• Mar 6, 2015

    Surveillance Camera Setup

    Last week I was asked on 4 separate occasions what I use for my surveillance cameras. While this is usually a simple answer for most, it isn't for me. My system wasn't the cheapest, easiest to put together, or operate, but I like having control and being able to select my components. Since my cameras are clearly visible on my house, I'm not giving away any secrets about them.

    So here it goes.

    I have Q-See QCN7001B IP cameras (they appear to have been replaced by the Q-See QCN7005B). These cameras are PoE (Power over Ethernet) so that there is only one cable going from the camera to a PoE switch. These are 720p cameras with IR capability. The picture is pretty clear and the night vision is very good. They've been up for almost 2 years without any problems.

    The cameras are hard wired (when we renovated our house, I was able to run all the wires in the walls back into an equipment closet) into a Cisco SG 300-10P PoE switch. While the switch is managed, I don't use any of the management capabilities. When I was shopping around, there weren't many rack mount PoE switches available without a fan.

    Since I already run a Mac Mini as a server (media, video, build server), I wanted to record all the video onto that; this reduces the need for a separate device, gives me a choice of software to record, as well as keep noise and power consumption down. On the Mac Mini, I run SecuritySpy. It isn't the prettiest piece of software, but it works well and has the options I need for rolling over video, recording stills, etc. It also has a web interface if I wanted to use that and port forward through my router.

    For remote access to SecuritySpy, I use an app called Remote Patrol on my iPhone as well as iPad. There is a bit of configuration involved here, but it wasn't difficult for me.

    So what does this setup (which isn't cheap) buy me over an off the shelf solution? Well, it allows me to easily backup all the video and configuration (just use a standard Mac backup program like SuperDuper!, it allows me to run a very energy efficient recording device (the Mac Mini is pretty efficient in terms of power usage compared to a standalone box), and I can swap out my cameras at any time (that's a huge reason to use PoE over any other type of camera).

    What do I lose with my setup? Ease of installation is a big one and easy of use (that may be debatable as I've seen the interface for one at my parents' condo). It also requires me to handle all the backups which a cloud based solution has that under control for you.

    I definitely wouldn't recommend this to the average consumer and am, in fact, looking for something to recommend.

  • Mar 1, 2015

    Review: Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

    Last week a friend of mine came to visit and during some downtime, he had a Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. (His was for a larger iPad.) I thought it looked interesting and decided to get one for my iPad mini. Of course, I neglected to realize that the keyboard would be a lot smaller because it was for an iPad mini, doh!

    When the keyboard arrived, I was impressed with how little bulk it added and really like how the keyboard sits in the stand. As a cover and a stand, the keyboard cover works well. The keyboard is a little small for touch typists, but after a few days, I'm starting to get used to it and am, in fact, writing this review using the keyboard. The biggest problem I'm finding is that I feel like the keyboard is shifted slightly offset from center causing me to shift my hands. The smaller keys aren't for everyone, but I'm finding that I can fairly easily type on it while it is on my lap or on a desk,

    It is easy to forget that it is a Bluetooth keyboard and has to be charged. Logitech estimates that with 2 hours per day usage, you can get about 3 months of usage. Unfortunately the only way you know the power level is to wait until the power light blinks and at that point, it is down to 5%. The cover uses magnets like the smart cover to turn the iPad on/off when the cover is opened and closed which is clever as I've only seen it in Apple's covers. In addition, it uses magents to hold the iPad in the stand.

    Pros

    • Compact.
    • Provides a protective cover for the iPad.
    • Rechargeable.
    • Connects easily to the iPad.
    • The keys have enough travel for typing.

    Cons

    • It is a little small and may be hard for some people to type. (The one for the other iPads will be different.)
    • Keys appear to be shifted which can make it hard to type.
    • No indicator for battery remaining.

    Summary

    The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is going to be an excellent addition to my iPad mini and make it even easier to leave my laptop behind on trips or to leave it in my office at night when I want to write. If you have big hands and use an iPad mini, I suspect that this keyboard won't be a good choice for you. For a bigger iPad, the keyboard will, of course, be larger and easier to use. At the list price of $70, I think this could be overpriced. However, I got mine off Amazon as an openbox item for $32 and for that price, I think it was a good purchase. This week my personal MacBook Pro is going in for repair (it is part of Apple's extended warranty program for graphics card issues) and this keyboard is going to help me with my computer withdrawl :-).

    For other iPads, the versions of the keyboard may prove to be easier to use, so if you're looking to make your iPad your only computer or a travel device, you should definitely check out this keyboard.

  • Mar 1, 2015

    Review: Kanex iDevice Collapsable Stand

    Awhile ago I found a stand I liked for my iPad. Since then, I've switched to an iPad mini and the stand no longer fits the iPad. So I looked for a replacement. When the iPad came out, people were using all kinds of things including binder clips to make stands, so I didn't need anything really complicated. I stumbled upon the Kanex iDevice Collapsable Stand and for the price, what did I have to lose?

    The stand is extremely simple and does its job. It is easy to carry and I can throw it in my bag. I used it all the time (more on why I'm no longer using it in another post) and it served its purpose. There isn't a whole lot to it, and it just works.

    Pros

    • Inexpensive.
    • Adjustable.
    • Compact.

    Cons

    • None

    Summary

    If you're looking for a simple stand, the Kanex stand works well. There are more complex stands out there that cost more money, but I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a simple stand.

  • Mar 1, 2015

    Review: Shoulderpod S1

    On each vacation I've taken in the last few years, I've taken a compact digital camera along with my iPhone. However, with each iPhone revision, the camera gets so much better that I reconsider my choice to take a camera. The camera has a few features that the iPhone doesn't have, but the differences are so minor.

    The only thing that I seem to miss using the iPhone is simply how it feels and how easy it is to hold. I had read about the Shoulderpod S1 as a grip for the iPhone. I didn't back it on KIckstarter, but it made it "to the big leagues" as I found it on Amazon.

    I ordered it a few days for my last vacation and when it arrived, I adjusted it for my phone and tried it out. Its premise is pretty simple; provide a hand held mount for your smartphone. Operating it is easy; just adjust the screw and put your iPhone in it. I used it for a bunch of shots and being able to hold the phone without the fear of dropping it and being able to stablize it was very convenient. I didn't take many movies, but the movies I did were less shaky. I also used it to take a timed shot and it worked well mounted on my Gorillapod mount.

    The biggest "problem" with the Shoulderpod is that when I had it attached, I couldn't really fit my phone in my pocket, so I kept taking it off my iPhone and reattaching it. This was a little inconvenient, but I'm not sure it was the fault of the little device.

    Pros

    • Makes it easy to hold an iPhone.
    • Supports my iPhone 6 and other smartphones; very adjustable.
    • Standard tripod mount allows it to work with GorillaPod and other tripods.

    Cons

    • Some pieces are made out of plastic which made lead to issues down the line with reliability.
    • Taking the Shoulderpod on and off is a little cumbersome and leaving it on doesn't fit in my pocket.

    Summary

    The Shoulderpod S1 makes a great addition to any smartphone user that relies exclusively on his or her phone for taking pictures on vacations or even for taking photos and videos of school functions, Holding my hold with just just a few fingers always has me nervous and the Shoulderpod's grip takes this away and stabilizes pictures. I'm sure others have gotten good at taking smartphone pictures, but I think that the Shoulderpod will make it even easier to take good pictures.

    The price isn't that much and is a good addition to my travel bag. I will need to find a better way to deal with it so that I don't take it on or off, but I consider that a minor issue.