Panasonic BL-C140A Outdoor MPEG-4 Network Camera (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is going to be somewhat technical and I'll mention some other choices. I've installed more than 10 Panasonic network cameras across the product line; so how does this one compare? The whole series is rock solid reliable. As far as the practical use as an outdoor cam, the BL-C140A is a middle of the road compromise. As other reviewers have discovered, the night time image quality is not very good. The BL-C140A has a 1/4" CMOS sensor which produces a little bit better daytime image than the 1/6" CMOS on the popular BL-C111A and BL-C131A models. If you're looking for a cam to mount in an outdoor location that is protected from direct moisture (like hanging under a sheltered roof eave) then I'd recommend the Panasonic BB-HCM511A instead. The BB-HCM511A uses a CCD sensor (vs. CMOS) that produces a richer dynamic range of colors during the day, and has much better low light sensitivity. It can still show the scene under moonlight, whereas the BL-C140A would show a pitch black view. If you truly need an "outdoor" camera because it's going to be exposed to the rain, then the BB-HCM531A is an excellent outdoor model. The only difference between the BB-HCM511A and BB-HCM531A is that the BB-HCM531A comes with an extra plastic cover for the connectors in the back. Panasonic charges more than $200 for this piece of plastic, so it you're crafty you can make your own weatherproof cover for the BB-HCM511A cable connectors and save some money (hint: silicone sealant works). Note that if you don't already have a POE enabled switch, the BB-HCM series doesn't come with a POE injector so you need to order that separately. Coming back to this BL-C140A model, the other thing I didn't like is that the POE (Power Over Ethernet) is proprietary instead of using the industry 802.3af standard. So if you have a POE switch then it won't be able to use all the neat power management features. The BB-HCM series however does support the 802.3af POE standard. If your budget is just enough for this cam, the BL-C140A still a wonderful unit. If you can afford to pay just a little bit more then check out the other models I mentioned and you'll get a superior night time view. Here's another tip, if you want to have the camera view on your desktop all the time in Vista or Windows 7, go to the Microsoft Windows Live Gallery and search for Panasonic to download the CoconutView Sidebar Gadget. Then you won't even need to open the browser windows to get a peek at what the camera is seeing.

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Panasonic Outdoor MPEG-4 Network Camera

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LG LHB975 1100-Watt Blu-ray Home Theater System, Gloss Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this system in May of 2010. When it worked, it worked great and I really enjoyed the quality of the blu-ray player and sound.
About a week ago the wireless subwoofer stopped working. It has power but will not link up with the wireless receiver. I tried everything I could possibly do and couldn't get it to "remate" (connect) again. I then called LG and they were unable to fix it.
LG offered to repair the system but they wants me to spend $70.00 for them to look at it and this does not include shipping. From what the customer service representative told me, the 1 year warranty means that regardless of the cost to repair, my cost is capped at $70.00. I'm not sure how that qualifies as a warranty but according to LG it does.
What is troubling about this issue is that this problem does not appear to be an isolated incident. I searched the internet for reviews from people who owned the system. There are a number of people who are having this exact same problem after using the system for about 6 months. Mine started in just 5 months. It's starting to look like this product has a defect.
I own an LG cell phone, washer and dryer, and this blu-ray theater system. I've never had a problem with any LG product before. I'm surprised that LG would put out a product that seems to have a systematic defect. I'm even more surprised that the LG customer service would be so bad and not customer friendly. This experience has really questioned my brand loyalty towards LG. At this point, they must know this product has a problem. Rather than do the right thing - which is to correct the problem and send a new unit to everyone who is having this problem free of charge - LG is instead forcing the consumer to pay for service, pay for shipping, and hope that the repair is a long term fix. I'm afraid I'll spend the money to get the system "repaired" only to have it break again in another 5 months.
Rather than deal with the nonsense I'm going through, anyone who looks at this home theater system should just avoid it.


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LG's NetCast Interface lets you easily access a vast array of internet content. This model comes with two tower speakers.

