# x-10 camera **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731 "2003-05-31T05:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/1 "2003-05-31T05:40:06Z")
i was in need of a camera type setup for home security and rather liked the ads for the x-10 that pop up quite regularly everytime i change webpages. it looks like it may work fairly well, but i have 2 questions… 1. do they work? 2. how are the cameras powered if they are wireless? i would be fearful of relying upon handsomeharry’s memory to replace batteries for my personal security. thanks, handsomeharry ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/2 "2003-05-31T06:01:50Z")
Not sure about #1, but for Q #2, you have to plug them into an outlet, or buy the batter pack. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/3 "2003-05-31T14:01:26Z")
They are only wireless insofar as the transmission of the video & audio signals from the cam to the receiver. For power, they plug into transformers via fairly long & skinny wires. The wires connect with standard phono plugs (like a headphone jack) so you could get an extension. Their quality leaves much to be desired. I am looking at an image produced by one right now. Althought the area monitored is very well lit and the subjects are in close range, I can hardly tell the difference between my coworkers as they walk past the camera’s field of view. If you are getting it for home security, you’ll be able to see that somebody is there, but forget about being able to identify them. And forget about using it in anything less than fully lit conditions. Of course if you go by the pop-up ads, you can easily position the camera to get a bird’s eye view of any nearby female cleavage. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![refusal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@refusal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/refusal)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/4 "2003-05-31T14:12:45Z")
For some of your questions, you could see their [website](http://www.x10.com/), which as skaterboarder97 says, tells you they need an AC adapter or batteries. Reviews of the machine seem to be mixed: see [Tech Extreme](http://www.techextreme.com/perl/story/12054.html): “One of the first surprises was that these supposedly wireless cameras do, in fact, come with plenty of thick, black electrical wires and plugs attached.” [CNET](http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6613936-1332-20777462-1.html) is a bit more favourable but again mentions the minimal documentation. [Geek.com](http://www.geek.com/hwswrev/conel/ninja/) criticises the image quality and says it’s not as stealthy if the ads work but is otherwise positive, and praises the control system. Let us know if you see lots of scantily clad women with it. ---
**Author:** ![refusal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@refusal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/refusal)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/5 "2003-05-31T14:14:28Z")
Um, “not as stealthy if the ads work”? Looks like I need surveillance from the grammar police. “not as stealthy as the ads say” would be more comprehensible. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/6 "2003-05-31T15:09:31Z")
Please, please, _please_ don’t buy the X-10 camera. If you do, you only encourage them to make more popups. While they might, indeed, be good cameras, I’ll never buy one strictly on the basis of their choice of advertising media. Don’t be the 1% that ensures we’ll be plagued with popups for the rest of eternity. ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/7 "2003-05-31T16:51:26Z")
They work, but the quality is low. You can get a much better camera elsewhere. Also, let me just agree with **Lightnin’** in saying that buying this crappy product only encourages their annoying advertising techniques. Not quite as bad as buying from spammers, but just about. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/8 "2003-05-31T21:20:43Z")
X-10 has a whole range of products, not just this camera. You can see more at [x-10.com](http://x-10.com) LIke this one : $25 OFF PROTECTOR PLUS! X10’s most popular “do-it-yourself” security system! Combines a screaming siren, flashing lights, and personal monitoring. Control panel automatically calls 4 phone numbers that you set. Easy to expand with mutiple door/window sensors! HUGE $200 VALUE! NOW ONLY $74.99! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/9 "2003-05-31T21:57:11Z")
**handy** does, of course, own shares in the X10 company. 😉 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/x-10-camera/178731/10 "2003-06-01T01:50:49Z")
FWIW I got to use an X2 cam system made into a “helmet cam” for competitive shooting. I’m on my way out the door but am looking into building a similar system myself.