Wireless IP Camera thread

[geckoSG]

Try your Aztech connection via broadband internet to connect back to your camera n see if this is better.

 

[Dr_ARCHer]

I have the HD version, but have not set it up yet, so not all answers here may apply.

Have you tried a 3rd party app for panning and tilting the camera? I use IP Cam Viewer and it allows me to pan and tilt all PTZ cameras that I have.

Some cameras allow you to define a time when the IR cut filter will be disabled/enabled. This means that you define when to activate the IR mode, which is when there is insufficient light. If set to auto mode, some cameras like the DLink DCS-5635 will switch to B/W images when there is insufficient light.

Video lagging is often a function of the network. For newer cameras, the image may be retrieved from a cloud server, so this may be where the lag is. Try using a laptop. And connect to the LAN IP of the camera to see if you have any lag.

2 way sound means the camera can send and receive sound. While the camera has a built in mic, most cameras don't have a built-in speaker (only camera in my inventory with built in speaker is the fisheye DLink DCS-6010). You need to attach a speaker to the Out port on the camera. Two way means you can talk and speak, like a Walkie talkie. Like a Walkie talkie, you just can talk and listen simultaneously (that's why you have to say 'Over' when using a walkie talkie).

Some caemeras allow you to disable the LED lights. If you can't, and the lights are too bright, go with a low tech solution: tapped up the lights. Two of my cameras have the LED lights tapped up.

For good quality images, choose a newer encoding format such as H.264. I find H.264 to offer the best images, followed by MPEG followed by MJPEG. Why don't you snap a pic of the image and post it up to let us see how bad the image is?

 

[Jasonium]

thanks Dr Archer. im about to return the camera today - i suppose ill bring it home to test it again.

 

[Jasonium]

Try your Aztech connection via broadband internet to connect back to your camera n see if this is better.

if you referring to my post - camera is plugged directly to router at home, and my phone connecting to wifi at home. plus - i sit beside the wireless router when testing.

i wonder is this normal behavior as its my first time using IP cameras

 

[geckoSG]

Take note that Android will show lagginess for these pnp cam. Graphics processor not good. U will see diff on iphones. Next, wat internet plan r u using? What router r u using? These plays a big part too.

 

[Jasonium]

Take note that Android will show lagginess for these pnp cam. Graphics processor not good. U will see diff on iphones. Next, wat internet plan r u using? What router r u using? These plays a big part too.

thanks for advice -

Android will show lagginess for these pnp cam. U will see diff on iphones.
- it is indeed laggy on my phone. might try to borrow an iphone to test.

Graphics processor not good.
- though many might disagree. I think Samsung note2 and s4 should have a lot more processing power than iphone. I can even play 3d games like final fantasy 6 very smoothly.

Next, wat internet plan r u using? What router r u using?
- during my test, I plug my camera to wireless router via cable, and my phone connects to that same router via wifi. hence internet plan of my phone or my home is not in the picture. It was very laggy yesterday - i.e. if I wave my hand, it shows at least 3 seconds later, sometimes didn't capture. Today - I did the same thing again - hey it worked much better - like Skype video chat quality, though nowhere close to CCTV clarity/ speed.
I am using the most common router in the world, a medium sized Linksys wifi router. worked perfect for downloading anything, MMO games, streaming 2-3 anime at a time, etc.

all in all - I think my expectations seemed a little too high? I was expecting the speed/ clarity of CCTV recordings - that can capture fast movements. in this case, if a burglar sprint past, I don't think my camera will notice.

a good finding (thx to Dr Arch)= the night vision worked perfectly. in a pitch dark room, it was clear as daylight, only thing it is black n white.

 

[Dr_ARCHer]

Wifi on your phone means you are operating at wifi speed. What Linksys model are you using? Is it on wireless G or N?

Night vision means it s operating based on temperature. Thus it is only B/W image.

 

[marixsupport]

Just a quick update to those people who are using the VStarcam T Series having trigger happy motion detection. You may upgrade your cameras to the latest firmware by downloading the upgrade tool from the official website. Information in your camera box "CD".

However, take note that sensitivity 1 is now LESS sensitive, while sensitivity 10 is now MOST sensitive instead of what is described on the webUI. We have reported to factory to resolve this.

Also, a bug on mail settings have been found and reported, the camera will set the port forcefully to port 40 instead of 25 or any other ports. This will also be resolve in next firmware release.

Imaging processing algorithm have also been enhanced, we should see better streaming from the camera.

 

[geckoSG]

Jasonium,

For some reason, the graphics processor is not meant for IP Camera streaming. You take an iphone and you will see the difference in the streaming. The Aztech model is an OEM of Wansview brand so, they are using similarly what the VStarcam H Series were using. But due to the nature of the APP, I find that it becomes a disservice to the hardware. Kinda strange why Aztech didn't come out with their own APP instead of just using OEM APP.

When I was on H series, using Android n iPhone side by side in LAN, you can see the difference in the streaming. Android can't keep up with the iPhone. I was using iphone 4S comparing to SIII back then. Even now, if I use my S4 to compare, it simply cannot make it as compared to iPhone's streaming, not even matching iPhone4.

Personally wise, I do not appreciate LINKSYS products. I find their product very inconsistence in their wireless performance, just like the PACE router that Singtel gives us for broadband.

And IP Camera can never match the real-time capture of the CCTV system for sure. Unless its an industrial type IP Camera. Trust me, the price is very expensive but it does matches the quality of CCTV system. Those IP Cameras that are widely available in the stores, they can't match the quality and motion detection of the CCTV system.

