FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions About Y-cams
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Technical Support
Do you have a question regarding a Y-cam camera? We have arranged a list of regularly asked questions which may assist you. If your question is not there you can ask us directly by visiting our Contact Us page.
Can I access the Y-cam when away from home?
If you have an internet router at home you can access your Y-cam from anywhere in the world using a PC or internet enabled cell phone.
Can the Y-cam be used outdoors?
All Y-cam units can be placed outdoors when used with the Y-cam Shell outdoor weatherproof housing. This protects the Y-cam from the elements and also allows the use of the infrared lighting on the Y-cam Black and Knight.
Will the Y-cam work on a Mac?
With a Mac you will be able to view live images from the Y-cam White, Black and Knight cameras and can alter most of the settings but you will not be able to receive audio or configure the motion detection settings. The Y-cam SD range of cameras are fully Mac compatible.
The bundled Multi-live recording software has been designed to be used with the Microsoft Windows operating system but an alternative application, Security Spy, is available which is designed for Mac use. The Easy setup software is available for both Windows PCs and Macs.
What is the wireless signal range of the Y-cam?
With direct line of sight the Y-cam can connect to a wireless access point at a distance of up to 250ft. Please note that this range will drop if the signal travels through walls or is used in areas with high interference. This range is also dependant on the wireless access point used.
Can I see the Y-cam on my cell phone / Blackberry / iPhone?
Yes. The Y-cam range features a dedicated cell-phone viewer which uses the 3GPP protocol. To access this enter http://my-ip-address:port/mobile. There is the option of a static JPEG image for older phones as well as 3GPP access for newer devices.
What other equipment do I need to use a Y-cam?
For initial setup an Ethernet network/crossover cable and a PC or Mac is required. However, once the Y-cam is set up all you need is a wireless router to allow access from the internet or a local PC to view footage.
How far do the infrared lights on the Y-cam Black / Knight illuminate?
The infrared lighting on the Y-cam is powerful enough to illuminate objects at a distance of up to 50ft. If you require further illumination the camera can be used with external infrared lighting.
Can the camera be powered by battery?
The Y-cam does not feature any factory-fitted method of powering the camera using batteries.
Can the Y-cam be used indoors, looking outside through a window?
During the day this should be fine. However, the infrared lighting featured on the Y-cam Knight and Black tends to reflect on glass which means that any images will be obscured by the reflection. This can be overcome by using external infrared lighting and switching the camera’s infrared lighting off.
Please also be aware that the Y-cam image sensor can be damaged by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. If pointing the camera out of a window make sure that the lens is not pointed towards the sun.
How do you record video with sound from a Y-cam?
There are a many ways that you can record video and sound from your Y-cam. Firstly, the camera has a built-in video clip recorder which can save short clips to a Windows-based computer. Alternatively, the Multi-live software is bundled with the camera which allows you to record video and audio from up to nine Y-cam cameras.