Summer Gadget Vlog Part 3: Linksys IP Camera

UPDATED REVIEW: Shortly after these reviews, both Linksys cameras I reviewed stopped working, and I spent 6 weeks trying to get these cameras to work properly, then gave up. They dropped off the network within a few hours, couldn't FTP an image, and their support techs could not help - neither could replacement cameras. Amazon.com customers reported similar problems. I traded them in on the more reliable Panasonic Network Cameras reviewed here. I apologize for this (apparently) bad recommendation.

UPDATED REVIEW: Since I taped this review of the PTZ cam, I have also reviewed the WVC54GCA model, which doesn't PTZ but sells for closer to $100. It seems to have better outside image quality, but lacks some basic functionality such as non-motion-triggered FTP. Unfortunately, I accidentally dropped the WVC54GCA on the floor (from about a foot and a half up) and it no longer works. When you attempt to access the camera or video over the network, it reboots itself. So I can't give kudos for durability.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

This is the final issue (Part 3) of my Summer 2008 Gadget Review Video Blog (taped previously). In this segment, I take a look at the Linksys PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) WVC200 IP Camera. This camera doesn't require a computer to transmit images and live video to the Internet - it just uses your existing WIFI signal. Unlike the high-quality StarDot Netcam that we reviewed in part 1, this camera is low quality, but you can get it for around $250.

UPDATED REVIEW: Although the software tries to force you to use a (subscription) Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service, you can just forward port 80 on your router to the IP address of the camera, and access the live video just fine. Of course, if you have certain types of Internet access, such as cable, your external IP address will change periodically and you may have to use a DDNS service (such as NO-IP) to keep up with it.