Blink wireless camera

[jyl]

Thought I'd let you guys know about a very inexpensive WiFi wireless camera system. Blink camera. Google it and read up. I just installed two for $160. Additional cameras are $70. Each camera runs on 2 AA batteries. Battery life should be decent (claimed 1 year) since they only record when they detect motion or when you command a live view, but I'll probably feed them with rechargeable AAs so that I won't mind replacing batteries every couple of months (if necessary). Will let you know how they work.

[fanaudical]

Thanks - I've been looking for something like this. Any comments on setup and implementation?

[jyl]

Setup is simple.
- Download the Blink app for smartphone. Register with Blink.
- Plug in Sync Module (the base station for the cameras). It temporarily becomes a wifi access point. Connect to it with your smartphone. Tell the Sync Module which Wi-Fi network to use for your house. Give it a name or use the default name.
- Put batteries in the camera. Register camera with the Blink app, using the camera's serial number. Place camera where you want it. Use Live View to see what camera is capturing. Take a photo from the camera, that becomes the camera's "icon" in Blink app. Name the camera, e.g. "Living Room" or "Cheerleaders Locker Room" - just kidding.
- Repeat for other cameras.
- Schedule when you want the cameras to be armed, that means looking for motion. I chose 1 am to 4 am. You can also arm or disarm the cameras at any time in the Blink app.
- When camera is armed and sees motion, it takes a short (5-10 sec) video clip and alerts you via the app. You can watch the clip. At any time, you can command the camera to show a live view (more like a time lapse: not fluid full motion video). You can be away from the house, as long as the Blink system is on internet via your home wifi system and your smartphone has internet via Wi-Fi or cellular. Video is stored on Blink's servers.

There were some glitches during this process. The Sync Module had to be reset, means sticking a toothpick into the reset hole. The cameras were slow to respond to initial command. But these weren't more than brief inconveniences. Ditto the occasional slow response of a camera during operation. I think the camera is operating at such low power during standby, they take a little while to respond to commands.

All in all, it seems to work okay. The basic system with two cameras and Sync Module costs $160. Additional cameras cost $70. No monthly fee. Resolution is okay, not 4K or anything awesome. No night vision, each camera has a little light, but I disabled that as it gives the camera away. Each camera also has a bright blue warning LED when recording; I'll put tape over it, not reason to alert the cheerleaders that they are being videoed. The cameras are small (2" x 2") and white, actually not that inconspicuous, but you could disguise them or conceal them. I haven't decided where to put them, whether to cover the entrances, or to cover places where thieves would go as they search the house.

[Holger]

Sounds exactly like Netgear Arlo.
I have installed theire 3 camera system, with night vision.

http://www.arlo.com/en-us/

[dad911]

Wifi Camera made by Canary will automatically arm/disarm when you are around by sensing your phone app. I find that incredibly useful. Can also sound an alarm and tell you temp/humidity remotely.

[jyl]

I considered the Arlo too. How do you like it?

My impression is that the Blink has fewer features (not waterproof, no wired camera option, no infrared night vision, no 2 way audio, etc) than the Arlo. But it is half the price.

The thing I like about these two products, and others too, is that they aren't charging you a monthly fee for cloud storage. Unlike the Dropcam and similar.

[Holger]

I like it very much.
But as with all those completely wireless systems you have to try several locations before you find the perfect position for the camera.
Systems with wire (electricity) are a bit more powerful.

We are covering the front door, the back- and sideyard and the night vision is impressive. Fluid live view is good too, and we have a very crappy upload rate.

A bunch of settings too.

[jyl]

So do you guys think it is better to have the cameras

1. Outside house, covering the entrances
2. Inside house, covering the entrances
3. Inside house, covering rooms that burglars are likely to spend time in as they ransack your house

I'm thinking that when we go on trips, I'd leave enough lights on that cameras inside the house will have enough light, without needing nightvision. Burglars might turn off the lights, but presumably they can't turn off interior lights until after they come in the entrance. Outside, my lights aren't so bright and I worry the cameras will pick up extraneous movement.

Perhaps I will end up with cameras on each of the three entrances (mounted inside those doors), one or two cameras watching the inside of the house (pointing at stuff that burglars would likely head for), one watching my garage (from the inside?), and maybe a camera on the porch. That's seven cameras, Blink will cost $510.

[LakeCleElum]

John: That for doing my research for me. One quick question? I assume you have to be within wi-fi range at all times, so maybe 40-50 feet from your router; depending walls, etc?

I would aim one camera to capture the vehicle/license plate of any arriving suspicious persons. Maybe mount inside a window, aimed outdoors. Or well hidden to deter theft of the camera?

[jyl]

Yes, sync module needs Wi-Fi connection to your access point and cameras need Wi-Fi connection to sync module. I don't know yet what the range is, I'll post if I do some experiments.

I don't know about pointing outside. These cameras record a 10 sec clip and alert you, when they detect motion. You don't want it recording and alerting all day long as cars drive by.

A wired camera could continuously record. I see wired systems with several cameras plus DVR at Costco for $700 or so. I didn't want to deal with the installation and those cameras are too obtrusive to have inside the house (look okay outdoor), in my opinion.

[jyl]

The cameras are fairly inconspicuous, but one could do a much better job of concealing them than I've done here.

When recording, a blue LED lights up on the camera. A bit of tape should take care of that.

[jyl]

Image. Down rezzed to upload. 720p original.

[widebody911]

I read through the Blink specs, and while it seems cool, it's very limited.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by widebody911

I read through the Blink specs, and while it seems cool, it's very limited.

Yes, it is a basic, almost bare-bones, but very inexpensive system.

They have added features via software update, such as scheduled arm/disarm on June 1. I think Blink only started shipping in late 2015.

The hardware has some expandability built in. For example, the Sync Module has an Ethernet port and a USB port, and Blink says they may in future support direct connect of the Sync Module to your access point via Ethernet, and recording of video to local storage attached to the USB port. The cameras have a micro-USB port, future purpose unknown.

The blog says weatherproof outdoor cameras are coming.

[dennis in se pa]

I have 2. They serve their purpose. I think for the money they are great.

[Gogar]

That's cool how you can watch the burglars rob your house, and then you can watch the cops come an hour later to shoot your dog.

[Manda Racing]

They only stole my truck..... Police come?.... Phone it in.

[Holger]

Arlo is waterproof, we have them all three outside in the rain.
And yes, a lot of settings available.
You can set (for each) the area they should scan, how sensible they should react, how long time they should record when sensing movement, only email or email and push to app.
No LED when sharp recording, only if they are in test-mode, when you set up and check the captured area. then they blink orange when sensing movement. Great to check the placement without recording.
They have to be in the range of the controller (the cameras do not connect to your router directly), connected to the router. So, the controller can be placed in the best position as long as you can connect it to the router (LAN).

Arlo does not record or transfer sound.

[LakeCleElum]

John and Holger: Thanks again for all the advise. I have a long driveway with a game camera recording those coming and going. Would like to add a few wi-fi cameras for remote viewing and alerts.

[jyl]

My feeling is, get the Arlo so you can mount it outside, alongside the driveway. The Blink is, at present, an indoor camera or maybe under a porch roof.