We're going to give
Linksys a free pass on this ridiculous naming scheme just because we're actually happy to see a bigger name bringing a consumer-friendly wireless
security camera to market for a reasonable price. The Linksys Wireless-G Internet Home Monitoring Camera WVC54GC is pretty straightforward for a networked camera, sporting 802.11g and 10/100 Ethernet connections, and VGA video recorded to a MPEG-4 or Motion JPEG codec. The camera can be limited to local network video streaming or opened up to the internets either publicly or privately. There's also a Security Mode setting that can send video snippets via email if the camera detects motion in its field of view. You can then remotely log on to the stream and set the video to record to a local hard drive or on a predetermined schedule. The camera is available now for a mere $120.
[Via
eHomeUpgrade]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nh @ Jan 9th 2008 6:45AM
It this the same as this, from two years ago?
http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/05/the-linksys-wvc54gc-uk-wireless-web-cam-spies-sans-pc/
tow2bravo @ Jan 9th 2008 6:52AM
I've had a WVC54GC ver.1.1 for about 3 months now. Looks just like the one pictured here, but silver instead of black. It was relatively easy to get running in wireless mode, however it does first need to be set up while wired.
The "Security Mode setting that can send video snippets via email" works well but the clips are limited to only 3 seconds. I like the feature that allows you to limit the amount of time between captures so that your inbox is not spammed with clips.
It does not work in low light conditions. Late afternoon, and even in rooms that aren't extremely well lighted are absolutely out of the question. But is serves my purpose of keeping an eye on the kids in the back yard during the day just fine.
What I don't like:
648x480 resolution
does NOT work with vista
can NOT log into the camera at all with Firefox
Evan @ Feb 14th 2008 5:17PM
Why are you talking about another model of this camera, you are confusing users.
KKop @ Jan 9th 2008 7:08AM
Next time, do a little more than quoting a press release.
I own the previous incarnation of this camera, and would advise anyone who's considering this model to NOT buy it.
Gripes:
- doesn't show anything if not lit by full daylight or very strong artificial lighting
- video snippets are too short. Also, the snippets are encoded in such a way that you can't view them in the latest versions of Vista/WMP
- the video can only be viewed in Internet Explorer (ActiveX)
- the video stream can NOT be used in any other way (i.e. embedded in your own website)
- general unresponsiveness of Linksys to user requests.
If this new camera has corrected these evils, I might consider one again, but from the specs it looks very similar to the old one, except for the color.
marty luffman @ Jan 9th 2008 7:17AM
i have used this product for about a year now. it was a nightmare getting it installed, and then, it wouldnt stay hooked up to the net when i traveled. i have two now, but had to pay the BB geeks a small fortune to figure it out. the communitcation from Linskeys is terrible. long waits ont he phone and they dont return emails. also, when we got a tech on the phone, they had to ask someone else. it is sad to sell a product when your company doesnt understand the product. I would nt recommend this product to anyone.
Craig @ Jan 9th 2008 7:43AM
if it's anything like my linksys router, the signal probably drops every half hour or so... even though i'm using all linksys equipment.
GCK @ Jan 9th 2008 7:56AM
And what firmware would you be using on your Linksys router?
LikesGadgetsWillTravel @ Jan 9th 2008 11:03AM
Install tomato. I resurrected my 54GS and it's been running without a hitch for months now.
tealfixie @ Jan 9th 2008 8:01AM
does it help that everyone is reviewing an older model? maybe they fixed all those problems...
Wwhat @ Jan 9th 2008 9:05AM
Since more than half of the reported issues are software related, and they could have fixed that at any time during the year(s) it was out I don't see why one would expect linksys to suddenly have fixed them.
Apart from perhaps the bright-light necessity if they put in a new sensor.
I mean activex.. common now
mckoder @ Jan 9th 2008 9:19AM
The correct model number is WVC54GCA.
I have the Panasonic model and I am happy with it. It too uses an ActiveX, but only when viewed in IE. Unlink linksys, FireFox is also supported and in this case ActiveX is not used. My only gripe is that it is almost twice as expensive as the linksys. Night-time video is also quite noisy.
Denver_80203 @ Jan 9th 2008 10:14AM
I just want peace of mind. Everyday I get to work and wonder if I closed the garage...
Drives me nuts!!!
MaxRC @ Jan 9th 2008 10:34AM
Why is this even news? Internet enabled web cams have been on the market from quite a few "mass market" manufacturers. Neither is the feature/price ratio anything exciting. 320x240, fixed view, no optical zoom, no audio for $100 is in fact on the expensive side. Show me a 640x480x15fps with physical pan/tilt, 3x optical zoom and duplex audio for $300 and I'll get excited.
shanoboy @ Jan 9th 2008 10:49AM
"Neither is the feature/price ratio anything exciting. 320x240, fixed view, no optical zoom, no audio for $100 is in fact on the expensive side. "
I have to agree with you MaxRC. With specs like that, why not just buy a motion sensored webcam for $35?
Peter @ Jan 9th 2008 2:52PM
Anyone have a recommendation for a good webcam then? Nothing I found was much good for general survellance, i.e. idle until detects motion, then records for a configurable amount of time (or at least for a few minutes). Should record to any device on the same network, like a PC or network drive, rather than having to store all the video locally. Low light would be a plus! Wish Linksys would make something like that!
Dan @ Jan 9th 2008 11:06AM
Windows only? I'll pass.
MblDtaGk @ Jan 9th 2008 11:11AM
All these wireless products suck. Why? They all require power cords be attached to them. This camera doesn't even support power over ethernet so what good is it. Web site states that it can be mounted on a wall. Umm duh my power plugs are all at floor level so if I'm going to mount this somewhere to monitor a room of my house I need to locate it near a power plug. Yeah batteries would never last for very long in a camera product but come on.. at least make these devices PoE capable ... so much easier to run an ethernet cable to one of these then to call an electrician to relocate my A/C outlet.
Jimh @ Jan 9th 2008 12:17PM
I am also using this camera for one year, I am not happy with the product.
Dillon @ Jan 9th 2008 5:05PM
I have this camera to, and the software is garbage. However, I found a long time ago that if you open http://your_camera_ip/img/video.asf, with a media player like VLC, you can stream the video to it!
Goober68 @ Jan 11th 2008 12:30PM
@Peter
Check out Axis Communications 207w and 207mw line of Wireless cameras. I have 5 setup in my home. The MW model has exceptional picture quality. While these are fixed focus camera's, they have excellent picture quality and a lot of professional features. They are however, on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for. Check out axis.com.