Linksys WVC11B Wireless-B Video Camera

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Product Details

Data Sheet [125kb PDF]

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Product Manual [2.87mb PDF]

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Supplementary Guide [436kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009X6PT
• Item model number: WVC11B
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,323 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)

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  Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Internal Desktop Components > Video Capture Cards

• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 3, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Unlike standard web cams, that are anchored to a PC, the Linksys WVC11B Wireless-B Internet video camera has its own web server. It can connect directly to a computer network over a Wireless-B (802.11b) connection or via a 10/100 Ethernet cable. From there, it provides MPEG-4 video compression for a 320x240 video stream that can be sent to a web browser anywhere in the world. It also works well as a monitoring or security device to keep an eye on your home, kids, workplace or just see whether the squirrels are getting into your birdfeeder. Other features include time stamp and text overlay, the ability to connect up to 4 users simultaneously, multi-platform support--TCP/IP, SMTP (e-mail), HTTP, and DHCP .

Of course, the video stream itself is secure behind your router, but you can always open an appropriate port on the router and use the SoloLink DDNS (a trial version is included with the camera) to give password-enabled users access to the camera, or simply leave it unsecured and open for public use. Additional security features include WEP encryption up to 128-bit.

There's also a Security Mode feature that sends an email with a video attached whenever its motion detector senses something in the line of vision. Then you can capture the images onto your hard drive. The camera is wall-mountable or can be attached to its stand for desktop use. Its Windows-based setup wizard makes get ting started easy as well. The unit measures 3.35 x 6.10 x 3.15 inches and weighs just over a half pound.

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. What Wireless Standard is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

Product Description
The Linksys Wireless-B Internet Video Camera sends live video through the Internet to a web browser anywhere in the world! This compact, self-contained unit lets you keep an eye on your home, your kids, your workplace - whatever's important to you. Unlike standard "web cams" that require an attached PC, the Internet Video Camera contains its own web server, so it can connect directly to a network, either over Wireless-B (802.11b) networking, or over 10/100 Ethernet cable. The advanced MPEG-4 video compression produces a high-quality, high-framerate, 320 x 240 video stream.The Internet Video Camera's unique form-factor and wireless connectivity allows you to mount it on a wall nearly anywhere, or slip it into its included stand for desktop use. Once it's connected to your home network, you can "see what it sees" from any PC in the house, while the video stream is secured from the outside world, hidden behind your Router. If you want the video to be visible from outside your home network, you can open an appropriate port on the Router, and then create password-protected accounts to manage access to the Camera, or leave it wide open for the world to see. The SoloLink DDNS Service (trial sign-up included) lets you access your Camera using an easy-to- remember "name", even if your home Internet connection uses a dynamic IP address.You can also turn on Security Mode, which tells the Camera to send you an e-mail message with a short video attached whenever it detects motion in its field of view. You can then log onto the live video stream if the situation warrants. The included Viewer & Recorder utility lets you record the video stream to your local hard drive, "live" or on a predetermined schedule.Let the Linksys Wireless-B Internet Video Camera help you keep tabs on your world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a great choice, December 14, 2003

By	Harry Mueller (NH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this camera to view activities in a datacenter. While the packaging specified compatibility with various Windows platforms it did not make it clear that the image can ONLY BE VIEWED FROM WINDOWS PLATFORMS USING IE. So, the center managers Solaris box could not view the image and my MacOS X workstation could not view the image. When I viewed the image from a Win2000 box the quality was horrible, very grainy even in a well lit area. I have ended up connecting an Apple iSight to one of the rackmounted XServes in the center and using getting a much higher quality image for considerably less money. I really expected better of Linksys. One star is being kind.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nobody's sweetheart., December 5, 2003

By	Rheumor (New Orelans) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I really tried to like this webcam, but it's just too finicky. For instance, everytime my ISP flickers and I wind up with a new IP address, the camera has to be restarted. I'm sure there's a work-around, but I cannot stomach the thought of even 1 more minute on the phone with the Linksys support folks this year (they're nice enough though).
The image quality is not great, and the focus ring is a joke. There is of course no automatic iris adjustment, so while it's set to record comings and goings through the front door, there's an amazing sunburst effect on the recording anytime anyone opens the door. Also, it needs full ambient light to see anything, so I basically need to leave the foyer lights on 24-7 to make it useful.
I had planned on using 3 of these to monitor all the entryways, but I think it's just not practical.

1.0 out of 5 stars Fun&cheap, but better products are out there for serious use, December 8, 2003

By	B. Christensson (Sunnyvale, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just bought this, but sent it back. It is easy to install but it has very bad image quality and instable operation. I have to restart the camera every second day or so as it seems to hang. The support people at Linksys (after 45 minutes on hold!) said that his was a known problem, but that there will be a free of charge update coming out. Yeah right. Not suitable for remote montitoring or security, in other words, but fun to carry around in the house and play with.
Instead I bought a AXIS 205 camera which at the same price has better image quality, twice the resolution and is STABLE. No wireless yet though...