Gone are the good old days when neighbors could leave their front doors unlocked overnight, or windows open to breeze out the rooms while you’re at work during the day. In fact, these days we use multiple locks on our doors, security alarms, and high tech security cameras pointing in all directions for 24hour surveillance. One such concept comes from the Panasonic BL-C230 Wireless Network Camera which allows the user to remotely monitor anytime from anywhere.
This Panasonic BL-C230 network camera is capable of full motion video and as an added bonus it provides Wi-Fi 802.11b/g in addition to standard Ethernet [BL-C210 (Wired Type)]. The network camera can record up to 30 frames per second, has a digital zoom and features a 3 LUX color night view mode as well as sensors that detect body heat, sound and motion.
What’s in the box?
When you first open the box you will find the following is included inside:
- BL-C230 camera
- AC Adapter
- Set-up CD-ROM
- Screws (6)
- Washers (4)
- Safety Wire
- Installation Guide
Technical Specifications
| Image Compression | h.264, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG |
| Quality Video Resolution | H.264 = 640 x 480, 320 x 240 MPEG-4 = 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 192 x 144 JPEG = 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 192 x 144 |
| Authentication | User ID/Password / SSL |
| Supported Network Protocols | IPv4/IPv6 Dual-Stack IPv4: TCP, UDP, IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DHCP, DNS, ARP, ICMP, POP3, NTP, UPnP™, Auto IP, SMTP Authentication, RTP, RTSP, RTCP IPv6: TCP, UDP, IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS, ICMPv6, POP3, NDP, NDP, NTP, RTP, RTSP, RTCP |
| Simultaneous Viewers | 2/H.264, 4/MPEG-4, 10/Motion JPEG |
| Buffered Images | Approx. 1160 images (320 x 240) – Standard image quality – with time display |
| Image Buffer | Timer, Sensor, Alarm 1, Alarm2, Motion Detection, Sound Detection |
| Image Transfer via E-Mail (SMTP) or FTP | SMTP, FTP, HTTP |
| Zoom | 3 x digital zoom |
| Image Sensor | 1/4″ CMOS Progressive Scan, approx. 320,000 pixel |
| Viewing Angle | Horizontal: 58° Vertical: 45° |
| Required Light Intensity | 5-10,000 lx (3-10,000 lx when in Color Night View Mode) |
| Lens Focus Point | Fixed (focal range: 0.3m to ∞) |
| Network Connection | Wireless: IEEE802.11b/g Wired:Ethernet (10Base-T/100Base-TX) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +40°C (+32°F to +104°F) |
| Operating Humidity | 20% to 80% |
| Power Source | AC Adaptor : input 100 – 240V AC, Output 9V DC 750mA |
| Weight (only the unit) | .57lb |
| 1-Way Audio | Yes |
| CODEC/Audio Compression | Fixed (focal range: 0.3 m to ∞) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 2 15/16″ x 2 15/16″ x 4″ |
First Impressions
The camera itself is conveniently small, weighing less than 2lbs and measuring 9” x 8.3” x 5. We like the fact that it’s a cube and not a bulbous head on a stick which can topple over or has to be mounted. This cassis design allows it to be placed on a bookshelf, or night stand or an entry way credenza. Also, something we want to point out that may be obvious, the camera is wireless in the sense that you can remotely connect to it, it is not wireless = cordless, you still need to plug it into the power outlet.
Setup & Configuration
The setup is not as scary as one may anticipate for this high tech gadget. The three page quick-start instructions, which begin with plugging the camera into your router with an Ethernet cable (a bit of an annoyance since that cable is not included in the kit) and to connecting the power cable (included). The instructions follow on to configuration of the camera using your PC. In addition, the CD-ROM includes a single camera version of the Panasonic Network Camera Recorder with Viewer Software and a 16 cameras version of the Network Camera Recorder.
Network Camera Web Interface
You can access the camera through the web browser by navigating to its IP address set during camera setup. If in doubt check your routers DHCP leases or access the camera through the view-net-cam service (if configured).
Viewing the Network Camera
In order to view live camera H.264, MPEG-4, and MJPEG images, and to use audio features one must first install the viewer program which uses ActiveX; note that ActiveX works only in Internet Explorer.
Configurations
The web interface allows users to control a variety of camera configuration and features, including recording schedules and preset recording settings.
Motion Detection & Alarms
The camera provides several security features such as an audible alarm to sound when the built-in sensor, external sensor, or motion detection is triggered. You can set when the built-in alarm sounds, as well as the built-in alarm volume and the built-in alarm sound type.
Remote Access from the Internet
You can configure the camera to be accessed over the Internet, allowing you to view camera images and change camera settings from anywhere—even using your mobile phone.
Final Verdict
If you want to check on your home when you’re away on a trip, out to dinner while someone is watching your toddler, or want to sneak a peek at your new adorable puppy (that isn’t fully potty trained) the Panasonic camera will allow you all that and more via a secure site. Being a network camera the user interface can be accessed right from your PC or mobile phone. In our tests we used an iPhone and were happy to see the clarity with which the image was being streamed.
Earlier when we said more, we meant the camera also has triple sensor technology that detects changes in sound, motion, and body heat, and on-screen user interface with the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom allowing you to adjust the camera with ease, and even the capability to captured images that can be sent via email.
All in all it’s a great gadget to have not only in a home but can be very useful in a business as well.
More: Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera
