Alert Security Systems

[nszasz]

Getting ready to buy a setup - but have a few questions.

1. I think I will have one outdoor and one indoor camera. Which should I get as the master. The web says to go with the type you'll have one or more of, so that doesn't give me any direction. 

2. I also read online that the outdoor camera is far better in low light and some users use the outdoor type indoors. Besides the larger size, price and weather protection are there any other functional or performances differences? If I don't mind the size and the extra cost should I get the outdoor for indoor fro the sake of better low light video?

3. Here's a tricker question: I live in Japan. where they have 100 V AC electricity at outlets at 60 Hz - and same size plugs as USA. Is there any reason to think the networking might not work here?

4. I've read that the size of the power adapters for the cameras are quite larger. How large? I don't see any photos of them online. Can someone point me to a photo? And what does the cord(s) look like. Black color? How long?

5. If you do not using the power network, and instead the included cables, how does the connection work? Does it mean a cable from only the master unit? Or from any other camera?

6. I gather that if want to cntrol the cameras remotely you need to leave your PC on and hooked up to the internet. But how are the cameras networled  to the PC. WiFi? - or through the Power network?

Thanks in advance

Nick

[Gyponline · Accepted solution]

nszasz wrote:

Getting ready to buy a setup - but have a few questions.

1. I think I will have one outdoor and one indoor camera. Which should I get as the master. The web says to go with the type you'll have one or more of, so that doesn't give me any direction. 

2. I also read online that the outdoor camera is far better in low light and some users use the outdoor type indoors. Besides the larger size, price and weather protection are there any other functional or performances differences? If I don't mind the size and the extra cost should I get the outdoor for indoor fro the sake of better low light video?

3. Here's a tricker question: I live in Japan. where they have 100 V AC electricity at outlets at 60 Hz - and same size plugs as USA. Is there any reason to think the networking might not work here?

4. I've read that the size of the power adapters for the cameras are quite larger. How large? I don't see any photos of them online. Can someone point me to a photo? And what does the cord(s) look like. Black color? How long?

5. If you do not using the power network, and instead the included cables, how does the connection work? Does it mean a cable from only the master unit? Or from any other camera?

6. I gather that if want to cntrol the cameras remotely you need to leave your PC on and hooked up to the internet. But how are the cameras networled  to the PC. WiFi? - or through the Power network?

Thanks in advance

Nick

---

Hi, Nick - I'll have a go based on my experiences.

1. It doesn't matter which one you go for as the master, as it simply determines if your "bridge" from mains to your router comes in the box with the indoor one or the outdoor one. However... what it's worth doing is building the package and seeing what the price is. For example, for some reason if I order an outdoorl master with an additional indoor camera, it is less expensive than ordering an indoor master with an additional outdoor camera.

2. Yes, the outdoor camera is far better in low light, but that's mainly as it has the IR capability. The indoor camera is a lot more compact. I'm actually regretting buying an internal and wish I'd bought all external, especially as you can turn off the night vision if you wish.

3. No idea on this one, I'm afraid!

4. Although they are sketches rather than photos, the installation guides should give you a good idea of the sizes:

http://logitech-en-emea.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18043

Measuring my external adapter, it is approximately 130mm x 70mm x 50mm  and is connected to the socket with black wires (approx 800mm in the UK). The powerline bridge in the master set is slightly smaller, but does connect straight into the mains socket.

5. I'm afraid I don't quite understand the question, but looking at the next question I think there might be some confusion. If I'm answering the wrong question I appologise - the cameras are powered by the powerline adapters using the same ethernet cables that the data uses (PoE). The powerline adapters create a network using the mains wiring in the house and the "bridge" connects the mains data network to your broadband router so that you can communicate with the cameras from outside the home

6. The beauty of the Logitech system is that you do not have to leave you PC on (or even own a PC as long as you have one to set the system up). The cameras communicate over the mains and when you use the Alert apps, you communicate with the cameras themselves, not with your PC.

I have installed 5 cameras at my father's house; he has broadband but no PC; I configured them using my laptop and took that away when I left.

Hopefully that's of some use. Good luck!

[LogiLenny]

Thanks for the reply Gyponline. Your information is accurate.

 I did want to address questions 3 and 5 however.

 The cameras use the Homeplug technology standards. The Homeplug devices shipped with the cameras are 100-240v and 50/60Hz. By this information, the cameras **should theoretically** work with the Japan standards.

 With that being said however, you should take note that there are no Alert Cameras available for sale in Japan (at least in regards to the Logicool website). Which means that if the cameras should *not* work, you will not beable to get any official support from Logitech. You could always use a dedicated PoE switch with the cameras which would allow you to avoid running the connection through the electrical setup... but again, you would be on your own in regards to official support.

 So, with all told... you may get functionality on the cameras, but if not then you will be on your own in regards to troubleshooting and will probably risk voiding the warranty. If I get any more information about Japan standards I will repost to this thread.

 Perhaps someone who has more electrical engineering expertise, or someone who has succesfully used these cameras in Japan can offer some more insight. But as it stands, I probably would not risk spending money on a system that might not work for you and that you would not get the proper support for.

[nszasz]

Thanks to both repliers. 

I understand that a PC is not needed, but I do want to store the video data ouside of the cameras. Ideally in the Cloud, but on a laptop is OK. I might use the DropBox system to get it saved offline. I agree with others who think that would be a good feature to have built in the system from the start.

Anyway, thanks for the replies. Just need to get my house built and then I'll order!

Nick

[LogiLenny]

nszasz

- good to hear. If you want to do a feature request, please fill out our survey: http://www.onlineregister.com/logitechithink/ .

 Also, here is a PDF file for instructions on setting up with DropBox - http://www.logitech.com/assets/41505/how-to-set-up-alert.ENG.pdf

And congradulations on getting a house in Japan. Not an easy task from my understanding. I have been to Fukuoka for a visit and hope to go back sometime to teach English.

 In any case, enjoy the system and let us know how it works out for you.

[DanielB_Logi]

Technically, HomePlug is suppose to use slightly different frequencies in Japan, and HomePlug devices in Japan are suppose to be configured slightly differently.  In practice, as long as the only HomePlug devices you use are the ones you get for Logitech Alert cameras, I believe it should "work".  If the HomePlug police come by, well, then you're on your own ;-)

-Daniel