Thursday, 29 August 2013

Warranty Void for Non-MARIX Supplied VStarcams in Singapore with IMMEDIATE EFFECT

This is an official declaration letter released from ShenZhen VStarcam Technology Co., Ltd with regards to the growing number of illegal product representatives in Singapore. MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD is now empowered to take legal action against all self proclaimed RESELLERS and DISTRIBUTORS in Singapore without the proper channel of Distribution for the misuse of LOGO, TRADEMARK, PRODUCT NAME and MODELs.

All VStarcam products bought from Unauthorized Representatives via QOO10 or any other sources in Singapore WILL HAVE ALL SUPPORT AND WARRANTY VOID IMMEDIATELY. Your S/No, UID and WAN IP will help us identify if your cameras are bought from legal distribution channels.

Friday, 16 August 2013

VStarcam T7833WIP HD Mini Outdoor Dome Camera Review by geckoSG (HWZ) Part 2

OK, the interesting part of the review that everyone is asking for on the T7833WIP. How is the resolution on the T7833WIP? Note that this is an INITIAL QUICK REVIEW. I've not gone fully into details yet, so will take the next few days to do it. Thanks to MARIX's engineer for placing the camera in his Living Room for me to access remotely to test.

Well, here are some screen captures to show you the products' resolution. In Normal & 3 x ZOOMED. Images are taken from the iPhone.

The 2 image here is taken around afternoon where lighting is not bright, this is to show the cameras' natural image when lighting is not strong. Resolution set here are in 4096kbps (MAX)


This image shows the 3x Zoomed in, note the details in the Turtle toy on the floor.



This second set of photo taken at NIGHT with WHITE Lighting shows the rich color of the camera.
Resolution is in 4096kbps (MAX)



This is the 3 X ZOOM picture showing the dog resting on the background.
 

Now, this set of photos will be interesting, the cameras' NIGHT VISION resolution in 1024kbps and 4096kbps


This is the 3 X ZOOMED in 1024kbps, the resolution isn't that great and if you noticed, the image looks darker than the un-ZOOMED picture.


This is the picture in 4096kbps, the resolution is much sharper as compared to the 1024kbps setting.


This is the 3 X ZOOMED in 4096kbps, the resolution is much sharper than the 1024kbps image if you do a comparison. But same thing is the brightness as the 1024kbps, its not as bright as the un-ZOOMED picture
 
 
Video feed? Well, that might be in PART 3 of the review. For now, here's a sample clip recorded directly onto my Samsung Galaxy S3 using the APP's LIVE Streaming Recording Function and converted for playback on the Video Player by VStarcam.

http://marix.com.sg/downloads/vstarcam/samples/S3_android_sample_capture_vid.h264

To play back the file above, download the offline video player from the URL below

http://cd.gocam.so/download/application/app-VideoPlayer.exe

Some Facts on DOME CAMERA's (w/COVERS)

This is something known in the industry, most DOME cameras with covers produce reflective RING of light on the viewing during NIGHT VISION Mode when IR is activated, you cannot escape from this issue unless the following is done in replacement instead.

1. Separate sets of IR LIGHTs are mounted and triggered to TURN ON when there is insufficient lighting (meaning to say you turn off the IR feature on the camera)

2. The cover is removed to reveal the camera, but since this is an outdoor camera, NOT ADVISABLE.

So, if you look into the right side of the image in my review, you will see some reflective lights from the IR LEDs.

PART 2 Short Conclusion (Initial Test)

From my initial testing on the camera, there's pretty much to be desired, I would like to see more improvement to the camera...

1. Sharpness of Images. Perhaps I had higher expectation on VStarcam's Product, based on my experience with the T7837WIP & T7838WIP, I was expecting the T7833WIP to be sharp. However, this isn't the case. I can't really see the sharpest I was looking for in the T7833WIP. The algorithm definitely needs twitching if it can be done on the firmware. This is exactly the same issue which I've seen in the test of the V6834W. Seems that those cameras with AUTO ZOOMING lacks that fine tuning...

2. There is NO INDICATOR to show you how many X ZOOM you are doing which was seen in the V6834W. So, it is something very sad in my personal view. Hope VStarcam can do something on this area.

3. The iOS VSCAM APP have a BUG which you can ZOOM IN, but you cannot ZOOM OUT. Android wise is working well.

Other than those listed above, it works just like the rest of the T Series HD cameras. I'll be doing further test on the camera over this weekend and update this piece of blog for a more detailed.

Yes, you can do communication via this camera, you can hear and speak via the camera in case you need to know.

geckoSG
(HWZ Forumer)

Images courtesy of MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD.

