Author Topic: Swann MicroCam 3 question-connecting to PC wirelessly  (Read 4015 times)

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Offline Pinster56

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Swann MicroCam 3 question-connecting to PC wirelessly
« on: March 07, 2008, 12:24:25 PM »
I am thinking of buying a Swann MicroCam 3 wireless to replace my cabled webcam that I have been using for my WU page. It says in the reviews that if you want to connect it to your PC, you need a wireless capture card. My PC does not have a capture card, but my PC is the primary PC of my wireless home network. Will I be able to connect this cam wirelessly via my home network?

Offline up10ad N9RJH

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Re: Swann MicroCam 3 question-connecting to PC wirelessly
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2008, 12:41:24 PM »
My reading of this cam specs suggests that it uses its own wireless transmit/receive frequency and connects only to its own receiver.  It doesn't connect via 802.11 wireless ethernet.  You have to connect its receiver to your PC or TV, etc. 
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Offline prvrt

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Re: Swann MicroCam 3 question-connecting to PC wirelessly
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2008, 12:53:36 PM »
You need an IP wireless cam to connect to your wireless home network/lan. I use the Panasonic BL-C131A. You can play with it here ---> http://idaho.viewnetcam.com Click on SINGLE to view the camera. I use a Linksys Wireless WRT54GSV4 router. You can look at other IP web cams here http://www.123securityproducts.com/neipca.html Ip cam's have their own built in wireless connection that usually works with 802.11 b/g wireless router. They work without a pc by sending the data directly to the internet over your LAN. You can access them on your LAN by IP address or with a standard web browser on the internet. They are pretty much a self contained camera with nothing else needed but a plug in for power. Very simple to use and setup with a good picture during the day. Night time they are not so good, but you have to pay good money for a good night view camera.

Edit: I would also do some research before you buy a Swann. Check some reviews. You get what you pay for.
« Last Edit: March 07, 2008, 01:01:31 PM by prvrt »
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Offline MesquiteWx

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Re: Swann MicroCam 3 question-connecting to PC wirelessly
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2008, 02:22:22 PM »
Swann cameras are pretty good cameras for the money. I use several of them for CCTV and to Stream live web video. Mine are all hardwired not wireless so I do not know about the quality of those. They look really good during the day since they are color. They have inferred at night which is B&W.  The MicroCam 3 as pointed out comes with it's own receiver. You will not need a wireless capture card but you will need a capture card in general if you do not have one now. I recommend the Osprey PCI cards as they are the best ones the market and made for streaming live video and you can stream up to 4 cameras with it. It is a mail order card unless you can find one local but it will be hard. It cost about $120 but well worth the money for 4 ports. 

If you have the money to spend then as suggested the IP cams are the best option but they are very pricey. I think the most popular are the Axis IP cams. Those are the ones I am looking to get in the future.