Wondering if anybody here uses one of these... some questions I have are:

a) what sort of range do these things have - ie. how far away can the computer be from the camera?

b) what sort of battery life do these have

c) are all wireless cams battery operated, or do you have an option to plug it in to AC? (yes I know its wireless)

Thanks.

Depends on what kind you get. If you get an x-10 type, it can be up to 100 feet or so from the computer. If you get one of the IP ones like the Linksys, you don't need a computer, it's anywhere it can hit your wireless network.

Most use either an external adapter, or have a plug for one.

Thanks Cordelli... which one do you recommend? I dont need a fancy picture... just want to set up a couple of surveillance cams. The wireless network ones seem like the best ones... are there big price differences?

Many thanks.

I wouldn't get an "X-10 style" camera simply because they broadcast on RF and pretty much anyone can receive the signal.

I quite like the Airlink101 AIC250 and AIC250W (wireless) cameras. They are very cheap (often on sale for $79 at Fry's) and have great quality, even in the dark. They can be accessed through a webbrowser or with the DVR application included.

Scott, thanks for the detailed info and the suggestions. I will get shopping then...

I wouldn't do the x-10 or any of those either, something totally wireless is probably the way to go.

They have ones with remote pan and tilt and use to have zoom too, or did.

D-link, Airlink, and Hawking all come to mind as companies making them.

I've been buying the linksys wireless cams on ebay lately, about 60$ used. Granted, they require a plug in, but I wasn't looking for battery powered.

They are 802.11g, and work quite well. Take a bit of time to configure, not because it is difficult, just because it takes a bit of thinking and planning. How often do you want it to capture, etc.

They are motion sensitive, so you can set a bunch of variables, filter out light changes, only look for movement, etc. I put them at the main entrances of our new interim rental house. I have them setup to email me alerts, and small movie files, which I can then view on my treo700wx. It is kindof fun. There is the fedex guy at the door, etc.

I figure, if I get an alert of an intruder, I'll simplycall the neighbor and call the cops. Then, I'll call the house and tell whomever over the answering machine. I have you on video, I have remote copies of the video, if you leave I am not calling the cops, but they will be there in 2 minutes as soon as I get off the phone. Leave now, or go to jail!

These cameras also stream over the internet. Granted, if someone kills the power and phone to the house before entry, I won't get any alerts, but otherwise, it is a pretty cheap system.

Great ideas here... thanks!!!

Anyone have any recommendations for outdoor rated wifi webcams? I am looking for both stationary and pan/tilt/zoom models.

For PTZ I'd go with a Toshiba. I've got a couple of them in use outside with the weather kit and they've been perfect. Even in -10 they just keep working.

http://www.toshiba.com/taisisd/secur...il_ikwb15a.jsp

For a non PTZ you could go with Axis and get a weather kit for it.

None of the cheap indoor cameras I use have weather kits available.