How do wireless IP network cameras work?

bluesnake

JulyKnot wrote: »

This is what I was looking at.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-camera-Pan-Tilt-2-ways/dp/B00432J56G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364042532&sr=8-1

The problems are often poor quality pictures with these. This housing type is produced by quite a few companies and some have very poor cameras.

Now if it has automatic light level detection, then this can be a problem at night as the IR bounces off window glass and straight back into the lens, causing white pictures.

TimHillOne is excellent windows software but cost a little

JulyKnot

bluesnake wrote: »

The problems are often poor quality pictures with these. This housing type is produced by quite a few companies and some have very poor cameras.

Now if it has automatic light level detection, then this can be a problem at night as the IR bounces off window glass and straight back into the lens, causing white pictures.

TimHillOne is excellent windows software but cost a little

Yes, I was hoping the IR could either be turned off or blutak over the leds might work.
Was also looking at Foscam which again look similar but cost significantly more.
I am reluctant to spend much on what is really just to satisfy curiosity rather than use for evidence etc. I have accepted that dubious activity in poor light would be missed.

Interest renewed as pet soon to give birth and thought it would be useful to check remotely when at work and call for local assistance if required.

Is Foscam worth the extra although reluctant to spend a lot for something experimental?

bluesnake

JulyKnot wrote: »

Yes, I was hoping the IR could either be turned off or blutak over the leds might work.
Was also looking at Foscam which again look similar but cost significantly more.

Is Foscam worth the extra although reluctant to spend a lot for something experimental?

I would check that you can turn the leds off. Non of mine you could, also they were not the Foscan type either.

Hot sure about Foscam picture quality comparison to the Amazon one, but do know there is worse than Foscam.

kwikbreaks

Those Foscam clones used to be ~ £50 or more. I'm surprised they are so cheap now. I've no idea what the quality is like but the genuine Foscams are far from perfect so it might be worth taking a punt on one.

Here is my writeup of a genuine Foscam of similar type - http://www.digitalham.co.uk/cctv/foscam-fi8918w/

Regarding turning the leds off remotely - the FI8918W supports that but I think the earlier FI8908W didn't and at the time I was looking at these things the clones were of the older camera. You'd need to check specs or ask the sellers to be sure.