Tech Talk with Dr Al: Video Security Doorbells – Is it really Avon calling?
- Replies 3
Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member Alan G.
We all hope to be safe in our individual castles, especially as we get older and may be the only occupant. When the doorbell rings, we need to be sure that the caller is not some ‘n’er-do-well’ engaged in nefarious activity. The purchase of a doorbell that allows us to see the caller would be a very good decision, but how much do they cost? Can you install it yourself? What features does it have? What features do I need?
Cost:
As is usual with modern technology, you shouldn’t think that every time you see something that is ‘cheap’, it lacks quality or features. Higher prices are often dictated by the greed of the manufacturer, who charges what they hope to get away with.
One of the cheapest video doorbells costs around $25.00 and has night vision capability and two-way audio. The video of the caller is sent to your smartphone by WiFi. On the other hand, you can spend up to $400 for a video doorbell that records activity in High Definition, can be run from its own rechargeable batteries, has AI (Artificial Intelligence) to determine whether the caller is human, can have a pre-determined ‘activity zone’ (where movement can be detected), has dual cameras and is compatible with Alexa. (that’s the Amazon-owned voice command system).
DIY Installation:
Wireless doorbells have been around for a very long time now. The only reason you would need to ‘get a man in’ is if you are using existing doorbell wiring to a power point or you need to run wiring from the doorbell push button to an internal buzzer or musical device, and you would rather have hidden wiring.
A video doorbell works by the camera (usually integrated with the bell-push and/or audio access microphone), sending the moving image to an SD card or your smartphone via your WiFi domestic system, assuming you have one. (Some video doorbells do not require WiFi. Check out the WUUK 2K Video Doorbell Camera from Amazon for $229.40).
Features:
Two-way communication: Depending upon the size of your home and whether it is single or two stories, a feature worth including is a two-way intercom, allowing you to talk to the visitor or delivery man.
Cameras: Once again, the size of your house may dictate the need for more than one camera at your front entrance. If you require cameras to monitor other parts of your property (eg, the backyard), you may need to consider a proper security system. Video doorbells, as covered by this article, do not generally include more than two cameras. One camera looks ‘out’ and the other looks ‘down’ to cover visitors and deliveries left. (For example, the Eufy Video Dual Cam 2k Doorbell (Battery) with Homebase 2 E8213c12 for $399). It should be noted that although it is illegal to video private areas within the home without permission, there is currently no law in Australia to prevent a neighbour from monitoring your own backyard.
PIR control: This Passive Infrared feature allows the camera on the doorbell to start recording when it detects movement in its active area, assuming video recording is included. This is an excellent security safeguard in case a delivery person has low regard for your item and simply throws it onto your doorstep while you are not at home. Cameras with this feature usually use a small SD card to record this activity, which you can view later.
Recording: Recording of video by security cameras allows the footage to be saved to a small SD card, as already stated, or to the ‘Cloud’ via your smartphone. The relatively cheap video doorbell from Temu uses this method and can apparently store ‘up to 3 days in the Cloud’. Also included is infrared night vision. At $25.48, it seems remarkably good value and well worth considering, although the 600 viewing angle seems a bit restrictive, and the recording is not High Definition.
Recommendations:
There are many websites that give a list of ‘the best video doorbells in Australia’, and most of them have diverse opinions. Check out the ‘Enway Smart Door’ camera available online only (‘50% off the original price with free shipping’!), Temu for several different very low-priced models (one of which I have already mentioned) and the SpotCam Video Doorbell 2 for $86.50, among many others from Amazon.
Final Comments:
To help in making a decision concerning video doorbells, consider the importance (to you) of night vision, a wide angle of view, recording mode and storage, quality of the video (HD, etc) and how much you are prepared to pay.
Remember, a video doorbell isn’t meant to be a security device, so it probably won’t reduce your home insurance – yet. If this is a problem, consider a home security system (not covered here but may be covered in a later article).
About the author: Having spent three years living in Australia in his youth, Alan returned to Australia in 1969 with his wife and young child. Holding a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Doctor of Science Education degree, Alan has experience in flight simulations, Einsteinian physics, and inventing an ‘eye blink’ device that allows cerebral palsy patients to communicate. He even took a turn at acting, starring in a TV advert and landing supporting and lead roles in his local dramatic society plays. His short stories have been published in WA’s The Gingin Buzz for ten years, and his novel The Magic Hourglass is a work in progress. He and his wife have a lovely life in Brisbane and regularly visit their two children in Sydney’s West. You can read Alan’s full-length bio here.
From the Editor:
Members, do you have a doorbell camera? As I live in a unit, the intercom system for the complex includes a camera, which is beyond helpful! I never enjoyed opening my front door to an unknown knocker while living in a ground-floor home. If I ever move out of apartment living, a doorbell camera is on my must-buy list.
We were only able to create this content because of the financial support of SDC Rewards members. If you'd like to see more of this (and a lot fewer ads!), please consider supporting us and signing up for SDC Rewards today—it starts at just 14 cents per day.
