Hi, all.

I have read over all of the threads on this subject in the recent past, but I didn't see threads started from this specific perspective, so here goes...

We are looking to install our first video doorbell for added home security. We currently have a home alarm system professionally installed 10 years ago. We consulted with the same company about adding a multi-camera video monitoring and alert system and the cost was over $4000. So needless to say, we'd like to stick our toes into this world for a much lower cost. I've been doing a lot of research online about the various commercial options: Ring, Eufy, Arlo, Nest, Blink, Amcrest, etc. There are so many options and features it's hard to find the "best of what I need".

I'm looking for a basic video doorbell with the following:

Easy install
Hard-wired to existing doorbell wiring and chime
Two-way comms
Good motion detection
Great video quality
Local video storage (no cloud or subscription)
Fast notifications to smart phone
Ability to play back and review perhaps 30 days of video on my phone and desktop PC
No connection to any "neighbors" app
Ability to work in direct sunlight with no shade pretty much all day every day It faces south.

Less important features:

Ability to expand to additional cameras/features in the future
Selectable areas of motion detection

I'm open to all options at this point, including hiring a pro for a solid setup. Budget would be about $250-$500 max. I tend to be a buy once cry once type, but I'm also open to starting basic and learning. Thank you for your time.

Chris

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris17404,

We have the Ring Doorbell, and it's the battery version since we do not have a hard wired doorbell in the house a it was built with an intercom system doorbell.

The Ring works well, I get notifications to the phone fairly quickly, there are some times when pulling up live video has a delay, all these systems push video up to a cloud server and you are accessing it on the phone/ipad from the cloud.

Motion zone setup as well as other setup is straight forward, you can block out areas where you don't want motion alerts such as a street where you'd be alerted everytime a car drives past.

You need good wifi signal for the unit to work as intended where installed, so check the signal strength in that area of your wifi.

If you get the Doorbell Elite you can run hard wire internet to that and you'll have faster connectivity and zero wifi issues.

If you are thinking of wireless cameras outside, then you probably want to get the doorbell that is in the same company ie All Ring devices, or all Blink so you have one account for online storage fees.

We have Blink and Ring, so two annual storage fees for videos. Without the account you won't have older videos to see and can only see the live event.

https://ring.com/doorbell-cameras

why doorbell and not a turret camera above the door? <--- this is what I chose to do. If you choose wisely you can get Two-way comms. But you are relying on motion detection to know someone is at your door since it probably won't know about someone pressing your doorbell button.

That said, the only doorbell cams I would consider is a Reolink doorbell cam if wired with Cat5e or better; or the Amcrest. Both have Two-way comms.

But, I think the Amcrest is wifi only, which would mean I would avoid it since I hate all high resolution cameras that are wi-fi, without exception

You need an NVR or I think some of the models take a micro SD card. been a while since I've shopped for these.

If I didn't say it before, , I hate wifi security cams. Especially as you get to higher resolutions and frame rates. They are a non-starter for me. Too many dropouts and other issues.

If you have ADT for your security, they use Google devices for their cameras. $4,000 is pretty steep just to add cameras.

I'm blocked by your request that you don't want cloud storage but local storage so that stops my Google doorbell recommendation. The cloud storage is only for a month unless you want to pay for longer. With local storage, the drive could be stolen as well. At least with cloud storage, the police can see who hit you over the head with a hammer, at least, that's what I told my wife.

Almost all of them work as advertised.

The main differentiator is the need to subscribe for storage or not.

Two players you haven't mentioned are Wyze and TP-Link.

Wyze is a discount brand, their cameras are great for the money. I have not used their doorbells yet.

I have my smart house light switches almost all TP-link/kasa.

They have come out with a doorbell also.

I have a couple of Amazon doorbells as an early adapter.

My house is Amazon/TP-Link/Honeywell.

They all work with Alexa.

I would think about long-term about which ecosystem you want to join.

I am Amazon, there is Google and Apple.

All of these companies sell your data in one form or another.

My attitude is I am one customer in millions.

Password complexity and single usage will block most of the silliness.

I bought a Eufy last Black Friday for $60. It was so I could just check out how it works without having a subscription. Super easy install and the app works pretty well. It has all of the features you listed and for the price is an easy entry. You will get much better video from a dedicated cam.

