Lorex LW2201 Weatherproof Ultra Digital Wireless Surveillance System
November 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Security Camera System
- Receiver features single view, auto switching or quad (4 camera location) view
- Add up to 3 additional Lorex Ultra Digital Wireless Color Cameras
- View in VGA Resolution for high quality video or CIF resolution for real time observation
- Microphone built-in for listen in audio
Product Description
The Lorex LW2201 quickly connects to any TV/monitor, DVD recorder or Surveillance DVR. The small micro receiver can accept 3 additional cameras and has a built-in quad processor so you can see up to 4 locations at the sa… More >>
Lorex LW2201 Weatherproof Ultra Digital Wireless Surveillance System
Lorex LW2201 is a very simple and easy to install surveillance system. The color camera is wireless (from the receiver) and solidly constructed for outdoor use/installation. It also capture sound (built-in mic) and able to see in the total darkness with the help of the infra-red LEDs. The receiver included in this LW2201 package can take up to 4 cameras to see 4 different location at the same time.
Pros:
1. Wireless operation (between camera and receiver)
2. Wireless distance is reasonable/usable (advertised up to 450 feet)
3. Mic included in the camera (will capture sound)
4. Camera has night vision mode that can see at zero light (with the help of infra-red LEDs)
5. Color video/camera when not in night vision mode.
6. 640 X 480 VGA resolution (at 12 FPS, or 320 X 240 at 30 FPS)
7. Easy to install and configure
8. Can receive up to 4 camera (and can view all 4 camera on one screen)
9. Camera is solidly build for outdoor installation
10. Receiver Can be connected to TV/Monitor or Recorder
11. Image quality is good (much better than the average security camera)
Cons:
1. Wireless distance vary depending on the type of environment (concrete walls, other signal interference, etc)
2. Sound range is limited and the mic is not very sensitive
3. Camera viewing range is reduced on night vision mode
4. This Lorex LW2201 surveillance system is not wi-fi enabled (or able to be seen/accessed through the internet)
5. The infra-red LED glows (so it is not suitable if you need a covert night cam)
In summary, Lorex LW2201 Weatherproof Ultra Digital Wireless Surveillance System has good image quality, capture sound, night vision enabled, wireless color camera, easy to install and configure.
Also check the following options:
- If you are building a security system from scratch and need viewing screen/LCD, at least 2 cameras, and a wireless camera receiver, then get the Lorex LW2602 package
- If you already have your own TV/LCD/Recorder and just looking for a camera and a wireless receiver, then get this LW2201 package
- If you already have the LW2201 camera package (which include the wireless receiver) and just need additional cameras, then get the Lorex LW2201AC1 Additional Camera
Sidarta Tanu
Rating: 5 / 5
Overall, this camera works well both during the day and the night. The image is pretty clear in both situations. The fact that the system is expandable to up to 4 cameras is a plus. If you do have more than one camera, you can display sources one at a time, automatically rotate between them, or show four images at once in a quad view.
There are a few minor disappointments with this camera though:
- The red LEDs can be seen at night, so if you’re looking for a camera to be stealth, this isn’t a good choice. Not to mention that it’s also a little girthy.
- The red LEDs seem to drown out the edges of the image at times. Not to the point of being unusable though.
- The frame rate seems a little low. While it’s not too bad (it doesn’t look like its taking snapshots like a slow webcam), it also isn’t 30fps.
- You won’t be able to mount this inside a house pointing through a window for a couple of reasons. First, there is really no mounting option for that. And second, the LEDs reflect back into the camera by the window at night, so all you see is a bunch of lights.
- Image viewing is via RCA or BNC. You won’t be able to connect this to your computer for viewing/recording if you don’t have a video card with RCA or BNC inputs. There is a small port on the receiver labeled USB, but the manual says it is “unused”. It would have been nice to be able to connect this camera via USB to my computer for viewing/recording.
- Sound quality is not the best.
Still, I give this camera 4 stars for the image quality and simplicity, as well as for being able to be linked to 3 other cameras.
Rating: 4 / 5
Well I have been wanting one of these babies for some time to help keep a 24-7 watch on my rural property. This one certianly fits the bill.
The wireless part is a must have too me.
I had this thing up and running in less than 10 minutes. Mounting it took alittle longer.
PROS: Very simple to use.
Very well built looks commercial quality.
The night time range is much better than rated. Atleast 250 ft.
The image is pretty good.
I just plugged it into my DVR and instant recordings.
Wireless signal is a big bounus, less wires.
Neg: Can see the red LEDS at night so not totally stealth.
