I recently saw a demo for the vue wireless system on Geek Brief TV (check them out great video pod cast), I thought it was the coolest thing. This is basically a wireless camera system for the home or small business that allows you to see your cameras over the internet. For those of you familiar with a DVR this is not a DVR system, you can record video and take snap shots but only one camera at a time. I purchased a starter kit from Amazon ;-) here is the link to the kit, check it out here: Avaak Vue Personal Video Network
This kit includes a receiver, two wireless cameras, 4 batteries (2 spare), 4 metallic domes (2 spare) for placing the cameras, ethernet cable for receiver, instructions, power supply and 1 year access to the website with 2GB of data storage. From what I can see after the first year the subscription is under $20 dollars for the entire year this includes the 2GB of data, not bad. The system will only work with the website so keep that in mind.
Configuration of system was a pice of cake:
First step was to connect the power to the receiver and plugged it into my router. Secondly I put the batteries in the cameras. The hardest thing here was finding a dime to open the bottom lid, which you turn and slide to open. Closing the lid and twisting the small cap below turns the camera on, you will see a blue light flash. Third step here is take the cameras close to the receiver and hit the sync button on top of the receiver, both the cameras flashed their blue light and that was it. Last step was to log into their website at http://my.vuezone.com where you create an account with your email and VGN number which is found on the bottom of the receiver or on the box. This took under a minute to complete, it helps to type fast ;-)
Their website is dead simple this is a good thing. Under the Watch tab you will see your cameras on the left of the screen. You drag the camera you would like to see to the right and click the play button. You will very quickly start to see the video being streamed live to you. You can drag both cameras to the right but when you hit play on one the other stops playing, so like I mentioned before at the moment you can only interact with one camera at a time. I hear that you can manage up to 50 cameras; but I'm not about to buy 50 cameras especially at $100.00 each ;-) really it's not a bad price for one or two more. The other tabs on the site will allow you to watch playback (for video or snapshots recorded), share with your friends (which I have not tried) and settings. The Settings page will allow you to configure your equipment, name it, firmware upgrades, etc. One feature that seems to be under development is schedules for the cameras. I would guess you will be able to put a schedule on your cameras and have them take pictures at determined times (this is just a guess); but it would be cool especially if you can have them emailed to you, or if they come up with an iphone app so I can check my cameras remotely ;-)
Also when viewing live video they allow you to select the exposure for the camera (bright, normal and low) The low exposure is not bad a bit grainy but totally viewable. The picture quality during daylight inside and out is very good. My only concern at the moment is the battery life of the camera, I'm sure its in a low power mode when you are not viewing video; but I wonder how many hours of viewing time the battery can handle.
Overall this system wont replace a DVR but its great for those times when your house alarm goes off and you want to check the front and rear doors of the house. The responsiveness of the system is quite good, I'm using it with Comcast cable so I'm not sure how it behaves with DSL; but so far so good. One more thing they support the 3 major browsers so Safari, IE and Fire Fox.
Later...
Monday, February 8, 2010 at 03:10PM 
