Playing with drop cam

[Webbsatwinni]

I am trying a drop cam on the island so I can see the ice form at the dock this year, here is a test from this morning (I set the camera up over the weekend). Here is a link to the morning's video:

http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Webbsatwinni/media/Lake%20Cam/MyNewClip_zps5881bed0.mp4.html

[MeredithMan]

That is cool. Is something like that difficult or expensive to set up?

[rgilfert]

Outstanding!! Even shot through glass it is very clear! I want one.

[Merrymeeting]

I just looked myself. Pricing and info are on dropcam.com.

Are you using the regular or Pro version? Also I'd appreciate hearing some of the details on your setup. Is it inside? Given the clarity, it doesn't look like you are shooting through a window. The dropcam website says it needs to be installed indoors (or at least kept from rain and freezing temps). Based on the little research I've done, it's a good product but I'd like to see them come up with one that would work outdoors.

[Webbsatwinni]

I just looked myself. Pricing and info are on dropcam.com.

Are you using the regular or Pro version? Also I'd appreciate hearing some of the details on your setup. Is it inside? Given the clarity, it doesn't look like you are shooting through a window. The dropcam website says it needs to be installed indoors (or at least kept from rain and freezing temps). Based on the little research I've done, it's a good product but I'd like to see them come up with one that would work outdoors.

The price was $189 for the pro, I bought it at the apple store. Set up was minutes, you need a pc to initiate it or change to a new network (I set it up as test in CT and had to change the wireless when I got to the island so I brought my laptop. It really was a 5 min set up, once done, you unplug it and plug it into a wall plug and its up.

It does use a bit of bandwidth, I shut off HD and both inbound and outbound sound (you can talk to it through your laptop and people on the other ends can talk back) but that kills the bandwidth on the island as it's slow dsl there.

We did have it set up when the power went out and it came back online without issues. You have two options in viewing, real time or stored video, stored video has a monthly charge. On the temp. I put it in the freezer and it worked fine (Great vid of ice freezing).

It only does video, so it you want to have it send a pic every so often, there is not a setting for that. The lens is a fisheye so positioning to get a good pic was tough, but once you do, its a great wide angle pic. It has controllable zoom and it has smart phone apps and if you make it public, a live link that you can share. The vid was through the slider and still clear, there is an infrared setting that works great, issue is that with the glass reflection is doesn't work for where we have it.

All in all, great toy, good quality, easy to set up. Hope that helps.

[brk-lnt]

That is cool. Is something like that difficult or expensive to set up?

Dropcam is extremely easy to setup. That's been the whole premise of the company, it started when the founders dad was trying to get an Axis camera setup for remote viewing.

Dropcam has some nice products, the "downside" is that they are all relatively simple/cheap cameras, indoor only, and with a monthly fee. The upside is that if it fits your budget, it's probably the most consumer-friendly option out there.

[Lakesrider]

DropCam = bandwidth sucker! I looked into these and even bought one. After it was installed I could barely get on the internet. I returned it. I guess it just depends on how much you use the internet and how well the internet speeds are in your area. I went with a Panasonic camera and use their web server to view the camera I have set up in my house. If you want a great picture though DropCam is very nice indeed.

[Webbsatwinni]

DropCam = bandwidth sucker!


I agree, but turning off HD and all sound, it wasn't that bad. The DSL is slow, and I am still getting a good vid transfer rate.

[Lakesrider]

yeah it is a great pic though, because I just noticed you have the same metal furniture I have....:laugh:

[wifi]

Hmmmm, all I get is a login page :(

[Webbsatwinni]

Hmmmm, all I get is a login page :(

I wonder why, I just tested and it worked. The link is just to the photobucket page.

[Blue Thunder]

How much is the monthly fee?

[Webbsatwinni]

How much is the monthly fee?

If you only want real time and no history there isn't one, if you want storage the options look to range from $10 a month to $20 a month. They start you with a 15 day test of free storage, thats how i made the video. I may do the limited one year at $10 a month, if you pay all upfront its $100 for the year. Then we can have an "ice in" video!

[Orion]

These would be great if you could turn off the IR LED's so they could be used to monitor outside through a window. I don't know why it's so hard to find a non-IR-LED camera. They are all pretty low-light sensitive and the IR LED's just make them useless when it starts to get dark due to window reflection of IR lights.:(

[pjard]

As far as the recording goes, remember that for the $10 per month, you only get 7 days of storage.