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[Bobz]

how can i get a better picture than this?

[dave w]

Video still frames are always grainy. And that is compounded by the fact that X10 cameras are low resolution, with low light sensitivity. Does the full motion video look better?

[Bobz]

nope same.

[Noam]

What type of camera is it?

[Bobz]

this here
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_vk75a.htm

[Noam]

this here
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_vk75a.htm

Okay, it looks like you have the XCam2.
Those are designed for normal lighting conditions, not low-light.

I'm not sure if you are using it in a well-lit room or not. The lighting can certainly cause it to look grainy.
Another cause can be interference on the wireless signal. The X10 Cameras run at 2.4 GHz, which is the same frequency used for Wifi networks, some cordless phones, baby monitors, and microwave ovens.
The did recently release a newer model that has a different frequency, but that isn't the one you linked to.

Antenna direction can have a major impact on the picture quality, as well.
I know that with my own cameras, rotating the camera on the Ninja base could cause the picture to go out, as the antenna was rotated along with it.

You might want to play with antenna orientation, as well as placement of the receiver. There are also four channels available (there is a switch on the receiver, as well as a switch under a rubber cover on the base of the camera), a different channel might give you a better signal with less interference.

[Deemar]

The technical term that causes this is ISO. See if you can look at the properties for the image to check what the ISO is that the camera used for that image. If you can manually adjust the ISO, you can change the granularity of the image.

[Bobz]

can you suggest a different camera?
 for inside, my wireless laptop is also in the room.

[dave w]

The technical term that causes this is ISO.

Aka: "Brightness"

[Noam]

can you suggest a different camera?
 for inside, my wireless laptop is also in the room.

You need to separate the lighting (ISO/Brightness) issue from the signal issue.
Put the receiver in the same room, and try to aim the antennas better. Turn off your wireless for the test, too.
Try switching the channels, and see if that makes a difference in the picture.
Next, try making sure you have enough light in the room.

If either thing changes the image, then you probably found the culprit.

[Deemar]

The technical term that causes this is ISO.

Aka: "Brightness"

ISO is how much light the image soaks up during exposure, it's not necessarily brightness. I still say he should check the camera settings to see if he can adjust it.

[Noam]

The camera doesn't have brightness settings. However, the "grainy" image might also be the result of signal interference, kind of like you used to be able to get with a TV using "rabbit ears." Adjusting the antenna, and/or removing the source of the interference might help.

[dave w]

The technical term that causes this is ISO.

Aka: "Brightness"

ISO is how much light the image soaks up during exposure, it's not necessarily brightness. I still say he should check the camera settings to see if he can adjust it.

I understand, but "ISO" is not a typical adjustment you would see on CCTV cameras, or monitors. Brightness, Contrast, etc are.

[tom j]

Hmm well I have the same camera and mine doesn't even look that bad thinking this might be a reception problem. 

Tom j.

[dave w]

That makes a lot of sense, especially with WiFi so close. BobZ did you try changing frequencies on the camera and receiver?