I pre-ordered and received this camera and was VERY anxious to get it up and running... HOWEVER!!! I have had some issues!!!! Now, I have been in the IT field for more than 20 years and pride myself on being able to extensively troubleshoot issues before ever using tech support... so here goes.
1. Software included with the camera (or available for download from the support sight) does not function 100% with the camera. For example...
a. the presets do not save.
b. the Microphone (which I've tested on 3 devices using internal and external mics), DOES NOT WORK! All I get is static when I enable the microphone. Tried adjusting mic settings, sensitivity, etc. with NO LUCK.
c. Email settings -
I. If you make any changes to the system in any way (Video, Audio, etc.) the SMTP email then fails to communicate with the server until the unit is rebooted.
II. Emails are sent with header information showing the time using the initial time zone of the unit. In other words, it DOES NOT use the time zone selected.
d. Wireless settings -
I. wireless access points appear when searched, but I am unable to make the connection. I am not sure if this is because I use WEP security (an option to use in the software) and it's 128bit encrypted or what, but it does NOT connect to wireless. I have checked and double checked and just for fun checked again and as soon as you disconnect (reboot or not) the LAN connection, NOTHING.
c. Factory DDNS -
I. Does NOT work. When I use it in place of the public IP address, it does not resolve properly in ANY circumstance.
d. Cheap Chinese/Japanese interface -
I. This interface seriously resembles the cheap, low-quality garbage that is offered at rock bottom pricing from Japan or China products. Even the Active X install is littered with Asian writing.
II. The time should have been taken to test and troubleshoot these issues and "pretty up" the interface before rolling out this product or at the least remove the interface options that don't work with the unit.
There are no firmware updates as yet, nor is there an actual "Client" for Mobile Phones. I guess we're just left to figure that one out. I found one on the Android called "IP CAM VIEWER BASIC". You do have to set the Make to APEXIS and the model to APEXIS H SERIES and it works for viewing, however, audio and mic functionality is not recognized.
I think that's all for now... I like the camera... but I am VERY unhappy with the problems it has that SEVERELY decrease it's value to me. These are issues that should have been resolved LONG before it was offered up as this AMAZING piece of hardware by X-10.