Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)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 [']
Click Here to see more reviews about: Genuine Foscam Fi8908w Wireless Ip Camera Network with Pan & Tilt,night Vision,2 Way Audio,black
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