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member Alan G.
We all hope to be safe in our individual castles, especially as we get older and may be the only occupant. When the doorbell rings, we need to be sure that the caller is not some ‘n’er-do-well’ engaged in nefarious activity. The purchase of a doorbell that allows us to see the caller would be a very good decision, but how much do they cost? Can you install it yourself? What features does it have? What features do I need?
Cost:
As is usual with modern technology, you shouldn’t think that every time you see something that is ‘cheap’, it lacks quality or features. Higher prices are often dictated by the greed of the manufacturer, who charges what they hope to get away with.
One of the cheapest video doorbells costs around $25.00 and has night vision capability and two-way audio. The video of the caller is sent to your smartphone by WiFi. On the other hand, you can spend up to $400 for a video doorbell that records activity in High Definition, can be run from its own rechargeable batteries, has AI (Artificial Intelligence) to determine whether the caller is human, can have a pre-determined ‘activity zone’ (where movement can be detected), has dual cameras and is compatible with Alexa. (that’s the Amazon-owned voice command system).
Do you have a doorbell camera? Image Credit: Shutterstock
DIY Installation:
Wireless doorbells have been around for a very long time now. The only reason you would need to ‘get a man in’ is if you are using existing doorbell wiring to a power point or you need to run wiring from the doorbell push button to an internal buzzer or musical device, and you would rather have hidden wiring.
A video doorbell works by the camera (usually integrated with the bell-push and/or audio access microphone), sending the moving image to an SD card or your smartphone via your WiFi domestic system, assuming you have one. (Some video doorbells do not require WiFi. Check out the WUUK 2K Video Doorbell Camera from Amazon for $229.40).
Features:
Two-way communication: Depending upon the size of your home and whether it is single or two stories, a feature worth including is a two-way intercom, allowing you to talk to the visitor or delivery man.
Cameras: Once again, the size of your house may dictate the need for more than one camera at your front entrance. If you require cameras to monitor other parts of your property (eg, the backyard), you may need to consider a proper security system. Video doorbells, as covered by this article, do not generally include more than two cameras. One camera looks ‘out’ and the other looks ‘down’ to cover visitors and deliveries left. (For example, the Eufy Video Dual Cam 2k Doorbell (Battery) with Homebase 2 E8213c12 for $399). It should be noted that although it is illegal to video private areas within the home without permission, there is currently no law in Australia to prevent a neighbour from monitoring your own backyard.
PIR control: This Passive Infrared feature allows the camera on the doorbell to start recording when it detects movement in its active area, assuming video recording is included. This is an excellent security safeguard in case a delivery person has low regard for your item and simply throws it onto your doorstep while you are not at home. Cameras with this feature usually use a small SD card to record this activity, which you can view later.
Recording: Recording of video by security cameras allows the footage to be saved to a small SD card, as already stated, or to the ‘Cloud’ via your smartphone. The relatively cheap video doorbell from Temu uses this method and can apparently store ‘up to 3 days in the Cloud’. Also included is infrared night vision. At $25.48, it seems remarkably good value and well worth considering, although the 600 viewing angle seems a bit restrictive, and the recording is not High Definition.
Recommendations:
There are many websites that give a list of ‘the best video doorbells in Australia’, and most of them have diverse opinions. Check out the ‘Enway Smart Door’ camera available online only (‘50% off the original price with free shipping’!), Temu for several different very low-priced models (one of which I have already mentioned) and the SpotCam Video Doorbell 2 for $86.50, among many others from Amazon.
Final Comments:
To help in making a decision concerning video doorbells, consider the importance (to you) of night vision, a wide angle of view, recording mode and storage, quality of the video (HD, etc) and how much you are prepared to pay.
Remember, a video doorbell isn’t meant to be a security device, so it probably won’t reduce your home insurance – yet. If this is a problem, consider a home security system (not covered here but may be covered in a later article).
About the author: Having spent three years living in Australia in his youth, Alan returned to Australia in 1969 with his wife and young child. Holding a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Doctor of Science Education degree, Alan has experience in flight simulations, Einsteinian physics, and inventing an ‘eye blink’ device that allows cerebral palsy patients to communicate. He even took a turn at acting, starring in a TV advert and landing supporting and lead roles in his local dramatic society plays. His short stories have been published in WA’s The Gingin Buzz for ten years, and his novel The Magic Hourglass is a work in progress. He and his wife have a lovely life in Brisbane and regularly visit their two children in Sydney’s West. You can read Alan’s full-length bio here.
From the Editor:
Members, do you have a doorbell camera? As I live in a unit, the intercom system for the complex includes a camera, which is beyond helpful! I never enjoyed opening my front door to an unknown knocker while living in a ground-floor home. If I ever move out of apartment living, a doorbell camera is on my must-buy list.
We were only able to create this content because of the financial support of SDC Rewards members. If you'd like to see more of this (and a lot fewer ads!), please consider supporting us and signing up for SDC Rewards today—it starts at just 14 cents per day.
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