MaximumPC 2006 12

reviews Tes Ted. Reviewed. veRdic Tized

T

here are two types of webcams:
the cheap devices used for
online chats, and the expensive
models used for video surveillance.
Toshiba’s new IK-WB15A Network
Camera falls squarely in the latter cat-
egory, but it offers some features you
won’t find on products costing twice
as much.
A 1/4-inch, 630K-pixel, Fuji Super
CCD at the heart of the IK-WB15A
enables it to deliver very high-resolu-
tion streaming video—1280x960—at
7.5 frames per second, or 640x480
resolution at 30fps. Compare that to
Panasonic’s $1,400 BB-HCM311A
camera, which tops out at 12fps at
640x480 and drops to 320x240 to
achieve 30fps.
Toshiba’s cam has a long list
of other whiz-bang features, too,
including motorized pan and tilt, 2.6x
optical zoom, motion detection with
alarm, mic input/speaker output, an
SD memory-card slot, and a built-in
web server. Install Toshiba’s software
and you can monitor and control the
camera from any networked PC or
over the web.
The IK-WB15A was a breeze to
set up, and it delivered remarkable

results even in low-light conditions

(minimum illumination requirement

is just 0.18 lux). The camera is water

resistant and can be used outdoors,

but Toshiba recommends installing it

under an eave or in some other shel-

tered location.

Support for IEEE 802.3af means

you can rig the IK-WB15A in a loca-

tion where there’s no electrical outlet;

the camera can draw power over a

simple Cat-5 cable. Unfortunately,

Toshiba decided to include a conven-

tional AC power supply with this cam-

era, but not the type of “power injec-

tor” needed to take advantage of the

Ethernet feature. Fortunately, you can

pick up one of those for about $40.

—Michael Brown

Toshiba IK-WB15A

Network Camera

Open the pod-bay door, HAL

Toshiba’s

high-end

webcam is a

dead ringer for

the deranged

artificial

intelligence

in Stanley

Kubrick’s land-

mark film.

$524, http://www.toshiba.com

Toshiba ik-wb15a camera

2001: a Space odySSey

Jam-packed with features,

including power over

Ethernet and a CCD with

awesome resolution.

eyeS wide ShuT

8

Weak optical zoom; doesn’t

include an Ethernet power injector.