The Truth About Wireless Webcams

Just about everybody has used some form of wireless technology when it comes to your PC, namely wireless networking.

You’re also aware of other things that are wireless such as printers, digital picture frames and so on.

But the one thing that’s not in wide use nor is widely available is the wireless webcam, or wireless cameras that specifically connect to PCs, period.

There are a few obvious reasons why you don’t see many of these.

First is the fact that most webcams are used directly at the computer. They’re usually attached with a clip or claw on top of your monitor. Being that the computer is only a few feet away from the monitor, wireless doesn’t serve a useful purpose in that respect.

Second is the fact that many laptops come bundled with pinhole webcams right in the monitor lid. Even my Dell Inspiron mini 10v netbook has one built-in, so it’s an available option even on the cheapest of laptops.

Third is the question of purpose. Most people simply don’t need a wireless camera for any real use.

Generally speaking, the only useful purpose of wireless cameras is for surveillance.

Let’s say for the moment you’re of the opinion, “Yes! I would love to have a wireless surveillance camera I could access from my PC, because it sure beats that ridiculous peephole in my front door that I can’t see anything through.”

Here are some of your current options with wireless cameras that have general availability.

Before continuing, yes they’re all expensive.

D-Link DCS-1000W
(Amazon Link)

Sends 640×480 resolution images. Does not have a microphone but one can be hooked up if you need it.

Linksys WVC54GGCA
(Amazon Link)

Compared to the D-Link above, this one weighs a pound less. While that may not sound like much, in matters when it comes to mounting it. Has its own networking built right in. Works with wireless or standard RJ-45 10/100. So if you want to snake a network cable to it and plug direct into your router, go right ahead. It will work without a problem.

In addition, the design allows for super-easy flush wall mounting.

Panasonic BL-C131A
(Amazon Link)

One of the best-of-breed and tops the scales at over $200 to purchase. Does have microphone for audio. Easily controlled right from your web browser – or even a cell phone or PDA. Has eight shooting presets. It even has a heat sensor to know when somebody enters the room.

This cam also has some of the highest customer reviews in the positive direction.

In this instance, oh yes, you do get what you pay for.

Can these be used outdoors?

Probably not.

Cams like these are not designed for outdoor use. It is unknown how they’d handle moisture, extreme heat or extreme cold – but it’s a safe assumption they probably wouldn’t deal with it very well. The lens would periodically fog up from time to time, the networking components could cut out easily from moisture and who knows what else.

Using traditional outdoor surveillance cameras for comparison, such as this one:

..you immediately notice these things are huge. What you’re paying for with these more than anything else is the guarantee that yes, they’ll work outside no matter what Mother Nature throws at them. In addition they’re also specifically designed to be mounted in outdoor applications. You don’t get this with wireless webcams.

Oh, and in addition the above example does have night vision – another huge plus.

But the tradeoff is that they can’t be fed to a PC. Not easily, anyway.

With a wireless webcam for surveillance use, if you want to see things outside, it’s best to use and indoor-to-outdoor application. This means to mount it inside the house pointing outside a window.

“Isn’t it just a tad paranoid to be even considering a webcam for surveillance use?”

Not really. If everybody was just and honest we wouldn’t need peepholes in doors to begin with. This is just a modern version of the peephole – and it works a whole lot better.