X10 cameras ... what do you think?

[markblair]

Okay, their ads are annoying and that alone is a good reason I haven't even tried using an X10 camera. But, how is the quality of these tiny cameras? I'm not looking for stellar video but I want to get something that I can setup to overlook my yard. I've had some strange things moved around in my backyard and I want to find out what's going on when I'm not home.

So, are the X10 cameras any good? They're under $100 I believe but I would feel that's a waste if the quality is grainy and worse than a 1.2 megapixel digital image.

Any thoughts?
Their website: http://www.x10.com/

Thanks,

[hostpath.com]

Mark:

I just helped a friend set up a 3 camera, motion-sensor based, VCR-recording X10 system to monitor an area that was a potential theft risk. When he ordered it, I didn't expect much because of the low cost (under $300 for three cameras, three motion sensors, the receiver and the VCR interface) -- but I was pleasantly surprised at the quality.

[NetXL]

They're pretty good considering their price. The picture is a little grainy, had a few problems setting them up. X10's are good for a basic setup, but i've come across better (hard-wired) solutions.

[hostpath.com]

NetXL:

I didn't find them grainy, really. I was really surprised, however, at how well they performed in very low light conditions.

[UH-Matt]

Never seen one, but they should be fine for backyard monitoring.

The popups are damn annoying.. maybe someone could grab a picture of the quality we could expect?

I may get one for other reasons :)

[markblair]

Originally posted by UH-Matt:

I may get one for other reasons :)

Funny you mention this. They use to just advertise them as tiny surveilance cameras. Then all of a sudden they start showing other uses for the cameras. Interesting... :rolleyes:

[101sales]

Ya, I have some x-10 stuff - It's incredibly cheap but i've been very happy with the quality.

[Lamont]

I have several of the x-10 cameras, also. They work great, picture quality is close to the wired system I am currently installing in my office.

They are also fun to put in r/c cars and drive them around. :) I've also seen them mounted in model rockets to record the flight.

[Robert]

I as well have several x-10 cameras and the multi-view software. Because I spent a large amount of time in my home office, I really can't monitor the front of the home or the back. I have 4 cameras setup. 2 are montiring the drive way (it requires 2 for each side), 1 montiors the back and 1 montiors my front door. I monitor all from my computer.

It's great!

[Homeiss]

Originally posted by Robert:

I as well have several x-10 cameras and the multi-view software. Because I spent a large amount of time in my home office, I really can't monitor the front of the home or the back. I have 4 cameras setup. 2 are montiring the drive way (it requires 2 for each side), 1 montiors the back and 1 montiors my front door. I monitor all from my computer.

It's great!

That would be great cause then you could see who's at your door, and then you could see if youwanted to answer it or not. ;)

[markblair]

This is awesome. Thank you all for the responses. I never thought this would have been a big hit. Those ads can be annoying and I always thought that there's no way a tiny camera that costs less than $100 could do the job. I will be trying one to start but may have to setup something like Robert has. Thanks again...

[NetXL]

Ah, I got them a while ago (couple of years), they might have improved!

[David]

The wireless ones don't like to be moved, tried carrying one around and the signal wasn't great as I moved. Other then that, for the price they are awesome.

[Robert]

I had no problem moving them (that's how I got them into the right place). They are not grainy.

It does flicker once in a while when I have it on my TV, but that's because I have a lot of wireless devices around it (cell phone, regular land line, wireless network, wireless kb/mouse).

[Lamont]

With the wireless cameras there are a few things to remember. They operate on 2.4Ghz, as does 802.11b wireless networking, cordless phones, microwave ovens, etc. You may have some interference issues.

More importantly, be careful about where you place them around your house. If your neighbor also gets some of these they could very easily watch the goings on in your house. Which is why I only use wireless for outside surveillance. Don't need the neighbors confirming any of the nasty things they tend to think about us :D

[FindSP.com]

Haven't really used one nor I ever actually seen one, but they do have an excellent marketing deartment - I see them everywhere on the net!!!!!

[suppleSupport]

Originally posted by FindSP.com:

Haven't really used one nor I ever actually seen one, but they do have an excellent marketing deartment - I see them everywhere on the net!!!!!

Actually I don't see their ads much anymore... A year (or 2?) ago they were EVERYWHERE.

[markblair]

Originally posted by Lamont:

With the wireless cameras there are a few things to remember. They operate on 2.4Ghz, as does 802.11b wireless networking, cordless phones, microwave ovens, etc. You may have some interference issues.

More importantly, be careful about where you place them around your house. If your neighbor also gets some of these they could very easily watch the goings on in your house. Which is why I only use wireless for outside surveillance. Don't need the neighbors confirming any of the nasty things they tend to think about us :D

Good to know, thanks. I actually plan on using them for just outside surveilance. Nothing inside for anyone to see :) One more burning question... What's better the standard camera view or wide camera view? They offer both but I'm not sure if the difference is worth it or not. Anyone have any still shots taken from these that they don't mind posting? That'd give me a good idea of the camera view.

Thanks,

[Lamont]

The standard camera has about the same field of view as a standard webcam. It's best for using when the area of focus will be 30' and beyond or a small area close up.

I haven't used the wide angle camera but do wish I had one for front door. The standard camera does not have a wide enough field to get the whole entryway from it's perch 10' from the door.

I would imagine, from my experience with wide angle lenses, that the fish-eye effect of the wide angle lense would make distant objects difficult to see.

[Chicken]

Just a note (from a ex-photographer) that a decent wide angle doesn't automatically have a fish-eye effect, but it is likely these lenses aren't the best and/or the angle is so wide that it might have a fish-eye effect. Fish-eyes are generally really wide.

[Lamont]

I know what you're saying, Chicken. I didn't mean that you would get that drastic fish-eye of a 180 degree field of view, 'looks like you're in a bubble' kind of lense. Distant objects are naturally smaller in a wide-angle lense view because everything is scaled down to fit the format. That, along with the lower resolution of these cameras, would make the wide-angle camera a poor choice for seeing detail beyond a certain distance.

However, I've been wrong before, I'll be there again. :D

I enjoy photography, also, and have gone through a lot of film in my day.