Question 1

can I run this camera from a standard electrical outlet and NO eathernet connection back to a router, but use WiFi inside the house.  So when I hook it up all i need is power vs running a eathernet wire across the room?  thanks

Accepted Answer

Yes, you do not need a wired Ethernet connection to use it..  it uses wireless (thus the antenna on the side).   You may need a wired connection to do the initial setup (been a while since I did it) - but once set up, it will operate on wireless.

Question 2

how do you hook it up?

Accepted Answer

It comes with an install disk.  You first plug it into an ethernet port on your router.  Run the install software, which asks if you wish to set it up to run on your wireless network, and it basically deals with the rest.  You may need to push a button on the camera and on your router, or just provide your wireless password to the installation software.

Note that you must run the D-Link installation software to get the camera to register with mydlinkDOTcom - and you really want to do that since it lets you look at the camera anywhere - smartphone, pad, work, etc....

Hope that helped

Question 3

What kind of cell phones can I use to stay connected with this camera?  Will it alert me when someone is seen?

Accepted Answer

I tried on both iOS (iPhone) and Android (Samsung) phones and it worked great. You can configure the motion detection feature to send emails when any motion is detected, but I set it up once when I was travelling and it generated too many false positive. Not sure if it was my air conditioning or what, but i had to turn it off after receiving too many emails.

Question 4

Just purchased and cannot get the 5020L install software to recognize the camera (even with direct CAT5 connection). Camera 'boots' up when powered and light goes solid green. Router recognizes device and gives it an IP. I am running Windows 7 - 64bit. Using Comcast's XFinity Wireless Gateway and the Router DOES see the webcam (10.0.0.5), but the DLink software does not... I keep hitting 'rescan' but keep getting 'No cameras / devices found.'
I am getting the feeling that the software link from the website is for another model camera or something... Hmm... Anyone else have this issue?

Accepted Answer

You may have to update the firmware. When you do this, it must be a hard wired connection via ethernet to your router and can not be done wirelessly.

Question 5

Can any of the D-Link network cameras be set up to record video to an internal hard drive continuously?

Accepted Answer

I don't think so. I have  used mine for a while and for what I've been able to learn, it doesn't really record. There is a part of the settings that said it does, but I can't seem to figure out where or how. I do know that the camera is linked to a URL address before you get the stream.

Question 6

How do you disable the sound, so it doesn't send alerts?

Accepted Answer

There is no sound on this model

Question 7

1st do you need a router?
And does this work with android phones like the galaxy 111

Accepted Answer

It can connect to internet via Wi-Fi or direct Ethernet cable. I cant think of any way to do that without a router so I would say yes you need a router. description says that there is a free app for Android. I could not comment if that means that some android devices will be ok and some will not. check your app store fir the app and see if it tells you of any device limitations. great camera by the way

Question 8

in terms of wireless connectivity, how many mb is required to view camera data?

Accepted Answer

Not much because I used it remotely over my standard phone wireless connection and it always worked fine.

Question 9

Can the DCS-502L record to a cloud servive? Directly or via my PC?
What is an FTP Sever and how does it work?
What I need is a surveillance system that can record to a cloud service, so if the PC/Harddrive is stolen too, I still have footage of who broke into the house.

Accepted Answer

You can have it FTP, Email, copy, etc... if the cloud service requires a specific API beyond what DLINK has, then no. You could for all intensive purposes use something like a drop box to dump the images/movies to when movement is detected. Dropbox will then act as your cloud device.

Question 10

How long is the power cord for this device?  I intend on mounting in on a ceiling, and the power cord needs to be obscure / hidden.  So I can't have extension cords, or any similar set up that is unpleasant to the eyes.

Accepted Answer

power cord is about 6ft. it is thin but black color. so it will stick out like a sore thumb on typical wall, ceiling colors. If you want hidden power to it, you would either need to get some type of wire management covering to run the wire inside of it from the plug, or, if you are able to, run the power wire inside the wall and ceiling having it come out at the camera and at the plug site. If the floor above where you plan to put is accessible - like attic or another room, can always plug it in the room above and drill thru the ceiling to the above floor and run the wire that way.

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