Customer Reviews

Panasonic Network Camera (KX-HCM10)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had to delve deep into Panasonic's website to figure out the differences between this and the BL-C10A. There are only 2 reasons why this would be better: 1st, it has a wider aperture (f1.8) lens (vs. f2.8 for the BL-C10A), and it has a larger CMOS sensor (.33") vs. .25" for the BL-C10A. These differences mean that it will work better in low light, and should have a better picture overall than its cheaper cousin.

On the minus side, it appears that it requires an external alarm or timer to trigger automatic FTP or email uploading of images, whereas the BL-C10A has those built in.

Again, I have not used this camera, but rather the BL-C10A, and wanted to point out the differences. Overall, I am quite happy with the BL-C10A.

The camera comes with a utility that looks for any available cameras on your LAN, making remote installation easy. The utility allows you to configure the IP and other vital network settings. Just mount, power and provide bandwidth(unless you have the wireless version).

The video recording control on the camera is a little odd, from a programmers perspective!

Night vision is good enough to make out people or moving objects with a street light nearby.

The camera software also allows you to lock down the web interface so that only a few people can actually control the camera.

I was able to write a web interface that acts as a popup video frame easily for a local business. You can to.

The KX-HCM230 works great outdoors. The camera has been running at several locations around the world on top of buildings for years, use google to find them.

If you want to record video (good idea), use Luxriot. The software has motion sensing and was easy to figure out.

Pros To Camera(all models):
1) The camera is a standalone webserver. Plug static IP and go on 28Kbps upload!
2) 12VDC allows you to configure elaborate solutions such as solar power w/battery.
3) Outdoor model (KX-HCM230) can be drop shipped to an installation team, the camera comes with mount, screws, long AC adapter cable and simple instructions with mounds of documentation.

Cons To Camera(all models):
1) 640x480 frame rate is restricted by the 10mbs bandwidth of the camera.
2) The camera frame rate slows down when more than one user are logged in, this however can be restricted in hardware.

Took me a while to assign the right port that made my home and office networks happy, but that's not a Panasonic issue. Overall, the entire process is very smooth and easy.

Works reliably and the interface is easy. Tilts and pans enough if you place it in a corner. High is better as it tilts down much more than up.

I wish it had better color and a zoom but for the price this is a bargain. Panasonic even provides FREE dynamic IP tracking so you can always find your camera.

I own the Dlink DCS-1000W and the Panasonic Network Camera, and under similar light conditions, the picture quality of the DLink blows the Panasonic away. The picture is very grainy on the Panasonic to the point where it is difficult to make out faces. The tilt/pan is cool, and if you don't care about the quality, then the Panasonic is a good buy. Otherwise, go with the Dlink.

Buyer beware... Dlink has some firmware problems that results in bi-weekly reboots.

I suppose everyone thinks that their baby is beautiful! Thank god this one works fantastic, because it sure isn't going to win any beauty contests!
PS. Don't loose the CD that comes with it!

I got my netcam a few days ago.
Good packaging, easy to set up, nice idea.
First, the picture is not very good, and the color is off.
I did not get any documentation, specifically, I would
like to know how to interface to this camera ... what are
the switches that can be used on the URL to manipulate the
camera?
When you view the camera there is a top page for selecting
which type of interface you want, an updating picture, or
streaming type format. This is cool, and being able to

move the "eyeball" so to speak, is way cool, and in fact
the reason I got it.
The mounting is rather limited, and I would have liked
some mount that can be secured. With the existing mount
someone coming by could just steal the camera.
The important thing for me is to be able to store the
images, otherwise you do not know what happened during the
day. There is an archive mode, but it is very small, so
some interfacing to another "server" is needed, and the
documentations is not there.
It would be nice to be able to program the "eyeball" to scan
the view, and record it automatically, or to follow motion.
All in all, what does one expect for $250.00.
I would want to be able to just link to the camera URL
and put the image in a web page, but I cannot figure out
how to do that except for uploading the page somewhere ...
it would be better, easier and faster to link to the image
and have the server change it, or update it for you.
Panasonic gets credit here for a really nice product out
there first. Their other network cameras are even nicer,
but the universal swiveling, and zooming camera is still
over $1000.00 at this point. I am waiting for the price
to come down on that one.

The Panasonic Network camera can be used with a DSL or cable internet connection. Subscription to Panasonic's viewnetcam service is now free so it is even a better value.