What to Look For in a Smart WiFi Camera

Smart WiFi Camera does not require any wire or cable so it is flexible enough to be installed anywhere. They also do not rely on a constant power source, which eliminates the chance that thieves might cut the cables to disrupt your surveillance.

The device connects to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network so it may not work with all wireless routers. It comes with a temperature sensor and can send you alerts on your smartphone.

Features

If you’re looking to protect your home or business with a smart security camera, you need to know what features to look for. These cameras typically use your home Wi-Fi to connect to the internet and stream footage to a mobile app that you can access from anywhere. They also sometimes record footage and send you alerts when something happens around your property.

These smart surveillance cameras are a great choice for monitoring pets, kids or the house while you’re away. Some are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, making it easier to free up your hands by controlling them through voice commands. Others are equipped with two-way audio so you can talk to whoever is in the camera’s field of vision. Some even come with a siren that you can activate to scare off intruders.

Most smart surveillance cameras are plug-and-play devices that don’t require the help of specialists to install them. They work with your existing home Wi-Fi network to connect to the internet and have an easy-to-use mobile app that you can download on your smartphone to control them. Some of them have a built-in speaker and microphone so you can hear what’s going on inside Smart WiFi Camera or outside your home, while others come with a remote power switch to give you the option of switching it off from wherever you are.

Design

The camera has a fixed lower part which houses an ethernet port for a wired connection, a reset button and slot for a micro USB cable to connect it to the mains power (EU and UK plugs are included). It also has a built-in speaker. The upper part is home to a rotating lens and a LED which shows when it is recording or active.

The app can be used to set times of the day when the camera should record or not and it also has a privacy mode that ensures the lens is covered so no footage is recorded at all. There is also a motion detection option that can be switched on or off.

Another great feature is that the camera can be connected to a smart display like an Echo Show 8 so you can see a live feed from your home or business from the TV screen. This can be handy if you want to keep an eye on what is going on when you are out of the house or office.

The dashboard for the camera allows users to be granted access at either an organization or network level and it is easy to assign rights to specific locations and cameras. The camera is also able to use cloud storage so if your business premises are broken into or damaged you can still access the video footage.

Motion Detection

Motion sensor cameras with long range detection can spot people as they walk around your house and are an effective way to deter burglars. Some models detect movement as far as 40 feet away from the camera. If you don’t want to be alerted every time someone walks past, consider a model that can distinguish between pets and humans, so you only get an alert when someone is an actual threat.

These cameras are very easy to set up and run on your own Wi-Fi network. They don’t require any complicated tweaking of your router to apply port forwarding or DDNS. They’re also easy to use, with a simple app that lets you see live video from your smartphone and control your cameras. You can also use the app to playback and capture still photos.

Some models offer the ability to store footage in the cloud, which is great for backup and retrieval. The cloud feature is also useful for ensuring that you have access to your footage even when the camera is out of power.

Some models are designed to be used as a baby monitor or hidden camera, and they include two-way audio so you can communicate with whoever is in front of the camera. This feature can also be used to check in on pets or young children while you’re at work.

Storage

There are a few different ways to store footage from a Smart WiFi Camera, with most having options for local and cloud storage. Some devices come with a microSD card slot that allows you to record up to two days worth of footage without having to sign up for a subscription plan (although this will increase the cost and limits what you can do with the device).

For some models, the camera will automatically upload any recorded videos to your account in the cloud and they’ll be available to view at any time. This can be useful if you want to keep an eye on your home at all times, and it also means that any footage captured by the camera won’t run the risk of being hacked or stolen.

If you want to save footage locally on a computer or tablet, most cameras will allow you to do so for free by installing the appropriate software. This will typically be provided by the manufacturer. This will limit what you can Smart WiFi Camera do with the camera, however, and it may not work with other smart home systems.

The Blink doorbell camera is one example of a smart security device that has the ability to record footage locally via its sync module, which can be purchased separately for PS30. This will allow you to keep up to three days of motion alert footage for free, or if you opt for the more expensive subscription plans, you’ll be able to access footage up to a month old.

