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 enlarge | Brand: Linksys
Category: CE
Buy New: Too low to display
New (38)
Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Native Resolution: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 1.3 x 7.8
Warranty: Mfr warranty: 1 year
MPN: WVC200
Model: WVC200
UPC: 745883569045
EAN: 0745883569045
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Outstanding Wireless Internet Camera - A Breeze to Set Up!! August 2, 2007
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
It took a total of 5 minutes for me to set up the WVC200, very similar set up to the former WVC54G Linksys wireless Internet Camera, which Linksys no longer sells or supports. The reason I bought this camera was for its pan/tilt functionality which I must say works beautifully from a web browser. I find it hard to believe that anyone would've had difficulty setting up this camera, I admit that I work as a professional network engineer, but this thing really doesn't require any network knowledge at all to set up properly. My 4 year old niece could've figured out how to set up this camera using the Linksys set up utility included on the software CD that comes bundled with the WVC200.
You need to start by connecting your WVC200 camera to your router or PC via Ethernet, and the Linksys Set Up utility will automatically find your camera and walk you through the set up process. It will also automatically detect your Wireless Access Point (I personally use the Apple Airport Extreme base station, 802.11g), and allow you to assign IP or use DHCP, depending on your home network configuration. If you can set up a router or a wireless device, you can EASILY set up this camera. It is definitely NOT rocket science, as others have commented.
I am a fan of Linksys' previous model, the WVC54G, but not being able to move or tilt the camera remotely was its main drawback. The WVC200 completely removes that drawback, and adds a lot of new features and functionality that the WVC54G lacked (such as properly working WPA wireless security support). The camera has preset, automatic pan functionality, and it is easy to adjust and move around from both the motion application and the web version of the app (an ActiveX control that runs within IE).
The WVC200 does the job, the image quality is very good (keep in mind, the higher your image quality, the more demanding the bandwidth requirements if you are viewing from the Internet), and it is a BREEZE to set up. The main drawback is that this camera WILL NOT work in any other web browser EXCEPT for Internet Explorer 6/7 for Windows only. If you own a Mac, download the Remote Desktop Client for Windows and watch the video remotely by connecting to your Windows workstation (if you have one) from your Mac, or use VirtualPC (or install Windows on your Intel-based Mac). The video will also not work in Firefox, but you can browse through the set up and perform the other administration functions.
The WVC200 is a good buy, at ~$200 it is a bargain and far less expensive than the other options available for home surveillance. Great if you have kids or a nanny that you don't trust...
 Good for the most part but... November 14, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
First of all, I actually give it 3.5 stars instead of 4
Well being a purchaser of many kinds of wireless and wired camera systems from various generic china made types, x-10, linksys, panasonic, and everything in between. I have definitely have had my experiences with cameras.
Now saying that I will get to what I think of the Panasonic BL-C131A camera. It is good for the most part. The motion is fluid and fast. It has great thermal detection and I love that feature very much. It's easy to set up and configure on your private network.
Now to compare this to the Linksys WVC200. It's much quieter in moving compared to the Linksys and they move about the same speed to me. A lot of people complained that they had trouble setting up the Linksys camera, I however had no problems whatsoever. I thought that they both set up fairly the same.
Image quality and color accuracy, I think that Panasonic has it hands down HOWEVER I like the Linksys cameras better for a few reasons. One since they are about the same price, several features really stand out with the Linksys camera. It can be placed outside, it can handle colder weather (see the first one) and last but the most important (at least to me) the Panasonic model as well as the wired version DOES NOT have an IR filter cut. They cant see an IR light, so they are useless in the dark. If they had and IR filter cut, I would claim Panasonic to be the better camera but whats the use of having a camera for security when it's blind half of the time. Don't get me wrong, it will grab every last bit of light that it can and use it well but that is about it. Panasonic with their thermal detection is GREAT, it detects me from over 40 feet away and the dog from around the corner. It works like a dream but it cant go outside, not even on a covered porch. It doesn't get wet where I place my linksys camera but the panasonic camera doesn't have a lens shield over that model so dust, debris and bugs can enter it easily. Also, operating temp range that it can handle is inferior to Linksys.
One thing that I find atrocious on the Panasonic camera is how it shows a person or object in motion. Even on "prefer motion" setting, it looks like crap with blotchy, ghosting movement compared to how the motion looks on Linksys.
Now saying that here is what I DISLIKE about linksys. The color representation during the day time is horrible to say the least. It portrays greens as purples. Its audible enough that when you move the lens around people know you have moved it. WORST of all, the motion detection software that comes with it DOES NOT WORK. If you use a third party software, it works fine but Linksys motion software sucks.
Panasonic's motions detection software is A+ works the first and every time. They both have great audio and in fact, I would give the audio also hands down to Panasonic. The reason being is because when you place it on the highest audio setting, you can hear EVERYTHING. Linksys audio is GREAT but Panasonic's is WOW.
