Trixology
Weather => Weather Hardware/Measurement => Topic started by: xairbusdriver on May 06, 2015, 08:23:49 PM
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The listed cameras are simply ones I found in a search of the forums. There could be more, but these are all from ~2013 and later. There are a couple of threads asking for recommendations and you are encouraged to post there, also.
It would be great if you would post about how you have the camera connected to your weather site; USB/Ethernet/WiFi/uploaded to a hosting service/any combination. Details such as resolution, Infrared capabilities, access to image controls like contrast, saturation, etc., and would you recommend the camera?
Thanks!
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Dear xairbusdriver and WeatherCat TV broadcasters,
It would be great if you would post about how you have the camera connected to your weather site; USB/Ethernet/WiFi/uploaded to a hosting service/any combination. Details such as resolution, Infrared capabilities, access to image controls like contrast, saturation, etc., and would you recommend the camera?
I bought the Logictech 9000 years ago and honestly it is about the weakest solution out there. It's one advantage is that it is easy to set up and interface to WeatherCat. However, I think any USB webcam will do that. The downsides are poor image quality and the fact that the optics are actually near-sighted.
I'll be watching this thread because I'll have to replace my webcam someday!
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
P.S. I also have problems with the Logictech getting "lost." I have to unplug and plug it back in to the USB hub to get it recognized again. Although this could be a hub rather than a camera issue. Yet, another thing, I need to straighten out someday . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/D'oh.gif)
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Sorry to hear about that problem. I recall reading about fixing a "near-sighted" camera... I don't think we can expect too much in resolution at the <$100 price range, but it shouldn't be so bad that we have to resort to an optometrist! :D
USB hub
Is that a buss or self-powered hub? Many of the wireless cams I've looked at have a power supply rated at .5 amps, just to power the camera. If the camera is just connected via USB it may have a pretty high draw and gets dumped ("lost") by the OS. [banghead]
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You're poll is too limiting. I need to check three of the boxes. :) I picked Sharx
I have a Logitech 9000 USB camera with diopter correction, two Sharx 3905, and an Olympus SP-500UZ still camera running SebecTec Webcam software on Windows XP under Parallels.
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You're poll is too limiting.
Aren't they always!? :P
Seriously, I see no way to allow selecting more than one choice without introducing double(triple)-dipping. This is a limit of the forum s/w, I think. It might be possible for an Admin with super-powers to 'adjust' the numbers (like we can in WC). Hopefully, others will make use of the posting option to add the data like you did. It would be even better if members would include which, of multiple cameras, they thought were best/worst, and why. After all, poll answers are often too limiting in their answers! [lol2]
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I created a poll once and everyone responded by posting and not clicking on the poll so I assume this is the way WeatherCatters do it.
I am using a Sharx internal camera, which was not an option in the poll. I have the SCNC2900.
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I'm using the Sharx SCNC2900 internal WiFi as well and absolutely love it. Yes, it is pricey but I have found you (usually) get what you pay for. I do not have a public live stream, but post the WeatherCat hourly movies on my site, along with a static picture link.
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everyone responded by posting
Some people may never see the poll, depending on how the forum s/w works. Coming to this thread via the "new" button in a thread list probably takes you to the first post you haven't seen in that thread. The first time you should see the poll, but if you don't vote and come back later, you may not even remember to scroll back up to the top.
Forum s/w is notoriously non-standard, so what worked in one may not in another. Some may just decide to post something minimal and be done with it. 'Course, clicking a radio button is about as 'minimal' as it gets... [rolleyes2]
Sorry you missed the radio button for "Sharx" Blick, it's just to the left of "Others". :P But there actually is one with "Sharx", it just doesn't have any model numbers, I just copied that from the thread I saw it in. There seem to be close to 3,825 different models of "web cams" out there. I figured I'd get banned from the site if I made the list too close to that number/ [computer] [coffee]
So, looks like the 'sharks' are circling the pool... I mean poll?! [blush]
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OK, in a valiant attempt to please everyone, I have changed the poll LABELS. You are now voting only on a BRAND. Please continue to post about the model that you use.
Thanks for you participation!
Note: British voters can wait till next week, since they may be tired of all the choices they had on 5/7/2015! ;)
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I'm using an Axis M1004-W Network camera. Small size, HD with Wifi, and manually adjustable focus. Very happy with it.
