Reolink – For Those Who Enjoy Paying for Frustration

[mgolczak_455919485563133]

I made the bold decision to upgrade my security system using Reolink products, lured in by the promise of “mid-class reliable” performance. What I got instead was a crash course in disappointment.
First up: the E1 Outdoor camera. It lasted a heroic two years before the PTZ and focus mechanisms decided to retire early. When I reached out to support, I was gently reminded that the warranty had expired—because apparently, two years is the expected lifespan for a “premium” product. Silly me for assuming durability was part of the deal.
Despite this, I gave Reolink a second chance. I needed three cameras and opted for the Duo models, reassured by presales that they supported RTSP and ONVIF. I trusted their expertise. That was cute.
One camera arrived without a mounting bracket. I asked for one. The solution? Replace the entire camera. Because sending a bracket is clearly a logistical impossibility. With installers already booked, I had to either cancel or pay extra to improvise a bracket. Not exactly the seamless experience I was hoping for.
After installation, I discovered that RTSP support was more theoretical than functional. Turns out, it’s not fully implemented and doesn’t work with most professional systems. Support’s advice? “Just use our app.” Because when I said I wanted integration, what I really meant was “Please give me another proprietary app with limited functionality.”
After weeks of back-and-forth emails and a generous 10% discount offer (how thoughtful), I replaced the cameras with professional-grade equipment. Out of curiosity, I ran a packet analysis using Wireshark. Let’s just say the RTSP implementation was... creative. It’s unclear whether their engineers have ever actually used RTSP in a real-world scenario.
Summary:

• Build quality that aspires to mediocrity.
• Support that’s more “good luck” than “how can we help?”
• Features that exist mostly in marketing materials.
• A user experience that teaches patience—whether you want it or not.

If you're looking for a security system that delivers confusion, delays, and unmet expectations, Reolink might be just what you're after.

[KimchiGUN]

@mgolczak_455919485563133

I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but you bought one of the cheapest cams they sell and complained about "mid-class reliable" and "premium" product? Bruh!

They were nice enough to go the extra mile for you. Your assessment/review is way off base. You bought one of the cheapest cams they have and EXPECTED more than what you paid for.

[joseph_1979]

@mgolczak_455919485563133 The first generation E1 OD had a problem whereby it used to deviate from its guard position after a number of tracking. But this issue has been solved in the E1 OD Pro which I have now for nearly two years. Never encountered any issue and this is exposed to rain and sun.

I also have the battery WIFI DUO 2 model and once again I never run into problems. I integrated them with the Home Hub Pro (HHP) and forgotten. Note that one needs the HHB to integrate battery cams with the Home Assistant (HA). Reolink units integrate with HA using ONVIF (standard) and RSTP (protocol). I did capture Wireshark traces when connecting to VLC (RTSP) and HA and didn't see any issue. Perhaps you can indicate what issue you are encountering?

I never came across any official Reolink statement of compliance for these standards; instead, compliance is indicated by the camera's technical specifications and its ability to use standard ONVIF and RTSP URLs with third-party software. This is merely the same with other suppliers.

I am not an employee of Reolink or being paid and I am totally neutral in my comments. Your comments don't reflect the state of Reolink products. If your expectations are relatively high then opt for a high end costly ecosystem.

[mgolczak_455919485563133]

@kimchigun
Oh, you’re absolutely right.
I should’ve bowed down to the gospel of “mid-class reliable” Chinese products—clearly not globalised, just selectively superior. After all, they’re only five times more expensive than the bargain-bin miracles on AliExpress. That kind of pricing screams quality, doesn’t it?
I bought those so-called “reliable” gems for the piggery, naturally. Because when it comes to monitoring livestock, nothing says cutting-edge like a camera that might spontaneously reboot during a thunderstorm. Meanwhile, the rest of my household enjoys a Bosch 3000/8000 system—where things actually work.
Naturally, Bosch hasn’t bothered with a WiFi system, which makes perfect sense, considering WiFi is about as secure as a screen door on a submarine and drops signal if someone sneezes too hard. But for a piggery? It’s good enough. The pigs aren’t filing tax returns

[mgolczak_455919485563133]