Initially I had to reset Linksys camera once in a while but with the latest firmware I have had no problems. Here is the finally reason that I chose Linksys over Panasonic. I found it easier to set up Linksys cameras to be viewed from the web using a THIRD PARTY company, IE. DynDNS. Although both have their own DNS software and actually, Panasonic's is free for life as Linksys is only good for 60 days. The problem lies in the fact that I use DynDNS... its free and I have it to use PCAnywhere. They both say that they are able to use DynDNS but I still haven't been able to make Panasonic work with it. It works with their own software fine from the net but not with DynDNS. Maybe others have had better luck with DynDNS and Panasonic but not me.
So here is my conclusion. If you are going to use this camera only inside and in a somewhat lit area, then absolutely buy the Panasonic BL-C131A over the Linksys WVC200. It outperforms in almost all fashions from quietness of the servo to sound pickup and motion detection and you won't have to spend any more money on motion detection 3rd party software. If however u plan at all to use this in a dusty or outdoor area, use or planning to use DynDNS, you need clearer motion capture video, or IR lights then go with Linksys.
Oh, I almost forgot... One thing that I really like about the linksys recording software is that if you do a manual or timed recording, the amount of room that it consumes on your HD is about 1.1 gigs for every 24 hours. I find that to be very small for the amount and quality of video its recording. I haven't done manual or timed recording with Panasonic so I can't really say how it is.
I hope this helps make your choice easier
 Faulty product - firmware and hardware August 4, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Took way to long to get working, and with lots of workarounds to get any functionality out of it at all. The wireless antenna is defective, and the Linksys community forum has lots of horror stories (of course I didn't see them till after I had the camera and was trying to find help making it work). The firmware is buggy. If you try to make too many changes to quickly, the camera loses it and must be reset to factory and the setup process restarted. The wireless antenna is defective, I suspect a design flaw, so it won't work on wireless at all (some others got it working only with the antenna straight out but mine won't work at all). The camera won't respond to a LAN (local IP) access request, I could only get it working through the Sololink DDNS.
I have a Linksys WVC54G fixed wireless internet camera that works fine on the same network, but this PTZ camera is a dog. I'm hoping Cisco/Linksys releases a firmware update that fixes some or all of the problems (other than the defective hardware), but I've used lots of Linksys products and they are so cheap (in cost) because they're so cheaply built, and Linksys likes to skip the firmware update process and simply release a new version of the product(s) that fixes some of the buggy aspects of their earlier versions. Sucks, but then their stuff is cheap. I'd rather pay a few dollars more for better quality.
Bad Experience May 18, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
As others have noted, this item is way, way too hard to install. I'm very computer oriented, build my own computers, taken college level computer courses, etc., and I could NOT get this to work even though I've gotten other similar units to work with minimal effort, D-Link version. Although, again, while it worked flawlessly "wired," it was also a minor challenge getting it to work wireless... but I could never get the Linksys to work at all... I have nothing against Linksys equipment, in fact, I have their WRT54G router and it's a great product.
However, this Internet Camera is NOT a great product...
excellent September 9, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
As with any wireless product hard to set up. Mine more difficult as running from a router to a wireless router to a range expander. All of which are Linksys. Sololink or other services not really needed as they are not very reliable and the domain names are so long you might as well just type numbers. Set the camera only, to fixed ip address at the end of your assigned range and allow the router to assign numbers to other computers on the network. Most cable providers actually dont change your ip addresses very often and will for a small charge give you a static ip address if it becomes a problem .The camera is easily accessed remotely over internet using routers ip address(found in your routers set up pages). Remember that the 192 ip numbers are only valid inside your home network, Remotely you access the camera by the internet ip address so trying to access 192.168.1 .... numbers through your browser will never work unless you are physically on the network it is attached to. Like wise if you are on the same physical network as the camera, the internet ip addreess of the router will not work. once you have forwarded it to a port that port must be listed after the ip address or it will not find it. From work I find the camera by using the routers internet ip address followed by the port it is forwarded to -- like 213.132.110.71:1026 and at home on my network I use the fixed ip address of the camera 192.168.1 .110:1026(1026 is the port it is forwarded to)
In a network at home you are trying to access the cameras port, and remotely you are trying to access the routers port which are two different ip addresses
As far as sharpness and color it is good and certainly no worse any webcam i have ever used. Try moving a web cam around the room and see what happens. Pan and tilt works well and I can move it anywhere in my house, repower it back up and never run the set up. I have 6 using 3 at house and another 3 at a cabin
Better if you have a linksys router access their chat and they will set it up for you. If you have problems setting up a printer you will probably have problems with this. Have one of your geek friends do it.
I have run out of places to put anymore-- the coolest thing I have bought in a long time.
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