Jos
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Sorry you missed the radio button for "Sharx" Blick, it's just to the left of "Others".
I didn't miss it, it just didn't fit my situation. Before you modified the poll, when I first saw it, it was labeled External and mine is internal so I didn't click on it. Now that you have widened the scope out I have now clicked on the button.
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Note: British voters can wait till next week, since they may be tired of all the choices they had on 5/7/2015! ;)
Just to clarify. British voters had those choices on 7/5/2015 as 5/7/2015 won't roll around until July. :)
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I have a Logitech 9000 USB camera with diopter correction
I think I've seen something about this in another thread. Is this the "near-sighted" condition some have referred to? I'm wondering if it was an intentional design. Using these cams for 'back yard' weather shots may not be what some models were designed for. After all most are for mounting on ones monitor or literal desktop to be used for "video chats". That means they would usually be well within 36" of the "subject". I'm just guessing, here, of course. [removed link to the now castly photobucket.com site] Having the background out of focus could be a blessing! Of course, for some of us, having all of our image out of focus might be best!
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I think it's got something to do with the autofocus only working on Wintel machines. I bought one, way back when. When I found that out, it went into the dust bin.
[rolleyes2]
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...it went into the dust bin
...I don't suppose it's still in there... I love to take things apart that are already broken/replaced! ;)
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Hmm, Well things have changed a lot recently at my weather station. I am still operating on a less than stellar shoe string budget (read that more as shoe ramen noodle actually). So I do what I can to keep things on the very, very cheap. I managed to turn my old Man Mini into a relatively good functioning Hacintosh running Mavericks. So the latest version of WC is running and doing very well. I have lost some things, WIFI and Sound have to be run through external dongles now, but it works.
My video is again reconfigured to work with what I have. I used to use a Video repeater to boost the outdoor signal and get it into the house without wires. That has since been replaced by hardwire. The advent of local wireless high speed internet has so badly overloaded the RF on those frequencies as to render them useless, even in my own house I can't connect my laptop to the gateway because it often can't be found. There are over 80 other WIFI systems fighting for the same frequencies and none of them work well. Anyway, we are now forced to hardwire our networked equipment and it works much better as long as you don't trip! [woohoo]
So the camera is still a very low lux (.00001 lux, can still see a couple of stars in the local pollution ) generic Chinese security camera mounted outside in a heated/cooled all weather housing on a remote controlled rotor. All this runs over hardline to an XLR8 analog video to USB dongle into the HacMini. I still use EvoCam to produce the images as WC will only run for about thirty hours before it shuts down if I set the camera up with the WC preferences. Instead I use EvoCam to make a single weather.jpg that is used by WC for the site. The hardware still come in under the original limit of $500 which is pretty good.
I have looked into some HD cameras but so far I cannot find one that can survive the environment here very long and none are functional to the low light requirements I have. The fund that was paying for all this has recently be retested to military only by the government and so we aren't getting any more funding. So we'll hold out as long as we can and recycle cameras as needed to keep feeds alive. One of my research monkeys is working on some interesting image capture algorithms that filter some of the pollution noise out and gives us a better image, but so far they don't play nice with other programs running with them. The future will tell on that eventually. We also found out a couple of years ago that all of the cheap security cameras like we were using had a similar problem, they were all limited in focus to 8 feet. Since we change the lenses always, that hasn't been a great problem, but they are still hard to focus beyond their predetermined limit.
About the only thing that has changed much is WC with the addition of the new custom gauges (THANKS) they look much better and are much easier to read for me.
Still having fun!
Doc
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Nice set of gauges, Doc! Is it safe for me to assume they are created in the WC app? BTW, I think the Wind Speed gauge might be in the shop for repairs? Either that, or some one has 'borrowed' it! ;)
Does that camera have a brand name? Is it still available? Finally, how and what do you do to "change the lenses"? I once bought an "as is" camera in the 'discard' bin of a major, on-line retailer. You could shake the camera and hear that something was lose (I determined that it was something in the camera, and not in my head). Don't remember if it was the lens or the sensor, what I did to "repair" it didn't help much...
