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That said this camera when used wired is very reliable and I have been very happy - especially with the ability to remotely aim the lens which is something you will definitely want if you happened to work with the old fixed lens type. The PTZ at least is doable - you can get it to work wirelessly with considerable effort setting up your router and the occasional reboot but bottomline these cameras at best are flaky when used wirelessly. I had the earlier version of the linksys video camera, the one that had a fixed lens. That one you could never get to work wirelessly period. And even if you can get them to work wirelessly it will be only after getting them to work wired for an extended period of time first.
Hopefully Linksys will put out another model to replace the (WVC200) The installation CD was (Old) as I needed to get a newer version from the Linksys site, also I needed to update the firmware for the camera and although the help desk was very good in pointing me in the right direction to get the firmware and setup disks when it came to the (wireless) configuration they failed and I'm sure that happened because this camera (WVC200) needed retooled (tested) at the factory. I never did get the (wireless) part configured and partly due to what was or wasn't in the packaged box. I will get more of this camera but I need one with all the bell and whistles that the (WVC200) offered. First of All let me say the Lynksys is Great. (Company and products)Now for the review: The WVC200 camera with audio has all the bells and whistles that a security camera would want to have. I returned this camera and purchased from you the WVC54GCA Linksys and I'm happy to report it was configured in less than one hour (wired and wireless).
Amazing product and very detailed instructions for setting it up. the camera is a big bigger than I expected but it works awesome.
There is no need to use any of the paid modes to view it over the internet. It is not plug and play. I also see the second hand sweeping so I can see the updating take place. I was also considering using the audio as a way of hearing if my home burglar alarm was actuated via A special lamp that would then trigger the email to send an alert. The resolution with proper lighting is clear enough to easily read the numbers.This is really satisfying when away for longer times and pays for itself with the peace of mind I know that the home heating is maintaining house at the low temperature setting I chose in order to save energy. I also run the Camera power thru a simple timer like the ones for Lamps this way it power cycles once a day to rest the camera.
I am planning on putting it on line when I am away from home. I have experimented with putting a digital read out thermometer in the view of camera so now I can read what the current temperature is in my house. Its just a matter of figuring out what the URL is for your own camera web page. However it took some help to actually find my video over the internet. Video updates every 1/2 second. Or I could set the clock and thermometer on wall next to my home burglars systems control panel and actually see if all the windows and doors are shut.
If Linksys would really have documented this camera on the CD manual in more detail it would be a perfect camera (not well documented). And you can log into this camera over the internet to make changes remotely to it. You really need some tech experience to get it all up and running. I have not found this to be needed but it helps knowing if camera did lock up it would be reset after 24 hours. I can foresee the next generation having servo motors in the base so one could pan and scan over the internet. I also put an old analog hands style electric (not battery) clock in the view.
It looks really great once you find it over the internet. This is not as easy at it would seem. The analog clock should read the current time.If the time lags I can tell that the power was off for the amount of time the clock is lagging in time. I am very happy with it. I would buy another one like it if I had the need to monitor another location. The Camera set up easy within my own network.
But once you find and put it in your favorites its a really cool camera. With some imagination this camera is fun and Useful.
Although overall nice cameras very buggy.I use a Linksys WRT600N router with TKIP and was able to set up one camera wireless with no problem. Strange.If you like to tinker this is for you.MS I bought a couple of these cameras to set up a home system and setup is a pain. The other 2 to no avail.In the end the problem boiled down to shorten the security key to 8 spaces which was no problem with the first camera.
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