Comments on: Swann DIY Security Camera http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:26:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: F. A. Parks http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera/comment-page-1#comment-502 F. A. Parks Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:58:50 +0000 http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera#comment-502 This was shockingly tiny coming out of the box...but that's good. It mounts easily just about anywhere and is very inconspicuous with it's flat black finish. Outdoor locations should be at least semi-sheltered from weather, such as under a roof overhang. <br />A single cable coming out of it splits off into separate power and video/audio cables. The included wall-plug cube supplies power, so an outdoor outlet will make installation more convenient. Readily available RCA type extension cables routed inside to your TV complete the set-up. You can just use a single cable if all you want is video, or use a second cable to make use of the built-in microphone. A single button punch on my TV remote switches from TV to camera input. If desired it can be run through a VCR to get the action on tape. (You could even make home movies). <br />All of this would be pointless if the video wasn't good, but in fact the color image of my front porch and driveway is better than I expected -- not hi-def but very acceptable. The viewing angle is wide enough to see everything I need to see. Understand that this isn't a night vision device, so combine it with a motion sensing security light for darkness hours, and you've got your eye on the world outside your door. I would have given it a full 5 star rating if it had extreme low-light capability. <br />I've only had this for a few weeks so I can't attest to it's durability. With the mail-in rebate the price will be cut in half, so I won't have much invested. The price is much less than many other security cameras on the market that do basically the same function. I'll update this review if it craps out any time soon. Rating: 4 / 5 This was shockingly tiny coming out of the box…but that’s good. It mounts easily just about anywhere and is very inconspicuous with it’s flat black finish. Outdoor locations should be at least semi-sheltered from weather, such as under a roof overhang.

A single cable coming out of it splits off into separate power and video/audio cables. The included wall-plug cube supplies power, so an outdoor outlet will make installation more convenient. Readily available RCA type extension cables routed inside to your TV complete the set-up. You can just use a single cable if all you want is video, or use a second cable to make use of the built-in microphone. A single button punch on my TV remote switches from TV to camera input. If desired it can be run through a VCR to get the action on tape. (You could even make home movies).

All of this would be pointless if the video wasn’t good, but in fact the color image of my front porch and driveway is better than I expected — not hi-def but very acceptable. The viewing angle is wide enough to see everything I need to see. Understand that this isn’t a night vision device, so combine it with a motion sensing security light for darkness hours, and you’ve got your eye on the world outside your door. I would have given it a full 5 star rating if it had extreme low-light capability.

I’ve only had this for a few weeks so I can’t attest to it’s durability. With the mail-in rebate the price will be cut in half, so I won’t have much invested. The price is much less than many other security cameras on the market that do basically the same function. I’ll update this review if it craps out any time soon.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: R. Garnica http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera/comment-page-1#comment-501 R. Garnica Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:22:27 +0000 http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera#comment-501 I had wanted one of these cameras for a while to see who is outside of my clubhouse. The other day i was at Frys and i decided to go look at the security cameras. While i was looking around i came across this one and i looked at the price only ten dollars so i bought it. I got home plugged it into the tv the picture was great the audio was good. <br /> <br />PROS: good picture ,size , audio, price <br /> <br />CONS: no night vision, picture is not clear with 9volt battery, the cable are not long enough Rating: 4 / 5 I had wanted one of these cameras for a while to see who is outside of my clubhouse. The other day i was at Frys and i decided to go look at the security cameras. While i was looking around i came across this one and i looked at the price only ten dollars so i bought it. I got home plugged it into the tv the picture was great the audio was good.

PROS: good picture ,size , audio, price

CONS: no night vision, picture is not clear with 9volt battery, the cable are not long enough
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Ruth B. Kaplan http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera/comment-page-1#comment-500 Ruth B. Kaplan Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:19:31 +0000 http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera#comment-500 I had a neighbor that I thought was vandalizing my yard, so I installed these in the front windows, using inexpensive TV/VCRs from the pawn shop for recording. Just taped the cameras to the glass and turned on the recorder when I was leaving the house. <br /> <br />I caught my intruder--but it turned out to be another neighbor's dog, who was getting out and having a romp in my yard. I also got to see birds, squirrels, and cats wandering across the field of view. <br /> <br />The main drawback of this camera is that it has a narrow field of view. Even the wide angle model (a little more expensive) won't possibly cover an entire front yard. I had to install two, and even then, there was an enormous "dead zone" where someone could sneak past the cameras. <br /> <br />The price is excellent, and the longer cord helps run it from the window to where your recorder is sitting. <br /> <br />Not a bad product and did the job I needed. Rating: 4 / 5 I had a neighbor that I thought was vandalizing my yard, so I installed these in the front windows, using inexpensive TV/VCRs from the pawn shop for recording. Just taped the cameras to the glass and turned on the recorder when I was leaving the house.

I caught my intruder–but it turned out to be another neighbor’s dog, who was getting out and having a romp in my yard. I also got to see birds, squirrels, and cats wandering across the field of view.

The main drawback of this camera is that it has a narrow field of view. Even the wide angle model (a little more expensive) won’t possibly cover an entire front yard. I had to install two, and even then, there was an enormous “dead zone” where someone could sneak past the cameras.

The price is excellent, and the longer cord helps run it from the window to where your recorder is sitting.

Not a bad product and did the job I needed.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Brian Parr http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera/comment-page-1#comment-499 Brian Parr Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:02:06 +0000 http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera#comment-499 After nearly two years, running with the Swann PC DVR interface card, these cameras have performed flawlessly. Image quality is more than adequate to positively identify a suspect. Rating: 5 / 5 After nearly two years, running with the Swann PC DVR interface card, these cameras have performed flawlessly. Image quality is more than adequate to positively identify a suspect.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Songbird http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera/comment-page-1#comment-498 Songbird Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:34:05 +0000 http://www.vcbsecurity.com/home-security-devices/home-security-camera-system/swann-diy-security-camera#comment-498 J&R Computer Worldsent me a camera that had all its packing and packaging previously opened,inside and out. The adapter had dust all over it and its wiring was shoved into its individual box; the same is true form the camera itself. The components, it appears, are not "factory fresh" and/or new, and look as though they were used, returned, or refurbushed, in my opinion. <br /> <br />This, unfortunately, is the 3rd time this has happened to me when ordering through Amazon.com. I will not again order from Amazon.com or J&R Computer World. Rating: 1 / 5 J&R Computer Worldsent me a camera that had all its packing and packaging previously opened,inside and out. The adapter had dust all over it and its wiring was shoved into its individual box; the same is true form the camera itself. The components, it appears, are not “factory fresh” and/or new, and look as though they were used, returned, or refurbushed, in my opinion.

This, unfortunately, is the 3rd time this has happened to me when ordering through Amazon.com. I will not again order from Amazon.com or J&R Computer World.
Rating: 1 / 5

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