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Dear xairbusdriver, Steve, Herb, Doc, and WeatherCat movie "directors" . . . . .
Is this the "near-sighted" condition some have referred to?
Actually Steve wrote up a thread almost 2 years ago explaining how to improve the focus of a Logitech 2000 with a corrective lens:
http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=812.msg7152#msg7152 (http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=812.msg7152#msg7152)
The pictures speak for themselves. If you want to stick with a 9000 for whatever reason it is an easy and useful fix.
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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About the only thing that has changed much is WC with the addition of the new custom gauges (THANKS) they look much better and are much easier to read for me.
Still having fun!
Doc: I like your colour choices in the custom gauges. Glad you are having fun.
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I followed the link from Edouard, which had a link to the original discussion and some "how to" instructions. Unfortunately, the thread is 14 pages long! [sleep] I'll have to bookmark it for later reading! I could sure use URLMPro on my iPad! [tup]
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Well, since I never throw stuff away, it's probably stored in the basement with the old SCSI and AppleTalk cables.
But I'll wager it is very dusty.
[lol2]
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"Dust" I can take care of. I'll meet you in Jonesboro, give me a time. Coffee is on me... at McDonald's. [lol2]
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Sometimes if you are accessing the webpage during an upload cycle (every 10 minutes) you'll loose one of the pictures, if you wait and refresh a few minutes later, you'll get it back.
Glad you like the color scheme. I have used the same color scheme for years as it's easy for my and my eyes to see, specially on my live display. Yes these are the custom gauges that are totally generated by WC now. I am really happy with them...... I'm also working on some newer graphs that will show historical data in stages. So the pressure will start short term and go to yearly and similar for other data reporting. One of the local Weather Heads suggested it.
The Cameras that I have been using are generally cheap Chinese with no names on them (hence the cheap, they are either counterfeit or going to places for rebranding). They generally come with no lens at all and a standard "C" thread lens mount, pretty much the standard. I have a box full of C thread lenses and I can refocus most any of them to work and provide a good clear image. The main difficulty is that they all have a small CCD producing a small image, the result is a limited resolution. It was good enough for most things. The primary thing I looked for was low light, and these have done very well. You can usually find them or something similar on eBay if you search for star light or .ooo1 lux.
Doc
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Below are some personal opinions and generalizations. Please take all of it with several grains of sodium chloride, or your favorite substitute. [lol] [coffee]
I stayed up long enough to read or scan every single message in the Wxforum "Near sighted" thread. I was at least half way through before I realized why there were so many references to XP, WinCam, etc. [banghead] DOH! This was knot a Trixology thread!!! [blush]
Still, there was a lot of good, general info about web cams. Reinforced my opinion that most USB web cams are made for use in face-to-face 'chats' where few would need to display anything outside their house. "Infinity" for that type of camera is measured in feet, not miles, much less astronomical units! [lol] It should not be surprising that they are almost all "near-sighted". :)
The few USB cams that mention "outdoor" use should be slightly better optically. Even those may be built for use where one wants to get some kind of facial recognition before lowering the draw bridge, however.
"Real" security cameras, no matter the communications protocol, should have much greater depth of field, the key word being "should".
That "web cams" have been as successful as they have is partly a testament to the ingenuity of the owners and not a little with the general acceptance of is a less than perfect image. After all, most of us are not interested in the size of the rain drops but the overall 'atmosphere' created by "weather"; our "normal" main interest. ;D
I'll even go so far as to say that price is often the most important factor in the selection of any web cam, no matter what it's use will be. Close to that would be its capabilities and Mac access to them.
In reading the WxForum thread, I was reminded of out much work has gone into WeatherCat to make using a web cam so much easier for us Mac users. It was not unusual to read of people using three different apps just to handle the video before even getting to the actual weather data handling app. Some of us, especially newcomers like me probably have no idea of the advances made by the hard-working dev of WC. [computer] [cheer]
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For those interested in a true, real-life saga, here's a link to the "near-sighted-web cam" thread over at <WxForum, Chapter One (http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=19044.0)>. It's a very civil, but often divergent discussion of how some were able to make their cameras better... and some, not so much.
