Outdoor Waterproof Wireless/wired Ip Camera with Night Vision and Motion Detection Alarm, Apple Mac

This IP camera is fine for monitoring. But, I give it 3 stars for the following reasons:

1) Cannot seem to remove/delete the default login used during set-up but then is supposed to be replaced by a log-in/password only I know. This to me is a security issue that makes your server vulnerable to attack and viewing of your premises by anyone with the default user/password and camera address.

2) No technical support other than the tiny set-up manual that comes with the camera.

3) My outdoor cam is mounted atop a roof for proper viewing but the power adapter/supply is too large to fit into an outdoor GFCI covered electrical box which keeps the plug from getting wet. So, I have to use a cold connection between an outdoor extension plug and the power adapter. Right now, I have placed the plugs inside a plastic tupperware type container. I emailed for a solution and hopefully one will be forthcoming.

4) From the purported camera manufacturer's website at :

"Warning: There are a large number of bootleg/knockoff Foscam cameras being sold as "official Foscam" cameras on Amazon and Ebay. The bootleggers have become increasinlgy (sic) proficient in duplicating the physical appearance of our cameras as well as the user interface. Thus, we can no longer provide support or warranties on behalf of ANY Amazon or Ebay resellers, whatsoever. Please protect yourself and purchase direclty (sic) using the links on this page. If you have any questions or concerns please call us directly at 713 893 7869. All returns and replacements are processed through our warehouse in Houston, TX."

I like the camera but right now my advice is to look at purchasing direct from Foscam.us but first make them tell you how to remove and replace the default log-in before you purchase. Then how about telling me by leaving a comment.

Thanks.

I've ordered two of these cameras. During testing, I did find the color was quite far off for a few items (one wood table looked pink), but in general it was close enough to not be distracting. Sharpness is fine IMHO. I didn't use the provided software so no comment on it -setup was straight forward using manaual methods though. The wifi worked fine through 2 walls. I've read the older revision of this camera had ethernet, power, and reset directly on the camera, although nobody had problems with water intrusion they were concerned about how many holes there were to seal. Mine has the power, ethernet, and reset on the end of some cables, that join into one larger cable at the back of the camera, so no worries over complex seals failing on this one. I think it's a great camera for the price, I mean, it costs less than the enclosure alone for some other outdoor camera conversions, and way less than any other outdoor camera I could find.

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Camera works as I would have expected, currently only able to get the wired operations, WIFI on our N/G/B network has been unsuccessful.

BIG WARNING : Amazon is not authorized to sell these cameras, cannot support them and the manufacturer states they will not support Amazon purchases. This really ticks me off.

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If you are not IP savvy then read all the 'reviews' before you try to set up the camera. Here are some tips. 1. Hook the camera with the router. Don't use wireless for the first time. 2. use the 'IP camera finder' to install the camera. Make a note of the PORT. 3. Logon to your router and forward the PORT. It's under 'virtual server' tab/option. You should be able to see the picture either from internet DDNS server or by typing the IP address directly on the browser(example 192.168.0.108:8300 , 8300 is the fwding PORT) . 4. Once you see the camera on the browser use the OPTION to configure the motion detector/ alarm functions. Setting email was a bit of challenge. The camera does not support SSL SMTP server, so you will not be able to send emails to SSL server like gmail or rr.com. I used Yahoo and it worked. Put your email address as the sender email address. Receiver, I had gmail, you can use your own. smtp server is smtp dot mail dot yahoo dot com[put '.' instead of dot], port 25, user just the name without [@yahoo dot com] and password. Save it and test. 5.Set the wireless SSID and authentication parameter. You should be ready to go, enjoy.

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Over the past year I have done a lot of work with network IP cameras including high-end commercial models from Axis Communications; mid-range units from Panasonic and budget cameras from Foscam. I have worked extensively with three Foscam camera models FI8918W Pan/Tilt, FI8909W-NA fixed camera and the FI8904W fixed outdoor model. All of these cameras were purchased directly from China rather than from Amazon, because Amazon did not offer them when I made my purchases, however, Amazon's price is very good and I would purchase any future units from them.

The Foscam cameras are made by Foscam Intelligent Technologies Co., Ltd. in Shenzhen, China. Their website is often down, apparently due to China's pervasive interference with its Internet service. Despite this, Foscam's support via email is quite responsive considering the time difference.

These cameras have proven reliable after months of service both indoors and outdoors. All of the camera models have been installed outdoors in semi-protected locations, such as under a building eve and the model FI8904W has weathered a less protected location where only the rear of the camera was shielded from rain. Note: only the front of the FI8904W is water resistant, despite what the brochure says.

These cameras are consumer grade with a small sensor and a plastic lens. Display resolution is modest at 640 x 480 Pixels (300k Pixels). They are adequate for general observation and surveillance and are especially good for monitoring a home interior. You can test drive a Foscam FI8918W camera installed in Russia at this link: Login using Server Push Mode as user demo and a password of demo. You can fully control the pan/tilt. Personally, I recommend that you never use the ActiveX mode it is, in my opinion, buggy.

All of the Foscam cameras come with infrared LEDs built-in the camera face. This enables night vision in black & white. The FI8904W model is particularly good at seeing in the dark, given its large array of infrared LEDs. The manufacturer claims 20 meters of visibility. I can say that a pitch black 20x20 foot room will appear as if the room lights are on in the FI8904W 's video.

The builtin software enables multiple cameras to be linked through its built-in web page, creating a single monitoring center for multiple cameras. A demonstration of this feature can be seen on YouTube at:

One issue is that to save cost, Foscam cameras lack the switchable infrared filter found in more expensive IP network cameras. As a result, the colors of images and videos will not be true, primarily concerning the color green. Plant foliage will appear gray. Given the camera's security goal, this isn't a big issue to me.

All Foscam cameras have built-in software supporting a motion detector feature that can be scheduled by day of week and time of day, in fifteen minute increments. When active, detected motion will cause six time stamped (in the filename) still photographs of what caused the motion to be emailed to the email address of your choice. It supports access to smtp mail servers, such as Yahoo but not SSL servers, such as Gmail.

Lastly, configuring any network IP camera, not just Foscam, is not plug and play and Foscam's little instruction booklet is minimal. Help exists on Internet forums like