Panasonic BL-C131A IP Wireless Network Camera
- Brand: Panasonic
- Security Camera Type: Home / Office Cameras
- Technology: Wireless Internet / Network Compatible
- Security/Surveillance Type: Security Cameras
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Inexpensive Wireless PetCam
Pros
Phone support; WPA2 security; free dynamic DNS; accessible from mobile phone; built-in microphone; remote pan/tilt.
Cons
Poor low-light performance; no video recording.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Consider this camera (and its price) before deciding on any network camera.
I've used this camera for over a year and have been very pleased with its performance.
This is not a webcam, it's a network camera. This means it has its own web page within your private network, and may be accessed via a public IP or URL, even if through a dynamic IP address. It does not require a PC to operate.
Panasonic offers a number of network cameras, and I chose this one because it has the most features in a wireless camera. If you have an ethernet jack at your desired camera location, you would do better with a wired camera; the wireless offers the most flexibiliy for camera placement.
I use this camera to keep an eye on my home during frequent travels. There is a privacy button on the front for the use of the housesitter. The software can monitor up to four separate cameras.
If you are familiar with setting up a home/office network, the documentation is more than adequate for setup and operation. The easiest part is setting up the camera in your network in wired mode. Switching to wireless mode is a little more complicated, and finally accessing the camera from outside your network is more complicated still, but that’s really why you want this camera, isn’t it? This involves port forwarding to a port opened in your firewall (which is also not blocked by your ISP), and testing the connection from outside your network (such as your 3G phone) if your router does not have loopback capability (many do not). Also, if you don’t have a static IP address, you will need to set up a dynamic DNS service.
If all of this sounds familiar to you, you will have no problem setting up your camera. If not, the documentation will direct you to resources that provide useful information. But the most useful information of all is the Panasonic support number: 1-800-272-7033. I can attest that the people who man this line are extremely helpful and will get you set up in far less time than you will spend trying all of the possible configuration options on your own. Before you call, make sure you know what kind of router you have and how to access its configuration.
One of the best features of a Panasonic network camera is its free dynamic DNS service through ViewNetCam. So if you have a dynamic public IP (as most people do), you can still access your camera through a unique URL, such as “mikescamera.viewnetcam.com”. No need to subscribe to a paid dynamic DNS service such as DynDNS.
I like this camera so much, I plan to add three more to complete my surveillance system.
This is not a webcam, it's a network camera. This means it has its own web page within your private network, and may be accessed via a public IP or URL, even if through a dynamic IP address. It does not require a PC to operate.
Panasonic offers a number of network cameras, and I chose this one because it has the most features in a wireless camera. If you have an ethernet jack at your desired camera location, you would do better with a wired camera; the wireless offers the most flexibiliy for camera placement.
I use this camera to keep an eye on my home during frequent travels. There is a privacy button on the front for the use of the housesitter. The software can monitor up to four separate cameras.
If you are familiar with setting up a home/office network, the documentation is more than adequate for setup and operation. The easiest part is setting up the camera in your network in wired mode. Switching to wireless mode is a little more complicated, and finally accessing the camera from outside your network is more complicated still, but that’s really why you want this camera, isn’t it? This involves port forwarding to a port opened in your firewall (which is also not blocked by your ISP), and testing the connection from outside your network (such as your 3G phone) if your router does not have loopback capability (many do not). Also, if you don’t have a static IP address, you will need to set up a dynamic DNS service.
If all of this sounds familiar to you, you will have no problem setting up your camera. If not, the documentation will direct you to resources that provide useful information. But the most useful information of all is the Panasonic support number: 1-800-272-7033. I can attest that the people who man this line are extremely helpful and will get you set up in far less time than you will spend trying all of the possible configuration options on your own. Before you call, make sure you know what kind of router you have and how to access its configuration.
One of the best features of a Panasonic network camera is its free dynamic DNS service through ViewNetCam. So if you have a dynamic public IP (as most people do), you can still access your camera through a unique URL, such as “mikescamera.viewnetcam.com”. No need to subscribe to a paid dynamic DNS service such as DynDNS.
I like this camera so much, I plan to add three more to complete my surveillance system.