Additionally, here is a link showing the results of "Hubble-ized (http://ourspecial.net/twinhollies/weathercenter/campage/)" cameras. Perhaps the site should be linked to by Logitech since the majority of cameras seem to be Logitech C920/C910/C510/9000 models. :D These are usually "live" views, so a night time image is nothing much to look at. Even less interesting are a few sites no longer active for one reason or another. ;)
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I'm now considering a PoE camera as the least expensive and most stable connection. It will require a power injection device (~$25), but that's much cheaper than USB for the distances I need. PoE is a well engineered and mature communications protocol, also. I have an inquiry to one supplier as the outdoor camera has practically no info in the "Specifications" on their site! All the other cameras they offer are quite fully speced. :o With my luck, it will probably mean they don't offer the model any longer. [banghead]
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I'm now considering a PoE camera as the least expensive and most stable connection.
Xair:
Are you looking for an internal or external cameras? I assume external from your post. Just curious if you are looking at Cat 5 or 6 cable and over what distance?
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If I can reach the soffit from inside the attic, I'll probably use an external camera. The 12 x 12 pitched roof will finally make something easier! [rolleyes2] The distance will be well under the 100 meter 'approved' limit. Cat 5e or 6 will be sufficient. The only hole in the ceiling will be in the computer room. That will lead directly to the attic. From there, I'll go around a large second story room that has crawl space between its wall and the roof on one side. After that, it's clear sailing to the back of the roof above the Master BR or soffit.
If I don't get the info on the external camera, however, I may be forced to use an internal model. In that case there will be a hole the Master BR and a 4" x 5" 'brick showing in the non-opening transom. I'd like to avoid any more "negotiating" with SWMBO! [lol]
I'll probably wait a few more months so the attic will be plenty warm... even with its three powered exhaust fans. [sweat2]
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Just curious if you are looking at Cat 5 or 6 cable and over what distance?
Not an AirBus Driver here but an Eagle Driver (retired) nevertheless. I'll offer my experience with long-run PoE.
I have a Sharx 3905-Wide mounted on my shed which is being powered via PoE over a buried 300 foot exterior grade Cat5e copper ethernet cable. PoE injector meets the more powerful IEEE 802.3at standard and is certified for -4?F. No problems at all powering the camera, wintertime low temps hit -5?F.
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We don't allow those kinds of temps in SW TN! :P You might want to consider hiring new weather controllers!!! :o Pretty warm in the attic, however! "exterior grade" would probably be a wise choice! [tup] The power injector, at least, will be in more human habitable conditions! ;)
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"exterior grade" would probably be a wise choice! [tup] The power injector, at least, will be in more human habitable conditions! ;)
This may be overkill for you, but I ran my exterior grade cable inside a metal conduit. We have predators here that love to eat cable.
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"Predators, indeed! [lol2] We learned rather quickly that the screen-wire "protection" on our powered roof/attic fans were for six-legged predators, only! Ones with fewer legs, and usually wearing masks, were quite capable of moving that screening out of the way. I 'engineered' some hardware cloth coverings under the three fan units, all the while praying that the 'predators' had "left the building"! [rolleyes2] Only damage we could find was some mangled foam rubber insulation. Obviously, these "guests" just wanted a warm place for the night, during the Summer, they would have had their nails trimmed trying to enter these openings!
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We don't allow those kinds of temps in SW TN!
Gonna be in Knoxville a couple weeks from now...ORNL.
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Set up a D-LInk a few months ago. It is wireless, HD and has infrared capability, i.e. night vision, albeit short range. For security reasons I didn't want it hooked directly to my home network; so I run it through the guest network. Have had no problems with it. Wish I could afford a camera that had more night vision capabilities in order to see deer, fox, or whatever. With the present camera, I did catch a raccoon pestering the bird feeder.
http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KGAGRACE1 (http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KGAGRACE1)
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Don't know why I didn't look at this site earlier. It has a very extensive list of cameras that might be useful for investigating possible camera purchases for use with a Mac.<Evological.com (http://www.evological.com/cameras.html)> "a Mac-only software company, committed to creating high quality, easy-to-use software products"
I would have sworn I saw a reference to the Ubitquiti brand on the forums (perhaps it was at WxForum?). As is usual, most hardware that should be compatible with a Mac has very little specific data on that topic. About the best one gets is that "Mac OS" is included in a list of 'System requirements'. Of course, there are some that even mention a version of OS X. This version of a hobby being a niche or a niche, makes this kind of info extremely important and proportionally less obvious. Oh well... [removed link to the now castly photobucket.com site]
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Several forum members use EvoCam from Evological. Good company.
