TRENDnet Wireless Internet Surveillance Camera Server with Audio TVIP201W

Reviews of TRENDnet Wireless Internet Surveillance Camera Server with Audio TVIP201W

1.) Works Great!
Reviewed by: Donald L. Schultz
Rating:

This is a low priced camera that has worked very well for me. We use these camera to monitor our retail space, manufacturing space and our baby's. Could not get it on our wireless network at first. Tech support was great, we're up and running!

2.) Camera works great, software is terrible
Reviewed by: ehymel Beaumont, TX USA
Rating:

I've been using this camera in my home for about 2 years for surveillance. I suspect that most people are interested in using this camera for the same reason, which means you must have software that will support that function. The picture quality is very good with good lighting, usuable in moderate lighting, and not useful in low light settings. The wireless connection is very reliable and networking setup is straightforward. So if all you really want is to be able to glance at a screen and see what's going on "live", then this is a great choice.

For surveillance, and in particular to review activity later, software is a really problem. I've tried a few different software packages, some free (including Trendnet's included software), some paid. In general, no software is really great for what I want, but ultimately I am using Zoneminder (free) running on my Linux server. Yes, this requires some technical know-how, I now have motion-detected video recording with a decent picture for a low price.

I rate the camera 4 stars. If the included software were better, it would be a 5. Since I already had a server running that I could install the free zoneminder software and configure this camera to be used easily, I rate the camera 4 stars. Without zoneminder available, the camera would rate 3 stars. Ease of use is only 3 stars since for that same reason. I have not had to call tech support, so I can't comment.

3.) Good Camera/ Bad Customer services
Reviewed by: Dilshan Boteju Sri Lanka
Rating:

I purchased my first Trendnet IP 201W from Amazon and on its success decided to purchase another unit from Canada. This was a mistake I was to regret for a long long time! On attempting to install the software found that the product had a Factory defect. On the Ip 201W which I purchased the OS on the camera was IP201 - without the wireless interface. After much discussions and expensive calls to TrendNet customer services, I was advised to get a replacement from where I purchased the unit. By the time this was told to me, I had arrived in Sri Lanka and it was absurd to say the least for TrendNet Customer Services to even assume that I would fly back to Canada to get a replacement! Customer Service should have been more understanding.

In the meantime an earlier unit purchased online from Amazon continues to work fine. Its picture quality is relatively good compared to other cameras in this segment. Set up is also a breeze through to a Pc tech person.

But if you run into a problem, my advise is don't even bother calling TrendNet customer service. They are clueless as to the type of problems that can crop up and certainly do not have the potential to advise correctly. All they would do is, ask you to meddle with it, give you a complaint reference number and after some calls ask you to go for a replacement.

Its truly pathetic when a good product is not backed by good customer services.

4.) Nice Camera for my needs
Reviewed by: John Columbus Ohio
Rating:

I purchased the wired and wireless versions of this cam at the same time. They replaced a single dLink DCS1000W. Both failed during set-up and tested out as faulty. Trendnet advised I return them for exchange after a few minutes discussion of the diagnostics I had performed. Amazon made the process painless and the new units set up and worked fine.

I wanted to display the camera output on my web page but Trendnet doesn't provide code support to do that, at least they never responded to my request for it. I viewed the camera output on the web interface and just copied the code I needed and imbedded it in my page. Works great.

5.) Not good for ftp upload to site
Reviewed by: amazon addict CC, MT
Rating:

I bought this for an IP camera that could upload still images on a schedule to my ftp site. It has very few options in this category. I wanted to be able to upload one image every minute or less even. It can either do it continously or you can set up a schedule or times (to do it continously). On the FAQ there is an area that looks like there is some extra menus for doing a manual setup. Guess what? Those menus are not included in the actual firmware you get with this product. I upgraded to the latest firmware version, hoping it would be there, but this changed nothing in the options.

If you just want a camera for network security to be monitored remotely or from inside your network, this will work, although its quality is NOT that good. Id recommend even the bottom of the line Axis cameras as their picture quality is much better.

If you are looking for a camera with a good ftp upload client like I was go with Stardot. They are more costly but they are twice the camera.

6.) Okay product / bad software
Reviewed by: InPhoenix AZ
Rating:

I read a couple of good reviews of this camera and bought it. The camera worked out of the box initially which was a good sign. Picture quality was pretty decent. I could not make it work with wireless though. I called tech support at night. They told me to call in day time and ask for a level three tech. I called the next and kept begging for a level three tech but the lady was pretty determined to 'help' me. I was on hold for different lengths of time while she was asking others on what we should do next. Anyway 45 minutes later my camera was not working with wired connection as well and she told me to return it to the store that I bought it from !! What a support.

I will return it tomorrow. Their support sucks. I recommend that you stay away.

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I ended up keeping it since they were able to get it working for me. After a few months of using it, I would say pick quality is ok but the software sucks. IPView Pro creates 1 file per 50 MB and that creates lots of files in one day. They need better software. Also, they should timestamp the output video. How do I know what was the time when something happened?

Features of TRENDnet Wireless Internet Surveillance Camera Server with Audio TVIP201W

TV-IP201W Internet Camera Server is the perfect device for remote monitoring and transmitting real-time events over the Internet. The TV-IP201W functions as a video/audio/surveillance camera allowing you to view live events with your web browser via Internet or Intranet. Up to 16 cameras can be remotely managed with the bundled IPView software. This Internet Camera Server has M-JPEG quality streaming video, automatic image capture, and event notification via e-mail, making it the ideal solution for Internet video broadcasting applications.

1.) Wi-Fi Compliant with IEEE 802.11b/g Devices on 2.4 GHz ISM Frequency Band;
2.) Built-in RS-485 connectors for Pan & Tilt control device (additional Pan & Tilt control device required);
3.) Allows for Remote Access from Web Browser for Live Image Viewing and listening;
4.) Built-in I/O Ports to Trigger Alarm and Email Notification;
5.) Broad Range of Applications for Monitoring Homes, Offices, Banks, Hospitals, and a Variety of Private and Public Monitoring;

Package Height x Length x Width: 11.73 in. x 11.73 in. x 9.69 in.
Package Weight: 2.43 lbs.