Compro IP540 Infrared IP Camera with Seedonk Technology Reviewed

Daytime Video Quality

I was not blown away by the regular “daylight” video quality offered by the IP540. The quality is roughly on par with many other VGA and megapixel webcams, though the default settings typically do dial up the saturation and contrast for some greater detail. This comes at the price of sharper edges, though.

Part of this has to do with keeping the bandwidth down to a more manageable level, so that you can have a smooth and steady video stream even if your network speeds aren’t exactly ideal. There is definitely enough deal in the context of surveillance and that’s all you ready need here.

Nighttime Video Quality

Where this camera really starts to shine is under low light and no light conditions. Upgrading from the IP70 that I reviewed some time back, the Compro IP540 boasts no fewer than twelve infrared LED lights. There are six on either side of the lens, lighting up the translucent black plastic portions. What this means, unfortunately, is that the infrared lights are very visible to the naked eye. This effectively nullifies any stealth recording in the night.

Even so, the image quality is positively astounding in even the darkest of rooms. The image that you see above is in my kitchen at midnight with all the lights in the house turned off. You can still see everything, which is a little like Paranormal Activity to be honest. The infrared light does reflect off reflective surfaces though, which can wash out the picture at times.

Closing Thoughts

There’s no doubt about it. The Compro IP540 day/night pan/tilt/zoom network camera is a very powerful and feature-rich option for people who want a relatively inexpensive way to monitor their businesses or their homes. The network connectivity is great and it’s even better than you can control the pan, tilt, and zoom remotely.

It’s a little too bad that you don’t get that level of control when using the Seedonk IM interface, since that’s what I’d be using quite a bit if I happened to be on the road. Setting up through the Compro software for remote access isn’t quite as seamless, but it is an option worth considering too. The low light and no light performance is to be commended too.

An IP camera might not make your list of home office necessities, but if you choose to get an IP camera, something like this from Compro should fit the bill at a relatively reasonable price. I see it listed at about $250, getting cheaper with volume. While it seems competitively priced with competitors, its lack of distribution at larger retailers makes it difficult to get a hold of.

Pros