D-link DCS-3420 Wireless Camera

Posted on December 13th, 2006 in Hardware, Wireless Camera | No Comments

The D-link DCS-3420 takes the usability attributes of the D-Link DCS-1110 and piles plenty of extra functionality on top, starting with 802.11b/g (WEP and WPA security included), moving from support for four cameras to up to 16, and accommodating interchangeable lenses (chief among them the optional infrared unit for shooting in total darkness). We didn’t receive the IR or auto iris lenses for testing, and our unit seemed biased by default for shooting in low light as images were very over-exposed.

However, altering the video settings for optimal balance between bit rate, frame rate, and quality and tweaking the image settings (brightness, hue, etc.) yielded substantially better results. Even with the stock lens, though, low-light video proved remarkably clear.

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D-Link DCS-1110

Posted on December 11th, 2006 in Hardware, Wireless Camera | No Comments

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.

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Hawking HNC290G Wireless-G Network Camera

Posted on December 9th, 2006 in Hardware, Wireless Camera | 3 Comments

Hawking HNC290G Net-Vision Wireless-G Network Camera stands up against Linksys’ unit in the budget category, sporting similar 10/100 Ethernet and 802.11b/g connectivity but adding adjustable tilt on the lens. The external antenna is removable for those who want a high-gain substitute. Hawking promotes this as the first network camera with automatic router configuration, but this function didn’t work on our D-Link DIR-635 router, forcing us to perform a manual installation.

Hawking requires remote service via the TZO DNS service, which has only a 75-day free trial. Another weakness is that motion sensing sensitivity isn’t adjustable. Also, some configurations require Hawking’s bundled camera viewing software, meaning you can’t change certain settings with the HNC290G’s internal Web server via a browser.

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Linksys Wireless-G Internet Video Camera WVC54GC

Posted on December 7th, 2006 in Hardware | No Comments

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 tilt enabled 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.

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HomePlug – Plug and Play

Posted on December 5th, 2006 in Hardware | No Comments

The HomePlug networking system isn’t very well known, but it allows you send your network or internet connection over your existing mains wiring and is much simpler than setting up an ordinary Ethernet or wireless network.

Solwise’s new HomePlug Plug and Play PL-85PEW gives you the best of both worlds, as it can plug into a main socket and also provides wireless capabilities which allowing you to sneak a wireless network in areas that might otherwise suffer from poor wireless reception. The HomePlug PL-85PEW provides transfer speeds of up to 85Mbps, and there’s also a new HomePlug AV model that provides speeds of up to
200Mbps, good for when you start to stream movie downloads to your system.

URL www.solwise.co.uk

CoolPix Go Wireless

Posted on December 3rd, 2006 in Hardware | No Comments

Nikon has released no less than five new additions to its range of CoolPix digital cameras. The cameras all use SD cards for additional storage capacity and connect to Macs using USB, while the top-of-the-range CoolPix S7c also offers WiFi connectivity.

Coolpix S7c

Two new low-cost models: the 6-megapixel CoolPix L6 and the 7.2-megapixel CoolPix L5, will be available exclusively through retailing stores.

The other three cameras are members of the compact S series. The CoolPix S9 is a slimline model 2.4cm thick. It has 6.1-megapixel zoom and 3x optical zoom. The CoolPix S10 has the same resolution, but increases the optical zoom factor to 10x, and its swiveling lens mechanism allows you to take pictures from any angle.

The 7.1-megapixel Coolpix S7c has 3x optical zoom lens and features a large 3in LCD display, but its most interesting feature is the built-in wireless antenna, which allows you to transfer pictures straight onto any wireless-equipped Mac or PC.

Skype Phones for the Mac

Posted on December 1st, 2006 in Hardware, Wi-Fi Phone | No Comments

The Skype VoIP software that lets you make voice calls from your computer to an ordinary phone line has been available for the Mac for some time. However, most of the handsets and accessories designed for use with Skype have been for PC users only. Now, though, you can starting to see a selection of Mac-compatible handsets.

Keyspan VP-24A Cordless Voip Phone Skype Compatible for Mac Or Pc

SkypeStyle has just launched a number of Skype handsets for the Mac. The Cyberphone Mac is a USB handset that plugs into a USB port on your Mac and allows you to control Skype software and make calls through the handset. For the low price, you can go cordless with the Polar IP Atomic handset, or you can completely unplug from your computer with the Edge Core WiFi Phone, a mobile handset that can make Skype calls using any wireless network or hotspot.

Mac gadget specialists, Keyspan, are getting in on the act too, with their own Cordless VoIP Phone. The handset is a little pricey but includes a rechargeable battery so you won’t need to spend money on batteries.

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