Foscam fi9821p review ip camera

The prestigious brand of IP cameras returns to the scene, in this case with an even more complete model than the last time: the Foscam FI9821P. Behind this name, much more convoluted than in the C1, there is a truly complete camera, with two-way audio communication and movement on both axes as great additions. The rest of the specifications are similar to those seen in the C1, with a 720p (1280 × 720) resolution sensor, infrared mode for night vision, support for WiFi 802.11n (at 2.4Ghz) and wired.

A somewhat more impressive camera, but also more professional. Let's see if it lives up.

We thank foscam for the loan of this camera to carry out its analysis.

Technical characteristics

Technical Specifications of Model FI9821P (V2) IP Camera
Image sensor	Sensor	High Definition Color CMOS Sensor
Resolution	720P (1280 x 720 Pixels 1 Megapixel), VGA, QVGA
illumination	0 Lux minimum (with built-in infrared illumination)
Controls	Brightness, contrast and light frequency control. Automatic and manual
Lenses	Lens	Crystal; IR-infrared night vision lenses; standard S-Mount thread for lens exchange. f: 2.8 mm, 75º diagonal viewing angle, 70º horizontal viewing angle
Audio	Entry	Built-in microphone
Exit	Built-in speaker
External connection	3.5 mm jack connection for microphone and external speaker option
Audio compression	PCM / G.726
Video	Video compression	H.264
Stream	Triple stream
Images / sec.	30fps max (adjustable to lower values)
Resolution	720P (1280 x 720 Pixels 1 Megapixel), VGA, QVGA
Flip image	Vertical Horizontal
Light frequency	50Hz, 60Hz or Outdoor
Infrared mode	Automatic and Manual
Video settings	Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Saturation, Sharpness
Storage	MicroSD card	MicroSD card slot up to 32GB (SDHC)
Communication	Ethernet network	10/100 Mbps RJ-45
Protocols	HTTP, FTP, TCP / IP, UDP, SMTP, DHCP, PPPoE, DDNS, UPnP, GPRS
Wifi	IEEE 802.11 b / g / n
Data rate	802.11b: 11Mbps (Max.), 802.11g: 54Mbps (Max.), 802.11n: 150 Mbps (Max.)
WPS	WPS support (WiFi connection at the push of a button)
WiFi security	WEP, WPA, WPA2 encryption
Compatible systems	OS	Windows 2000 / XP, Vista, 7, 8; MacOS, iOS, Android
Browser	IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari
Physical data	Movement	Horizontal: 300º and Vertical: 120 °
Infrared light	8 IR LEDs, Night range up to 8m
Dimensions	In mm.: 110 (L) x 115 (W) x 127 (H)
Weight	680 gr (accessories included). Single camera with antenna: 340 gr
Feeding	Feeding	DC 5V / 2.0A adapter (included). The cable measures 1.5m. 3m extension cords available
Consumption	5.5 W maximum
Environment	Temperature	0 ° ~ 40 ° C (operational) -10 ° C ~ 60 ° (storage)
Humidity	20% ~ 85% non-condensing (operational) 0% ~ 90% non-condensing (storage)

Camera setup on first use

Since in this camera we do not have the “Soft AP” button that existed in the C1, the configuration process directly by Wi-Fi is much more complicated for less experienced users. In case you want to configure this camera by WiFi, we recommend making the first configuration by connecting it by cable to a PC, to later disconnect the cable once the SSID and security have been adjusted, since having WPS activated on our router is a considerable security risk, although it is very convenient to press the button on the camera and the router to connect it to our network.

We have connected the camera by cable directly. Foscam provides a small utility to give us the IP of the cameras connected to our network, in our case it was not necessary because we have directly consulted the router's DHCP table, an option that the vast majority of routers allow and that allows us to know the addresses that have assigned to each of the devices.

Access to the camera is done directly from the address http: // IP_de_camara: 88, but the usual thing will be to see something like 192.168.1.XX. The default access data is "admin" for the user and password is blank. We must install a plugin before the application allows us to access the camera. In this case we have directly used internet explorer since we already knew that the plugin for chrome still does not work with our version.

We must also change the username and password at the first access for security.

After this we immediately access the camera menu. From here we can configure it to connect to an existing Wi-Fi network (the most common configuration) or continue using it in wired mode directly.

In this case the number of accessories is much greater than in the C1. We start with the mounting plugs, the external antenna, an adjustable foot with two torsion points and an RJ-45 cable

We also have a quick start guide, a sticker to comply with the law in the case of installing the camera in public places, such as a bar or a business, since according to the legislation of many countries, including the Spanish, the users that are being recorded. In the case of a building, there must be signs on the accesses. For more information see this link.

