Canon VB-C50iR Reverse Pan Tilt Zoom Network Camera w/ Built-in Network Server

Reviews of Canon VB-C50iR Reverse Pan Tilt Zoom Network Camera w/ Built-in Network Server

1.) Be careful what you wish for
Reviewed by: Wilson Bilkovich Brooklyn, NY
Rating:
If you are looking for a high-quality day/night camera with an IR illuminator, and you intend to plug it into an all-Windows environment, this may be the camera for you.

Pros:
Video quality is good, and the optics work as advertised.
Looks cool and feels very sturdy.
Attractive price for the feature set.

Cons:
Horrible setup process that must be run from Windows.
Mediocre documentation
An analog video output would be nice for troubleshooting.

I plugged this in expecting to be able to hit an HTTP interface by setting up a network interface on the same subnet as the default address from the manual.
Unfortunately, nothing is listening on port 80 until you run the setup program on the CD (Windows only) and wait for the camera to initialize.
Once you have done that, you are treated to a hodge-podge of ghastly user interfaces.

If you are intending to use this camera with an application that has known compatibility for it, then you can probably put those issues behind you and be happy with this device. Make sure you are in the above category before pulling the trigger, however.

I've returned mine and am looking at the Axis 214 PTZ and Sony SNC-RZ50N as replacements. I'll report back when I have one installed.

Edit: One week later.. I now have one of these:
Toshiba 22X Optical Zoom Ptz Netcam 30 Fps 2WAY Audio with Sd Card Slot

(which inexplicably has gone up in price almost $100 since I purchased mine..) and I am very happy. Even the quick install card suggests using ping to verify that the camera is online.

Cons: Irritating ActiveX web interface is something you will want to make sure you can avoid using before purchasing.
Pros: Everything else.

Features of Canon VB-C50iR Reverse Pan Tilt Zoom Network Camera w/ Built-in Network Server

Canon VB C50i - Network camera - PTZ - color - zoom x 26 - 10/100

Marketing Description

Originally created to meet the specialized needs of the security industry, the VB-C50i delivers high-quality video from far distances and under the dimmest lighting conditions. Building on Canons long-standing tradition as the leader in optics and image processing, it offers greater flexibility in the most demanding environments. The VB-C50i is perfect for professional-grade installations, providing a secure and sturdy connection interface. Now, with the addition of two-way audio capability, the VB-C50i is now ready for a wider range of users, with security monitoring, telemedicine, distance learning, webcasting, and video conferencing among the options. Capturing subjects beyond the scope of the naked eye, it breathes new life into the world of monitoring.

The Canon VB-C50iR Reverse-mount Network Video Security Camera is the fast, simple, complete network video solution you've been looking for. It allows users to remotely monitor warehouses, construction sites, parking lots, office buildings and more with exceptional accuracy and flexibility. With the VB-C50iR's Web server and FTP server built in, you can transmit video and images directly to your PC by simply connecting your camera to your computer through the Web or your LAN. The VB-C50iR comes with an amazing 312x total zoom, making this camera perfect for intense, close-up surveillance. And to make sure you don't lose somebody from view, the Auto Tracking system keeps your VB-C50iR pointed at discreet, moving objects so you can record everything.

Utilizing a 0.25-inch 680,000-pixel CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor, this camera can achieve a resolution of up to 640 by 480 pixels. The VB-C50iR is TCP/IP, HTTP, BOOTP, FTP, and NTP compatible, making it easy to integrate into your network video system. The VB-C50iR comes with a varifocal lens, with a range between 3.5 and 88.3 millimeters that allows an amazing 26x optical and 12x digital zoom. For extreme low-light situations, this camera has a 1/30 per second shutter speed, a light sensitivity of one Lux with its motorized IR-cut (infrared) filter, and visibility in no-light conditions up to 10 feet away using the IR light illuminator. The Canon VB-C50iR has automatic adjustable positioning with a 340-degree pan, and 100-degree tilt range. The VB-C50iR also features automatic image capture with 15MB of internal storage capacity for still image recording, which can be activated by schedule, motion detectors, or contact sensors. This system supports the Canon Multi Terminal VB-EX50 Module for connecting external speakers, cameras, sensors ,and alarms and can operate in temperatures from zero to 40 degrees Celsius.

Technical Features:

• Sensitivity: down to one Lux
• Frame rate: up to 30 frames per second (fps)
• Resolution: up to 640 by 480 pixels
• Zoom: up to 26x optical and 12x digital
• Pan/Tilt range: 340-degree pan range, 100-degree tilt range
• Dimensions: approximately 10 x 13 x 11 centimeters (W x D x H)

The Canon VB-C50iR provides you with a reliable, easy-to-use camera with unparalleled zoom potential, making it a powerful addition to any security system. You can define 20 position pre-sets as part of a scheduled tour, and you can catch the most important action by setting your camera so that it is triggered when motion is detected in one of four areas within the camera's view. Quick and easy to install, this camera comes completely assembled and ready to use. Users should note, however, that the CCD sensor may become permanently damaged if exposed to long hours of direct sunlight or halogen light.

About Surveillance Camera Technical Features
Lux rating is the measurement used to indicate how sensitive a camera is to light, and stands for the level of light reflected off a piece of paper by a candle from one meter away. Thus a sensitivity of three Lux would mean a camera could generate an acceptable picture of a piece-of-paper-sized object that was illuminated by the equivalent of three candles from one meter away. The lower the Lux level, the better the camera's ability to work in low-light conditions. The camera's resolution should be greater than or equal to the resolution supported by the system's recorder or monitor. The S/N, or signal to noise ratio, is an important measure of a camera's quality. A poor camera, low-light conditions or poor wiring causes "noise" which consumes processing power and disk space. A camera with a wide dynamic range is ideal, especially for recording areas in which both indoor and outdoor light are present. CCD (charge-coupled device) sensors provide high-quality images that are less susceptible to noise. CMOS (complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensors offer less image quality, but are usually more cost-effective and energy efficient.

About Pan/Tilt Cameras
A Pan/Tilt Camera has the ability to pan ("move" horizontally), or tilt ("move" vertically). IP cameras often have pan/tilt capability. A pan/tilt camera is ideal for monitoring of situations that need a continual real-time adjustment of the views.

About Auto Zoom Cameras
An auto-zoom camera can be remotely controlled and allows the monitor to manually zoom in on areas for clearer viewing. An auto-zoom camera, combined with a mount that has pan and tilt functionality, can be used to construct a high-end surveillance system.

About Infrared Cameras
An infrared camera uses an infrared illuminator for low-light and nighttime viewing. Typically designed with fixed focal lengths, infrared cameras provide black and white images of nighttime viewing, and many have color capability for daylight use.

What's in the Box
VB-C50iR camera, AC adapter and cable, software CD, user's manual, and warranty card.

1.) Complete security system with monitoring camera and built-in network server;
2.) Powerful 26x optical zoom and 12x digital zoom, allows a total of 312x zoom;
3.) Light sensitivity allows camera to receive acceptable picture down to one Lux;
4.) Infrared sensor and light captures high quality images even in low light conditions, or no-light up to 10-feet;
5.) Provides up to 30 fps and 640 by 480 pixels resolution;

Package Height x Length x Width: 8.6 in. x 8.6 in. x 7.3 in.
Package Weight: 3 lbs.

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