need to use something called dydns if you don't have a static IP.

Sorry if I'm telling you stuff you already know.

Originally Posted by Wilvo

No experience of wired ones but Phillips do a great wireless pan and tilt one. Used one of these hidden in the electricity meter box outside the house to try and catch the b@stards that were trying to nick my TT.

You don't have to use an IP camera, you can just use a normal webcam with some security software running on your PC. You will need to open up ports on your router etc to get at it from the internet though. You will also need to use something called dydns if you don't have a static IP.

Sorry if I'm telling you stuff you already know.

I want an IP one as it means I DON'T need the PC on ... not only is that a gross waste of electricity, but an unnecessary fire hazard and a point of failure too!!!

I say wired as I have had no end of problems with wireless PC stuff ... and again, its just summin else that needs powering and can go wrong

Are you one of those people that drill wholes into your neighbours shower?

I've seen your type before.

young man

In which case http://www.comtec.com/enterprises/ip...orcameras.html

Axis kit as mentioned above is definitely top quality stuff but, naturally, ain't the cheapest. I've specced that for IP CCTV systems and they do what they say on the tin.

For lesser budgets Linksys do a pretty nice range, they keep adding new features to their WVC cameras which may or not be of use but as an all in one package they're pretty good. Last I remember they were sold on their wireless capability (I'm guessing you can't sell anything unless it's wireless these days) but had an ethernet port as well.

I vaguely remember they did a weather proofed external one that ran on Power over Ethernet so (assuming a PoE switch) the only cable you needed to run was the ethernet one. Those were at prices that don't appeal to well to the home market however.

My brother has an Axis camera, although much more expensive, the results are much better, and the software more sophisticated.
The camera I used was a cheapo Gadspot (I think). Seemed to work fairly well. The picture had rather a red cast to it in bright sun, and green/blue when cloudy. The Infra red was useless when the camera's behind glass as it only picks up reflection.
You need an account (free!) from one of the dynamic dns providers that gets around your ISP changing the IP address you're on.
Once set up it seemed to work OK just a bit of a fiddle!
Another problem with the cheapo one was, unlike the Axis, was that I was unable to define areas on the picture for levels of motion detection, so my email account was soon full of hundreds of pictures every time the sun went behind a cloud or the wind blows.

[tigersaw]

panasonic do a range, and they do all the clever IP stuff for you, all you have to do is log into a website

I meant Panasonic, not Philips. Its a very good internal camera.

In all honesty, something like the D-Link (aka Linksys) DCS-900 will do you well. 640x480, motion triggered/schedule/on demand recording, selectable compression rates, all the standard controls (brightness/contrast etc). You can buy 4 & the software will let you view all 4 on one screen etc.

Downside to that camera is that it's a fixed lens (so no zoom).

But the upside, is that they sell for about $80 USD, brand new.

What's your budget? You may be able to get something that you can pan/tilt, and the weather protection aint the best on the DCS-900 either, but it's a great internal cam.