D-Link DCS-920 Internet Camera Installation And Review:
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What You Get For The Money:
The DCS-920 system includes one indoor internet camera, mounting stand, power supplies, wireless antenna, ethernet cable, quick start guide and camera interface software. We purchased our DCS-920 from Office Depot for appr. $119. Since you are using your own computer for remote access, there are no monthly fees or signing up for an online service required.
The DCS-920 system includes one indoor internet camera, mounting stand, power supplies, wireless antenna, ethernet cable, quick start guide and camera interface software. We purchased our DCS-920 from Office Depot for appr. $119. Since you are using your own computer for remote access, there are no monthly fees or signing up for an online service required.
Installing The DCS-920:
If you plan to use the wireless feature, setting up this camera system is a chore not recommended for beginners. While installing the setup wizard is quite easy, novice users may have problems setting up the wireless connection. It's a good idea to know the following before you begin: Your network's name (the name you see when accessing your wi-fi), security mode (usually wpa or wep), and security key (the password you use when signing into your wi-fi account). If you don't have any of this information, you can find it by following these steps:
In your taskbar, select start>run. Type "cmd". Write down the number next to "IP Gateway" (should start with 192). Open your browser and type the address next to the prefix "http://" in your address bar. Then sign in using user name "admin" and the password field blank. If this does not work, use "admin" as the password. Then select the "wireless" option. You should find the information you need on the "security" page.
If you have filled everything out correctly, clicking "link" in the setup wizard should take you to your browser-based interface, where you can now view your camera(s). If you have issues with setting up the wireless connection, you can always keep the ethernet cable attached to the camera (makes everything a lot easier).
If you plan to use the wireless feature, setting up this camera system is a chore not recommended for beginners. While installing the setup wizard is quite easy, novice users may have problems setting up the wireless connection. It's a good idea to know the following before you begin: Your network's name (the name you see when accessing your wi-fi), security mode (usually wpa or wep), and security key (the password you use when signing into your wi-fi account). If you don't have any of this information, you can find it by following these steps:
In your taskbar, select start>run. Type "cmd". Write down the number next to "IP Gateway" (should start with 192). Open your browser and type the address next to the prefix "http://" in your address bar. Then sign in using user name "admin" and the password field blank. If this does not work, use "admin" as the password. Then select the "wireless" option. You should find the information you need on the "security" page.
If you have filled everything out correctly, clicking "link" in the setup wizard should take you to your browser-based interface, where you can now view your camera(s). If you have issues with setting up the wireless connection, you can always keep the ethernet cable attached to the camera (makes everything a lot easier).
Testing The Video Quality:
You have three options for picture resolution: 640x480, 320x240, and 160x120. You can also adjust the frame rate, image quality, and digital zoom level (four available). For this test, we used a resolution of 640x480, and image quality set at "high" (second highest setting). You can also adjust the focus from the camera directly.
Our first images were captured during the day, with no interior lights activated. Even at our high image settings, the wireless and hardwired (i.e. with ethernet cable attached) were average, at best. The same area at night with a twenty watt night light were also average. Attempting to view the image at night without lighting assistance gave us a pitch black screen.
D-Link does have additional cameras available with pan/tilt/zoom features and outdoor housing, but we have not been able to confirm whether they work with the DCS-920 system. It also appears that D-Link does not offer cameras with infrared capabilities whatsoever.
You have three options for picture resolution: 640x480, 320x240, and 160x120. You can also adjust the frame rate, image quality, and digital zoom level (four available). For this test, we used a resolution of 640x480, and image quality set at "high" (second highest setting). You can also adjust the focus from the camera directly.
Our first images were captured during the day, with no interior lights activated. Even at our high image settings, the wireless and hardwired (i.e. with ethernet cable attached) were average, at best. The same area at night with a twenty watt night light were also average. Attempting to view the image at night without lighting assistance gave us a pitch black screen.
D-Link does have additional cameras available with pan/tilt/zoom features and outdoor housing, but we have not been able to confirm whether they work with the DCS-920 system. It also appears that D-Link does not offer cameras with infrared capabilities whatsoever.
Bottom Line On The D-Link DCS-920 Wireless Internet Camera:
Pros: Low cost, No monthly fees for remote viewing, Fairly good technical support, Room for additional cameras.
Cons: Buggy software, Picture quality average at best, Setup not recommended for beginners, No night vision.
Verdict: Should you decide to go ahead with the DCS-920, it is almost guaranteed you will need technical support. You may also have difficulties with the supplied camera management software, and setting up the wireless feature. Not an awful system when you factor in the cost, but definitely not recommended for beginners.
Pros: Low cost, No monthly fees for remote viewing, Fairly good technical support, Room for additional cameras.
Cons: Buggy software, Picture quality average at best, Setup not recommended for beginners, No night vision.
Verdict: Should you decide to go ahead with the DCS-920, it is almost guaranteed you will need technical support. You may also have difficulties with the supplied camera management software, and setting up the wireless feature. Not an awful system when you factor in the cost, but definitely not recommended for beginners.
Above:
The DVIEW Cam 3.0 Interface.
The DVIEW Cam 3.0 Interface.
Above:
The top image was recorded wirelessly at a resolution of 640x480. The camera was located roughly 8 feet from our router, with one interior wall obstruction. The image below it was recorded during the evening, with the assistance of a twenty watt night light.
The top image was recorded wirelessly at a resolution of 640x480. The camera was located roughly 8 feet from our router, with one interior wall obstruction. The image below it was recorded during the evening, with the assistance of a twenty watt night light.
The D-Link DCS-920 (right) is a wireless capable internet security camera, that you can access remotely through the IP address that your router assigns to it. The cameras used for this system are meant to be used indoors, and do not have a night vision feature. If you have average or below average computer skills, you may have a hard time setting up the camera's software and wireless features. Even we had to contact D-Link customer support numerous times for assistance.
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Recording Options:
The alternative software D-Link instructed us to download has all the usual features: motion activated, manual, or scheduled recording, resolution and picture settings, and pan/tilt/zoom interface (for cameras that have this feature). You can also use third party software with this system i.e. Web Cam Pro.
The alternative software D-Link instructed us to download has all the usual features: motion activated, manual, or scheduled recording, resolution and picture settings, and pan/tilt/zoom interface (for cameras that have this feature). You can also use third party software with this system i.e. Web Cam Pro.
Camera Management Software:
Your installation CD comes with camera management software that you can use to add cameras, set recording options, etc. Unfortunately, we could not get the software to run, despite installing it on three different PC's (two running Windows Vista, and one running Windows 7). Apparently, this is a known issue with D-Link. We were instructed to download software for a different model camera from their support website. Specifically: http://www.dlink.com/support/ or http://www.dlink.ca/support/, DVIEW Cam 3.0 for camera model DCS-3110. The new software ended up working for us.
Your installation CD comes with camera management software that you can use to add cameras, set recording options, etc. Unfortunately, we could not get the software to run, despite installing it on three different PC's (two running Windows Vista, and one running Windows 7). Apparently, this is a known issue with D-Link. We were instructed to download software for a different model camera from their support website. Specifically: http://www.dlink.com/support/ or http://www.dlink.ca/support/, DVIEW Cam 3.0 for camera model DCS-3110. The new software ended up working for us.
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