Linksys Wireless-G Internet Video Camera WVC54GC

The Linksys Compact Wireless-G Internet Video Camera is affordable, but it still has 802.11b/g support, 10/100 Ethernet, and security services all in a slim, disc-shaped device perched on a tiltenabled desk stand. With the exception of the camera not using DHCP by default (you must use Linksys’ bundled camera finder program and enable DHCP in the settings), configuration is simple.

Configuring, viewing, and capturing images are all browser-based, while advanced features are accessible via the Camera Viewer Recorder Utility. This is a drawback, because any remote computer you want to access the camera from requires you to install this software locally in order to do things such as record from the camera or use motion detection functions. That said, the motion detection is sophisticated enough to let users select specific areas of the screen for monitoring.

Just highlight the pixels containing an object or area to monitor and set the desired level of sensitivity. The program will then capture video when triggered by motion of that object or within that area.

The WVC54GC’s image quality sub-average for this roundup. You can see that people are in an area, but detailed features are too indistinct to identify an unfamiliar face. Image quality also drops off very quickly as light levels dim below full indoor illumination. However, color is more vibrant than expected, probably because of post-processing in the camera, and frame rate performance is similar to or better than some of the more expensive cameras.

This camera is versatile because of its small size and wireless capabilities, but is a poor surveillance option, owing to its QVGA resolution (unless your goal is to see that there’s no activity in the field of view). Note that DDNS functionality only works through Linksys’ SoloLink service, and only a free trial is included.