|
Linksys WVC54GC Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera
|
 |
| Linksys WVC54GC Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera |
| Part Number: WVC54GC |
| This product is discontinued |
 |
| Reviews: 40 |
| Average Review: 3.7 / 10 |
|
|
|
Reviewed by
Design: 5.0 / 10
A little clumsy. No way of fastening it down (or up) without drilling holes in the base.
Image Quality: 7.0 / 10
Check the specs -- there are two versions of this thing. The A (second) version does 640x480. Colour always looks somewhat washed out, especially when "enable low light sensitivity" is checked. There's a wide variety of settings available for streaming -- can set a minimum quality level or a fixed bit rate to conserve bandwidth. Frame rate will be sacrificed if bandwidth is low.
Easy of Use: 8.0 / 10
Poor documentation, but web interface is fairly intuitive for basic set-up. Search the web to learn advanced features like embedding video or snapshots in a web page -- can be done, but Linksys manual is no help.
(these are:
http://x.x.x.x:xxxx/img/snapshot.cgi (still image)
http://x.x.x.x:xxxx/img/mobile.cgi (mobile sized still image)
http://x.x.x.x:xxxx/img/mjpeg.cgi (video feed using ActiveX)
http://x.x.x.x:xxxx/img/video.mjpeg (video feed for non-IE browsers)
http://x.x.x.x:xxxx/img/video.asf (to stream to Windows Media player, etc.)
NTP server only works after synch with PC, otherwise date is stuck at 2005. So clock must be manually reset after every power failure.
Connectivity: 6.0 / 10
Camera must be powered down and re-booted after removing the Ethernet cable in order to connect wirelessly. However, will work with hidden SSID, WPA, etc. Complete control over IP address, ports, etc. I gave this a lower score simply because the WiFi range is a bit short due to internal antennae.
Other Features: 0.0 / 10
user level access with passwords, can stealth the recording LED, RTP capable, multi-cast RTP capable. Has mike, but poor quality sound. Fortunately the mike can be turned off. on-board motion detection software (with masking options). Can e-mail and ftp image or video on detection. Has an electronic zoom function -- but of course that simply fills the screen with a cropped image.
Strengths
Been sitting in a south-facing window overlooking a lake for almost 2 years now. Durable, reliable, never locks up, never loses WiFi connection. Works great as a stand-alone webcam without need for PC. Low power consumption -- could be powered by a solar panel and rechargable battery.
Weaknesses
Limited ddns capability -- better to use your router. Poor documentation. Limited WiFi range. Washed out colour, especially in night mode (necessary to achieve the advertised 1 lux rating).
Summary
There are actually two versions of this camera -- the original WVC54GC and the later WVC54GCA. The housings are the same, but other than that the original is very limited in resolution, features, etc. I would bet that's the one people are complaining about. I bought one accidentally (NOS still on shelf) and took it back. It is overpriced junk, IMHO.
The later ("CGA") version is an acceptable indoor fixed webcam that doesn't need a PC. Still a bit pricey (in Canada) for what it is though.
|
|
