Panasonic Network Camera Review

Overview
The Panasonic Wireless Web Cam BL-C30A is a self contained network camera complete with its own web server and web UI. No computer needed at all. You connect the camera to your computer one time via ethernet, run the setup software (optional if you know what you're doing) and then flip the switch into wireless mode. Your router will be configured to forward the camera traffic correctly.

The Details
We went to Hawaii in the beginning of 2007 and couldn't find anyone to take care of the kitties, so we bought some automatic cat feeders, a water fountain and a network camera to make sure we can look in our precious little bastards.

The requirements for us were pretty strict. We wanted:

• A standalone camera with no computer needed
• Wireless
• Remote panning/tilt
  
• The ability to schedule periodic jpeg snapshots so we could connect
  and look thru the history of the last day
  
• No ActiveX, flash or any other proprietary gayness to view the video stream

These last two items were critical because I only had my PSP with me which can view jpegs okay, but that's it. The other option we had was internet cafes which usually disable stuff like ActiveX on their computers. Turns out the camera uses java to stream jpegs, so this worked out well.

At least at the time, this was the only camera that satisfied all the requirements. Since I've always liked Panasonic, I bought one and mounted it high on the bedroom wall.

All went well with the trip and now we use it to watch The Cat Show from work.

The Good
The camera works solidly and has a lot of cool features and configuration. You can select different resolutions and different preset positions or you can use the web UI to remotely position the camera by clicking on the part of the image you'd like it to center on. There's a privacy mode button on the camera for when you're scratching yourself in your underoos.

The image looks very good for a web cam and the fact that no computer is needed is just awesomo.

If you want to be able to view the camera from the internet and you have an IP address that changes every time you reconnect (you probably do), you'll have to set up a dyndns.org account. If you're not technically inclined, I think the camera software came with a free account on some site that lets you access your web cam easily. I never tried it though.

The Bad
Zoom would be nice.

Two way sound would be nice so you can yell at them if they're clawing up your stuff again or hiding your socks.

The camera has 2 mac addresses for some reason, and so you have to enter both of them into your router's mac filters if you're using mac filtering. It took me forever to figure this out. If you're not using mac filters, or you can figure out the two mac addresses, this shouldn't be a problem.

The Alternatives
There's a ton of network cameras. I've only used this one.

The Verdict
Granted something like this has a limited audience, but if you're in the market, we're very happy with the Panasonic Wireless Web Cam