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Because of its limited field of vision, an ordinary webcam is not the right choice for a home security system. Instead, you should use an Internet camera with pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and motion detection features. The Linksys Wireless PTZ Camera is an example. This article will talk about its design, features, and functionality.

Camera Design

Because of the PTZ motor, the Linksys Wireless PTZ Internet Camera is bigger than ordinary webcams. But at 9 inches, it is relatively small, compared to other network cameras. The camera has a small LCD screen. The lens of the camera and its microphone are encased in plastic. A desktop stand comes with the package, but you can always mount the camera into a wall if you like.

Camera Features

The Linksys Wireless PTZ Internet Camera's microphone has a 9-foot range. It can play video in either MPEG-4 of MJPEG format and can display video resolutions up to 640 x 480. The camera can also capture audio. With motion detection, you can set the camera to start recording when it detects the slightest movements in its field of vision. In addition, you can set the frame rates of your video feeds. This is particularly useful if you want faster video streams

Hardware and Software Installation

The Linksys Wireless PTZ Internet Camera comes with a software application that needs to be installed first before connecting the camera to your computer. The application lets you set your IP or LAN configurations. Then, the camera can now be plugged into a power supply and can then connected to the computer using ethernet cables.

Camera Functionality

The Linksys Wireless PTZ Internet Camera is very user-friendly. It tilts in 8 different directions and returns it to its default position with a single click. The camera has a 2x digital zoom and pans back and forth. You can also program the camera to lock-in on specific fields of vision. The application software of the camera supports multiple camera viewing. Also, You can save video feeds into your computer and put date and time labels. You don't have to use any other media player because the application works great with Windows Media Player.

The camera also comes with various security features that you can customize to your preference. If you want to view it through a browser, a username and password is required. The application software lets you create up to 20 user accounts, but only 10 users can simultaneously log-in. In addition, you can also set accessibility options for each user, whether they can operate the PTZ controls or make changes to the camera's default settings.

The Linksys Wireless PTZ Internet Camera has its share of limitations, as well, just like any other camera. The camera's performance tends to suffer when used in wireless LAN, and the user guide that comes with the package can be overly simplistic at times - a setback that can be overcome with a little research or by consulting a technician. But with a price of $299.99, it is very affordable for your home security system.