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Several forum members use EvoCam from Evological. Good company.
And alas, some even put their equipment in their profile for easy reference. [biggrin]
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And alas, some even put their equipment in their profile for easy reference. [biggrin]
Well, not to hijack this thread, but now that I am looking at your profile and see that you are using EvoCam 5, I have some questions. Were you using EvoCam 4.X before you went with 5? How do you like 5? What is the main difference between 4x and 5x?
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Blick, I upgraded to version 5 with 64-bit architecture (which I think was still beta then) when I did a clean install of Yosemite on the Mac mini that runs my weather software.
Here's what Evological says about version 5:
Added support for Foscam FI9828W
Added support for TRENDnet TV-IP672WI
Image-based actions now support image resizing (for thumbnails, etc)
Added 'Set document visibility' action to hide/show documents
Source for camera items can now be set via AppleScript
And I'll add one more, memory leaks seem to be largely non-existent with version 5. It runs weeks without issue, recording three cameras 24x7.
There were a lot of complaints when Evological released version 4 as a Cocoa application, I think largely because it broke version 3 AppleScripts which folks had invested a lot of time on. I liked version 4 for a multitude of reasons including the recordings in mp4 format vice mov on the older.
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I use to use EvoCam. When I set up my D-Link DCS-2330L, a wireless, outdoor rated cam, I set it up to use its internal software (operating system). The cam is a mini-server, if you will. It will FTP, work as a web server, etc. Pretty much, it will do anything you ask it to, though the setup instructions are clumsy at best. I was able to stumble through it and get it working without too much hassle and experimentation.
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Dear Michael, and WeatherCat sys-admins,
I you posted something a while back that puzzled me then and still puzzles me so I guess I've just gotta' ask:
For security reasons I didn't want it hooked directly to my home network; so I run it through the guest network.
Sorry, I can't imagine the security issue you are concerned about. What is the exploit you are worried about and how does running this camera on a guest network resolve the problem?
Curious minds want to know!
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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A while back, an exploit was found in webcams, those used primarily for video chatting, that enabled hackers to take over the cam and view whatever/whenever what they wanted without the homeowner knowing it. There were reports of people being exposed in the privacy of their homes. The firmware of the risky cams has since been updated to prevent such exploits (though how often do people update their camera's firmware). I wasn't a victim of this exploit but was aware of it and it gave me pause when setting up my own camera. I think it is possible, if not probable, that the system software (Linux, I think) on the webcam could be hacked. By using my guest network, if someone ever hacked into my network via the software on the webcam, it would only be the guest network; I have nothing else on that network. So, my main computer and the weather station computer aren't at risk. That is my thinking concerning the security aspect. It may be that I am being overly cautious due to my ignorance of the real nature of the risks. I figured it is better to play it safe.
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Dear Michael, and WeatherCat sys-admins,
A while back, an exploit was found in webcams, those used primarily for video chatting, that enabled hackers to take over the cam and view whatever/whenever what they wanted without the homeowner knowing it.
. . .
I figured it is better to play it safe.
Hmm, I wasn't aware of this. Open source is neat in many respects but the quality of the code . . . .
Okay, I'll have to give this matter a little more thought.
Thanks for the tip!
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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I should emphasize that in my research for camera security, I didn't find any reports of exploits or hacks upon current models. All the info was for the problem that came up a couple of years ago. Secure measures were strongly recommended, the simplest (but very important) and often neglected was use a very secure password to access admin rights.
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I'm considering the following outdoor, PoE camera: <EYEsurv-esip-APEX3-bt1 (http://www.nellyssecurity.com/eyesurv-esip-apex3-bt1-3mp-ip-ir-outdoor-bullet-security-camera.html#product-tabs)> I was seriously looking at (another Chinese 'brand') and saw many reports about the same problem that affects many digital cameras sold in the USoA; Grey-boxed versions. Chinese versions that are hacked to provide English text, but that will revert to the original language IF you can even install any firmware updates. Supposedly, Amazon is not too good at recognizing this buy-it-cheap-and-foist-it-off-as-the-branded-product SCAM. I can understand most of these camera's being made over there, but even companies based there are being asked to provide support for hardware not that was not intended to be sold anywhere else. That's how I came across the site selling the hacked brand as well as this one.
