TRENDnet ProView PoE Internet Surveillance Camera with 16x Digital Zoom TV-IP512P
Let me start by stating that I had to return this IP camera. the major reason is that it does not have exposure compensation and it has a manual focus. It is configured for indoor ambient light settings. Not too bright and not too dim. I also realized that the camera/CCD chip does not have a sufficient dynamic range to capure a scene with both bright and dard areas. If this is a requirement, then this camera will not perform for you.
The Trendnet software does provide image brightness controls but the controls appear to operate on the received image not setting the camera’s exposure settings. hence an over exposed image will remain overexposed.
TrendNet has Setup program on the CD which installs a setup program! this is rather confusing. Installation is clumsy but with patience, I got it configured. the Power over Ethernet worked perfectly.
Based on physical construction, including the pacement of the connectors, the TrendNet Camera appears to be a Dlink camera. in fact using Blue Iris Video Monitoring software, the camera responds as if it is a DLink DCS-3410 or 2102.
The focus is manual. A real PITA when you must mount it and then have someone monitor the video and keep farting with the focus. And given the 1-2 second delay in the video, its easy to keep missing the focus point.Trendnet also provides a simple but good mounting bracket.
I also tried out their user support. I connected to a person relatively quickly. I offer them the opportunity to the tech support person to connect directly to the camera remotely which they declined (I configured port forwarding on my router). Their first fix for the over exposure was to place the camera in night mode!! what?? that would make it even more over exposed! they ignored my comment. put me on hold and when they came back and she said it can’t be used for viewing outside.
Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the Toshiba line of IP cameras. they are a lot more expensive, but their engineering, software and hardware is top notch compared to TrendNet. So if your needs are for video where the lighting does not vary much from ambient indoor lighting, and you can only afford $200, this camera may work for you.Rating: 1 / 5
