I hate the state of society that makes me apprehensive in answering the door when someone rings the doorbell. Thieves, bad guys etc. But also salesmen, surveys, whatever. I do have a "real time" security camera but by the time I get the alert and open the app, the people I want to receive are driving away. For example, one of the few people I need to receive are the postman or other delivery people who need a signature,

With my camera, the postman is driving away by the time I figure out it's him. Then I need to drive to the post office in order to sign for the package. Or wherever the package is (usually FX / UPS will try again the next day so not too bad).

I hate the state of the affairs that lead to this behavior. Perhaps I should consider another camera system but needs to be accessible where ever I am in the house (usually w/o my phone; I don't carry my phone everywhere whan I'm home). But not sure anything will really work as needed, especially w/o some sort of account or subscription (I don't need to save videos to the cloud).

Do you have an outside light that you could install a Ring Spotlight and leave the power on so it's always hot... The newer models with full time power are reporting the activity to me faster than the older models. It of course also depends on your Upload/download speeds as far as video response.

The new Ring AI is amazing I've had alerts at night in the back yard where the light isn't active on the Ring and it knows what kind of animal it is, if it's an opossum or rabbit crossing the yard and identifies the intruder as such.

New Ring doorbell and a camera up front will notify me that "a person is in your driveway", then "Appears to be an Amazon delivery person with a package" then " They are taking a picture of the delivery" followed by they are leaving your driveway" It's creepy and fantastic at the same time.

It would tell you who what where, and you can click on live video to see who it is before opening the door.

They have some deals going on with up to 60% off but that's the older models at that level, still, some good deals and easily installed, setup and the app is good.

https://ring.com/

I have a surveillance/camera system with cameras that are wired up so they are not dependent on WiFi or the internet to function. It’s UPS backed up to so even if I lose power they work, and record, although I need the web for real time viewing.

Front door and rear of the house driveway I have Rings as HRK outlined above. Ring door bell and the Ring Flood light out back. They work lightning quick. They send a push notification and all I do is tap the notification and it brings the live camera up and I hit another button to enable the mic/speaker so I can have a conversation. So for FedEx or USPS, etc, needing a signature I can say “Hold on, I’m coming” or “I’ll be right there”. If it’s a solicitor I say “Not interested please get off my fucking property”.

The only thing with Ring is they do require a subscription. I do not like paying for additional subscription service but honestly it’s worth it. Once it’s “security” my sphincter checkbook loosens up. I have been away from the house, running errands, doctor, etc, and doorbell goes off and I can talk to whomever it is, from anywhere. As long as I have cell service.

And HRK is spot on with the AI Ring has enabled. Now it knows the difference between a cat roaming, a dog, human, the AI now detects whatever is moving and can differentiate it.

I look out the window and size them up. If they look like someone I would like to talk to I open the window and say Can I help you and take it from there.
If they are holding a clipboard I'll never answer the door.

I also look out the window to see who is ringing the door bell.
If they look like salesperson or solicitor, I'll ignore them - unless I want to entertain myself.
Then, I'll open the door with my dog (a 75 pound Pitbull) at my side. She's harmless, but a lot of the people will jump back away from the door when they see her.

Thanks - I'll check out Ring offerings and see if something will meet my requirements and needs. Big one is that I'm averse to creation of any accounts or subscriptions or cloud storage. These are deal killers for me.

I miss the days when a doorbell meant a friend or family member came over. These days, generally it's 90% otherwise (and friends / family provide advance notice). Trying to cover that 10% when I really should answer the door but currently can't predetermine when that's the case.

I'm fortunate in that my house is a high ranch (or split level depending on what part of the country you're in). Unexpected doorbell ringer gets viewed and screened through the upstairs window before I ever go near the door.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks - I'll check out Ring offerings and see if something will meet my requirements and needs. Big one is that I'm averse to creation of any accounts or subscriptions or cloud storage. These are deal killers for me.

I was the same. My cameras and DVR are all hardwired so no WiFi needed. No cloud. All cameras record 24/7 but save locally to the DVR’s hard drive so nobody external can view it. And it’s hidden in the house somewhere thieves couldn’t find it if they tried.

What reversed my stance is the Ring stuff has a mic and a speaker. So I can listen to their asses, and if I feel so inclined I can bitch at them through the speaker. So that subscription was worth it to me just to be able to tell them no, and GTFO! And if they don’t it’s all recorded. Them talking, me talking, all of it. So if they ignore my instructions I can criminally trespass them.

Thanks for sharing. Still averse but let me reconsider.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks for sharing. Still averse but let me reconsider.

It’s just another tool, and effective. Not the devil…

I went a simpler way. I had a peephole installed. It even works in a power outage. Yes, it can be covered from outside, in which case the door doesn't open.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks for sharing. Still averse but let me reconsider.

You don't have to pay anything but it won't keep recordings, and you won't get the smart notifications, just that something is happening vs. Man walking across the lawn notices.

I have the Multi-Cam plan, gives me everything needed for 6 cameras.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
And HRK is spot on with the AI Ring has enabled. Now it knows the difference between a cat roaming, a dog, human, the AI now detects whatever is moving and can differentiate it.

Yes the AI is amazing, this morning I got a notice that a squirrel was walking across the back yard, no word yet if Moose was going to be in the yard soon...

I wish it was 1950 sometimes, too.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
I wish it was 1950 sometimes, too.

Life was so much easier.