Mic sound range is somewhat short but still useable.
Wish it had a long life rechargable batter in the camera somwhow.
All in a very good camera that can watch 24-7 while I am Not!!
Rating: 4 / 5
The Lorex LW2201 is a good system, but it has its limitations too. The camera itself is well built, and weatherproof. Although it is “wireless”, it does require it to be be wired to its power supply. Once everything is hooked up, it does produce very good video under all lighting conditions. Even in almost complete darkness, the camera is able to see what is going on. The camera does use illuminated LEDs when in infrared mode, so if “stealth” is what you’re looking for, this may not be the system for you. The claimed range is up to 450′, but I found that it is not nearly that when used inside my home. I found some signal breakup from one side of the house to the other. The camera does have sound, but it pretty much useless. When tested, I could barely understand any audio it did pick up. All in all, the LW2210 is a good system that does serve its intended purpose.
Pros:
Very good image quality
Works well even in complete darkness
Wireless except for power source
Weatherproof and well built
Cons:
Range limited by obstructions and conditions
Poor, almost useless audio
Rating: 4 / 5
Lorex LW2201 Weatherproof Ultra Digital Wireless Surveillance System.
Very easy to set up and go. Can be more functional.
The LW2201 is setup for an out of the box and go installation. I was able to watch monitored surroundings in about 15 minutes from the time that I opened the box. The camera half of the kit is very well made, not quite industrial quality, but well above the typical plastic web cam models. Of course it is a security camera, and not a web cam. As such it is enclosed in aluminum, has an additional aluminum sunshade, and the mounting swivel support is steel. The receiver portion is plastic, but it is meant to stay indoors. The basic hook up is on camera: 12 dc power supply, antenna, and a pairing button. On the receiver, antenna and one umbilical cord which has three plugs on the end; 12 dc to power connector, audio, and composite video signal. Once you plug in the power to both components, they automatically synced up and I got an excellent quality signal on my composite monitor. So the basics work extremely well. There are provisions for changing the 640×480 VGA signal to 320×240 on the receiver, this simply looks to be a digital crop to the center of the picture. You can also set up the receiver to scan up to four camera full screen sequentially, or put up four small pictures from each on the screen at the same time. The composite video output can be recorded on a VRR or DVD/HD recorder. Here are some more first hand observations.
The range is advertised as up to 400ft. With multiple walls the best I could do was about 200ft. About exactly the same as my 2.4Ghz cordless phone. Not coincidentally the camera uses the same frequency (frequency hopping for security). There is a signal strength meter on the screen, but basically when it dropped from 4 bars, it then went to nothing almost immediately.
The camera contains a microphone. It is not very sensitive. Talking from 10 ft away could barely be heard.
The camera is night vision (up to 40ft) capable. There are 30 IR leds surrounding the lens. They glow dim red when night vision engages. It works very well in total darkness, but the red glow is easy to see. The night vision is in black and white.
The viewing angle is specified as 58 degrees. 5.8mm f2.8 lens. It is not particularly wide, and you very well may need multiple cameras for adequate coverage. Focus looks good at all distances. Quality of the video is excellent.
The camera switches to night vision mode with an audible click. It does so prematurely I would say, as daylight color picture stays a very good quality, and things do not have to get very dim before the camera goes into night vision mode. Normal room lights indoors were not enough for it to stay in color daylight mode.
The back of the receiver contains a mini USB port. Instructions say it is not used. I called Lorex and they said there is no way I could hook up anything to this port. This seems short sighted. I hooked it up to my computer and it was immediately detected as a Mars-Cam. None of the drivers available on the Lorex website for their web enabled cameras that I tried appeared to work. Why? Nowadays that web based monitoring and computer enabled video is so common why not have the driver. It looks like all of the circuitry is already in place.
For 24 hour monitoring and recording you would need a special VCR/DVD recorder. (by the way you get a Spanish and English language stickers warning of 24 hour video surveillance to dissuade potential intruders) It would be so useful to have your computer grab a snapshot every minute or so. Of course Lorex also sells cameras that do that as well.
So in summary; here you get a very well constructed outdoor quality monitoring camera, with a swiveling mount and a weather shade. You can plug it thru the power supply into a outdoor spot light bulb socket with a screw to ac plug adapter and be ready to monitor in minutes. The receiver is no frills very easy to set up, range is good. The recording capability is limited by the composite A/V output only so to use it with a computer would require a video capture card. However there is a remote possibility that Lorex may issue a USB driver for the port already available in the back.
Rating: 4 / 5