Implementation

The cameras work either as P2P cameras (= easy) or directly with a browser (= more complicated, dynamic DNS and port controls are required).

Using P2P is simple: all you need is a viewer software and the camera's UID, and of course an username and password. Software can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website for PC, the application for mobile phone is available from the Mobile Store.

The camera image can thus be viewed live both on both mobile phone and PC. Similarly, videos recorded by the camera can be watched and settings of all devices can be edited.

Setting up the camera is simple: connect the device to the power and the network cable to the router, and then it appears in Reolink software.

The basic settings required are:

The name of the camera

Username and password

WiFi settings

Alarm settings, sensitivity along time of day and mark areas in picture which are sensitive to motion.

Alarm sending settings.

Once the settings are made, the camera will be placed in its place of use and the settings will be modified as needed. At least the alarm settings must be tested before a suitable alarm parameters are found. And of course the settings have to be changed, for example, when the season changes, different parameters are needed for summer night than in the darkness of winter.

KUVA. Device settings.

KUVA. Image settings.

Netowrk connections: WLAN and LAN by PowerLine

The network connection of the cameras is WLAN or LAN. If the WLAN coverage is good, I use it. Otherwise, I use PowerLine adapter which offers LAN carried by power cable.

It is a good idea to choose PowerLine adapter with a power plug. Like this.

The adapter may have a LAN interface or create a WLAN. Of course, the most versatile is the adapter, which has both a LAN interface and a WLAN.

Powerline adapters are not weatherproof, so put the adapter in weatherproof case.

PICTURE. Mounting box and Reolink camera on the side of the birch. The camera is attached to the board for easy switching of shooting location. The styling of the installation has not been invested in.

Pros

The picture quality is excellent (unlike in game cameras).

The picture is live on mobile and PC.

Excellent manageability. All settings can be done remotely with the software.

Camera orientation is easy when you can use your mobile phone to live view what's on the screen.

There is no shutter release delay as the camera shoots continuously. If the alarm condition is satisfied, it stores to the memory card video, which starts 15 seconds before the alarm was triggered, and will continue for another 15 seconds.

Inexpensive compared to game cameras, the camera is priced at 100-150 euros. In addition, you need a memory card, the 64-gig will cost you about 20 euros.

Operating costs around zero. No battery replacements, no SIM expenses.

The front lens of the camera, as well as the camera as a whole, gets quite warm so water droplets and snowflakes entering the lens evaporate quickly.

Cons

Camera users electric current so you need wires. If you use PowerLine, you don't need LAN cable.

You can use Infrared lights only on winter when it is not snowing. Otherwise, the insects / snowflakes are seen in the image and they are will cause alarms.

Camera alarms are based on changes in the image and they do not have an infrared detector (PIR). Play of lights and shadows can thus cause unnecessary alarms. You may adjust the contrast of the image to minimize alarms!

The sensitivity of the WLAN circuit is not very good. If the field is poor, only low quality image quality can be used for live viewing. In addition, the connection may be broken. On the other hand, the poor field does not affect the quality of the camera's recordings, pictures and videos.

Available only in white and black, no camouflage.