Micro wireless camera recommendations

I thought we covered this a few weeks ago? Maybe it was from a different poster.

Anyway, I think the upshot is that both Xoom and X10 have adequate wireless cameras in this range. Xoom's $99 price includes the receiver; X10 has a $70 camera and $40 receiver. My complaint about X10 is the pop-up ads, and I don't particularly care for their ad compaign suggesting sticking a camera "anywhere" to spy on beautiful women -- I'd rather use my shoe mirror, like everyone else does!

(BTW, X10 filed for bankruptcy not long ago, so maybe there will be some deals. I think they plan on pulling through it, so don't expect a firesale.)

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

Dave wrote:

Gordon, That's exactly why I refuse to buy anything from them. I won't support a company encouraging that sort of behavior.

It was me who posted that. Sorry, but since then I have ruled out the X10 because of your's and other comments, not too mention the rather large size. Recall at the time the X10 was my main consideration.

The little coin-sized cameras are ideal for a small robot which is why I'm now asking for opinions on those. I was just wondering if anyone else had dealt with youcansave.com and wanted to share experiences. I don't trust them, if you read their 30 day guarantee and I quote:

our return policy

a return also will

So in other words no refund and they keep the product. I called them and confronted them about this and the guy said "Well we don't normally send it back in that case unless you call and ask us". What a crock.

I think I'll just go with the Xoom and be done with it.

-Dave

Here's something else kind of interesting:

Same exact camera AFAIK but apparently it's $50 cheaper if you do a google search and click on the ad listing on the right side of the screen as opposed to just going directly to xoomdigital.com.

-Dave

And I hope my little tongue-and-cheek humor about the shoe mirror isn't taken seriously by anyone. Personally, I find the whole notion of spying on people using these cameras, women or otherwise, to be a ghastly trend of our society. X10's ads suggesting this, by the use of pretty models, is even below their ridiculous use of pop-ups. And pop-ups after you've closed their pop-ups!

Personally, I'm not at all sorry they went bankrupt.

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

I guess this proves Google save both time AND money!

I have not dealt with these people, but at least their return policy has a satisfaction guaranteed clause, and they don't use pop-ups.

I have not yet seen any of these kinds of cameras (don't know about Xoom's specifically) produce a picture worth spit. But as you've said, quality isn't critical in your application. In any case, you may want to look for an "actual picture" sample on their page, if there is one...

For most vision applications, the better the picture, *usually* the better the results. Of course, it all depends on what kind of vision processing you're doing. I bought a cheap B&W wired camera for $25 and while its picture is hardly better than a faded 1900s photograph, for the laser-spot processing I'm doing it's more than adequate. I only pull two brightless levels off it anyway.

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

Dave wrote:

If you aren't using Google's free pop-up blocker, you should be. It works great.

Mitch Berkson

Hi Gordon,

One of the capabilities of the robot is wireless PC control and remote video surveillance and data gathering. As long as the camera picture is good enough that I can see where the robot is going on a monitor and make out objects and people good enough for a positive identification, then I'll be happy. Are they not even that good when you say picture not worth spit?

-Dave

IMO, the quality is pretty bad, from the ones I've seen, especially in uneven lighting conditions. But since Xoom offers a money back guarantee, it may be worth a try for your application.

Also remember there are now people who roam neighborhoods with directional antennas, looking for the 2.4 GHz signals from "nanny cams." I kid you not (there are a number of articles on this, which you can find on Google). Obviously they're hoping for a peek at the nanny alone in her bedroom, or to determine if someone is in the house. Depending on where you live you may want to limit the "on time" of the system.

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

This is very true I have a icom IC-R3 scanner which scans ranges that high up and picks up wireless cameras. In my neighbor hood alone i've seen about 3 different cameras. I was wondering is there anyway to make a device that will encrypt the video signal right before transmission and then have decrptor attached to your receiver returning the video signal back to normal for viewing??

Any ideas anything will be great thanks alot. also if you guys know of any other good robotics and electronic newsgroups please post them thanks alot. Luis Guzman

Hobbytron and the Robotstore both have nice cameras and transmitters, they are both reputable stores too. Search for "camera" on their store sites.

Actually, Gordon,

X-10 cameras are ultra-beergoggles. It's not that you use them to spy > > Gordon, That's exactly why I refuse to buy anything from them.

As long as the camera and transmitter are separate units and use standard RS-170 or NTSC color video signals, there are a number of scrambler/descrambler plans, kits, and products out there. Most are sold are "descramblers" but to make them legal they also scramble -- it's not lawful, at least in the US, to sell a device with the sole purpose of stealing a for-pay television signal.

Just do a Google search for "video scrambler descrambler" (without the quotes) and you'll find several. Do note this is not encryption and decryption. They have those too, but they're pretty expensive. Check out the high-end spy shops on the Internet. In addition to spy gear, many also sell stuff to encrypt audio and video, hunt for bugs, etc.

-- Gordon Author: Constructing Robot Bases (Forthcoming) Robot Builder's Sourcebook, Robot Builder's Bonanza

phatkiller wrote: