Hi

I have four Reolink Argus cameras, all running FW 0825_2179_2177_22.
Each of the cameras use an 8 GB class 10 micro SD card.

I see this behavior on all cameras:
Motion detection occur, an image is captured (of what caused the motion) and video recording starts. I get an e-mail with the picture.
When I see the movie, however, I don´t see it from the beginning where the motion was detected. Instead it seems that 2-3 seconds between the time where the picture is taken and until video starts recording is lost.
Hence, I get many notifications with pictures of an object (e.g. person or cat) and then when I see the movie they contain no moving objects at all (because they have passed the camera before video recording have started). Do any of you see the same behavior?

Also, it seems that from the time motion is detected and until the image is captured it takes 1-2 seconds.
I am not very impressed about that.

Best Regards
Jens

Hi Bob

Thank you for your reply. I am aware of the way that the camera should work given that it is battery powered.
There is a huge difference between the 0,7 seconds and the situation I describe.
Also, you don´t address the fact that I get a picture send by e-mail that is not recorded on the video. I see a delay from motion detection and until video starts recording that is closer to 3 seconds than to 0,7. Is 0,7 seconds just a marketing number or does other customers actually see this kind of performance?

Best Regards
Jens

Hi Vincent

Awesome, thanks!
So you put this into a function, that is called by the webhook?

Best Regards
Jens

Cynthia - no need to ask them. The answer is "yes - we can make it, it is dirt simple". You need to ask the persons in charge of this product and have them create a story for the SW developers. But... I actually wrote a similar mail to you when you where promoting the project on Indiegogo (Reolink Argus) and got the same reply that you just gave Vincent - In one week that is exactly 3 years ago! The reply back then was similar...only the sky was the limit with regards to features. Then the camera was released and everything stopped.

Best Regards
Jens

Hi Vincent
That would be awesome, I would love a copy of that
Thanks alot!!!

Best Regards
Jens

Hi Vincent
Thank you for your reply. I think we just have to accept that Reolink do not have an interest in creating products like that. They just want to create as many new products as possible and not focus on usability...more is more I guess...
I backed the original Angus project where they promised this cloud integration... Still I have no cloud integration in Denmark...and they are announcing next version of Angus as we speak. That is Angus camera version 4 without having implemented the features scoped for version 1.
This idea of using a SMTP that calls a webhook is good. Personally I use IFTTT with integration to a mail box used for receiving mails from the cameras. Then IFTTT fires an event. But it is slow and not super reliable. Also, I fail to copy the images automatically. Imagine how cool it would be if they opened up the cameras just a little and could provide a webhook and an interface to easily get picture or video stream...oh well...

Hi Cynthia

Thank you for your reply.
I still dont think I got any answers to my questions...
I am aware of the Goole Home/Alexa integration, but I cannot say things like "Hi Google, enable motion detection for all cameras".

Imagine if you made an integration using webhooks or something Hubitat, SmartThings Home Assistant or similar could use. Then everyone could easily make a rule that would turn on light inside the house if motion outside is detected. How cool would that be? Or turn on all outside light in case motion is detected to get better footage. There are so may possibilities with devices that integrates with smart home systems.
Storing pictures and video on any server would also be nice. Some S3 compatible interface, Google Drive, you name it. Something except your closed cloud solution.
So, could you enlighten me a little more? Is any of what I have listed on your roadmap?

Thanks.
Jens

Hi

Do you have any plans to enable modern features in the Argus 2 camera?
When I backed the Reolink Argus Indiegogo project (a long time ago) you had great visions about the future and this amazing cloud service... well... Nothing yet (in Europe at least).
Also, integration with home automation is impossible (like SmartThings, Home Assistant, <insert any product name here>).
The usual argument is battery consumption which is not an argument at all... You could enable support for webhooks or similar that would not change battery usage noticeably. If battery consumption should be optimized, make the 6s wakeup cycle a parameter you can adjust so it only connects to WiFi every x seconds (just to give one example on how to improve battery life).
Also, why not enable S3, FTP or some other way of remote storage? I purchased this camera because I want to use it for surveillence if something happens while I am not home, but the value of that is zero if the thief runs with the camera. Also, it is super anoying that I need to manually turn on surveillence when I am not home. My home automation knows that, and all other devices I have will adjust to me not being home.
So: Do you have any plans to enhance the SW in a way so that Argus cameras can integrate with a modern home or should I put my cameras for sale and look elsewhere for a modern camera solution?

Best Regards
Jens Christensen

There are so many small things that Reolink could do in order for the Argus camera to be truely awesome instead of just being a camera with a motion sensor. I provided Reolink with a list of suggestions when it was still an Indiegogo project and got a standard reply - more or less phrased as your reply... They will look at it, bla., bla., bla...
Creating a modern IoT device that dont connect to anything seems like a year 2005 device in my eyes. Please dont list the argument of this being battery operated camera, that is no argument. It takes to little to call a rest service or contacting any external service that this wont affect battery life (significantly atleast). You could make a setting that will prevent the camera from connecting to Wifi every 6 seconds and instead making it a custom setting so you could choose e.g. every 30 seconds, that would help increase batterylife significantly.
But Reolink uses the argument that this is a battery operated device to avoid implementing any new features that will actually make this camera ALLOT more usable. My guess? I think they would like to create the online services themself and earn a few $$ doing so instead of integrating it with other services. The issue is just that they are way behind - and also, all companies cant greate their own closed eco system - it just dont make sense!!!
This suggestion box is a waste of time!

Have you performed an actual measurement that confirms that batteries are being drained quickly after they reach cutoff voltage?

Hi

As I write: "As the camera uses two RCR123A in series, you of course need higher voltage than a single 16650. The solution is to set the two 16650 in series."

In the camera you have two sets of two batteries in series. Following my modification, you will have one set of two batteries in series, hence getting the correct voltage.

Best Regards
Jens

Hi

When I was using four RCR123A in my cameras (rechargeable lithium batteries), I noticed, once in a while, that the cell voltage was around 1.4 V when replacing the batteries -hence the batteries are no longer safe to recharge nor use. I used the excuse that it was dirt cheap eBay batteries and throw them away.

Now, after having modified my cameras to use 16650 batteries, I use high quality Sanyo cells. One of my cameras went out of power a week ago (after having being placed a occupied place) but because I was on vacation I was unable to replace the batteries before today. They have been sitting in the camera for 5 days after the camera went "dead" due to low voltage. Now I measure the voltage and it is 1.49 V on one cell and 1.62 V on the second cell. Hence, I have to throw away these quality cells as they are well below the safe discharge voltage.

So, Reolink, are you sure that you support rechargeable batteries?

Best Regards Jens