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The image quality is better than what I need; the POE capability was critical for me. I don't think it made any difference. I use them with POE, connected to the SecuritySpy software, which knows just what to do with them.
I use it as a network camera and those functions are performed elsewhere on the network.I have them set up on their own NAT network so that they aren't accessible from the public internet; the SecuritySpy software handles the interface and firewall so that I can look at them from afar and you can't. I've seen some reviews here that lament this camera not having this or that feature. They work just fine with a standard POE supply, but I connected them to a PowerDsine 8012 midspan just in case the PTZ motors would benefit from some extra watts.
I have several of these cameras. I don't use or want any of the standalone features like the webserver inside the camera or the SD card at the camera. I'm glad it doesn't, because those features would probably consume extra power from the somewhat-limited POE supply.This camera is absolutely perfect for my needs, and so far it's been reliable.
It all Just Works. They've been installed outdoors for 14 months and have endured sun, rain, wind, and more sun (we don't get snow here).
Hunt around with the model number for the best deals. This camera Model (IK-WB15A) does not have wireless like the vendor claims. The previous model to this the (IK-WB11A) which is now no longer made, had wireless.All in all not bad cameras, I have both, the WB11a and WB15a.
Haunt eBay for an old stock IK-WB11A and you'll probably be much happier. However, if you're looking for really clear video, keep shopping. (Note: I have several 11A's and 15A's in use side by side). This camera has a sensor that is 1/2 the size of the previous model (IK-WB11A) and it shows: The video quality never really escapes being pixelated, even at the highest resolution settings. Toshiba's rigamarole about it being a "Super (Honeycomb) CCD" sensor can't escape the fact that sensor size and number of pixels is the bottom line and the tiny sensor in this camera is a big step backwards.This camera also regrettably sheds wireless networking, but does have optical zoom and marginally faster responsiveness.
Spoke with Toshiba's tech support and we both looked at the camera online and made adjustments. PTZ is slow to move. But it came down to the fact that the camera cannot take good clear images of moving vehicles or people even during the day time, they are just a blur. If you set it slow for night, it will be slow for day time too. I have the IK-WB15A camera, hardwired with a POE network connection.
IMHO My Panasonic BB-HCM531A, day and night time images are better for security. See for yourself, live, www.mywxbox.com (Bridgeland station). For a security camera, this is NOT a great camera to go with due to blurry images. Motion detection options are poor and limited.
Audio I/O connection cannot be used if you use the sun shield, the jacks on on the side of the camera and not protected from the weather. I got this camera with plans to record the cars passing by my place 24/7s. Firmware needs to be written better IMHO. Low light level listed as being very low, but that is only if you take in to account that it also takes 4 seconds per frame. Low light level images: dark unless you really SLOW down the shutter.No day/Night or auto setting of the slow shutter speed. One setting for all light levels.
Okay, the now the good things about this camera: Optical zoom is GOOD, about a 2.6X zoom, no digital zoom. White Balance is also not great, I have very blue skies and brown grass.
Has a very nice low noise image at night with super slow shutter speed (4 seconds)Now I use it for a weather camera, since that is about all it is good for. Smaller too.
Image size is GOOD, 1280 X 960 Tech Support, fast to answer, and tried to help and honest about the limits of this product. I figured with the high resolution that this camera has, it should take great pictures, but while it takes nice large images, this images are not sharp.
I would say more like 4 lux min. Camera is large about a 5 x 5 x 5 box.
My Panasonic cameras BB-HCM531A does a far better job with just a 640 X 480 image then the Toshiba with it 1280 X 960 image can. Limited Alarm settings.
I will be looking at open source to see if I can interface the output of the camera to stream. ;)I think it you got this unit, you'd be happy, but remember, not much of a zoom. We wanted to be able to check the front and I did some digging and the Toshiba IK-WB15A IP Security Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera looked like it fit the bill.I would have liked more zoom. down the road, too many projects, not enough time and the wife "always" has something. But very great pictures. but for the price and how clear the picture is, we can live with it.Oh, even thou they tell you it is for outside, in the instructions it states you should keep it like under the eve or build some type of bigger hood. That was not a problem for us.Would have been nicer if it supported Firefox, since the o/s of the camera is built on linux.
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