The LW1012 is one of Lorex's most basic surveillance systems. Since the wireless receiver has no USB port, you cannot connect it to your computer (you need model numbers LW1020 and LW1022 for that), nor can you remotely access your cameras through the internet. Your only options for recording video are DVD recorders, DVR's, and/or VCR's. We used a Sony DVD recorder with built in hard drive for this test.
Lorex LW1012 Camera System Installation And Review:
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What You Get For The Money:
The LW1012 includes a wireless receiver, two all weather night vision cameras with microphones, power supplies, and 9V adaptors for each camera. We purchased our unit at Home Depot for $119, but if you shop around, there's a good chance you'll find a lower price.
The LW1012 includes a wireless receiver, two all weather night vision cameras with microphones, power supplies, and 9V adaptors for each camera. We purchased our unit at Home Depot for $119, but if you shop around, there's a good chance you'll find a lower price.
Installing The LW1012:
Installation is very simple - attach your RCA cables from the receiver to the "Line In" or "Video In" on your recording device, and plug in your power supply. Now bring your cameras to your desired location(s) and apply power to them, as well. If you don't like the look of wires hanging from the camera, you can always use the 9V adaptors that are included. Before mounting, have another person hold the camera for you while you evaluate the image quality. Once you're pleased with the reception, you can permanently install each camera. You can manually select one camera at a time, or have the receiver switch from camera one to camera two every 4 to 30 seconds. You are now ready to begin recording video with your DVR, DVD recorder, or VCR.
Installation is very simple - attach your RCA cables from the receiver to the "Line In" or "Video In" on your recording device, and plug in your power supply. Now bring your cameras to your desired location(s) and apply power to them, as well. If you don't like the look of wires hanging from the camera, you can always use the 9V adaptors that are included. Before mounting, have another person hold the camera for you while you evaluate the image quality. Once you're pleased with the reception, you can permanently install each camera. You can manually select one camera at a time, or have the receiver switch from camera one to camera two every 4 to 30 seconds. You are now ready to begin recording video with your DVR, DVD recorder, or VCR.
Video And Audio Quality:
Before conducting our test, we disabled any appliances that could possibly interfere with our signal such as cordless phones, video door phones, laptops, etc. ahead of time. (FYI, since this system uses the 900 MHz frequency, some older cordless phones can cause interference).
Regarding picture and audio quality, let's have a look at the positives first: For what you pay for the system, the LED illuminators for night vision performed reasonably well. The audio recorders did their job, as long as you were no more than 20-25 feet from the receiver.
Now, the not so positive: The audio and picture were only acceptable when the camera was approximately one to twenty feet from the receiver, and separated by no more than two interior walls. In our kitchen example at right, the camera was about 40 feet from the receiver, sending its signal through three interior walls (one of them brick). As you can see, the quality of the picture degraded substantially in this location. We were also surprised that there was no option to "fine tune" or adjust the focus of the image, and zooming in and out is not possible (the cameras have fixed lenses). So basically, once you mount the cameras, what you see is what you get.
Before conducting our test, we disabled any appliances that could possibly interfere with our signal such as cordless phones, video door phones, laptops, etc. ahead of time. (FYI, since this system uses the 900 MHz frequency, some older cordless phones can cause interference).
Regarding picture and audio quality, let's have a look at the positives first: For what you pay for the system, the LED illuminators for night vision performed reasonably well. The audio recorders did their job, as long as you were no more than 20-25 feet from the receiver.
Now, the not so positive: The audio and picture were only acceptable when the camera was approximately one to twenty feet from the receiver, and separated by no more than two interior walls. In our kitchen example at right, the camera was about 40 feet from the receiver, sending its signal through three interior walls (one of them brick). As you can see, the quality of the picture degraded substantially in this location. We were also surprised that there was no option to "fine tune" or adjust the focus of the image, and zooming in and out is not possible (the cameras have fixed lenses). So basically, once you mount the cameras, what you see is what you get.
Bottom Line On The Lorex LW1012 Wireless Camera System:
Pros: Very low cost, Night vision and audio, Easy to install, Option to use battery power instead of A/C, Can be used outdoors.
Cons: Fixed lens (i.e. no zooming in or out) , No focus feature, No remote internet viewing, Overall picture and audio quality disappointing, Proprietary cameras.
Verdict: Definitely not a permanent surveillance option, but may be an affordable option in certain situations i.e. nanny cam, problems with the neighbors, etc. You are definitely getting what you paid for with this system.
Pros: Very low cost, Night vision and audio, Easy to install, Option to use battery power instead of A/C, Can be used outdoors.
Cons: Fixed lens (i.e. no zooming in or out) , No focus feature, No remote internet viewing, Overall picture and audio quality disappointing, Proprietary cameras.
Verdict: Definitely not a permanent surveillance option, but may be an affordable option in certain situations i.e. nanny cam, problems with the neighbors, etc. You are definitely getting what you paid for with this system.
Above:
Receiver is about 40 feet away, going through 3 interior walls. The audio quality was very poor in this location. (Note: Because of lighting issues, you should normally not install a camera pointed at a window or door. We only did because it was near our last available electrical outlet).
Receiver is about 40 feet away, going through 3 interior walls. The audio quality was very poor in this location. (Note: Because of lighting issues, you should normally not install a camera pointed at a window or door. We only did because it was near our last available electrical outlet).
Above:
Receiver is about 20 feet away, through two interior walls.
Receiver is about 20 feet away, through two interior walls.
Above:
In this day/night example, the wireless receiver was approximately 5 feet from the camera.
In this day/night example, the wireless receiver was approximately 5 feet from the camera.
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Above:
The Lorex LW1012 Wireless Surveillance System.
The Lorex LW1012 Wireless Surveillance System.
