Longtime cyber-addicts argue that the widespread adoption of web-cams has reduced the fantasy factor that used to make the Net such an exciting hangout.
In the old days, people created chatroom persona as they desired, with zero reference to reality. If somebody wished to pretend he was Shahrukh Khan, Kylie Minogue, or V S Naipaul, there was no reason not to indulge this quirk.
Nowadays, interesting ASL (Age/Sex/Location) info has to be backed up with visual proof. Of course, it isn't just web-cam availability; it's the penetration of broadband and high-end processors as well. These three elements had to fall into place together.
An entire generation is adopting wi-fi, skipping dialup and wired Lan. "Wireless" web-cam is a slight misnomer. "Wireless" cameras come with wires attached. They draw on external power supply -- batteries are impractical for always-on, unattended devices. Wireless cams also connect through wires to routers, switches and Lan ports.
In geek parlance, a wireless camera is one that connects to a wireless 2.4 Ghz 802.11x network. Most connect via 802.11g, some by 802.11b.
Wireless cams are compatible with wired Lans and also single PCs through Lan-port. Wireless cams have their own web-servers so they operate as standalone network nodes.
The video signal can be directly received on several local nodes. It can also be accessed remotely. Cams offers feature such as motion-activation -- they can send warning e-mails when motion is detected. The built-in mike offers full video.
Wireless video-cams are used for security in malls and offices. They are used in the home, for remote baby-sitting, and the overseeing of hired help.
There are limitations. If you set up one in the kitchen, the camera won't take kindly to the heat and humidity. Most web-cams aren't robust enough for prolonged outdoor use, certainly not in a tropical monsoon.
Paradoxically for security devices, securing a wireless web-cam is painful. Wi-fi networks are difficult to secure. Hotels and airports deliberately leave wi-fi networks open.
If you use a cam on an unsecured wi-fi network, you could be seriously embarrassed if a passing stranger logs onto the stream.
These devices are fun on a home network or standalone PC on broadband. The cheapest wireless Internet video cameras start at around Rs 8,000 equivalent (off the net) and the top-end ones like the Axis 2100 are almost four times that.
A standard upper-range device like the D-Link DCS 2100 or the Linksys WVC54G costs upwards of Rs 20,000 on the Indian street and provides pretty much every feature home networks can handle.
I test-drove the Linksys WVC54G recently on my home network. I connect off DSL broadband (occasionally wireless CDMA) with wired Lan connectivity to four machines (including two on/off laptops).
I'd never configured an Internet camera (I'm not much of a photographer either).
The 54G initialised smoothly following the booklet of instructions. The bundled setup CD works on both Windows XP and Windows 98SE.
The Linksys viewer utility detected the camera without problems on both operating systems.
The camera creates its own network address. You might need to ask your service provider for details of your IP address. Most home networks have dynamic IP (the last set of numbers changes on every log in).
The Linksys initialises to a default address of 192.168.1.15 on dynamic IP connections using DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol).
(D-Link uses 192.168.1.1 as the default network address, I believe.)
The network address displays on the LED for confirmation. The 192 set is traditionally reserved for home networks so, there won't be ISP conflicts.
If you use a firewall, set 192 to "trusted" or "home".
On a wi-fi network, you need to fiddle channel information and WEP security protocols. You might need to reboot an XP system and refresh network connectivity if you're connecting through Lan-port to a PC rather than a router.
On wi-fi, after initialisation, the camera can be unplugged and set up anywhere in range. It is an independent node.
The video (mpeg format) is accessed by typing the IP address (http://192.168.1.15) into Internet Explorer 6 like any url.
The camera broadcasts through port 1024 so you may need to setup firewalls accordingly.
Unfortunately Linksys uses Active-X, which is unsupported by non-IE browsers. If you're using Firefox, Opera or Netscape, you need the bundled Linksys viewer utility.
Mac compatibility may also be an issue -- I'm not sure because I don't have a Mac. Pity it doesn't offer a java-handling option unlike say, the rival Hawking NC320W.
The adjustable antenna of the Linksys offers better 802.11g reception. There is a movement-activation mode with streaming capability to four local network nodes and email notification of movement.
Linksys offers a trial SoloLink Dynamic Domain Name Service account with each 54G camera. This account is configured to enable remote access on dynamic IP addressing.
You will need to fiddle the port-forwarding function on a wireless router to use this.
From the technical perspective, the device wasn't a problem. As to video quality, umm... I don't have babies. I do have cats, with a talent for silently strobing in and out of focus.
An external mike (which can be connected) may work better in terms of audio. A competent photographer would have got higher quality video with more natural colour -- there are many available resolution modes.
But I'm sold on the basic concept of the wireless web-cam. If the weather had been better, I would have tried to shoot the local tribe of monkeys as they raided the ficus in the garden. This winter perhaps!