Smart WiFi Cameras – Keep an Eye on Things While You’re Away

Whether you’re on holiday, popping out to get the weekly shop or waiting for a delivery smart wifi cameras let you keep an eye on things while you’re away. They are easy to set up and record sharp high-quality video when movement is detected.

The app is simple to use to live view your camera feed and access its full settings. Two-way audio lets you communicate with people at the door or warn off any unwanted guests.

Video Quality

If you’re using a WiFi camera to monitor your home or business, you want it to produce high-quality video. The days of smeary low-resolution footage have thankfully been banished from the past, with most cameras capturing at a minimum of 1080p resolution.

A good way to judge a camera’s video quality is its frame rate, which refers to how many frames it records per second. Three to five fps is acceptable for most private homes, while 15 fps will result in a video that is smooth and crisp.

Another factor to consider is how much storage space you require. Some Smart WiFi Cameras offer local storage in the form of a microSD card or USB drive, while others store footage to a cloud server. It’s worth remembering that you could end up with a monthly subscription to use the latter service. For this reason, if you can get away with it, opt for one of the former options. This will also allow you to keep your recordings secure and within your control.

Motion Detection

Having motion detection capabilities will alert you when an intruder is approaching your home, giving you time to call the police or talk to them using two-way audio. A camera that has wide angle video Smart WiFi Camera recording will also help you see who is coming before they even get close to your door.

Smart motion sensor technology helps reduce false alarms by only detecting movement that is either people or moving objects. Unlike traditional motion detectors, smart motion sensors can be adjusted to narrow the range of detection or adjust the sensitivity to avoid unwanted movements like dust blowing, birds chirping, or leaves moving on a tree.

Smart motion detection can also be combined with geofencing to automatically activate and deactivate a camera based on your location, activating it when you leave and turning it off when you are at home. This can help save battery life and reduce the number of unwanted alerts you receive from your camera. The best affordable cameras, such as those from established brands like Wyze, GE, and Amazon Blink, offer this feature.

Two-Way Audio

When a camera has two-way audio, you can listen in and communicate with whoever is around the camera. This can be useful if you want to know who is on the other side of the door before opening it, or for things like monitoring a baby monitor, nanny cams, or pet cameras.

Two-way audio can also be a big help with separation anxiety in pets who may experience it when left home alone for long periods of time while their owners are at work or running errands. By activating the two-way audio feature in a pet cam, you can talk to your indoor cat or dog, keeping them calm and happy until you get back.

One thing to keep in mind when considering a smart security camera with two-way audio is that depending on the state you live in, there may be restrictions on recording audio. This is usually based on whether the person being recorded has given their express consent to be recorded, or not. Some states only allow two-way audio if the person being recorded is a member of your household or family, or an employee of a company you are doing business with.

Scheduled Recording

Most Smart WiFi Cameras can record a video clip on a schedule – so you can be sure you’re getting the footage you want. This can also reduce the amount of space your SD card will use – allowing for longer storage times.

Some cameras can even back up 24/7 recordings to the cloud – which means if your house gets hit by a power outage, you’ll be safe knowing that the camera will still have your footage for you. Just make sure your internet connection is reliable enough to support this feature.

To set a schedule, from the Live View display click the gear icon and select Device CFG -> Configuration -> Device Schedule. A grid will appear Smart WiFi Camera with blocks representing days and hours – click and drag to adjust. You can also click beside 2 or more days to link schedules together. You can also enable or disable the Main Stream recording as required.

Cloud Storage

Many smart IP cameras offer cloud storage capabilities that enable users to save recorded images and video data without the need for local on-premises recording devices or servers. These features can save organizations significant money in terms of upfront costs, as well as monthly data subscriptions and equipment expenditures.

Typically, these cameras are plug-and-play and connect directly to a free app that users can download on their mobile phones. These apps provide users with access to a live feed, stored footage and two-way audio. They also allow users to adjust camera settings.

For example, the Geeni LOOK 1080p HD Smart Wi-Fi Camera allows homeowners to monitor their home from anywhere in the world using their smartphone. This camera includes motion detection and night vision, as well as a customizable alert system. It is available in kits, so customers can choose the number of cameras to fit their budget and space needs. Additionally, this camera has a wide angle lens and a sleek design that blends in with any room decor. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and it supports micro SD cards up to 128GB.