Wifi video cameras.

[Soapy Sam]

Anyone had experience of Wifi video cameras?

To be used as a webcam / security cam / burglar alarm.

I know Linksys now sell a wireless g model, but I'm interested in the miniature security models available for about 25% of the price.

These cameras evidently broadcast in the 2.4GHz range, so can the output signal be seen by a broadband wireless router modem and passed to the pc as an intelligible video signal, or is an entirely different receiver needed?
If so, would the camera actually interfere with a wireless network?

[teddygrahams]

I have a couple cheap ones. They both see interference from the network. In addition, placing the transmitter to close to the network wireless antenna can disable the network including wired access to the internet.

They both come with receivers... they are too cheap to use an actual usable packet to send directly to a PC.

[Ducky]

The TAM CAM was a wifi one, and they had problems with it. I am not sure as to the nature of the problems, but I believe it was due to traffic interference. You should PM Terry and ask. The model used was a linksys.

[Terry]

The TAM-cam was actually a 802.11b device. There's a tiny computer inside the thing, and you connect to it as an IP device. This is a bit different from the usual RF cameras. The problems we had were due to the network infrastructure in the hotel being poor.

[Ducky]

The TAM-cam was actually a 802.11b device. There's a tiny computer inside the thing, and you connect to it as an IP device. This is a bit different from the usual RF cameras. The problems we had were due to the network infrastructure in the hotel being poor.


Define poor: Was it interference with other devices on the same wavelength, poor bandwidth capabilities, or generally just because it seemed hacked together by a 12 year old?

Just trying to get some idea of how to answer the question of interference in the OP.

[Terry]

dropped packets all over the place.

[Ducky]

dropped packets all over the place.


So the wifi at the hotel dropped them, but not due to interference by the camera then?

Oh wait you said it showed up as a specific IP, so it would have to be dropped at the WAP end. NM.

[kevin]

The camera Terry is talking about actually ties into an 802.11b network, it acts like a computer on the network. It wouldn't interfere with an 802.11b network because it's using one.

The device you're talking about broadcasts on 802.11b frequencies but isn't a network device -- just a radio receiver/broadcaster.

The linksys one is like the TAM one, it participates in the network -- no inteference.

In general you could probably play with the channels your network uses to adjust around the camera, but you'll probably find you'll still see interference. I tried a wireless speaker for my computer that uses the 802.11b frequency and my old wireless phone did too. Either the network interfered with the radio (in the speaker case -- i could hear packet streams) or the phone caused slowdowns on the network.

BTW, 802.11g and 802.11b use the same frequencies (and operate together). I've been thinking about moving my home network to 802.11a because it uses a (currently) less used frequency.

[Ducky]

The camera Terry is talking about actually ties into an 802.11b network, it acts like a computer on the network. It wouldn't interfere with an 802.11b network because it's using one.

The device you're talking about broadcasts on 802.11b frequencies but isn't a network device -- just a radio receiver/broadcaster.

The linksys one is like the TAM one, it participates in the network -- no inteference.

In general you could probably play with the channels your network uses to adjust around the camera, but you'll probably find you'll still see interference. I tried a wireless speaker for my computer that uses the 802.11b frequency and my old wireless phone did too. Either the network interfered with the radio (in the speaker case -- i could hear packet streams) or the phone caused slowdowns on the network.

BTW, 802.11g and 802.11b use the same frequencies (and operate together). I've been thinking about moving my home network to 802.11a because it uses a (currently) less used frequency.

Thank you Kevin. I needed that schooling.

[kevin]

Worst computer maintence trip I ever did was to troubleshoot a wireless camera at a job construction site.

Job was building a bridge across the Mississippi river. Camera was hung from a grain elevator at least 200 ft over the river. I had to climb up a narrow cat walk, unscrew the camera that was hanging upside down over the river (a $1200 camera I might mention), bring it back down and test it out and fix the issues. Then rehang the camera and do some additional configuration with a laptop while still on the cat walk.

Fortunately the only thing I ever dropped in the river was a wire tie.

Here's a tip: Power surges on grain elevators are very common.

[Soapy Sam]

And dust explosions.

Thanks, guys. I think I'll leave it for a while.

[richardm]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll leave it for a while.
If you change your mind, let me know how you get on, please, because I'm planning on getting one later this year. If I get one before you do, I'll let you know how I get on ;)