Metro

Hello, My wife and I are expecting our first child in May and we're starting to plan out our nursery. One of the things I'd like to figure out is what type of camera to use as a baby monitor. I'm currently using a combination of Hikvisions, Foscams, and an older Compro IP cam connected through my in-home server running Blue Iris. My wife and I watch our security/dog cameras via our iPhones. I have two main questions and I fear the second question might derail any conversations on the first. 1) Can anyone recommend a camera or system for a nursery? Here are the requirements I'd like to have, but I realize that there probably isn't a single camera/system that has each of these: * Two-way audio * Ability to quickly mount/remove on a crib or other stationary objects (I've seen cameras with velcro or wrap-around legs) * Ability to take the camera with us when we travel. This means we'd like to still be able to use it even if we don't have access to WiFi (at a family member's house, for instance). Don't know if there are cameras that can create an ad-hoc network. * Ideally, could run on a battery when traveling We have friends with a non-WiFi dedicated baby cam/monitor that has each of these options (unfortunately can't remember make/model), but it pains me to see the quality of those compared to what's available out there. 2) My second question is whether there's been any new information published on IR exposure and babies eyes? I've read through a couple of threads, but there was lots of conjecture, and little hard information. Not having\using IR isn't a deal-breaker, but of course that would make things easier. I appreciate the opinions anyone might have. Thanks!

Hi Luckyfella, thanks for the offer! If you have a video sample or, even better, a login for one, I'd love to take a look.

Hello and thanks again. I just noticed your NetworkCameraCritic.com signature. I've been there quite a few times and found it very helpful, keep up the good work! This may be a pipe dream, but it'd be great to see the labels on the patch panel across the room and be able to double-check the local employees' work and verify certain connections or even, heaven forbid, read the text on the 19" screen in case of a lock up or something like that. Anyways, was trying to kill as many birds with one stone as is possible with just one camera. Okay, then even though it was a bit more than I wanted to spend, I think I'll advocate for that Dahua 1080P PTZ. Thanks so much!

This must be the Dahua 1080P cam you mentioned. I wonder how much detail I could pull from 6 feet on a 1080P. http://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/sd3282d-gn-288.html Looks good, though. Thanks again!

I wonder if I need PTZ if my main area of focus is straight in front of the camera with peripherals no wider than about 45 degrees each direction from center. Is there a good value 3MP with optical zoom? Thanks again all!

Wow, thank you for your help. I appreciate the advice and am shocked that there's such a jump from a static 3MP camera to a PTZ. I wonder how much detail I could get at 6-8 feet with the 1080p Dahua. I'll have to look at some reviews of that camera. Thank you for your help again.

Hello All, I'm wanting to install a IP Cam in a remote server room that I support. The room is quite small and should be well lit (more on that in a minute) by overhead florescent lighting. I'd like to mount an IP Cam that would allow me to keep an eye on things in the room and, if needed, zoom in on some component (e.g. a network patch panel) to help troubleshoot remotely. I suspect I'll need a PTZ camera with 3-5 megapixel resolution (open to advice on that front). I have experience with Foscams, Trendnet Cams, and my new Hikvision ds-2cd2132-i cam that I like. I also use BlueIris at home, but haven't decided yet if that's the system I'll employ at this office. The rooms dimensions are 8 by 9 feet. The main server rack is directly across from the door to the room, 8 feet away (though about 6 feet from the front of the rack), and is what I will want to concentrate on. I had planned to mount a cam directly above the door to look at the rack and the surrounding room, but am also open to location suggestions. Lastly, regarding the light in the room. The room is still under construction, so the lighting is still malleable. Ideally, for energy reasons, I'd like to keep that light off most of the time, but if at night I need to turn on the camera, I'd like to also be able to turn on that light. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anyways, thanks for any help you can provide. I understand I asked a handful of questions, so if you're willing to help and only want to bite off part of this, I'm still greatly appreciative. Thanks!

PM sent Would you be so kind as to send me the credentials as well? Thanks!