"Broons Bane" <newsgrouper@yahoo.com> hath wroth:

>I need advice on what to buy.

Sure. Look at the manufacturers web pile at the firmware revision
history. If they have had 3 or more updates, you have a chance that
things will work. If they've never had an update, you're going to be
fighting bugs.

>I want a webcam with audio, to use for skype calls and general msn
>video messaging. I also would like it to double up as a wireless
>Internet that I can use for viewing the outside of my house through a
>window over a remote browser (with pan and tilt).

That's a bit difficult. Few webcams have remote audio that can also
support Skype or MSN Messenger. For example, how are you going to
pickup or hangup a phone call? This is normally done with the
keyboard, but there's no keyboard on the web cam. The audio and video
will also need to be redirected from the external IP source to the
computer running your IM application. I suspect it might be possible,
but looking at the settings, I don't see an easy way to do it from a
remote IP audio source. This may not be easy.

>The following device was suggested to me:
>Linksys WVC200 Wireless PTZ Internet Camera with Audio
>
>What do you reckon? Is there a better model for a similar price? Am I
>asking for too much from one device?

Dunno. I think you might want to look at:
<http://www.networkcamerareviews.com>
which has a feature matrix on most current cameras. These are IP
cameras, which includes wired network or wireless. Don't just look at
the wireless cameras as the wired ethernet cameras can be used with
the addition of a wireless client bridge radio. Hmmm... the search
tool doesn't show anything for "Skype" or "MSN Messenger". They also
have forums where your application may get answered by someone with
more experience.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558