Next to it is the CD with the utilities and the manual, its own power supply, which in this case is not USB, and the accessories previously seen.

Back on the CD is the full instruction manual, and the printed guide only covers the basics and above. In addition, we also have the camera detection utility and plugins for all supported browsers.

The camera is the usual size in models that can be controlled remotely, with a sufficiently contained size and a circular base where the ports and the antenna are located.

Detail of one of the sides. The speakers are appreciated for the sound, and the small opening for the microphone in the front.

As for the connections it comes very well equipped, with an RJ-45 port in case you want to connect it by cable, a micro SD slot to record locally, the connection of the antenna that can be seen mounted in the rest of the photographs, and 3.5mm jack connectors in case you want to use our own audio input / output instead of those integrated in the camera.

Bottom of the camera, with the MAC address and its default settings. Normally we will not mount it directly, but we will screw the arm included in the central part

Below you can see several images of the camera with the arm mounted

Once configured, we proceed to take a look at the options available through the browser. The web interface is the same as in the C1, really complete and with all the essential options for an IP camera, including motion detection recording and options for remote access (DynDNS and UpnP system to redirect ports comfortably), and Some more that is reserved only for traditionally more expensive models, such as the light sensor to toggle between night mode with IR (in black and white) or advanced options for recording to FTP or for connecting multiple cameras using P2P.

The recording can be done either to a microSD card inserted in the camera itself, to an FTP server, or directly to our team. For the second, the user who is running the browser must have write permissions on the destination folder, so the most comfortable thing is probably to run the browser as administrator, although we do not recommend this practice, because it can have serious consequences for security, it is better specify a folder on which we have direct permissions, for example, the "Public Access" folder that most users will have created by default.

The text is entirely in Castilian, with a fairly good translation, as a small snag I will say that some texts leave their site for being longer than in English, but nothing especially annoying. This small snag is something that we already saw in the case of the C1, at the software level the differences are really minimal.

The configuration does not have great differences with the C1. We highlight the presence of the options to configure movement, we can store points and describe a route between them that the camera will take when we tell it, or permanently, for example to sweep a large area from one side to the other. The viewing angle is 75º, considerably less than the 115 of the C1, but in exchange we have the option to move it, which more than makes up for it.

In addition to the configuration menus, we have two other large tabs, one to see the video of the camera live, with the options to record and take captures. Motion controls are added to the controls seen on the C1. They are simple and responsive, and the center button returns the camera to its default position. The image quality is quite good, and we can adjust the focus manually on the camera itself. See for example perfectly legible text on the camera case

The night mode does not disappoint either, the 11 infrared leds provide more than enough illumination at short and medium distances.

Again we can explore the videos present in the microSD of the camera ordered by date

Undoubtedly a very complete software to access from any computer without installing anything other than the browser plug-in. Support is not limited to Windows, but can also be used on Mac OS and Linux.

On the foscam website you can locate the software and installation guides in Spanish for all the supported operating systems.

conclusion

This Foscam FI9821P is a truly complete model, adding the ability to remotely control camera orientation and two-way audio to the remarkable Foscam C1. We maintain the same resolution and the price is very similar, slightly higher or lower depending on the trade, very tight in both cases.

The software is as complete as Foscam has accustomed us, it works perfectly on Windows and Mac after installing the plugin, and we have an iOS / android mobile app that allows us to record on the phone in reduced quality. In short, we have an excellent 720p camera adjustable for less than € 100 in amazon.

The horizontal angle is 300º, and the vertical is 120º, giving us a wide viewing area and a very small blind angle only at the rear.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ GOOD IMAGE QUALITY	- SOME BROWSERS STILL DON'T WORK UNDER WINDOWS 10
+ POSSIBILITY OF VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL ROTATION FROM THE PC
+ TWO-WAY AUDIO
+ INFRARED MODE THAT ACTIVATES AUTOMATICALLY
+ ADJUSTED PRICE
+ VERY COMPLETE SOFTWARE AND FULL OF OPTIONS. MOBILE APP
+ OPTION TO HANG ON WALL OR CEILING

For improving the already remarkable C1 with remote control and two-way audio, all at a very reasonable price, the professional review team awards him the platinum medal

Light image quality

Dark image quality

Recording destinations

Software and extras

Price

9/10

An IP Camera with everything you need, for less than € 100