D-Link Cloud Surveillance Network Camera 5000 (DCS-5222L), Pan/Tilt, HD 720p, Night Vision, Wireless/Ethernet, Video Storage with microSD slot, Digital Zoom, mydlink enabled D-Link Cloud Surveillance Network Camera 5000 (DCS-5222L), Pan/Tilt, HD 720p, Night Vision, Wireless/Ethernet, Video Storage with microSD slot, Digital Zoom, mydlink enabled

Pros: I was given a $300 budget by my church to find something to monitor the entrance points to the building. I am pleased to say that this camera system has got to be about the best use of a sub-$300 budget that is available.
1. 360* horizontal plus *180 vertical panning is clutch.
2. Pre-set stations for quick panning to key viewing locations.
3. Extensive, straightforward firmware for ease of settings adjustment.
4. Streaming audio to accompany video.
5. Audio out jack on unit for optional speakerplacement/intercom capability.
6. Infrared/night vision for amazingly bright view in absolute darkness.
7. Motion sensor detection for spontaneous recording of activity.
8. MicroSD card slot for recording mentioned above in #7.
9. "MyD-Link" website and smartphone/tablet app is awesome for not only remote viewing, but manual control of the camera's position from remote locations.

Cons: 1. 720p resolution is very good/borderline great, but not amazing.
2. I have my camera hard-wired into the router (from an outdoor position), as the Wi-Fi capability seemed to be a bit spotty.
3. The hardware for mounting the camera was a bit cheap, but thankfully not too difficult to work around. If the mounting plate gets bent in any way while installing (if you use a drill, this is highly likely because it is somewhat thin sheet metal), then the 3 pins that the bottom of the camera needs to be set on in order to lock into place will come slightly out of alignment. If this happens and you try to force the unit onto the mounting plate, the pins are small/cheap enough that they will snap off (this happened to me). Thankfully I was able to use 3 screws with heads similar in diameter to the pinheads (that broke off), and to drill them into the plate, creating new (much better/stronger) pins that the ones that had just snapped off. Once that was complete, the rest is a breeze.

Other Thoughts: I have not used the playback software for review of recorded material, but for it looks real rudimentary. I'm sure it does the job, based on everything else I've experienced with this purchase.

Also, unless your router and nearest outlet are less than 8 or so feet away from where the camera will sit, I would plan on spending another $20-$30 or so on an extension cord, and an extra long ethernet cable.

I must say for $250, I have not seen anything else out there that is even remotely comparable from a shear amount of useful features standpoint.

Highly Recommended!

Pros: The configuration options and performance are outstanding for use as a home security camera. I'm using the motion sensor function to alert me via email with JPG images, record HD video to the PNY 32GB micro SD card I have installed, and send a lower res video to an FTP site. The FTP option is great insurance in case a bad person sees the camera and departs the property with it. The options for Also, the free mydlink app for the iPhone is great. You can quickly pull up a real time camera view, and control the pan function. Good job on the app D-Link!

Cons: My only nit-pic is the limited options on the activation of the motion sensor. While you can configure what days of the week for the sensor to be active, it is one dimensional, meaning you limited one set of days and one time window for all selected days. I would like to be able to select different time windows for each day of the week. As the software is designed, I have to remember to adjust the setting each morning based on my schedule before I leave my house.

Pros: ok, but not great, resolution for the price range, good range of motion

Cons: requires java-enabled browser and won't work natively with browsers on IOS devices. Allegedly, D-Link's software is supposed to make images visible on IOS devices, but I haven't tried. Why should I waste my time with an app when competitors' products work fine in the native browser?

Pros: Please see my earlier review for the pros

Cons: Java still is a pain but other issues are no longer a concern to me.

Other Thoughts: This is mostly an update to my earlier post.

I was able to get the SDHC memory cards to format. As it turned out the ability to format doesnt work unless recording is disabled.

Also, it turns out, today I am also able to view remotely without being stopped with a provider limitation to 1 minute message.

Pros: I like the concept of the camera. The idea of a smartphone app interface and I like the way it gets initially setup

Cons: It was a struggle to get my computer to properly work with Java. Before I updated Java from 6 to 7, I could see video on the computer but it kept saying to update over and over. I updated and then lost the function. I had to go back to java settings and revert to version 6.

My biggest frustration is that I bought an SDHC 16GB card for the unit. It wouldnt detect it, I pulled out my android 16GB and had the same problem. I found an older 2GB non SDHC and it worked. I am a bit puzzled that a newer device like this would not support SDHC cards. No where is this documented.

The smartphone app has limits. There is a limitation where I can not view more than 1 minutes worth of camera time while watching my smartphone. It says something about provider agreement limitation. That was not on the box either.

Other Thoughts: I like the concept of a wireless IP camera with lots of bells and whistles. I hope there will be a firmware and changes in the future to bring out more function to this camera. If not, I will regret this purchase. Hopefully DLINK will get back to me on what is going on with the SDHC cards not being readable.