 

[eugenemark]

hi everyone, i need a camera to monitor grandparent at home, anyone have any advice whether i should get a ipcamera or sign up for mobile livecam?

 

[kopitalk]

Hello, sharing this android app for using your android phone as a webcam, DroidEye - Make video simple.
There are many other similar android apps which can do streaming either over wifi or 3G... So, got the latest android phone? Don't throw away that old one! Why pay more for an IP camera?!

 

[Jasonium]

Wifi on your phone means you are operating at wifi speed. What Linksys model are you using? Is it on wireless G or N?

Night vision means it s operating based on temperature. Thus it is only B/W image.

it is wireless G. would there be a big difference if another router is used?

 

[Jasonium]

Jasonium,

For some reason, the graphics processor is not meant for IP Camera streaming. You take an iphone and you will see the difference in the streaming. The Aztech model is an OEM of Wansview brand so, they are using similarly what the VStarcam H Series were using. But due to the nature of the APP, I find that it becomes a disservice to the hardware. Kinda strange why Aztech didn't come out with their own APP instead of just using OEM APP.

When I was on H series, using Android n iPhone side by side in LAN, you can see the difference in the streaming. Android can't keep up with the iPhone. I was using iphone 4S comparing to SIII back then. Even now, if I use my S4 to compare, it simply cannot make it as compared to iPhone's streaming, not even matching iPhone4.

Personally wise, I do not appreciate LINKSYS products. I find their product very inconsistence in their wireless performance, just like the PACE router that Singtel gives us for broadband.

And IP Camera can never match the real-time capture of the CCTV system for sure. Unless its an industrial type IP Camera. Trust me, the price is very expensive but it does matches the quality of CCTV system. Those IP Cameras that are widely available in the stores, they can't match the quality and motion detection of the CCTV system.

wow. you guys seriously research these things really well - thanks for info above

I might just go for cctv - some packages out there go for 1k+ for 4 cams/ mic, pull wires, video box recording, android/iphone viewing, pay more for IR, and no PTZ.

also, since to monitor my baby in the cot - use ipad (2nd hand ipad, facetime or other app). sounds very kiasu, but maybe 2nd hand is even cheaper n easier to fix than ipcamera/ wires/ etc. then again, its a separate topic/ research.

 

[Dr_ARCHer]

it is wireless G. would there be a big difference if another router is used?

A few of my cameras are wireless G, but they have no issue. Only thing is they are not HD. One should expect HD images to be more jerky.

 

[geckoSG]

Check if mobile livecam is using 3G as internet (source). If yes, u r better off with ip cameras. Period

 

[Dr_ARCHer]

also, since to monitor my baby in the cot - use ipad (2nd hand ipad, facetime or other app). sounds very kiasu, but maybe 2nd hand is even cheaper n easier to fix than ipcamera/ wires/ etc. then again, its a separate topic/ research.

I started looking at wireless IP cameras 6 years ago when my eldest daughter was born. I want something more than a traditional baby monitor,which could only let me hear but not see. Now my 3rd child is already 3 years old, and I have accumulated over 20 cameras in all.

 

[Jasonium]

reborn

thanks for advice guys - i learnt alot last few days. in fact, i event made a trip down to Areit building (guess what - i forgot it was the original aztech building) down at Ubi to fix another product - my aztech homeplug (unconsciously becoming a fan).

What i found so far - very different from my 1st experience for the WIPC408HD IP cam product.

After testing it on my PC - i found the resolution and speed is very good. it can run 1280*720 at 4096 bitrate, at 30 fps without breaking a sweat.

i do find that the IR kicks in very early - its pretty bright here but once IR/ night vision kicks in - everything goes greyscale. no more color.

one plus point is the IP cam is a webserver. just point to the IP e.g. 192.168.1.100:8081 - you can start managing recording, resolution, audio, PTZ, multicam (wierdly it can.. remember this is the webserver of 1 camera, not a software i install on my pc), motion detection, etc.

the problem is - i had alot of trouble configuring - but since i met a new friend at Aztech support (very helpful guy) - he teamviewer into my PC and help set it up.

the limitations of the camera is as such -

many antivirus such as AVG and AVAST will interfere with connection between PC and IP CAM - they have to be disabled (till i find a way).

IE10 cannot be used with this IP CAM (in fact, chrome and mozila does not work too). you have to use IE9.0 (which comes with windows 7).

the above limitations might give you guys a little sour aftertaste and i apologize if i hurt aztech sales on this - but i believe future firmware patches for this very new product should fix it.

also, a friend noted that if you are doing recording - do note that IP Cam can suck up your bandwidth fast, killing your downloads/ video stream/ gaming/ etc - especially if you use several IP cams recording at once. also note that SD cards have read/write life.. which basically dont last that long - so buy many cheap ones rather than one expensive one (imo)

i think its a great hardware for $175 from simlim - and i believe software is coming to fix it - hence this is a keeper

thanks again for all - hope the above helps.

 

[eugenemark]

hi everyone, anyone using trendnet TV-IP851WC?

 

[Axisx]

Just bought a vstarcam from from challenger. Its not even powering up

 

[geckoSG]

Just bought a vstarcam from from challenger. Its not even powering up

Return for rma or go to challenger for 1 to 1 exchange within 7 days. The connector should b the main problem (short 10 cm connector). I got tat problem also with one of my unit previously