Camera was evening ordered delivered swiftly by INSTAR two days later. The packaging makes a solid impression, everything is packed neatly and is adequately protected.
Scope of supply: camera, power supply, mounting, antenna, patch cords, German Quick start guide, mini CD with software and English manual
Here is the first improvement point: It should not be that difficult to translate the complete manual on the CD in the German language and attached as PDF and do not like the English instructions as DOC. For an appropriate remuneration I would even offer me!
Since I only Linux insets, the CD disappeared deal from the drive. So first the camera as described with a patch cable to the switch / router (Fritz! Box) connected and placed on the website of the Fritz! Box the assigned IP address in experience. With an IP scanner (eg nmap) it is of course. Then use the Firefox browser and the IP address of the web page of the camera "driven". This looks a bit "old-fashioned" out, but served its purpose and is a matter of taste. After the wireless settings have been made, I have the patch cords removed and separated the camera to restart the power supply. Now I could access via WLAN on the camera and make the remaining settings. Here I noticed that the camera automatically logs in to a DDNS service. While this is for "beginners" very convenient, but in my case I would like to DDNS disabled because this is my Fritz! Box takes over.
Here, then, the second improvement point: DDNS should be deactivated
In addition to the transmission of the live image, the camera can be seen in the movements in and then to transmit images as e-mail and / or via FTP upload. This can be time-consuming and weekdays depending activate. The sensitivity of motion detection can be adjusted in 10 steps. The detection works very well and even at night since the camera has indeed over a number of infrared LEDs. Incidentally, this is also the reason why the colors are distorted, because the lens filters, unlike normal webcams and cameras, the infrared light is not out. "It's not a bug it's a feature." In the dark a few pixel errors that do not interfere for this purpose and to some to be small in relation to a webcam show. Back to alarm: The camera does not appear to handle all types of authentication of SMTP (email) server, because it was not possible to send the alert emails via SMTP server of 1und1. Since I'm flexible, the camera now in their mails Alfahosting from.
Here, consequently, the third improvement point: email authentication must be flexible
The pan and tilt the camera is quite nice, but for pure monitoring / motion detection is not necessary.
Microphone and speakers are not used with me, because these functions as well as the multi-camera view are obviously available only with Internet Explorer. The microphone transfer would certainly be feasible even with Firefox. Perhaps there are times a new firmware.
Now a few general comments: The INSTAR IN 3010 consists mainly of plastic but does not leave a cheap impression. The wireless range is slightly lower than at my notebook, but is certainly adequate in most cases. The supplied bracket is against something less dibasic. Camera mounting and are connected together by a screw. The thread of the camera corresponds to a tripod mount and consists of a metal insert. But one should look at before just how far the screw of the stand extends into the camera, for a long screw would damage a circuit in the camera!
Here, then fourth improvement point: The threaded insert should not be open inwards
In addition to settings for brightness and contrast, there is a field "Mode", which is important for location shooting, because this should be "outside" to be set, so you can see a decent picture. In addition, the camera has both an output which is triggered when motion is detected as well as an entrance where you could connect an external motion sensor.
I would like to emphasize again that this camera up to a few functions with non-Internet Explorer browsers to use and is fully configurable.
After 3 days of continuous use, I can report that this camera reliably does its work.
UPDATE 20/11/2010:
The camera is still working without problems. There are now all INSTAR cameras a German manual. DDNS is an emergency solution can be deactivated by selecting one of the service providers offered without identification data. Therefore, I would now give 4.5 stars.