Cheers~

Ask about lag time.

We have a Ring that is 9 or ten seconds behind real time.

A couple of digital brainiacs
Said that it's normal,
But four other "normal" people say almost no lag time on their rings.

Ring doorbell. Have had one for years and no complaints. You get the video and you can talk to the person at the door over the Ring doorbell.

No lag time at our house/doorbell

Ring always has sales
Home Depot
Amazon (I think Amazon bought Ring)

Good luck

Ring door bell here which is hardwired. Also a mix of hardwired/battery powered cameras around the house eg 360 coverage.

Wait until BF deals, ring usually has sales if you choose that brand.

Thank you for the replies so far. Appreciate it. One key thing… this doorbell camera will be in direct sunlight with no shade pretty much all day every day. It faces south. How do these doorbells handle direct sunlight and high heat like that? Any better than others? Thanks.

We used Nest products for a number of years at our last house. While they worked fine, I did not enjoy being tied to cloud/subscription services and fees. We moved and I researched the other options. I bought the Eufy cameras with the local storage hard drive. Couldn’t be happier overall.

Ring works great for me. Doorbell camera, driveway camera, two back yard cameras, garage camera. One backyard camera is in direct sunlight all day, no issues with the video or the unit.

I have Wyze at home and my small business and like it.
Self installed and setup. The instructions take a bit of learning but also have phone help.

Three years in a row ,
Costco had had rings on sale after Thanksgiving .

I have used a NEST doorbell camera for the last three years. I chose NEST as I already had some of their cameras. The installation was mostly easy and the doorbell camera has been reliable. The NESY App has bee suitable for my needs and covers smoke detectors, thermostats, and cameras.

One topic I struggled with when using a prior doorbell camera of a different brand was the transformer.

I have not seen it mentioned here, but these doorbell cameras have a minimum operating voltage / amperage. Many older hardwired doorbells have a transformer that is insufficient to operate the newer cameras (my issue). After struggling with identifying the issue, I found this to be my problem. I ordered a new, more powerful Transformer, from Amazon, installed it and it solved my problem. Before installing a new doorbell camera check the operating specifications and then check your transformer to ensure it is up to the job.

Good luck with the install.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
Wyze is a discount brand, their cameras are great for the money. I have not used their doorbells yet.

Wyze has a new version of its doorbell coming out this week. My team will be evaluating one.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
Wyze is a discount brand, their cameras are great for the money. I have not used their doorbells yet.

Wyze has a new version of its doorbell coming out this week. My team will be evaluating one.

Will they be evaluating the security risks as well?

Nobody on this forum has any business having a Wyze camera on their network...

AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Saying, "Oh, they fixed those issues" is not a defense. Any company that waits for long periods of time before they even notify users has issues.

https://www.bitdefender.com/fi...-creat5991-en-EN.pdf

https://www.consumerreports.or...3-years-a3726294358/

The first vulnerability allows hackers to bypass the account log-in process and access users’ cameras.

The second allows hackers to run their own software code on exposed cameras.

And the third allows hackers to access saved footage on cameras that use an SD card.

The doorbells I've kinda narrowed it down to are:

Amcrest AD410
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd gen)
Google Nest Wired Doorbell

I have been researching the new Google Nest Wired Doorbell. It looks like a well-rounded package. The only thing that really concerns me is the reported "cool down" time between notifications. Supposedly notifications can only be sent 5-10 minutes apart. So if someone drops off a package at time X, and someone comes to steal it at time X+3mins you will not get notified at all. Any experience with that?

I just installed a Ring wired doorbell on our front door. It was easy to install with no issues. The view is very good.

I also installed a wired Ring outdoor camera covering our back yard. I don't have it set up for all alerts or motion as we get lots of critters in our backyard. It will alert if a person comes into view.

So far, I like the system.

Well, in a complete 180 degree turn of events, I decided to purchase the Ring Pro 2. It'll be here tomorrow. After watching many YouTube videos (some multiple times) and reading online reviews (including multiple here on SigForum), it seemed clear that the Ring Pro 2 is a proven solution with a good track record with fewest downsides for me. I can also completely disable the neighbors app functionality if I wish. I'll report back how things are going once it's up and running.

Thank you all for your feedback. I appreciate it.