Linksys Wireless Internet Camera with Audio

I did a fair amount of research before buying this camera, reading reviews, comparing specs, etc. I was fairly confident this was the best internet camera in my price range. I don't know whether or not that's true or if this camera is representative of security cams in general, but I do know I was not impressed by this camera on any level.

Video quality is terrible. Awful in low light. Setup and configuration procedures are draconian. The motor is LOUD when you pan or tilt.

It's entirely possible I'm being unfair. There are challenges for compressing and delivering video over wireless or ethernet. Sacrifices in image quality must be made to limit bandwidth. The only other 'security' cameras I've had experience with are the 20 dollar x10 types which gave me exactly what I expected for 20 dollars.

I didn't expect to get the same image quality from a three hundred dollar camera.

Using a wired connection, I got all of the features working. However, the color quality was very poor, with a magenta cast. The pan/tilt motors whirred loudly - so much for unobtrusiveness.

The real troubles started when I went wireless. If I just viewed the video stream, it worked, but as soon as I tried to pan/tilt/zoom, the camera would lock up. It required a power-cycle to regain response.

I returned it.

I'm searching a cam like this for a while. I have one of these and I think to get one or two more.

PROs
Connect as you want wired or wireless.
Very easy guided installation and configuration software.
Support in english or spanish.
Very good images under poor light conditions. Compatible with IR lights.

CONTRAs
None

I own this camera and it's a big improvement from Linksys' previous wireless-B camera. I especially like it because of the pan-tilt-zoom capability. It's a good way to stay connected when away from home!

Tony
http://airspeed-wireless.com/

First of all let me say that, now that the camera is up and running, I am very pleased with it and am considering buying another one. Getting to this point, however, was a challenge.

First off, the install disk would not run on any of my computers (I have 5 running XP, Vista, and 2003 server) so I had to download the setup wizard from the Linksys website. Once the setup wizard was up and running, I went through the initial setup until the wizard froze on me at the very end. Fortunately, this didn't seem to effect the setup process as the camera was up and running fine after I killed the setup wizard task...just an annoyance.

Next I decided to switch from a static IP to DHCP and found that DHCP did not work...at all. Since the unit does not come with a console port for local admin, you have to fire up the admin wizard again to fix this (which froze at the end again, of course).

OK....I can live without DHCP. Now for wireless access....or maybe not. Wireless would not work at all either...no matter what I did. At this point I decided to check the firmware of my device and see if there was a new version on the site (normally the first thing I do but I was excited to get this thing up and running). The firmware as shipped was 1.0.1 and the version on the site was 1.1.0. The good news is that the camera works GREAT after the update. Both DHCP and wireless work fine and I am satisfied with the quality for the price especially since this is currently the only wireless camera with sound that supports PTZ and WPA and includes a recording suite (with motion recording) for under $300.

The only other complaint I have is that the documentation is abysmal...especially in regards to the recording suite. Fortunately, there are plenty of people online having the same problems and finding the answers....Google is your friend.

In summary, the camera is great for home use once you get it going but I wouldn't recommend it as a serious security camera.