LAN Camera Review

xulphlux writes "The guys over at Tom's Hardware have an excellent review of 4 LAN cameras. While not currently commonplace as of yet, they have good potential for relatively low cost security uses. Keep an eye on the kids outside, your sports car out front, or the good looking girl next door... A couple even have built in 802.11b so no need for wires."

Comments

are yiou nuts?

[Lumpy]

relatively low cost? what?

These cameras are at least 2-3 times more expensive than a regular camera and the required equipment to do it the regular way.

These lan cameras are the way to install a horribly overpriced security setup not low cost, not by any means.

These cameras are great if you have lots of extra money lying around and in your way, otherwise buy regular security cameras, they are much smaller, better built, and available in water/weather proof designs.

Heck I even have a color/nightvision version in my back yard that is my most expensive camera and it cost $250.00

these lan camers suck for security...

[Skal Tura]

Best of these lan cameras isn't amongst those tested, i've seen an popup ad of a Spy Cam 2 or whatever it's name was atleast dozens of times.
That lan camera is smaller than any of those plus you can remotely turn it to watch some other place, although it's also too big for security usage, i prefer very small, perhaps even poor image quality but if it cannot be seen it's much better because the burglar or someone cannot avoid being caught by it if s/he doesn't see it.

Also you can get from normal/security cameras a video feed to you'r comp also with right kind of hardware.
Just use something like Dazzle or attach it to you'r tv-in's camera port, also if you are skilled in electronics you can make an 'multiplexer' to multiplex many video feeds and attach it to you'r tv-in port and just change 'channel' to see another camera =)

These has something good also in them, cause they are lan cameras they are a way to better way, because they most likely doesn't care what os you use to configure it (by telnet prompt or serial cable, who cares?). I personally wish to see a lot more devices attached to lan, thus making it easier for many people to use simultaneously, no need for drivers etc... etc..

and more negative critic about these: why don't you just use some small normal webcam with very long cable instead of these, cheaper and smaller, i have Quickcam VC and it's a lot smaller than my fist, thus making it easier to hide if needed, although that webcamera is shaped as ball so it's a bit harder to make without ssomething to put it stand on or to attach to point right direction and stay that way, also it has a place where you can but a bolt to attach it...

Also, if you don't care to disassemble it you can make it 50% smaller taking the casing away, if you plan to put it outside you can use some plastic or something to protect it from rain then, you would need to do that anyways cos it hasn't been designed to be water proof....

There is a lot to do before these lan cams are something else than pretty toys...

Saw this LAN cam at show, $139, but where can buy?

[wherley]

This thing (eCAMit) has IP and built in motion detection which none of the four Toms reviewed had. It doesn't look as nicely designed, but for $139 if it works who cares? Anyone actually seen/used one?

Other info on it.

Re:Nifty battery power?

[kesuki]

There are plenty of solar pannels that can deliver 6.5 watts, or better, so a solar panel + Lithium Ion battery pack, and you've got a webcam that can pretty much run all day, with essentially no wires. the battery enables it to run even on cloudy days, although if you want the cam to run 24/7 you need to have it plugged in, or else you'd have problems with outages.
And for what it's worth, none of the cameras are housed for outdoor usage either, so basically the point is that everyone has power outlets everywhere inside their house, but not everyone has an ethernet jack right next to each and every power outlet for 'convenience' sake. Besides, don't you want that girl next door to be pulling out her laptop, browsing for 802.11b networks, and find to her shock that her bedroom window is currently being broadcast across a wireless webcam ;-) (BTW the 802.11b access can be overridden for cabled use too)