Swann Blue Alert SW242-WDB Movement Video Recorder

Price: $149.99

Record AVI video files or JPEG photo images; Includes a bonus SD 128MB SD Card (Included)
Add an SD memory card for easy back-up (any size up to 2GB)
Features built-in PIP (Picture in Picture) feature allows you to see one wired and one wireless camera simultaneously on your monitor
Conveniently connect wireless or wired cameras
Compact size for discreet storage and operation

not bad, but not good enough
Date: 2008-12-11 Rating: 6 out of 10

Just briefly:
1. the infrared sensor is not good, sometimes it doesn't sense anything, sometimes too sensitive
2. recording quality is not good, especially if dark lit, (but isn't that the situation when we need good quality to see the "intruder"???) So the product is a bit self defeating if the recording is not up to par in dark lit situations.
3. cable not long enough for the video unit. I wish they had used the power over ethernet power adapter (if there is such a thing) so the cam unit is not dependent on the adapter cable which is never long enough for an outdoor/patio application.

Overall, it's not a terrible product, but for some serious security, I'd consider a more suitable system that's build for that purpose.

Bewertungen

Back to the drawing board
Datum 2008-11-27 Rang: 2 von 10

I had high hopes for this product. I have been using wireless cameras for a number of years now and thought this would be a great addition to my collection.
Unfortunately it isn't.
It has a very high price for just a single camera. For the price of this single camera, I have purchased entire security systems.
For $170 you can purchase an X10 security system including 3 cameras, a color TV Monitor, motion detector, hookup to your VCR that will only record when motion is detected. All cameras have built in microphones so you can listen as well as see.
You can upgrade for a little more to a zoom, pan and scan type of camera which allows you to either manually pan your property or rooms in your house or program it to pan the area on a continuing basis. If you see something, you can stop panning and zoom in for a close up look at what caught your attention.
With motion detection you can record whenever anyone approaches your home in your VCR for later review without wasting tape when nothing is happening.
The picture transmission is crystal clear and it works in hot or cold weather, unlike the Blue Alert which only will work indoors unless you live in Southern climates.

The Blue Alert also seems to suffer a great deal from interference from other electronic equipment. I can't put it anywhere near my computer and get a picture that is not so full of snow that the place you are looking at is virtually invisible. Since I have so much wireless equipment, microwave ovens, wireless telephones, cellphones, satellite TV with controllers that transmit signals to TV's in other rooms of the house there is a storm of electronic signals flying around my house all of the time. The Blue Alert can't compete with these signals, even in the middle of the night.

So this is nowhere near as good as other systems I have used. That is unfortunate since for the price that is being charged for it you can get 3 cameras with sound that will work indoors and outdoors. For $60 more, you can get 3 pan, scan and zoom cameras with color monitor or you can just pipe the signals direct to your Television and take the cost of the color monitor and purchase software that will allow you to receive the output from those three cameras on your computer anyplace in the world. So you can see and hear your children playing in the yard while you are in another state or country.
This product just doesn't come close to doing the job and the fact that it can digitally record the information just isn't a big factor since other systems can use a VCR and motion detection to do the same job. Since I have two DVRs already, devoting one of my VCRs isn't a big deal since I hardly ever use more than one of the three I have what with two DVRs, three DVD players and my Windows Media Center Extension that also plays DVDs as well as movies from my Computer. In fact, it adds to the disk drive traffic I already have.

Basic, but effective
Datum 2008-11-26 Rang: 8 von 10

I have enjoyed having this camera. My electric company's meter reader likes to leave my iron pool gate unlatched and ajar and I have sent several warning letters to them about putting me in a position of liability with my swimming pool. This nifty gadget has now provided me all the evidence I would need if (God forbid) some youngster wandered into the swimming pool. It also allows me to keep an eye out on my garage area for anyone wandering around or if I hear a noise, I can flip over to the input channel and check it out. I have no windows facing this area, so it has become my "eyes" for that side of the house.

There are some notable kinks, though. For instance, it's not really wireless when you have a rather substantial power cord that has to be plugged in somewhere, so you will be limited as to where you can install this item. The signal to the DVR is wireless though and that's nice. Also, the image quality could be better, but it is sufficient for my purposes.

I'm not sure how durable this item is outdoors completely exposed to the elements. I have installed mine in a semi-protected area under the eaves of the carport and the outlet plug is covered, as well. I cannot attest to how well this would perform with no weather protection outdoors. It seems to be performing fine in my circumstances.

I find the DVR very easy to use and I like that it is so small. I also like that that the camera is so small. Where I have installed mine (against a dark corner) it's hard to spot and I like that. I had been in the market for a security camera for some time and for the money, I feel this is a good value. I have yet to suffer the interference that others are talking about, but I will update this review if anything goes awry.

Somewhat disappointing for the price; connection options not the best
Datum 2008-11-21 Rang: 4 von 10

Basically, it does what it says. The video quality isn't that great, especially for the price. And I would really expect a USB interface on such a device to allow direct connection to a computer. I don't want to rain on their parade; it may a fine device for folks who only need a super-cheap (both in price and quality) security system, but I think customers would be happier getting something more feature-rich, and something more easily connected to a computer.

Excelent picture
Datum 2008-11-20 Rang: 10 von 10

I whish it comes with more than one camera and I wonder how can you switch between them. Other than that I loved it.

Produkt Information

Recording label: Swann
Hersteller: Swann
Model: SW242-WDB
EAN: 0814282009114
Format: Electronics
Universal product code (UPC): 814282009114
Brand: Swann
Farbe: blue