Posts made by md

I don't know how compatible other brand cams are with Reolink. From comments I've read it seems a lot are not. Some brands use proprietary software making it difficult to mix/match. I know with Blue Iris you can use various brands cameras with ONVIF. On Reolink Reddit forum it's been announced Reolink is developing a doorbell camera, they asked for recommendations about the features. I'm guessing it won't be available for six months or a year, but I don't know how far along they are with it. I want one for sure.

I have an E1 Outdoor. I like it. But it sometimes does the same thing, follows someone til they are at the end of the view area and stays there, won't go back to where it was. Likely a glitch in the firmware which they will fix.

Thanks Cynthia. I'm sorry but I'm confused. So if the Argus 3 Pro senses motion and begins recording it will save several seconds of video from before it detected motion?

Hello,
Does the Argus 3 Pro buffer/save several seconds of video before it detects motion like your POE cams and E1 Outdoor with person vehicle detection?

Hello family,
Thanks. I also found out about the need to change firmware on the E1 Outdoor on Reddit Reolink forum to get auto tracking. I assume Reolink it working to improve auto tracking. The E1 OD auto tracks horizontally but not vertically. It works pretty good following someone walking across my sidewalk. But it can't follow someone coming from the sidewalk toward the front door. I assume the 823A can auto track both horizontally and vertically.

Sorry I don't know about the RTSP and third party NVR. I don't own an NVR. Try the Reddit Reolink forum.

Still waiting for Reolink to respond to my questions. Maybe support staff does not know much about the details of new cameras being released.

I really like Reolink cameras. The day time clarity is well known and appreciated. The app is very good. I've had great customer support with having to return a camera. It was damaged in shippment, not Reolink's fault. Reolink replaced it promptly. However, it seems Reolink should better train their support staff, especially about new releases.

Hello Cynthia,
I already sent an email to support. Reolink advertized the E1 Outdoor would have auto (motion) tracking. I copied and pasted this January announcement and still have it. I also copied and saved a support page by Quinn showing how to turn on auto tracking in the app. But it seems this feature has been withdrawn. Maybe Reolink wants to work out the problems before adding it back to the firmware? There would be much less confusion and frustration with users if Reolink ANNOUNCED changes to firmware promptly, especially with a new product. I think some of the Reolink support staff is not being informed about firmware changes.

On the Reddit Reolink forum, a user showed me how to change firmware to get motion tracking. I had to download an old E1 Outdoor version, then use the Windows client to get another version that had motion tracking. It tracks horizontal but not vertical. Reolink did not explain this to users.

Reolink, please be better at informing users about firmware changes. Auto tracking is a BIG feature that some other brands have. Reolink needs to be more open and honest with users, don't promote a function then take it away unless you TELL users you are doing this. Then let users know if you are improving auto tracking and will release it in a future update.

Reolink is really being aggressive in making new cameras with better resolution and functions. Some brands only release new cams every two/three years. I know customers want more sooner. But maybe Reolink should slow down just a bit with new releases and get them right before releasing.

I really like Reolink cameras. But Reolink needs to do better communicating with customers. I posted a question on this site about the 823A several days ago. Nobody from Reolink has responded. Seems there's a disconnect between corporate headquarters and customer support staff with new products.

1. Can the 823A auto track both horizontal and vertical?

2. Can the lense point straight down underneath itself?

I want to mount a PTZ cam directly above the sidewalk on the corner of my garage and track someone walking up the driveway going under the camera to the front door.

1. I thought E1 Outdoor had auto tracking. I just bought and installed an E1 Outdoor but cannot find this feature in my Android app. Is there a firmware update?

2. I also just bought and installed a 811A. I cannot find exposure and dynamic settings? Is there update firmware for this?

I ordered an E1 Outdoor, low voltage powered, ethernet cable no POE. I understand using the ethernet cable for an NVR. I currently do not have an NVR. I record to SD cards. I have ethernet cables plugged into a POE switch for my 810A cams. Would there be any benefit to use the E1 Outdoor ethernet plugged into the POE switch? I'm thinking there might be a little less latency, it could respond a bit faster, the E1 Outdoor would be directly wired to the router rather than operating just Wi-Fi?

Thanks doucettea. I knew there were previous posts. I wanted to add my comments as well. The more customers urging Reolink the better.

I thought of another desired feature. Have the doorbell camera work with homeowner's exisiting digital or mechanical chimes?

This site would not let me edit my prior post, meant to say Nobody makes a perfect camera with all features everybody wants. Another nice feature would be preview snapshots...

I hope Reolink releases a doorbell cam soon. Reolink will gain market share when they release a doorbell cam. Reolink knows what the competition is selling. Here's my wish list for doorbell cam.
2K or more
140-160 field of view, 1x1 aspect ratio so you can see packages on porch
human, vehicle, package detection
SD card slot in back
power options wired or battery
WDR for light/shadow contrast
color night vison with spotlight
two way talk
all functions controlled by phone app, computer, NVR

Nobody makes a perfect camera is all features everybody wants. But if Reolink gets this right they will have a hit.

mdunning again. I'm not a tech guy. I do want to learn more. I was curious so I went to YouTube. There's several videos about connecting some Reolink cameras to Synology and also comparing Synology to Blue Iris. The Synology site claims to support many IP camera brands. If a person had a Synology diskstation, the cameras could record to it and I assume no need to have an NVR also? This is too advanced for me, sorry that I couldn't help. I'll stick with my Reolink cameras and their easy to use app.

Most brands are proprietary, their cameras and NVRs work fine together but not with other brands products, kinda like hoping Ford's engine control software will work in a Chevy. It's wise to research the capabilities and limitations of brands before buying. Cameras need to be RSTP and ONVIF capable for them to work with other brands. Contact Reolink support for more info about their NVR firmware. It's much more expensive and more difficult to learn, but using a program like Blue Iris, a POE switch and a powerful PC gives the most flexibility to use various brands cameras. I don't have or want such a system. I'm happy with the simplicity and the function of my Reolink cameras.

That would be a good feature to have. Otherwise I think it's wise to have two systems, POE NVR or POE recording to card AND have a few wifi battery cams that can record when power is out to card and can also be seen on Amazon or Google screens. The front and back doors are my priorities for this double coverage.

It would be good customer service for a business to say "this product is currently delayed for xx months or so." I have a few Blink cameras. They had announced more firmware features which they never did after Amazon bought them out.

Adding to my last comment, my step-father and next door neighbor both died of Covid. Waiting for new cams is a little frustrating, but not that important. My current cams are working so I'm covered.

There have been delays in lots of things these days, blame Covid, supply chain. In the last year I've tried to buy a couch, freezer, webcam, all not in stock locally and on back order. You probably saw in the news there's been a shortage of semiconductors, computer chips. But things are getting better. The E1 Outdoor had some trial users and I heard a few issues, one YouTube reviewer got water in his E1 Outdoor lens after rain. I want to buy a couple, but I'd rather Reolink take time and get it right than release it too soon then have customer camera problems. One of tha worst releases was in 2019, Arlo released their Ultra 4K. It was so bad they were pulled from the shelves, recalled til they fixed the bugs. Not good for brand name. I'm waiting for the Reolink 811A and the coming Reolink Duo. I'd like them now but will just have to wait.