The summary of ‘Local Control Video Doorbells – Reolink, UniFi, Amcrest, Hikvision, Dahua.’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the presenter explains that they have gathered the most popular wired doorbells that support advanced configurations like local storage, RTSP, and ONVIF compatibility. The focus is on privacy-focused security and smart home integrations. They introduce seven doorbells, from least to most expensive: Reolink 5MP PoE, Hikvision DS HD1, Reolink 5MP Wi-Fi, Amcrest AD410, Dawa VTO 2311R, UniFi G4, and UniFi G4 Pro. The video evaluates these doorbells on their effectiveness as doorbells, security cameras, and intercoms while ensuring secure local control. They discuss features such as water ingress protection, heat resistance, size, and mounting options. Additionally, the power options are highlighted, mentioning that some doorbells use existing wiring for power and Wi-Fi for data, while others have different requirements.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various doorbell options, particularly focusing on the power and alert functionalities of different models. They note that while the Ubiquiti UniFi G4 Pro doorbell typically uses existing wiring or Wi-Fi, it has an upcoming Power over Ethernet (PoE) adapter. The speaker highlights the need for a large hole if using the USB-C port with the PoE.

The video compares the ability of doorbells to use existing chimes, stating that traditional chimes work with models like the Amcrest AD410 and Hikvision DS HD1, while Reolink and Dawa PoE doorbells do not. Reolink doorbells come with external wireless chimes due to this limitation.

The speaker also explains how most doorbells can send notifications to phones if connected to their default apps and the manufacturer’s cloud. However, for better cybersecurity, they suggest using home automation systems like Home Assistant to receive alerts without internet access, sharing their struggles and successes with integrating various doorbells.

Lastly, they touch on the complexity of using these video doorbells as security cameras, indicating upcoming discussions on the topic.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the purpose of security cameras using the DORI model, which stands for Detection, Observation, Recognition, and Identification. They explain that wide-angle cameras are typically used for detection and observation, while zoomed-in, narrow-field cameras are better for recognition and identification. The focus then shifts to comparing various video doorbells, including the Unifi G4 Pro, G4 Doorbell, Hikvision DS HD1, Reolink, Amcrest 8410, and Dahua VTO. The comparison highlights their respective fields of view and suitability for identification at different distances.

During daytime testing at 20 feet, the Reolink doorbells provided the best image quality for identification, followed by the Hikvision DS HD1. The Amcrest 8410 and Dahua VTO struggled with low bitrate and resolution, respectively. The Unifi doorbells, despite having higher resolution sensors, performed poorly at 20 feet due to their wide field of view and lower effective video resolution. At closer distances of 5 feet, the Reolink doorbells again performed the best, and the Amcrest 8410 was also suitable for identification.

00:09:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker compares the video quality of various doorbell cameras, focusing on both daytime performance and nighttime performance in color and infrared modes. It is noted that at five feet distance, the UniFi G4 and G4 Pro doorbells perform better for identification, whereas the Reolink doorbells are significantly superior overall.

Nighttime performance is worse across the board, with the Reolink doorbells again performing the best under exterior lighting conditions. However, in infrared mode, the Hikvision doorbell surprisingly outperforms others despite its lower resolution. The segment also covers the ease of integrating these doorbells into the Blue Iris NVR system, noting that none were perfect but the Amcrest and Dawa VTO were the easiest to integrate. Issues with firmware and stream settings for the Reolink doorbells are highlighted, and the complexity of setting up Unifi and Hikvision doorbells in Blue Iris is discussed.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the limitations and setups of various doorbell cameras with respect to two-way audio and local network access. Many doorbells fail to support two-way audio in Blue Iris and require their specific apps, which only work securely via local networks. Firewall rules are implemented to block internet access, and VPNs enable remote home network access via cellular connections.

Specific doorbell brands and their respective apps are evaluated:
– Reolink and Dahua (using Reolink app and Dahua DMSS app) performed well with local connections.
– UniFi doorbells require the UniFi Protect app, which necessitates a UniFi Cloud login for cellular access.
– Amcrest AD410 depends on the Amcrest Cloud app and had issues with local and P2P connections, though partial success was noted with the Dahua DMSS app.
– Hikvision DS HD1 struggled with local connectivity and required unreduced internet access for the Hikvision app to function.

Special focus is given to the Dahua VTO’s two-way talk, which featured minimal audio delay and high audio quality. The Reolink doorbells also performed adequately but with notable audio delay. The UniFi G4 Pro exhibited a moderate audio delay with clear and loud audio in both directions.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the presenter tests the audio quality and delay of the G4 and G4 Pro doorbells. The G4 performed poorly, with significant audio issues despite having slightly less delay. The presenter highlights that these systems do not work over cellular due to Unify’s lack of support for local discovery through a VPN. The review concludes that the Reolink doorbell is the best choice for advanced users focused on security, privacy, and local control, thanks to its superior video quality and local connectivity. In contrast, other options like the Amcrest 8410, Hikvision DSHD1, and Dao VTO 2311 have various drawbacks, such as poor video quality or reliance on cloud connections. The UniFi doorbells also fall short due to questionable video quality and security concerns. The presenter suggests that the Reolink doorbell is worth the wait for those who ordered it and provides purchase links. The video is sponsored by Lockett, a UK home insurance provider using smart technology to offer perks and discounts.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the Locket Insider program, through which participants receive equipment like video doorbells, leak detectors, and smart water shutoff valves to test and use for home protection. The program’s goal is to validate that smart devices enhance home safety. Participants must install the smart technology and report any incidents where it prevented damage. At the program’s end, they receive a final study report and keep the provided smart devices. The presenter also thanks their Patreon supporters and encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and check links in the description for more information.