IP Camera - IR / snapshot clarity - recomendations needed

[gkinghrn]

Guys,

I have currently a DLink DCS-2120 IP camera at front door to my house (in the porch). It works well in terms of video recording but of course that means I have ot leave a PC on 24 x 7 to record it. So normally there is not one on. This is still ok because it then takes snapshots upon motion detection which it emails out directly. Only problem is that in the dark with no lights on the quality of the snapshots is unusable so to compensate I installed a security light which is also motion triggered. So now the light comes on when motion is detected but this , more or less , blinds the camera which takes a few seconds to reset it's exposure ....by the time it does the ''intruder' is usually gone or the image is so over exposed as to be useless. I also find that during normal day any 'faster than normal' motion is also captured poorly on the snapshot.

So I am looking for an alternative. Tempted by the new Logitech stuff but not sure if it needs the PC to be on for that - suspect it does - but have mailed them for more info anway. also at only 15FPS it's not as good as the dlink for Video capture it seems.

I am also tempted by the SWANN IP-3G 1000 but am put off by the reviews of it though again I have asked the supplier to comment on the above scenario and to send me some sample images taken in such light.


Question though is does anyone recoomend an IP security camera with IR Cut filter capability which can operate WITHOUT needing the PC on all night too?

any information gratefully received.

[bt101]

Hi - I have a recommendation for one part of your problem. You can purchase an IR illuminator that will illuminate stuff at night. They cost around $20 to $50 (ebay or deal-extreme). It has a matrix of IR LEDs and comes on automatically when it is dark. It does not produce visible light. A lot of cameras have some IR LEDs built-in and you get a so-so B/W image at night. The external IR illuminator is generally more powerfull than the built-in LEDs. I'm 99% sire that ANY camera will see IR, even if it is not designed for night vision (I would like someone else to verify). Good luck.

[jefff]

Take a look at the Panasonic BL-C160

Home/Office Security Systems - Home Use - BL-C160E - Overview - UK & Ireland

[gkinghrn]

thanks guys ..will check out both...