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NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point Review

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(More customer reviews)The NG102 works like it should--with one exception that I've found. If you set it up in Bridge Mode, it will NOT work with WPA security--you can only use the inferior WEP security.
WEP can be cracked in under 24 hours (the netgear helpfiles built into the WG102 setup pages even say this), but they still force you to use WEP security when bridging.
Additionally, Netgear's tech support is ABYSMAL. I have submitted several trouble tickets with questions, and it sometimes takes them TWO WEEKS to reply--and even then they did not give a reasonable answer to my question, they gave a stock answer to something I didn't ask. The user suport forum is much better, but you're not guaranteed to get any help there, either.
*** UPDATE: 12/27 - I'd like to downgrade this product to ONE STAR! ***
This access point would lock up at least once a day. The only solution was to unplug the power and plug it back in.
I found it had particular difficulty when trying to transfer files over the local network and when running internet speed tests (such as www.speakeasy.net/speetest). Somehow they seemed to confuse or overwhelm the access point, and it had to be hard-reset. Neither of those activities should have caused it any trouble at all--especially not this (much more expensive) "business-class" access point.
After spending way too much time troubleshooting the problem, I have finally given up and will return it.

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The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point provides a secure and reliable wireless network with enterprise-level functionality at a mid-market price.
Fast and Secure Fully compatible with the 802.11g wireless standard at 54 Mbps, with an optional turbo mode for a speedy 108 Mbps when used with supported NETGEAR adapters, the WG102 offers a network connection that is fast and widely compatible. As 802.11g is backwards compatible with 802.11b, you needn't worry about your computers with older network cards not working.
Your data is secure, as the WG102 complies with industry security standards for user authorization and wireless data encryption; 802.11i, WPA2-Enterprise technology will keep your wireless network secure and interoperable. Also supported is MAC address authentication with a 256-user Access Control List and VPN pass-through.
Bridge and Repeater Mode In addition to functioning as an access point, the access point can also be used as a bridge and as a repeater. Used as a bridge, the device allows you to connect two LANs wirelessly; as a repeater, your wireless signal's range is extended so even the remote corners of your home or office can be covered.
Smart Design and Easy Setup Thanks to support for the IEEE 802.3af-based Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard, the need for extra cables are eliminated and the access point doesn't have to be put near a power outlet. The Simple Network Management Protocol is supported, allowing you to use any SNMP-based network management software. NETGEAR's Smart Wizard browser-based interface makes setup a snap.
The access point comes with one detachable antenna. The NETGEAR WG102 ProSafe 802.11g Wireless Access Point is backed by a lifetime warranty (power supply is backed by a 3-year warranty).
What's in the Box WG102 Wireless Access Point, one 5 dBi detachable antenna, resource CD, power adapter, Ethernet cable, installation guide, and warranty/support information card.

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TRENDnet 8-Port Unmanaged Gigabit GREENnet Standard Switch (8 x 10/100/1000Mbps Auto-Negotiation, Auto-MDIX Gigabit Ethernet Ports) TEG-S80G (Black Metal) Review

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(More customer reviews)Recently we have installed network storage devices, and started to run backups and multi-media services on our home LAN (local area network). As a result the load on our network increased substantially. We decided to upgrade from fast ethernet to gigabit. Due to the arrangement of devices, we have several 8 port switches connected to a larger 24 bit switch which I guess is the backbone of our LAN.
When shopping for gigabit switches, the Trendnet 8 port gigabit greennet switch came up as not only a low cost, but also a low power switch. We purchased several and have been using them for almost half a year.
These switches are silent (there is no fan), and very low power (on my Killowatt meter they always show 0 watts), and very fast. They have limited support for jumbo packets (I forget the exact number, but its around a jumbo packet size of 7-9K).
This is a good solution as a low power, silent, gigabit switch that runs cool and is low cost. The switch is unmanaged, but does have status indicator lights. You will see if you are getting fast ethernet or gigabit speeds on each port. We have had no trouble with these switches.

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The compact 8-Port Gigabit GREENnet Switch provides high bandwidth performance, ease of use and reliability, all while reducing power consumption by up to 70%. GREENnet technology automatically adjusts power voltage as needed, resulting in substantial energy savings. Boost your office efficiency and eliminate network congestion with Gigabit speeds and total switching capacity of 10Gbps with Full-Duplex Mode. Plug and Play this sturdy metal switch for reliable high-speed network connectivity.

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TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N PoE Access Point TEW-653AP (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally just an access point that has all the features you would normally see in units starting at 3x the cost in a package stylish enough that it can be placed where it is needed in the home or office. Mine is in the center hallway of the house and draws the eye no more than the smoke detector. I will be recommending and installing this for both residential and commercial customers in the future.