@kimchigun
Oh, how delightful.
You’ve never come across any official Reolink commentary? How quaint. Perhaps take a leisurely stroll through their FAQ section, where they generously outline how to coax RTSP into semi-functionality—assuming you enjoy the thrill of watching VLC load a single frame and call it a day.
To save you the scavenger hunt, here’s the greatest hits of RTSP dysfunction:
Common RTSP Issues with Reolink Cameras
• Freezing or stuttering during playback
• Pixelation or lag in preview windows
• Audio-video desync
• Dropped connections with multiple clients
• VLC is showing one lonely frame, especially on the main stream
Now, as for the E1 “improvements”—should I be grateful that they’ve finally patched a product I already paid for? Should I celebrate by throwing another few hundred dollars at their R&D team so they can learn how to fix their own mistakes? No thanks. I’m not here to bankroll their trial-and-error phase.
I chose the Duo series for a reason: no moving parts. Simpler design. Fewer excuses. But as I’ve said—repeatedly, for those keeping score—I paid for a product that should work out of the box. Not one that requires a minor in network voodoo and a major in protocol archaeology.
And yes, I know networks. I know protocol architecture. That’s precisely why I wasted several charming hours dissecting Wireshark dumps, trying to determine whether Reolink’s R&D team is running an experimental theatre troupe or just improvising. Don’t ask me to explain the mess—I bill by the hour, and my time isn’t cheap. If you’re curious, crack open RFC 2326 and RFC 7826. Especially the latter. It’s all there—assuming you prefer actual standards over marketing fiction.
I’m thrilled Home Assistant works for you. Truly. But I’m not about to spend my evenings wrestling with a glorified science fair project. And let’s be clear: I’ve never—not once—considered HA a serious security solution. Why? Do your own research.
So to anyone convinced they can integrate Reolink with a commercial-grade security system: think again. If your idea of “good enough” involves duct-taping HA, Tuya, and iSpy together, I suggest you go all in—rip out your locks, disable your alarms, and leave the front door wide open. Maybe hang a sign that says “Help Yourself.”

[joseph_1979]

@mgolczak_455919485563133 I am speaking from my experience in using Reolink products. I did have other brands but for me this is the best from what I had. Nothing is perfect in this world. If you want a highly professional system then pay for it. If you think what you bought is not to your expectation then you didn't do your homework correctly.

[mgolczak_455919485563133]

@joseph_1979 Well, this will be my final post on the matter—because clearly, I’ve exhausted my quota of optimism and misplaced trust. First off, thank you ever so much for your thorough and professional assessment. Truly enlightening.
You're absolutely right: I clearly skipped the part where I was supposed to do my homework. Silly me, thinking I could just ask Reolink’s sales experts a basic question like, “Does your product support RTSP/ONVIF protocols?” and expect a straight answer. I mean, who wouldn’t trust in the professional ethics of a company selling surveillance gear, right? Definitely not the usual Shenzhen-grade smoke and mirrors. Though, let’s be honest—if I had asked for certified test results from Fortra, TÜV SÜD, Intertek, or MET Labs, I’d probably still be waiting... with a telescope.
Then there’s the dozen queries I sent—each one met with a confident “Yes!” Because of course it supports everything under the sun. Except, well, that one tiny detail about IP (IEC 60529) compliance. That one got the silent treatment. Must’ve been lost in the Bermuda Triangle of customer support.
And yes, I should’ve verified the RTSP protocol implementation, but that’s a bit tricky when you don’t actually have the product in hand. Minor detail, right?
Also, yes—I could’ve gone for professional-grade equipment. But I wasn’t shopping for a Sony or Bosch masterpiece. I just wanted something mid-tier, something that didn’t scream “Shenzhen fertiliser tech.” I naively assumed that paying five times more might actually get me five times the quality. What a charming delusion.
Oh, and of course—I should’ve read your post about Reolink’s product quality, especially your glowing remarks about the E1 model. That would’ve been wise. But alas, wisdom came late.
Although I’m not exactly the president of the “Online Forums Fan Club” (shocking, I know), I made a rare appearance just to do my civic duty—warning others before they, too, end up with a glittery box of disappointment disguised as tech. You're welcome, humanity.
So, in the spirit of public service, I’ve shared my previous post with potential buyers, urging them to steer clear of Reolink products. Not out of spite—just trying to save them a little money, a lot of time, and a mountain of frustration.