Panasonic KX-TGA573S 5.8 GHz FHSS GigaRange Expandable Digital Cordless Camera

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 2 x 6 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F8J3B4
• Item model number: KX-TGA573S
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,107 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com

Designed to turn your Panasonic 5.8 GHz cordless phone system into a video monitoring system, the KX-TGA573S digital cordless camera requires either the KX-TG5771S or the KX-TG5761S base models to function. Like the systems' handsets, the camera operates with 5.8 GHz Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum technology, meaning that it operates on a different wavelength with much less traffic than the 2.4 GHz technology, while maintaining great security, incredible clarity and long range.

Turn Your Phone into A Security System
The KX-TGA573S is a wall or desk mountable digital camera which functions as a room monitor. Used in conjunction with a system-compatible cordless handset such as the KX-TGA571S, the camera allows you to remotely view your baby's room or an office entrance while you're in another part of the building. With the handset's speakerphone acting as a sound monitor, you'll be in constant contact. The camera includes a call button and requires a single battery (replacement model HHR-P104) to operate.

What's in the Box:
Camera, stand, battery, user's guide, warranty card

Product Description

5.8GHz Accessory Camera Device - Panasonic 5.8GHz accessory digital camera- For use with the KX-TG5766/5776/5777- Can also be used with the KX-TG5761/5771/5767 if an accessory KX-TGA571 (color handset) is also purchased- Digital GigaRange- Allows for in home monitoring- Also sends pages and sends pictures to a KX-TGA571 color handset when camera detects sound or when camera's call button is pressed- Call button with 10ft. cable- Sound detector- Wall mountable- Box dimensions: 10"L x 8"W x 3"H- 1 Year manufacturer's warranty- SilverREPLACEMENT BATTERY: HHR-P104KXTGA573

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lousy picture, slow to update picture, not for baby monitoring, November 24, 2006

By 

Mark B "waswhatwer" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic KX-TGA573S 5.8 GHz FHSS GigaRange Expandable Digital Cordless Camera (Office Product)

I bought this camera (actually the entire phone set-up) primarily to use as a camera for monitoring kids. First off, the picture quality is bad. The resolution of the screen on the phone is low and the picture refreshes about once every 2 seconds or so. In addition, you cannot continuously monitor a room - the camera shuts off every 10 minutes and has to be "called again" to resume monitoring. If you pick sensor mode (which one would assume you could use to continuously monitor a room), the camera, along with sound, still shuts off, but you get an annoying "ring" if the mic in the camera picks up a sound - it doesn't automatically resume audio/video transfer, you have to connect again. So in short, you can't use this thing as a baby monitor (you'd be up all night reconnecting or responding to ringing), and it wouldn't be particularly good for the elderly either. It also requires good lighting in order to get any kind of viewable pic - there goes night-time monitoring. On the plus side, the phone is good - good reception and features. Too bad about the camera though...

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent. More convenient (but limited in features) than a wireless network camera, February 9, 2007

By 

M. Masuyama (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic KX-TGA573S 5.8 GHz FHSS GigaRange Expandable Digital Cordless Camera (Office Product)

As the other reviewer mentioned, the picture quality is very poor, and the camera is useless in low light settings. So, as a baby monitor, it's not the greatest of products out there.

But, you can change the screen refresh rate, as well as sensitivity of the "ringer," which does improve it somewhat -- the increased refresh rate, however, does reduce the already low quality image. I actually use this to monitor my pets -- for that purpose, it works out fine.

Compared to a wireless camera to attach to your home wireless network, there are some drawbacks to a cordless-phone network camera:

-Lack of low-light settings. Some wireless cameras even feature infrared these days.
-No ability to move the camera remotely (although it does zoom).
-No way to monitor from remote locations outside of the phone's cordless range, as opposed to network attached cameras that can be accessed through the Web.

That said, the convenience is that you don't need a computer/laptop to see the video. That, for me, is a big plus -- just a couple of buttons away from anywhere within the cordless phone range. I can be outside the house, and so long as I have the phone with me, I can see the video image any time. No need for extra gear: just the phone, which I use anyway.

It also does work as an intercom, which is good for fun, but I haven't sorted out what usefulness it really has.

Overall, kind of a gimmick, but satisfied with the purchase. The phone system itself is a fantastic system.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding technology!, June 23, 2008

By 

S. Z. Cheema "Tech. Enthusiast" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic KX-TGA573S 5.8 GHz FHSS GigaRange Expandable Digital Cordless Camera (Office Product)

The camera is PERFECT as a baby monitor!!!

It's sensitivity is adjustable, you can zoom in, adjust the brightness... I have my camera hooked up to the intercom function on our phone set. When my baby cries, every phone in the house rings to let us know he needs attention! Intercom call from camera! Very slick!

On the other hand, if he's just moving around and such, I can look at the display on the phone and see him go back to sleep.

I purchased a Panasonic cordless phone system [Panasonic 5.8 GHz FHSS GigaRange Expandable Digital Cordless Handset with 1.6" Full-Color (65k Color) Backlit LCD]. It came with a base w/answering machine and 3 handsets. When I purchased it, I made the argument to my wife that when we had a child, I could buy and add the camera to the system. That was the argument that let me get the phone I wanted but it really worked out well!