Foscam FI8904W

[Dnallov]

Hi all

Last week I suffered a break in at my home, and decided to set up a simple CCTV system. To do so I bought two Foscam FI8904W, and using information on here and elsewhere on the web successfully set up the first cam (still deciding where to put the second one). However now I have 1 problem that's getting to me, it's probably not the cameras fault, but down to the fact I'm not setting things up right!

The problem is as follows; Viewing the camera during the day via the on line software provided, I can set up the brightness & contrast so all looks good (by setting brightness to 3, contrast to 6 & mode to OUTSIDE). However as it gets darker, the image goes VERY dark. Then when the night settles in, it just goes pitch black and I can't see nothing (even though the IR lights are activating, and doing their job), and I have to set up the on-line settings again to get a decent picture (mode to 50hz & brightness and contrast to super high). Then in the morning it goes super bright & I have to adjust again!

I don't think I have a problem with the camera, as when I play around with the settings everything looks good (I'm particularly impressed with the night vision!). It's just, surly I don't have to set-up the brightness, contrast & mode every time I get up & go to bed. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

I hope someone can help

Thank you in advance

James

[buellwinkle]

There are ir LEDs and there are IR LEDs. In that price range you will probably get 10' at most and it will be concentrated to the center. You can do one of 2 things, get a better camera with built in illuminators like an ACTi ACM-1231 which are good for 30-50' or get a separate illuminator. Extreme or Raytech are popular brands.
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[Ground Loop]

For what it's worth, Dnallov, my FI8904W is pretty much the same.

During the day, the "color" image is mostly purple grass and other IR hues. There doesn't seem to be any manner of "auto exposure", so you have to set it to Outdoor, and hope for the best during some part of the day.

The IR leds are so weak that you have to stand 5 feet in front of the lens to get an image of your face.

Not impressed. That said, I can't find any other outdoor IP cam for $100, so I'm trying the FI8905W next. It has a wider angle lens, more IR illumination, and hopefully a better auto-exposure circuit.

I don't really need accurate color, but a useable low-light image would be nice.

[buellwinkle]

Let us know how that works out. To get accurate color, you either need a day camera with no IR capabilities at all or a day/night camera that does exactly what you want, but at a much higher price than $100. What some people on a budget do is get a day camera and use it outside with motion detect flood light.
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For network camera articles and reviews, visit my blog at http://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com

[Foscamdotbiz]

Dnallov, that is pretty much normal for that camera. I have to change settings too from day to night.

Ground Loop, my IR lights seem to work quite well at night. The light posts out in the parking lot do help. You can see the garages way in the background though.

Here is a shot I took tonight at 8:10 CST.



Here is the dark interior of the garage,


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Dave Merten

[elmuzzerino]

Hi guys,

Do you know if this is normal to have Dark blue and back colors showing up as Bright Purple on the Foscam? of so I wont bother taking it back. (Example below, should be a dark blue jacket )

Cheers

[/img]

[buellwinkle]

Yes, because cameras that don't have an IR filter distort colors. I've seen a jacket that was black look light blue on a Foscam. It's not Foscam's fault, even cameras costing much more do this unless they have an IR cut filter or labled as day/night cameras. You can get a cheap camera that has a permanent IR filter like an Axis M10 or M11 series cameras, but then it won't work with IR lighting at night and you'll have to use white light.
_________________
For network camera articles and reviews, visit my blog at http://ipcamnetwork.wordpress.com