IP camera review: ProLink PIC1007WP IP Camera

This camera looks solid and professional, with a dome shell protecting it. It is simple to install, with the option of simply scanning a unique QR code to set up the camera by itself.

Another easy set-up option is Wi-Fi Protected Set-up (WPS), if your router supports it. Simply press the router and the camera's WPS button to pair them for a hassle-free set up.

To access the camera on the PC, additional software can be installed from the provided CD, which may be tedious if you want to access the camera on more than one PC.

Fortunately, you can skip the software installation and remotely access the camera by signing in to the website provided in the manual, using the camera's ID and password.

The camera is full of features. In addition to motion detection, it can record audio when it detects a loud noise - if an accident happens offscreen, for instance.

Push notification support notifies the mobile app when an alert is triggered. The camera can be scheduled to record automatically at preset dates and times, while an alarm feature lets you play a loud siren through the camera's speaker.

This is great for getting your kids' attention or scaring away burglars. The camera has an SD card slot for recording and supports recording to a network-attached storage (NAS).

Colours are vibrant but images show some pixellation. The mobile app controls the camera well. It will translate swipe gestures into tilt and pan actions instantaneously.

Over a wireless network, the video feed is smooth and pleasant to watch. But over a cellular network, the frame rate drops and the video looks jerky.

The mobile app is more limited than the PC viewer but lets you take pictures, record video, talk and send a loud alarm through the speakers.

While the audio is reasonably clear, the two-way communication works in an odd manner. Talk over the microphone and it cuts off audio from the person at the other end.

For monitoring at night, the camera uses infrared LEDs to light up dark areas for up to 10m.

With the mobile apps, the maximum viewing resolution is 1,024 x 768 pixels. For full high-definition resolution, you will need to use the PC viewer.

Videos can be recorded directly to the mobile app, PC, or an SD card in the camera.

The dome shell design makes the camera unable to tilt downwards. But it can tilt upwards to a maximum of 90 degrees and can pan 180 degrees to cover most of a room. It can also be wall mounted to give better coverage of a room.

The ProLink PIC1007WP IP Camera is simple to install. Good video image quality complements its many useful features, making it a great choice for any home.

Background story

TECH SPECS

Type: Pan and tilt

Video resolution: 1,280 x 800 pixels (up to 30 frames per second)

Connectivity: Ethernet port, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi

Recording medium: microSD (up to 64GB), PC, smartphone

Viewing angle: 180 degrees (horizontal), 90 degrees (vertical)

Night vision: Yes

Two-way communication: Yes

WPS connectivity: Yes

Mobile app: Available on Android and iOS, free

RATING

Features: 5/5

Design: 3/5

Performance: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Overall: 4/5

This article was first published on June 25, 2014.
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