Wx Cam adventures

[Felix]

在结束时，这是值得的成本

Google translate says "At the end, it is worth the cost."

Even if not quite correct, I agree with it.   

BTW Blick, I expect our Sharx cams are made in China as well. But as you noted, tech support is US based and reportedly very knowledgable. To date, knock on wood, I haven't had any need to interact directly with the tech support staff...the three cams I have from the company, including two prototype 3905 HD wide-angle versions which I don't think ever made it into full-scale production, were turn-key operations. They just worked with some standard network tweaking. Of course, everything was bench checked in PoE and wireless modes before I started climbing ladders.

I'll admit, I was more than a little surprised the first time I ran LanScan and up popped Shenzhen Ogemray Technology Co. as being associated with the cameras' IPs. Further search on Shenzhen Ogemray didn't show them to be a cam manufacturer; rather, a provider of Wi-Fi components. Still, I bet the cam and maybe even the firmware is made in China. I've found external form lookalikes that definitely originated overseas. I have no doubt that great quality cameras can be had at significantly cheaper prices if one is willing to put up with the aggravation of trying to get them to interface with a Mac. Thanks, but I'll leave that up to some bilingual network-savvy engineer tech.

[xairbusdriver]

Well said, Blick! Reminds me of something my great, great step-father-in-law, once removed once said to a complete stranger, "It's crakcers to drop a rozer in snide!" We need to keep our wise elders wisdom in our thoughts and plans!

[xairbusdriver]

Just found this message in my SPAM folder:

...I am an E.C. patient, and presently hospitalized in Guys & St. Thomas hospital in Central London, UK. My doctor says I have a few months to live, and I desire to stay within the confinement of my hospital room and live out my last days on earth quietly. I decided to go online and find some one remotely afar who can receive the funds from where it is presently deposited and disburse the money to cancer research institutes, churches, orphanages home, handicaps, widows and widowers and other deserving charity organizations. Indicate your willingness to assist me by responding to this email so I can provide you more details.

I'm sure this "lady" would expect me to take a bit of a 'commission' or 'expense' money from this. You do agree, of course? OK, if you don't agree, I won't send her your addy... then you'll be sorry!!!

I do feel sad that she wants to stay in hospital rather than a nice hospice by the see or maybe the Lake District.

Good ole Spamsieve, this is one of so few that have actual text/story in them, without the various "physical enhancement" drugs mentioned, but SS caught it, anyway.

[Felix]

And here I was expecting to hear that the webcam problem had been solved and put to bed forever based on the new subject line.

But then I remembered you'd boxed up #2 and sent it back for a refund.

Third time's got to be a charm, Driver.

[xairbusdriver]

I'm attempting to contact Sharx. Only means on their website doesn't even have a place for any kind of message; "leave your name, address (actual and/or virtual), phone number, we'll get back to you during normal business hours, your business is important to us". Several 'business' info sites all provide the same 'owner' and an address in a very nice area in New Hampshire. Google points to an empty lot, but that is a sometimes terrible way to find an actual location... Most of the 'business' info sites show their primary business is 'armored guard, security services'. I suppose 'security camera hardware' could fit into sometimes limited categories...

The only retailer I can find (other than Amazon) is Tri-State Cameras, Video, and Computers. They also carry refrigerators, CHEFS STAR Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer and spiralizers (whatever those are!), etc. Doesn't appear to be a 'security' specialist place...

[Felix]

Let me do an e-mail search and see if Sharx ever gave me a workable phone number.

[xairbusdriver]

Third time's got to be a charm,

I'm not a sports nut, by any stretch of the imagination, but I seem to remember something else about three somethings... and it was not positive, assuming your team was batting...

Boxes are not sealed yet. Still waiting for RMA acknowledgement. Probably a big holiday weekend somewhere the last few days...  Besides, there's always eBag. Or I might be able to foist off the camera on a forum member and make enough money to buy batteries from another one.

[xairbusdriver]

I have a (603) 965-4000 number for them and an 800 number for Tri-State.

Did you buy direct or from a retailer?

I'm also interested in the injector details.

[Felix]

603-965-4000

Yep, that's what I have as well.

I bought two direct and one from Amazon (which I think was Sharx anyway).

Injector on the long run is a Black Box LPJ001A-T. I gave it five stars on an Amazon review.

[xairbusdriver]

Thanks, Felix, you've been doing way more work that you should!

I guess I miss-spoke about sites 'offering' the camera. There are some; one has a 2013 "updated" site, a couple are 'store fronts' at Amazon, not a security camera specialist, one is Overstock.com, one site won't even load, and one is Sears! Some of these sites seem to even copy Amazon reviews into their own sites ("I've read that before..."), even if they don't work through that channel!I suppose Amazon has more to do than keep tract of things like that.

Amazon can be a good source for lots of stuff, if you can find out who is actually selling it. Many sellers are just people who have no support organization, depending on the original importer for that. For common, general merchandise, that's usually fine. I don't think I'd buy an aircraft or even a parachute through Amazon, however.

I feel like I need to talk (and take names) with the supplier and get as much in writing as possible about the PoE side of this. The Sharx camera looks like a safe bet, but if I end up having to use WiFi, I will have to run power to the area and probably buy an Express to extend the signal.

Just got an email from Sharx! Pictures at 10!

[xairbusdriver]

Reports about Sharx tech support seem to be true! Already had a couple of messages with helpful info. While I was searching, I came across something that should be helpful for anyone considering PoE. It's a calculator that I wish I'd had months ago! It does confirm that my original configuration was underpowered. My ignorance of PoE parlance, and power requirements; "12 volt camera" does not mean "12 volt PoE injector".

<Line Loss calculator for PoE>
 

[Blicj11]

X-Air:

I found their email tech support invaluable when I set up my weather webcam. And they were very quick to respond. Felix is correct; the issue with webcams is not where they are manufactured - it is where the tech support originates. My guess is that they are all manufactured by a handful of companies in Asia.

[xairbusdriver]

Still waiting on the Return RMA info... Talked to "Sales" who suggested I send an email to 'sales@...' and tell them 'returns@...' isn't responding. I suppose the telephone people in India can't talk to the tech/sales/returns people in Houston...

However, there's outstanding news on the Sharx front! Camera and the PoE injector (from two different companies) arrived today! [Just a coincidence about Shark Fest, I'm sure!] Camera is mounted and has been running continuously for about three hours! No drop outs! Evocam found it! I need to review the manuals, Evological and WC to confirm where to store the recordings. Speaking of manuals, the one that came with the camera is in English, well written, conversational in attitude! Not the most detailed when it comes to explaining what's on each screen in the several settings pages. However, having seen many of the same details in the last camera, it was fairly simple.

One other thing, I can confirm that the Sharx people are easy to talk to via email, at least. They even give the set up instructions for the Mac before Windows! They also recommend that Mac users use Evocam!

May want to 'play' a bit with Saturation and Hue... That white bench is getting zapped by the Sun...maybe affected by the Auto Exposure settings.

[Felix]

Way to go, Driver. Looking good! 👍

[Blicj11]

Welcome to the Sharx Family of Happy Campers (or Cameras).