A Closer Look:

Retail front

Retail rear

    Who here has wanted to hook up a video camera they already own to their computer, but didn't know how to? Well, the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server makes this task simple and easy. The IP Video (for short) is a way to take any video out source, send it over a network connection to the computer or internet, and have it viewed anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

3/4 front

Video inputs

PWR/LAN/Audio

Bottom

    A little on the unit itself. The size of the IP Video server is really small; the overall size is 1.25 x 4 x 2.25-inches (H x W x D). This will not take up much space wherever you may locate it. The IP Video has four RCA connection ports for video input and a single audio input. A few other features built into the IP Video include motion detection with the images being sent to an email, video capture of 30fps, color correction and three sensitivity levels for the motion capture.

    The heart of the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server is the Winbond W90N740 micro-controller, which is a 16/32 bit, ARM7TDMI based RISC micro-controller for network as well as embedded applications. An integrated dual Ethernet MAC, the W90N740, is designed for use in broadband routers, wireless access points, residential gateways and LAN cameras.

Installation & Field Testing:

Software CD	Power supply	2 Video cables
Network Cable	1 of 4 used	Network cable in

    The installation is extremely simple, being more along the lines of plug and play. The first thing to do is find where you want the cameras, then locate the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server in a central location, to keep the camera wires to both a minimum and close to a power outlet for the IP Video. Keep in mind that the IP Video is not limited to just video cameras; it can take any video out source and pass it through the network. Now it's a matter of running some CAT5 from the IP Video to a router or the back of a computer with a crossover link. Then install the software (IP_Family) which finds the assigned network address of the IP Video Server.

    A word of warning about the IP Video: "It does not play nice with routers". For those of us with routers, an understanding of port forwarding is a must in order to view the images from outside the Local Area Network.

1 Cam image

4 way split

Day view of 3 cams

Signal from my Dish

    To see the images on the computer, just open up IE and type in the IP address assigned by the computer, or use the software and assign your own network IP (192.168.1.XXX) to the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server. With the IE page open this is where the options are to switch between 1 camera view or 4. Other settings include color correction and video window size. When configuration is clicked this is where you can name the camera setup, choose the motion detection, and setup the Dynamic DNS for off network access.

Conclusion:

    This little device from Geeks.com is perfect for the individual who is possibly looking to build a small, low-budget home security network, or to just get a bird's-eye view of a remote location. Setting up the hardware and software is extremely easy, with just some knowledge of port forwarding needed for router users. Low budget-minded people can get the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server and 3-4 cameras from Geeks.com and create a network camera system for less than the price of a single stand-alone network camera.

    Geeks.com offers several types of cameras that can be used with the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server, ranging from indoor to outdoor, and color to B/W with IR LED's to see in the dark. I would like to thank the folks over at Geeks for sending this item out for VH to review.

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