Don't suppose anyone here has used this brand? I've contacted the EvoCam dev if his software can handle this thing, although there is Mac software available for it, it might be easier to get support from a native Mac app! [tup] This search has sure turned up a pile of shady 'dealers'! [rolleyes2]
5/21/15, 9 am
Had a reply from "Nick" at Evological waiting in this mornings mail. [tup] He say it appears the camera would work with EvoCam, but he'd be glad to connect/investigate it if it didn't. Now, if I can get a replay from the (US) vendor, it wold help. OTOH, I'm willing to accept unmarked 20 dollars bills from any who want to hear the news first! Sorry, first five only! PM me and I'll give you a mailing address. [cheer]
5/21/15, 2 pm
Just heard from the vendor. "I couldn't find anything in the interface for capturing pictures based on a schedule or timed interval." They did suggest a more expensive camera with that capability. [rolleyes2] Of course, this may involve either the camera or the Mac version of the management software. I'm hoping that EvoCam or even WC can do the frame capture of the stream. Gotta check the EveoCam and WC Manuals...
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I'd suggest that you will be happier with a reputable cam in the long run, though more expensive up front. At least that is the way I often end up buying, i.e. buying up. My wife has gotten use to it.
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I'm hoping that EvoCam or even WC can do the frame capture of the stream. Gotta check the EveoCam and WC Manuals...
EvoCam certainly can...timed and/or motion detected within a user-defined area of the camera's FOV.
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From page 170, WC User Manual:
WeatherCat can capture images from your camera at predetermined intervals.
Never hurts to read the manual...;)
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I'd suggest that you will be happier with a reputable cam in the long run, though more expensive up front.
Could not agree more. My experience with the low cost Chinese cameras was very frustrating and a complete waste of my time.
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I haven't done the math, but I think it's safe to say at least 69.37% of the cameras on the EvoCam list of the "supported cameras" are from China. I have followed the links to every brand. Are there any cameras meeting these requirements:
1. Outdoor
2. PoE
3. 1280x720 (minimum)
4. Under $200
This Poll lists only four brands (7 total users/votes). They are all made in China, as far as I know. There are six users/votes for "Other". The only brand actually named is "Axis", again, a Chinese made camera. It would be nice to know what the other six brands are, even if they are actually all one. ;) Such are the vagaries with volunteer surveying. [lol]
Even the $200 price is more than I want to spend. This is, after all, a hobby, most of us don't have a 'security system', I just want to display a scene in my yard with occasional weather phenomena. I don't even need the $800+ I've spent on the weather collection station to know and see what's happening out the window. [biggrin]
For most, a USB "web cam" is probably sufficient. I don't think those were designed with distant, landscape views in mind, that's just my opinion, of course. An extremely lengthy thread at WxForums discusses how to put "glasses" on one particular model! :)
This has been mostly an educational experience for me. I now know more about DDNS, USB, Ethernet, and wireless differences and what each is best and worst at. I hope the posts by so many participants have been helpful to others as much as they have been to me. [coffee]
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Dear X-Air, Michael, Felix, Blick, and WeatherCat savvy shopper,
I haven't done the math, but I think it's safe to say at least 69.37% of the cameras on the EvoCam list of the "supported cameras" are from China.
. . . .
Even the $200 price is more than I want to spend.
These days, it is very hard to buy - anything - that isn't made in China or at last parts made in China. Your Davis station was assembled in the USofA but from domestic and imported parts.
I agree with you. You shouldn't spend too much money on this - particularly when you aren't sure how much the webcam will add to your experience. If you are having mixed feelings about this, just grab a Logitech 9000 and get started with that. I've had one for over 2 years and honestly I don't feel any burning need to replace it.
