Comparison: Axis M1011, Panasonic BL-C230 and Y-cam Knight SD IP cameras (Pt. 2)
In this article we compare IP cameras from three of our top-selling manufacturers: the Axis M1011, Panasonic BL-C230, and Y-cam Knight SD. This is the second part of a two part comparison.
In part 1, we compared the Axis M1011 with the Panasonic BL-C230 and Y-cam Knight SD IP cameras. Our first look compared average image quality, low-light performance and included accessories. Now we’re going to take a look at each camera’s unique features, build quality and user interface.
Comparison: Axis M1011, Panasonic BL-C230 and Y-cam Knight SD IP cameras (Pt. 1)
In this article we compare IP cameras from three of our top-selling manufacturers: the Axis M1011, Panasonic BL-C230, and Y-cam Knight SD. This is the first part of a two part comparison.
The Axis M1011, Panasonic BL-C230 and Y-cam Knight SD are three entry-level IP cameras from three of our bestselling manufacturers. They are similar in price and feature sets. In the first part of this comparison, we will be looking at these cameras in detail to see how well they stack up against each other.
Top 5 Night-Vision IP Cameras
Say the words ‘night-vision’ to anyone and it usually conjures up images of night-time military manoeuvres or nocturnal wildlife shoots. However, there is a more practical security application: night-vision IP security cameras.
From a security standpoint, night-time provides the greatest risk for burglary or attack. Low light levels give good cover for thieves and make it difficult for surveillance cameras to capture usable footage. Lately there has been a surge in cameras which can see in complete darkness, using a variation of tactics including visible light, invisible light and thermal imaging. We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the Top 5 IP Cameras for Night Surveillance.
*image from an Axis Q1910 thermal camera
Top 5 Mac-compatible home IP security cameras (redux)
A few years back we published our Top 5 IP cameras when using a Mac resource centre article. Since then the market has moved on and most of the cameras mentioned in that list are now discontinued.
So we’re back with a new, updated list, highlighting what we think are the current top 5 home security cameras for Mac users.
Read more >>
Evaluation – Y-cam EyeBall WiFi Mini Dome
Y-cam have released their new EyeBall camera, the first dome model to be added to their expanding line up of IP cameras.
As well as the dome form factor, the EyeBall supports some features not available on other models in the Y-cam range, including wireless b/g connectivity, two-way audio and Push & Point. In this post, we’ll take a look at these features and compare the EyeBall to the rest of the Y-cam range.
Evaluation: Y-cam Bullet IP security camera
Y-cam have made a name for themselves recently by providing feature-rich entry-level IP cameras at affordable prices. They are also one of the few IP camera manufacturers to fully embrace infrared monitoring.
Now Y-cam is releasing the Y-cam Bullet and we have managed to get hold of one for testing. The Y-cam Bullet is an outdoor-quality network IP camera which offers Wi-Fi connectivity, on-camera microSD card recording and true night vision surveillance using switchable infrared-cut filter and built-in infrared LED lighting.
HOWTO: Setup a Y-cam with a Dynamic DNS Service from DynDNS.com
To access your IP camera from an external Internet connection you need to know the IP address assigned to your connection by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). This address is known as the public or external IP address and is expressed in the form of four numbers between 0 and 255 separated by a point e.g. (89.72.192.100). You can easily find your current external IP address by visiting www.mycamIP.com.
However, most domestic ISPs give customers a Dynamic IP address which is likely to change if connection is lost, or change periodically without warning. This means that the external IP address you use to access your camera may frequently change leaving you unable to connect.
A Dynamic DNS service allows you access to your IP camera by acting as a go-between. You set your camera to automatically update the Dynamic DNS service with its current external IP address and when you use your Dynamic DNS address it will always link you to your camera. As an added benefit you can also choose a unique and memorable host name which is easier to remember than an IP address.
This step-by-step guide walks you through the process of setting up a Y-cam network camera with the free Dynamic DNS service from www.DynDNS.org. This will include the camera setup, choosing your host name and registration with DynDNS.com. We will then show you how to access your camera using your chosen host name.
HOWTO – Avoid infrared reflections in your Y-cam Shell
The Y-cam Shell is a great way to mount your Y-cam White, Y-cam Black and Y-cam Knight camera outdoors. It is designed for ease-of-use and work with the wireless capabilities of the Y-cam range.
We are asked regularly why the cameras’ internal LEDs (Black and Knight) reflect back from the Y-cam Shell’s internal dome. There is a very simple solution to this.
Each Y-cam Shell comes with two manuals – one for the Y-Cam White and one for the Y-Cam Black and Y-Cam Knight. The difference between these cameras is night view capability through built-in infrared LEDs. When installing your camera into the Y-cam Shell ensure you follow the instructions from the appropriate manual.
The only other difference during installation is that for the Y-Cam Black and Y-Cam Knight you must remove the Shell’s internal dome before installing the camera. The dome on both the Black and the Knight cameras is capable of external installation and when mounted in the Shell this is what projects from the front of the housing.
Y-Cam Shell with internal dome in place.
Y-Cam Shell with internal dome removed for installation of Y-Cam Black or Knight.
If you install your Y-Cam Black or Knight into the Shell with the internal dome still attached the infrared LEDs on the camera will reflect on the internal dome and ruin your night-time images.
We think the Y-Cam Shell manual isn’t particularly clear on this point and many people miss this key step in the installation process.
HOWTO: Automatically create video clips using motion detection in a Y-cam IP camera
Taking what we have learned from HOWTO: Create video clips on demand for local hard disk storage using the Y-cam IP camera we can take it a step further.
How about instead of manually creating video clips each time we have the camera create them automatically when it detects motion? Sounds like that kind of thing would be useful eh? Well it’s very simple to set up so let’s take a look at how it is done.
This guide is suitable for the following Y-cam models:
HOWTO: Create video clips on demand for local hard disk storage using the Y-cam IP camera
One of the interesting features of the Y-cam home security camera is its ability to record short video clips with audio. These video files are stored natively in .asf format, suitable for playing back using Microsoft Windows Media Player.
This guide will show you how to create video files on demand by manually selecting the video start and stop points from the camera’s live view interface. We will also show you how to choose the location for storage of your video clips and also how you can limit the maximum file size per video.
This guide is suitable for the following Y-cam models: