Home >> Computer Add-Ons
D-Link Wireless Internet Camera DCS-G900 | List Price: $129.99
Discount Price: $89.99
|
Brand: D-Link
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Web-based Remote Access Using Any ActiveX or Java-enabled Web Browser
- 802.11g Wireless Connectivity
- Scheduled, Motion Triggered or Manual Recording Options
Mac workaround [Posted on 2007-10-31]
Mac users: of course the included setup wizard and management software are useless as they are written for Windows. However, after some bumbling about, I managed to get the DCS-G900 up and running on my eMac running MacOS 10.3.9. I happen to have a D-Link DI-524 wireless router for my network (not that it probably matters much) and simply plugged the camera into an open ethernet port. I discovered that the camera was assigned an IP address by accessing the router (typed the IP address of the router into a web browser and then clicked on the DHCP button. At the bottom of the page is a list of all the devices on the network). Then I copied the IP address of the DCS-G900 into the web browser, and by golly, there was the camera. Clicking on the Java button gives me live video and clicking on the setup button brings me to where the setup wizard would have taken me. Finally I could follow instructions in the manual to setup secure, wireless communication. Just one hitch: Getting back into setup requires pressing the reset button on the back of the camera as the admin ID and password I had entered is no longer useful. Not sure why that is.
And now for the software required to get full potential from your new nifty security camera: Two Mac programs I can recommend are SecuritySpy (securityspy.com, by bensoftware.com) and EvoCam (evological.com). I am currently capturing reasonably good motion-activated video with the former. I have not yet attempted remote access--that will be my next challenge.
I'm very happy with my DCS-G900 camera. Resolution and dark sensitivity are modest, as expected. But at the likewise modest cost of the camera and software, this is my funnest toy in a while.
Hard to set-up and not Mac-compatible [Posted on 2007-11-14]
Pro: good picture for price, nice mounting hardware included.
Con: hard to set-up, bad manual, not Mac-compatible.
These are *not* Mac-compatible except insofar as "compatible" means you can use your Mac to access the internet. They *require* a PC to set-up and a PC to run the included management software. Also, the instructions are absolutely terrible. The 100+ page .pdf manual contains very little information and is mostly just a series of screen shots of the set-up software. After much work, I was able to get it working with an old PC, and it has a nice picture for the price. The included metal mounting bracket seems sturdy, and comes with screws and hollow-wall anchors.
Although the camera contains a server, I could not get it running with my Airport Express wireless router and my satellite modem. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I spent over ten hours on it and finally gave up. In other words, I cannot see the video feed over the internet as I had intended.
I was able to set it up to email still shots on a set schedule using the camera itself as the server. And I was able to get it to email still shots whenever it "detects" motion, but only by leaving the aforementioned PC running, because the management software is needed for that trick. And I still cannot access that video feed. Perhaps if I'd had more time or an all-PC network, I could have made it work.
In sum, buy this if you have either the skill or the time to set it up, recognizing that the instructions will not help and your Mac can't run the management software or the set-up software.
To sum up the summation: if you have a Mac, look elsewhere.
Good enough to do the job [Posted on 2007-11-20]
First of all... for $100, this is a good camera.
Second, plenty of light near the camera lense (not necessary the subject) gives you the best picture.
Third, though not unique to this camera, be aware that any internet camera might be difficult to setup because your ISP may block the needed port. Good luck!
DCS 900 G Webcam [Posted on 2008-01-09]
I have been using this new G series DCS 900 for about three months; it is is much better than the older B series cameras on my network. This one runs much cooler, has never "locked-up" and has the option that it can be viewed with or without a password (password still required to access internal settings). A greatly improved and much more robust product.
Good little camera [Posted on 2008-02-08]
I received everything I expected. Easy to use and reliable. Not may features, but for the price it is a great camera.
Click here for more details and discount information...
|
){kind=link}