D-Link DCS-1110

Built like a half-pound brick with a camera peeking over its edge, the D-Link DCS-1110 really delivers on features and performance. PoE, a desk stand, and two mounting holes make this unit more versatile for placement than one might suspect. The DCS-1110 integrates one-way audio for recording and a powerful Nightshot mode that uses the full 0.5-lux sensitivity of the image sensor. You can monitor up to three different zones within the field of view, each with its own percentage of sensitivity. The DCS-1110 even lets you preview the amount of motion it detects in each area so you can set a more realistic threshold.

D-Link keeps this camera easy to use without sacrificing flexibility or quality. The DCS-1110’s setup software displays D-Link’s usual simplicity, and its only awkward requirement is that it requires you to install ffdshow (an open-source DirectShow and VFW codec) to play back the MPEG-4 recordings, which, by the way, can spool straight to a NAS box.

There are no proprietary DDNS service issues, you can manually adjust the lens focus, and we like D-Link’s thoughtful touches, such as an antiflickering mode when used under fluorescent lights and the ability to set bit rate along with resolution.

For the price, D-Link does extremely well at preserving shadow detail and not showing blockiness. The Nightshot mode maintains impressive video down to surprisingly low light levels, and despite showing a noticeable delay between real time and what it displays on your screen, the DCS-1110 shows comparatively little blurring when shooting at VGA in 30fps mode. For those needing a general purpose IP cam on a budget, especially for businesses
looking to deploy a bunch of PoE cams around a facility, this is your chooce.