Having watched the posts on this thread, I have some temptation to purchase a camera like Michael's D-Link DCS-2330L:
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-Wireless-Surveillance-mydlink-Enabled-DCS-2330L/dp/B00ISE2PB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1432330487&sr=1-1&keywords=d-link+dcs-2330l (http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-Wireless-Surveillance-mydlink-Enabled-DCS-2330L/dp/B00ISE2PB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1432330487&sr=1-1&keywords=d-link+dcs-2330l)
That's still under $150, gets the camera outside, and provides HD images.
As others suggest, resign yourself to buying a Chinese camera, but at least buy it from a reputable company and dealer that will allow you to return it if you have real problems. That's the best compromise.
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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Sorry posted incorrect. Not D Link
AXIS M1011-W Network Camera
[cheers1]
Cheers
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SeanA, I missed your post (incorrect or not). Are you saying you 'voted' in te poll incorrectly? No problem, either way, you now have the brand/model in plain site! Thanks! [tup]
I've done a considerable amount of surfing/image copying/company sleuthing on the EvoCam "Supported Cameras" list. (And I still got some items off the 'Honey do' list!) For some strange reason, I started at the end of the list and worked my way up to "Intellinet". Could only find proof that nine companies made their hardware in either China or Taiwan. But several others just don't identify the 'manufacturing' location(s). Didn't bother researching Samsung, Sony, or Panasonic; they may have 'contacts' in China, just like Apple! ;)
The distance from the mini to the back of the house, over the attic that's also over the second story, makes PoE the logical choice for economic reasons; PoE hardware is much cheaper than USB extensions, and is a mature technology. Also, I can barely get one bar of WiFi signal strength (on my iPhone, admittedly a poor measurement tool) in the location I plan on using, and a power source would still be needed.
My next research will be for reliable and helpful US-based suppliers. I've already had contact with "Nelly's Security (http://www.nellyssecurity.com)". They are just over the hill in Tulsa, OK. I might be able to get Bull to run over there and 'case the joint'. :P [lol]
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Impressive background research for this project. Will be fun to see it come together. By the way, the D-Link I purchase also has a PoE version that I recommended and was used at my school. It is a bit more expensive, but is doing well, has a sharp image and pretty good light receptivity.
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Panasonic BB-HCM735
Pro's easy install POE outdoor camera, good picture.
Con expensive compared to many others, PC centric ( a Mac ???) and grabbing a picture for WC I have never managed but to Wunderground it works flawless
Updated to newer model
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Just to clarify my previous comments. I don't have a problem with cameras made in China. I have experienced ridiculous problems with cheap cameras that are made for a PC, claim to work on a Mac and tech support is in China. Sricam is a brand that comes to mind and there are several others. Most of these are rebranded from the OEM. Here is an example of an exchange I had with tech support:
Me: Is the CMS DeviceViewer for Mac available in English? I cannot use the Mandarin version in the download.
Them: hi, software supports English interface, after you install successfully displayed in English.
Me: I can connect the IP Camera to my iMac with a network cable but I cannot connect wireless.
Them: I have not tried it, I do not know whether you can support, but you can put encryption into numbers and letters, and then connect the test, so that you can determine the success or failure, is not it? I hope you can try.
So, in other words, after I install using the Mandarin interface, which I cannot understand and have no idea which button to push, it will display in English. And they don't know if it will work or not but they hope I can try.
I even tracked down the OEM and asked if they would provide tech support for the camera. They told me I had to contact the seller. I told them the seller couldn't help me. They replied, "Next time, don't buy from them."
These cameras were a complete waste of my time and I returned them. They were worth what I paid and I learned if you pay a little more you get a product that is designed to work on a Mac and tech support is provided by someone who can conjugate verbs.
I do applaud your research Xair and am interested in your findings so thanks for posting.
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First, a big thanks to gb509 for the info! Can you give us a link to your WU page?
Second, I understand your experience was frustrating Blick. My only question is "What's a 'verb'?" [roll] I hope you can try it? [removed link to the now castly photobucket.com site]
I intend to write down that superb "advice" the OEM gave you... "Next time, don't buy from them." Maybe you could have suggested a corollary to him; "Next time, don't sell to them." [rolleyes2]
I've been too busy to do much this week, but I've pretty much decided to get a 'Chinese' PoE camera from a reputable, USA retailer. They are close enough that I can take the rock with the great advice on it and toss it through their window, if I need to. [cheer] [rockon]