outdoor dome and camera attachment

[rock304]

Hello everyone--just joined up--glad to be here

please let me know what you think of the choice of camera.. I am not sure if it does it but I would prefer to hear and record the sound. The camera will more or less be about 125 feet direct line of site and if I move it not more than 125 feet away but diagonally on other side of house [outside]

This is the camera i would like to get ,mostly because It is reasonably priced, and I want wireless N if possible, I want to use it outdoors in NY,but do not really need it in the dead of winter--One problem might be use of 3rd party software for who knows what. will it be compatible

Dimension= 108mm x 112mm x 108mm I do not know what each one stands for

Edimax IC-7000PT v2 Internet Pan Tilt 802.11n WiFi Camera

http://www.getnetusa.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/44/products_id/163

The base where it connects looks like this http://www.mediafire.com/i/?mnnte2qgdkn with the middle hole being non threaded !!!! as far as I could gather from the GetNet.com guy [U.S. seller] Is this a normal connection.Of course not RIGHT Is there some type of bushing I could epoxy in the hole if I need to ?? something like this-because i will need to be able to remove it at some time or other.

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/recoil/key-lock-threaded-insert-19519-428387.html

The guy from China where I saw this pretty cheap dome says it will fit in this, but asked if the hole was threaded--

"The camera "Edimax IC-7000PTN" should be able to fit into the dome without problem.
Only thing you need to look at is if your camera has a screw hole in the center of?its?bottom.
Thanks for your interest in our product, we look forward in doing business with you.

Dome Dimension 21 x 14 CM Glass Cover 21.5 x 19.5 CM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320518172496&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

or this with some pics at bottom

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320518172516&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The question is can the camera be attached. I have no idea as to how they normally attach and there are no real pics for the first $78 Chinese one. I know foscam will attach [sounds like it must screw on] but I do not have one and it is wireless G . It looks like the middle hole on the Edimax is just to center it and then the 3 sides clamp it somehow--maybe made for a tripod quick release.

Does anyone have any input. I would appreciate it. Can I mount it some other way if I have to ??

I just want to get it right the first time and want to keep it wireless N and in the $350-$400 range.



Thanks

[fatjohnny]

[buellwinkle]

I have 2 cents to, but a different west coast version of 2 cents. Say the camera is wonderful beyond our expectations. Consider this, when you put that camera inside that outdoor enclosure, your WiFi signal will diminish a whole bunch. Why, because 2.4ghz band is good in line of site only and very poor if you put obsticles between it and the router. So not it not only has to go through your exterior wal and maybe some interior walls, but also through this enclosure. Now combine that with trying to transmit mjpeg or mpeg compression on a crippled connection, I bet you will not see that many frames per second at 1.3MP. People have complained about this on other 1.3MP cameras in the best of circumstances. If it had h.264 compression that would improve your odds.

Next, this is a day only camera designed for indoor use and cheap cmos and this equals poor vision at night and you can't use IR illuminators to light up the area. You'll need to use flood lights which isn't necessarily bad, just how bright depends on how poor it is and you won't know that until you get it home.

Lastly, since you have chosen WiFi, that means you need A/C, a downfall of using WiFI outdoors. This camera will likely come with a brick power supply that you plug in somewhere and then run the low voltage side to the camera. Of course, anyone can reach up and unplug it, you have no easy way to attached a UPS if needed. I love WiFi for my indoor cameras, but for outdoors, PoE makes the most sense, especially on a mega pixel camera.

Also, one thing I don't know about because I never worked with seperate enclosures (I get outdoor cams for outdoors), what ventilates this? Won't heat build up inside the glass bubble and cook the camera?

So what are the alternatives you probably want to know. I would get an outdoor camera with IR emmitters and PIR motion detect. I would forgo the PT feature because while it's cute, you will not likely use it and it's a source of failure and I would got PoE as WiFi is not a good idea outdoors. I would go with an Acti 1231, goes for about $550, has a vari-focal lenses (manual zoom, way better than pan/tilt).
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For network camera articles and reviews, visit my blog at http://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com

[rock304]

Thanks for the replies..

