Update:I attached a video recorded from the Active X viewer from Internet Explorer. I was at work when I connected and was surprised to see my older son in my younger son's crib! You should get an idea of the audio and video quality. The camera was in wireless mode. It created a .asf file, but I changed the extension to .wmv to upload to Amazon.
This is from a perspective of a Mac user with Snow Leopard 10.6.4. I uploaded a bunch of screenshots of the setup screens.
PC users can extrapolate the logic.
The hardware is EXACTLY the same as the Sharx Security VIPcella-IR S. It is also the same as the y-cam-knight Google it.
I decided to save 50% of the cost of the Sharx Security VIPcella-IR S since I am very comfortable with computers and networks. By reading the excellent review of the Sharx, they are mostly from the added software and support. Once you figure this camera out, it will perform exactly the same as the Sharx Security VIPcella-IR S. (I haven't tried the mini-sd card yet)
At first, I thought, I'll just use the Y-cam Mac setup software, but it didn't find the camera.
The VERY first thing I did was to plug an Ethernet cord to the back of the Camera so that it can get an IP address from my Airport Extreme Router.
Then you have to determine what IP was given to the Camera so you can connect to it via the browser. Just follow the steps in the screenshot.
Once you have the IP address, simply type it in Safari and the default username and password is admin / admin.
From there you can mess with the settings.
Be sure to download the FREE y-cam app from iTunes so you can use your iTouch or iPhone as a super clear baby monitor!
The unfortunate thing is that there is no sound.
TO ACCESS OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
If you want to access the camera outside of your home, it is best to give it a DHCP Reservation:
In the AirPort Utility, click DHCP
Then under DHCP Reservations, click the + sign
Give it a Description and select the MAC Address (I copied and pasted it from the "System" Screen of the Camera settings
Then give it a valid IP address.
So whenever you restart your Airport, it doesn't give the Camera a different IP address.
Then you have to Configure Port Mappings.
I changed the port of the camera to 8081 just in case someone randomly gets my home IP address. The default is port 80, which any browser will automatically connect.
Just change all the ports in the Port Mapping Setup Assistant in the Airport Utility to match the port you picked, and the Private IP address will be the IP of the camera you chose above.
If you are geeky enough to understand the above, then you can save yourself about $150 bucks from the Sharx since they apparently do a great job of simplifying it for the end user. The LTS is the SAME hardware, but it isn't as "Plug and Play" Software and support make the Sharx a winner. I didn't have to call LTS support so I have no clue how they are.
All the other reviews to the Sharx in regards to performance will be relevant to this camera.
I'm thinking of buying another LTS LTCIP830MV-W Wireless IP Camera with 30 IR LEDs and MicroSD Card with the money I saved :-)
Hope this helped!
WRONG!!!!
There are differences between the cameras.
This camera ships with firmware 3.25, which is 2 years old and cannot be updated.
Missing full mac compatibility, SD functions and send to FTP, NAS-Ready and much more.
It will never stream audio via the Y-cam free iPhone app. (currently under development)
No support
Older chipset
My advice for others considering this camera: Pay a little more for the Y-Cam version. Unfortunately, you can't buy it through Amazon, so take a look at the US online retailers listed on the Y-Cam website. I am returning the LTS.In Internet Explorer, audio/video work perfect. Audio didn't work with the firmware shipped, you can get a new firmware here , then audio works just like advertised (not really, see update below). It automatically switches between night/day vision. Very good video quality also. Haven't tried mobile streaming yet but cam->IE works with zero issues. Make sure you update firmware like I said. To whoever discovered this product, Mr. Cruz thank you!!
This product is definitely for those who are more technical (no customer support) but honestly, it wasn't that difficult to setup at all.
__
Update DEC-03-10: Still having audio trouble. 3 different computers, a mix of XP/Vista, IE7/8. Upon first login, no audio. Go into settings, change nothing, simply click "Apply", the video refreshes, with audio. It's a minor issue but still, I took 1 star away for this.I just wanted to add a few more words to this product which might not have been covered. This product does have a firmware update site.
The new models come with the 4.+ firmware already installed.
I recommend this one for anyone that's somewhat tech savvy and would like to save a 100+ bucks on what is technically the same camera inside and out, with different software. If you'd like to save extra $$, the white one is 20 bucks less than the black one. I'm using this camera as a baby monitor.
I personally haven't tried the other models of the same camera, but I found installing the product pretty self explanatory. I recommend you read E.Cruz's review and installation instructions.
I use a Mac, so firefox, chrome, or safari didn't have sound. I've heard that installing VLC Streamer with Safari will allow sound, but I haven't tried it myself. For PCs, it seems that Internet Explorer is the only browser that works with sound, (after installing ActiveX.
Here's what has worked for me (sound wise):
Y-Cam app: for the iPhone (free to download). You will get a good picture, but as some have said, the sound is choppy. Seems that sound only works on admin (for me at least.
Baby Monitor HD: for the iPhone (cost 9.99). You will get a good picture, and the sound is pretty seamless (no choppiness). It has some extra features, like audio and vibrate alert. My personal choice.)
One tip on the audio: Cameras must be configured with Audio set to AMR 5.9. ie. Setting> Camera>Camera Settings>AMR Bit Rate.
I know this isn't much of a review, rather than buyer and technical advice, so I'll say that the picture quality is good, even though it does have a pink hue to it during the day. The night vision is excellent (black and white).
I still think the product is excellent, and I got more than I expected. I have three apple devices (two iPhones and one iPod touch) which I can use as a monitoring alarm and it sure beats the ridiculous prices I've seen on novice baby monitoring products.I am always amazed at how someone can discredit a decent product based on their lack of technical background. Case in point was the previous review where it is evident they had little background in public vs. private IP addressing. This reviewer can only view camera via private IP addressing (I'm assuming using DHCP) via wired Ethernet connection. (Admittedly I have no knowledge whatsoever of Mac's and many write of issue concerning such.) But reading the reviews carefully, I note where many issue fall on router and IP addressing. You can't always rely on UPnP configuration for your router.
In my opinion, this camera is not for the novice but definitely is good buy for those with "journeyman" level home or office IP networking experience.
As a previous reviewer noted earlier before attempting configuration of this camera to your network upgrade your router's firmware or simply upgrade router altogether as I did. Cisco E1000 router works great. Also using DYNDNS free dynamic domain naming service is the way to go vs. public IP address. Works great on Microsoft XP and Windows 7.
FP (ComTIA A+, Network+)
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