Disclaimer: This review is owned by MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD, having the approval of the reviewer to release for public reading. All text, videos and pictures remains a property of MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD. NO ONE or COMPANY is allowed to re-produce our photos or LINK to this blog/page for advertising their products without seeking our approval. Doing so will be infringing copyright laws in all over the world which our legal team will take action against you and/or your company. If you intend to use our resources to promote your products, we will charge you a modest fee for the usage. Illegal usage of our content will be charged @ minimum US1,000 per day.

We advise all our clients to do their own research of a product before deciding if it is suitable for your needs.

Tuesday, 13 August 2013

VStarcam T7833WIP HD Mini Outdoor Dome Camera Review by geckoSG (HWZ) Part 1

Forewords (Story...)

Finally, the T7833WIP lands in my office. Thanks to the courier guy whom had braved through the storm to bring it to me. And of cos, thank you MARIX for allowing me once again to write a review on this sample unit.


The camera kit consist of the main camera itself, in a cream grey color BUT WHITE ANTENNA that doesn't match totally. The default power supply is definitely not PSB Approved. So, MARIX gave me 1 that is locally approved in the package.


The Outdoor Dome Camera is indeed small for it's size. Here's a comparison of the T7833WIP next to a Samsung Galaxy SIII and the popular T7838WIP camera.


Camera Specs in a NUTSHELL

  • H.264 Video Compression
  • 1/4 inch CMOS 1.0 MegaPixel
  • IR Distance Effectively: 10M
  • Optical Zoom 3 X Zoom (4-9mm)
  • Pan 355 Degree / Tilt 85 Degree
  • Supports MAX 32GB MicroSD Card
  • Built-in DDNS System
  • Supports WIFI Wireless-N (Supports Channel 12 & 13) on 2.4GHz
  • Built-in IR-CUT Filter (No color cast)
  • Microsoft Certified ActiveX


The T7833WIP uses the same VSCam APP as the T7837WIP, T7838WIP range of cameras. So setup wise is relatively the same.

Setting Up for Immediate Viewing

Setting up the camera is relatively straight forward (Minus the MicroSD Card insertion).
  • Plug Ethernet cable to the camera's connector, and power up the unit.
  • Scan the QR Code with the factory default password "888888"
  • And the camera is ONLINE.
  • Set in the wireless details to the camera allow the camera to reboot.
  • Plug out the Ethernet cable when camera completes its reboot cycle.


That's it! A wireless outdoor camera!!! Yeah! But now, where's the MicroSD Card slot? Being a outdoor camera, the slot can't possibly be located outside right? So it should be within the main unit itself.

Locating the MicroSD Card Slot

OK, off topic abit, this is how the camera looks like out of the box. Note the difference in color between the main unit and the extreme WHITE color antenna? Mismatch isn't it? The unit I receive comes with what it seems to be either a 5dbi or 7dbi antenna.


Here's a close up picture of the Power, Reset and Ethernet Port



Now, back to the topic, to access the MicroSD Card slot, unscrew the 4 screws that holds the casing as follows


Next, remove the 3 screws located within the casing to release the main camera unit from its housing.


Move it out slowly to prevent snapping any cables! Notice the MicroSD Card slot denoted by the yellow arrow below? That''s where you will place the MicroSD Card in it. Slot it in and screw back all the screws in reverse order of opening it.


Now, you can use your Mobile APP to do the formatting or format the MicroSD Card using the WEBUI. As of writing (13-Aug-2013). ONLY the Android APP (V3.16) allow you to format the MicroSD Card, the iOS version release is still pending.

That's it for PART 1. Folks. In PART 2, I will emphasis on the 3X OPTICAL ZOOM, the usability of the mobile APP and comparing the camera video and image quality. In fact, the software features of this camera is the same for the T Series so I really won't want to repeat those areas. However, I will be focusing more on the 3 X ZOOM feature, and the quality of the images.

For now... Its time for me to catch my sleep... zzzzZZZZ

geckoSG
HWZ Forumer

Photographs courtesy of MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD.

Disclaimer: This review is owned by MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD, having the approval of the reviewer to release for public reading. All text, videos and pictures remains a property of MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD. NO ONE or COMPANY is allowed to re-produce our photos or LINK to this blog/page for advertising their products without seeking our approval. Doing so will be infringing copyright laws in all over the world which our legal team will take action against you and/or your company. If you intend to use our resources to promote your products, we will charge you a modest fee for the usage. Illegal usage of our content will be charged @ minimum US1,000 per day.