OK you convinced me--I really wanted wireless so i could easily pick up camera and move it but even I as a rookie had to wonder about the loss of signal and i thought the camera was a little better than it seems it is cmos wise-however this camera would have been line of site through my bedroom window for the most part

I have other Edimax stuff and it is excellent and cheap-the actual image is not as important as it could be. The camera will be bought to monitor a neighbor that is running a mulch operation adjacent to my property--I really only need to see it and hear it--quality is secondary. the Edimax software also ran with windows 7 which was a big plus..


http://www.mediafire.com/i/?ifw5mlnhmmx to the right where the smoke is heading is my backyard


ACTi ACM-1231 is definite option

what about this --as long as it appears i will not be getting wireless + ptz.. It runs windows 7 and there is an outdoor enclosure with or without heater for it. it gets some rave reviews but also some horrible ones--i tend to believe that a lot of people just do not know how to set things up so they give a bad review--


http://tinyurl.com/2ecam42

I am not married to PTZ but before i was looking at the Edimax I was looking here--Is this more Chinese stuff

http://www.videocamerasecurity.net/servlet/the-147/27x-PTZ-IR-Camera/Detail

Please check it out for me and tell me what you think I do not need to top of the line but no junk

Is all the power for camera and ptz sent over the cat5e cable

"RJ-45 PTZ Baluns w/ power/Data (included)
Camera-side Balun is pre-installed within the weatherproof
LB Type 1" Gang Box, ready for your conduit.
Simply PLUG in the preterminated CAT5E cable!
24VAC Power, RS485 Data & Video in one simple cable connection"

there is also an ip server they sell--will I absolutely need it to view over internet or just to mange ptz and stuff

http://www.videocamerasecurity.net/servlet/the-124/Network-IP-Video-Server/Detail

Thanks

[buellwinkle]

That camera in that last link is sort of expensive for a CCTV camera from China, but if you go that direction, you'll need a DVR for it to connect to or a monitor designed for CCTV (not a computer monitor) or a CCTV to IP encoder. You can tell something is bad when they start throwing out top brand names like Pelco and Sony and isinuating their cameras are as good.

Trendnet is a cheap low end brand sold at computer stores. It works OK, and if image quality is not important, why not. That model uses CS mount lenses, many times you can improve the image quality by putting in a better lens as this is an area Chinese camea cheap out on. If you go this route, see if the antennas are removable and if you can get a short cable to extend them and mount the antennas on the outside of the enclosure. Keep in mind, this is a VGA camea, not 1.3MP like the one you originally mentioned or the Acti 1231.

As for camera reviews, it's all relative. If you only seen one camera, that camera may seem good to you because you have nothing to compare it to. Also, quality for price is a factor. For example, I may be happy with a Foscam or Trendnet that I paid $80 for and don't expect it to be as good as camera that cost 10x times that price.

Also, another cheap Chinese solution from a company that at least has some level of support is Foscam. Mediocre image quality is being generous, green trees will come out purple or pink, but these run under $100 and look like the Acti. Just search eBay for Foscam Outdoor. At least you won't have to stress over finding the right outdoor enclosure and it includes IR lighting, probably good for 10m.
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[Stick55]

I had been looking at the Acti 1231 also.....here is some reviews on it. The good thing here is that it is POE and needs no enclosure (IP66) and also throw in audio.

http://store.bluecherry.net/ACTi_ACM_1231_PoE_MPEG4_IP_Outdoor_Megapixel_IR_p/acm-1231.htm

My first megapixel cam will be for indoor use...which so far I leaning to the Axis M1114.

[rock304]

thanks again for the help--I think the acti looks good and i saw it yesterday for 499 I think.

How does it compare to this which is $199 at one place.

http://www.cctv-shopping.com/ip7330.html

http://www.vivotek.com/products/model.php?network_camera=ip7330&tab=over

After hearing the recommendations I realize that it is in best interest to probably not go straight to Chinese for any considerable amount of money--and the fact that all i really need is relatively decent video to show what is happening I thought i would look around at some cheaper "chinese" options

here are 2 options that are too close in price to foscam that it may not make sense

this one is wired for $30 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881153005

and here is the wireless for $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881153006

unless i hear differently I can use this for POE only. The first review for the $30 one says it works fine--I worry about distance --200 feet of cat5 but the camera is only 100 feet link of site

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=332

at Newegg they have the trendnet wirelessN version with the 2 antenna for $149 right now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881102028&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

I bought it yesterday and it is out for delivery but i am not going to take because it is version 1.0r and they are up to 1.3 r mostly to do with the lens but still

I am leaning more towards the wired poe version from Walmart for about $150 delivered to my house

thanks again for the help--I think the acti looks good and i saw it yesterday for 499 I think.

