The Spy in our house ...

For me the purchase of a surveillance camera was completely new territory. But since I do when I'm traveling, like to want to take a look at our house, I was interested in for some time for a camera and have decided due to the low price, the recommendation of a friend and the most positive reviews here for DBPower.

First of all I want to emphasize that I want to limit myself in my review on the most important for me features and characteristics of this camera and not going to go down to the last detail and not going to describe all the technical possibilities in detail.
In addition to the camera is a power cable, a LAN cable, a mini-CD with software and mounting hardware to attach the camera to the wall included.

The camera is connected to the first outlet and with the supplied LAN cable to the router, in my case a AVM Fritz box 7330. On the supplied CD is next to brief instructions in English and the necessary software. First, I have the software P2P ID Finder installed.
In was my camera after I had it connected to the router, and immediately found it was the most important data displayed on the camera (IP address, port). Within the software, I can display a scaled-down video preview me after clicking Connect. Additionally you can choose between dynamic and fixed IP address, which I have set the assignment of a fixed IP here. On my Fritz box I have unlocked the displayed port, although I do not know exactly if this is imperative.
After clicking on Open I can via a web interface on my browser to access (in my Firefox) on the camera. Here, first needs to be entered, the user name, which is located on a sticker on the camera. Furthermore, this software is also available in German language, I can choose at this point. About this software can I then make detailed settings, control the camera over here and it is just reported that the live circuit in my living room.

First, I got me focused here on the settings that can be opened from the Admin button, because I do not ever want to have hanging on my router wired camera, but who wants to get fit for the wireless use, so I flexible am and the camera can place anywhere in the house and only one socket and no LAN cable longer needed. For this purpose there is in the settings to point wireless network settings. There can be scanned for the available wireless networks after the hook was set for WLAN use. From the results I then select my Wi-Fi network and then you have to match the necessary data encryption (Authentication and Key) enter. At this point I first had the problem that the camera has not subsequently connected via WLAN. This was in my case because I (TKIP) had selected the type WPA2 and it thus was not working. After switching to WPA2 (AES) everything was working fine.

After setting these wireless data and clicking on Apply the camera reboots and then I have the wireless cable is disconnected. After about a minute my camera was found via WLAN and also through the web interface I was able to access it again. The web interface can be opened from the software P2P ID Finder or by the IP address: port of the camera enters directly into the browser address bar.

Thus, I have placed the camera in a corner in the living room on the 1st floor and was now able to access the notebook from the 2nd floor via WLAN on the camera. The same also works from an x-desired PC outside the local network via the Internet. This I tested from a PC of a friend and also here could easily access my camera. It must be noted that I, if I outside the local network naturally am not Enter H the internal IP address in the browser, but the external IP address: to enter port. This I get when I use the page [...] Views in my network, for example. There my external IP will be displayed.

Furthermore, I have downloaded the app for my iPhone APCamera. After installing and opening the app, the camera can within the app to add and LAN search easily add the app when smartphone and camera straight both in the home network by clicking on camera. From this app, I can then also easily access the camera and let me view the live image from my living room from anywhere. Furthermore, I can also listen to the room and speak into or a photo shoot or a video record everything from the app on my smartphone.

I can of course also perform all these functions via the web interface. I can see the camera up, down, left or right. I can take a photo and I can record a video. All I can speak into the room and listen in. The brightness and contrast I can adjust. In addition, I can program even 16 different camera positions and then call a single click.
These are the most important in my view and common settings and features.

However, very important are still 2 things. Firstly, the camera is equipped with an infrared light that automatically turns on when it is dark. So I can monitor my premises, without me having to separately switch on an infrared light or other light in the dark.

Furthermore, I can generate an alarm in the settings. That means I can set a certain sensitivity, at which the alarm should trigger and can then, for example, automated leave a mail over this alarm. To this end, I have to deposit at the e-mail settings, a sender and recipient email address. At this point I had a little rumexperimentieren., But after I had created me a new yahoo.com address, also has this function. If the alarm is my hangover now sneaking around in the room and is recorded by the camera is triggered and there is an email sent to my email address. At the same time an image of the mail will be sent from the moment when the alarm has been triggered. KlasseJ Safe somewhat exaggerated because my cat constantly sneaking around, but for longer absences perfectly safe !!

On the CD is still the Software Device Viewer. This I have only briefly installed and tested. Again, the camera was added without any major problems and could be viewed and controlled. The big advantage is that I can see multiple cameras at a glance with this software can therefore share my picture or quarters or see even more cameras at a glance. But since I only have one for me (still) not so interesting.

OK, the instructions are written in English only and could certainly turn out a little more detail. For example, in the wireless settings and mail settings I had to try a little, until I had then are the settings are correct. With a little understanding of logic and a little understanding of the PC settings should however be possible without despair. Therefore, I can not understand that some call this Article within their reviews or question responses as scrap, just because they are able, the correct settings were required. As some have written is also a call or email to the hotline helpful, who responded very quickly if you do not get along with the article.

My conclusion is that the camera for this price and the possibilities, is absolutely top !! The instruction manuals and equipment may be improved, the service, the extensive possibilities and the quality of the photos I find absolutely top! From me therefore a clear thumbs up and an absolute buy recommendation!