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The 300Mbps Wireless N PoE Access Point (model TEW-653AP) combines high speed wireless n coverage with Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology to deliver up to 12x the speed and 4x the coverage of wireless. This feature rich device blends into most environments and offers Access Point, Wireless Distribution System (WDS), and Repeater mode functionality. Define a weekly power saving schedule, view real time network traffic charts, turn off the flashing LED indicators, and assign individual VLANs for up to 4 separate SSIDs. Advanced antenna technology (MIMO) delivers superior range and eliminates dead spots.Synchronize wireless clients at the touch of a button with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Advanced encryption protects valuable data and WMM Quality of Service (QoS) technology prioritizes video and audio packets.

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NETGEAR FVG318 ProSafe 802.11G Wireless VPN Firewall 8 Review

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(More customer reviews)I too had a poor experience with this device. There are a LOT of updates and fixes available for the problems described by the other reviewer, but unfortunately they are only available for the "V2" device. Amazon shares part of the blame for the problem since I ordered my device WELL after the V2 released but Amazon sent me one of the "old stock" V1 devices.
After performing all possible V1 updates, tuning, tweaks, etc. I was ready to return the device. I decided that I would give the V2 firmware a try (yes, it may void your warranty, but if the device is an absolute piece of trash anyway...)
The "good news" is that the V2 firmware loaded just fine and performs "as advertised" - just no warranty. DDNS actually works for me with the V2 firmware, and all my VPN tunnels also all work without any issues. My device is used in a light business / heavy home user environment with 5 persistent VPN tunnels and I have not noticed any performance related issues, random resets, or dropped connections after the V2 flash upgrade.
Shame on Netgear for not offering an upgrade path from V1 to V2 (partial credit or something).
Shame on Netgear for not supporting the V2 software on the V1 device (since the V2 software is the only thing that makes the device usable).
Shame on Amazon for not returning all their old stock to Netgear and offering their customers the latest version of the product - my main complaint here is that if I purchase a book that has multiple revisions, at least I am told, and therfore able to select which revision of the book I would like to purchase. This was not the case with my purchase of the firewall.
CM

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The NETGEAR FVG318 ProSafe 802.11G Wireless VPN Firewall 8 offers the small office an all-in-one solution in a space-saving design combining wired and wireless connectivity, a NAT router, VPN appliance, SPI firewall, and an eight-port Ethernet switch.
Wired and Wireless Connectivity The FVG318 functions as a 802.11g wireless access point, supporting speeds up to 108 Mbps with Super G technology. A detachable 5dBi antenna is included. The device also has a built-in switch, with eight 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing, Auto Uplink ports.
High-class Security For businesses that require more than just a simple NAT router, the FVG318 offers significantly more protection. It provides: a Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall to prevent Denial of Service attacks, an Intrusion Detection System (IDS), the ability to block Java/URL/ActiveX based on extension, and FTP/SMTP/RPC program filtering.
The FVG318 has eight dedicated VPN tunnels to protect links between remote locations, encrypting the data between them. IPSec-based 256-bit encryption is also supported.
The wireless network is protected by Wi-Fi Protect Access 2 Enterprise (WPA2), the highest available industry-standard encryption. Specific addresses, services, protocols, ports, and URLs can be filtered or block for further security.
Easy Setup Even with all the functionality the FVG318 provides, NETGEAR makes setup a breeze with intuitive Smart Wizards. Additionally, SNMP support provides complete remote administration. The FVG318 would be an ideal foundation for a small network, but it also works well integrated into an existing larger one. DHCP and PPPoE support makes widespread deployment simple.
The NETGEAR FVG318 ProSafe 802.11G Wireless VPN Firewall 8 is backed by a 3-year warranty.
What's in the Box FVG318 ProSafe Wireless VPN Firewall, detachable 5 dBi antenna, AC power adapter, ethernet cable, user guide, resource CD, warranty/support information card.

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Motorola SURFboard SB5101U DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem - RoHS Review

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(More customer reviews)Works great. Easy, hassle-free setup, no software install required, just connect the cables, call your cable company to register the modem over the phone and you're done.
This is the only Energy Star rated cable modem I could find. Power adaptor is compact and electronic--not a brick-- so it doesn't get hot or waste energy.

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The SURFboard SB5101U Cable Modem DOCSIS 2.0 is designed for easy set-up via USB or Ethernet. Troubleshooting is a breeze too, thanks to front panel status indicator LEDs and an online diagnostics page. Compatible with Windows, Mac, more. Note: Ask your cable company if they support DOCSIS cable modems. DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) is the industry standard for cable-based Internet access service.

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