How does it compare to this which is $199 at one place.

http://www.cctv-shopping.com/ip7330.html

http://www.vivotek.com/products/model.php?network_camera=ip7330&tab=over

After hearing the recommendations I realize that it is in best interest to probably not go straight to Chinese for any considerable amount of money--and the fact that all i really need is relatively decent video to show what is happening I thought i would look around at some cheaper "chinese" options

here are 2 options that are too close in price to foscam that it may not make sense

this one is wired for $30 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881153005

and here is the wireless for $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881153006

unless i hear differently I can use this for POE only. The first review for the $30 one says it works fine--I worry about distance --200 feet of cat5 but the camera is only 100 feet link of site

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=332

at Newegg they have the trendnet wirelessN version with the 2 antenna for $149 right now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881102028&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

I bought it yesterday and it is out for delivery but i am not going to take because it is version 1.0r and they are up to 1.3 r mostly to do with the lens but still

I am leaning more towards the wired poe version from Walmart for about $150 delivered

thanks again for the help--I think the acti looks good and i saw it yesterday for 499 I think.

How does it compare to this which is $199 at one place.

http://www.cctv-shopping.com/ip7330.html

http://www.vivotek.com/products/model.php?network_camera=ip7330&tab=over

After hearing the recommendations I realize that it is in best interest to probably not go straight to Chinese for any considerable amount of money--and the fact that all i really need is relatively decent video to show what is happening I thought i would look around at some cheaper "chinese" options

here are 2 options that are too close in price to foscam that it may not make sense

this one is wired for $30 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881153005

and here is the wireless for $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881153006

unless i hear differently I can use this for POE only. The first review for the $30 one says it works fine--I worry about distance --200 feet of cat5 but the camera is only 100 feet link of site

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=332

at Newegg they have the trendnet wirelessN version with the 2 antenna for $149 right now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16881102028&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

I bought it yesterday and it is out for delivery but i am not going to take because it is version 1.0r and they are up to 1.3 r mostly to do with the lens but still

I am leaning more towards the wired poe [latest] version from Walmart for about $150 delivered http://tinyurl.com/2e78jnp

only double the price of the Zonet +the d-link poe thing and it has zoom

that may be the one I think..

If i am posting too many links just tell me

[buellwinkle]

The problem I have with Vivotek is their quality is inconsistant, could be OK, could be bad. That's a great price on the IP7330, below my wholesale. It's a VGA cam with a fixed lens.

The rest of the cheapies from China, it's a crapshoot, many people have spent hours trying to get them to work and bricked their camera trying to apply new firmware with promises of it working. If you go cheap, then just stick to name brands like Trendnet or Foscam and set your expectations low and you'll be OK.

Stick55,

Can't go wrong with the Axis M1114, but personally, I would get the Axis M1054 for indoors, same resolution, no varifocal lens but you won't need it indoors but it has added features like 2 way audio, PIR motion detect and an LED light, The PIR motion detect is awsome, very reliable, never had a false alarm, with the M1114, I guarantee you will have have false alarms from shadows & clouds, car headlights driving by at night shining into the window, etc. Also, it's about $100 less expensive. The downside over the M1114 is that the lens is not interchangeable, but indoors, I doubt you'll have a need for telephoto, actually the opposite, you'll wish either cam had a better wide angle..

If you want cheaper, I played around with the Acti TCM-4301 cube yesterday, 1.3 MP resolution, audio (mic built in). It was pretty decent image quality indoors and the lens is interchangeable CS mount which is nice. You'll probably save about $80 over the Axis but lose the PIR motion detect.
_________________
For network camera articles and reviews, visit my blog at http://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com