Information before buying and tips

Important notes in advance: my delivery were currently only English PDFs at a manual on a CD-ROM. I found the manual is not bad, but basic knowledge of English should be available. There is probably a problem if your PC system has no DVD / CD player more.

* In conclusion, I must preface that it is an amazingly powerful product in the DBPOWER surveillance camera. So it is for example remotely controlled Pan and (automatically), transmits next to the video image and audio signals to the monitoring PC and can play in conjunction with a speaker (jack) even language from a remote PC. It has infrared for night vision and a configurable motion alarm, for example, be combined with automatic image uploading via FTP or email. Several of these cameras are noisy software combined, the connection is made via a network cable or Wi-Fi, a power supply is needed. The configuration is done after the first setup on the PC through the Internet browser, apps for Android and iPhone are on the supplied CD also available. In the documentary, a remote monitoring of the Internet is extensively described, keyword "Port Forwarding / DynDNS". Many more features to stay here probably unnamed because it is simply too much for a review text.

* Intermediate-conclusion for hurry: Given the vast range of services this DBPOWER product is low in my opinion. In particular, a great "toys" if they even want to grapple with the issue of "security camera". They should bring a PC (I tested with Windows 7), and a smart phone (I tested with Android 4.1). You will also need a functioning LAN or WLAN, I operated the camera connected up in your test. In addition, they need to ideally something technical PC experience, because although the software with me right away so worked as in the (English) manual describes the commissioning but needed some concentration, that takes more than two clicks.

I am technically savvy and normally do not read instructions, I wanted to test the function immediately. So I put a small CD that came with and led a double click to read the contents of the CD. This is the first shocker for inexperienced PC users, because it comes "Application not found" error message. So do not double, but with the right mouse button on the DVD drive, and then "open" the CD.

Then shows the content, the root folder is the User Manual. I opened it briefly and then went straight to the "\ P2P ID Finder software". Because the software "P2P ID Finder.exe" not started, I wanted to quickly install "IPCam activex.exe" - but then came the shocker => everything Chinese. In my distress I opened the manual again - and lo and behold - first oPlayer.msi must be installed in the root directory, then works "P2P ID Finder.exe". "IPCam activex.exe" will NOT be installed directly.

With the "P2P ID Finder.exe" in the "\ P2P ID Finder software", the camera can now be searched for in the network. I had the camera via a LAN cable connected to the network, after you click on "Find", the device appears on the left in the mask under "Cameras". By clicking on the camera in question is done right under the tab "General" the display of network data and below the Brower link ("Inner Access") is provided. If you switch the tab on the right side of "P2P ID Finder.exe" from "General" to "Video Preview" to, so you can directly view the image from the camera. It is important that when you switch on the left panel the desired camera is selected and the tab "Video Preview" the word "Connect" next to the UID button is pressed. This Connect button is unfortunately visible only as a button when you move the mouse over it. Even so one of the uncertainties of the current software configuration, as it takes part good nerves.

The observation deck of DBPOWER camera is and is probably the Internet browser has to be. For most buyers, the Internet Explorer from Microsoft is likely already open correctly when behind the line "Inner access" on the button "Open" button in the "P2P ID Finder.exe" in the "General" tab, which will also is not recognizable as a button. Alternatively, however, the content of "Inner access" be manually copied with cut & paste into a browser's address bar. I've tried the IE, here in the debut is still an ActiveX to install what is described in the English manual. Alternative browsers seem to be possible, but have not been tested by me.

Then, finally, the camera image is visible in the internet browser and it allows the camera to be controlled. In addition, provides the window in Internet Explorer (or adequately in other browsers) bottom left a button, with which you can reach for configuring the camera. Here you can then really everything possible be finely adjusted. Here among other things, is also the WLAN configuration. Or alarms can be set up. I had never test that the camera automatically sends when a motion alarm photos in the interval from 3 seconds to my FTP server. Alternatively, the shipping is via e-mail, which, however, did not succeed.

In the web browser-based configuration also the point is "SD card format" under "Record Schedule". However, I have found on the camera any place where an SD card would have been connected - even as an absurdity. Perhaps the software for different camera models used? Nice however, is a "Reboot Device" under "Device Firmware Upgrade", so is a remote reboot of the camera possible.

For image quality: The image quality is 640x480 pixels, similar to the resolutions of most webcams. Although this is far from HD, but adequate for a normal monitoring well in most cases. I can not say that the quality is poor now. Surprisingly the Night mode with infrared was (in the browser can be activated), as the night becomes day - the camera makes records in complete darkness, an image've uploaded them.

I could still write a few side on tests and configurations, but I think I could both performance as well as the complexity of the camera delineate a bit. Those who still have further questions about the product, which they may make a comment, if required.

* My opinion: For one, in my view good value for money you an interesting LAN / wireless security camera gets here with a neat functionality. Unfortunately, the language of the manual is currently not in English and the establishment naturally benefits of advanced computer skills. Also would have a long-term tests show only what brings the camera in practice. For highly sensitive demands expensive solutions are certainly popular, but I forgive here, the bottom line four star.