Dropcam HD – wireless security monitoring camera, view HD video in an app!
by Antonio Wells
Feb 21, 2013 1:22 PM –
Install
Dropcam is one of the easiest wireless security camera solutions on the market that allows you to receive instant alerts, view HD video, talk back, and DVR through video events right on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Price: Free App & Basic Service, $149/Camera, DVR Plans Start at $9.95/mo. – $29.95/mo.
Tested on: Dropcam HD, Samsung Galaxy S3, Nexus 7, iPad Mini
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Super easy to setup wireless security camera system!
- Simply purchase a camera and download the app, no additional equipment needed!
- Watch live video with audio and even talk back remotely through camera’s built-in speakers!
- DVR past video events and watch on your phone, tablet or online!
- Recent alerts via app or email when either motion or audio are detected!
- Live video is decent quality even over 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi!
- Includes night vision and digital zoom!
- 24/7 digital video recording!
Cons
- Android app doesn’t have as much polish as iPad version.
- All video stored in the cloud without an option to store locally if desired.
- Although video is HD spec (720p) it is not crystal clear and can be a bit choppy at times (dependent on Internet connection speed however).
- No granular controls over motion alerts.
Video Review:
Watch on Mobile | Watch in HD
Features:
The Total Solution
If you’re not familiar with IP security cameras, you must know that traditionally they tend to be difficult to setup for the uninitiated. As you need to gather a bunch of techno mumbo jumbo to get things going, however, with the introduction of the Dropcam solution… all of this jazz is out the window. In shines in the fact that it’s super easy to setup and no additional equipment needed besides a camera and the app!
When you purchase one or more of the Dropcam HD cameras ($149 each), they are a cinch to setup on your existing wireless network. The simple web-based setup process asks for your wireless network access, as you would when connecting a phone or any other device, and the software takes care of the rest.
The basic service is free for one or more cameras; basic service gives you access to live video viewing, online video sharing, event detection and alerts, but not past event DVR capabilities or the ability to save video clips. The paid subscription service starts at $9.95 per month (or $99/year) offering up to 7 days of recorded video, and goes up to $29.95 per month (or 299/year) for the pro service offering up to 30 days of recorded video. As a bonus, each of these are halved if you add more Dropcams to your setup. Learn more at Dropcam’s pricing matrix.
Purchasing camera not required to try the Dropcam app. Anyone can download the app to view public cameras to see camera picture quality.
One commonly asked question and concerns of a security solution like this is whether you can simultaneously save video locally- say to your own network attached storage… and unfortunately you cannot. You can download clips, however, it is all cloud based, encrypted and online. I personally wish the camera system had more granular controls over motion alerts. For example, turn off alerts when you/others are present or during certain time periods as you or others will likely set off the motion alarms frequently. Currently you have to turn alerts off when you do not want alerts. Please note: the cameras are use indoor only.
The Camera
The new Dropcam HD features a slick design. The camera itself can be detached from the base mount which swivels up to 180 degrees adjustment (no automatic or manual software swivel rotation). It has a very wide angle lens with night vision, built-in microphone and speakers for talking back, and micro USB port for power. The camera kit comes with a 10 foot USB power cable (please keep this in mind), charging brick and screw plate for wall mounting.
At first I questioned why there was a blue solitaire status light when the camera is on rather than being stealth, but this make perfect sense in the case of burglaries. The light makes you curious and want to look at the camera- smile you’re on candid camera. #Win for homeowner #Fail for burglar! Though you can turn this off in the settings menu of the app.
The App
Dropcam iPad vs Android
The Android app for tablets sadly does not have as much polish as iPad version. 
The version for Android tablets is the same as phones. However on an iPad, you get an experience closer to the desktop; especially in the DVR features as you can drag your finger to points of interests in the Events timeline, whereas on the Android version you simply pick from a list of events. Even the start screen on the iPad is snazzy as you are introduced to a grid (of possible multiple) cameras you can watch live video simultaneously. Gone missing in the Android version is the feature to create a video clip to download/share online.
Now that you know the differences in the iOS versus Android versions, you’ll be happy to know you still can do all other actions like; view Events, watch and talk back live, and toggle settings. Those settings allow include controlling digital zoom, toggle status light, night vision, camera rotation (flip 180 degrees), microphone volume or even shut the camera off if you desire (because it is recording 24/7).
Watch on Mobile
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Dropcam for Android Live
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Dropcam for Android Viewing Past Event
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Dropcam for Android Live Viewing in Portrait Mode
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Dropcam for Android List of Events
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Dropcam for Android Public Camera
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Dropcam for Android List of Cameras
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Dropcam for Android Screenshot in Notifications
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Dropcam for Android Settings
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Dropcam for iPad List of Cameras
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Dropcam for iPad Viewing Live
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Dropcam for iPad Events
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Dropcam for iPad Save Clip
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Dropcam on Android Tablet
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Dropcam on Android Phone
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Dropcam HD
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Dropcam HD Close-up
Usefulness:
I find Dropcam solutions to be very useful for my office needs, this may not be the case for all but the below are great use cases for getting the setup:
- If you’re seeking a simple to setup wireless security video monitoring solution.
- To monitor your home or even small business, check in on children or pets when away (remember you can speak back through the app and camera so it can be used to relay a quick message to the kiddies perhaps).
- It can be used as a baby monitor.
Ease of Use:
As mentioned, this is where the solution really shines. No complex setup, simply create an account, connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network then log in on your phone, tablet or computer to view live; anytime and from anywhere. Everything is cloud-based so no need to store the video content yourself (although some may like this option), and you can download/share up to 3 hours worth of video clips if needed.
Frequently Used:
If you install this setup, you essentially would be recording all of the time. Depending on the subscription package you have, will determine the length of days you can retrieve past events. But the freebie will at least give you access to live footage, motion/sound alerts and access public cameras.
Interface:
On the Android app, and particularly for Android tablets in comparison to the iPad, this is where the solution falls short somewhat. Yes, you can essentially perform all features with the exception of making/sharing video clips from the app, but it would be nice to have an experience that takes advantage of more screen real estate as rival counterpart.