Performance (continued):
Using the mydlink app you can easily get to your video feed and settings for the device. With a live view showing you can mute the sound coming from the microphone on the camera, enable the two way audio, change the resolution from 720p to 1080p, take a snapshot or record what you see. There is also a cloud icon that when tapped will give you the option to see cloud storage or SD card footage if you have one installed. Next to that you have your settings button, here you can assign contacts, enable motion zones, microphone, night vision etc.
What is less intuitive but still easy enough to do; is setting up the camera to record on sound or motion. Normally when you set a motion zone you would be expecting the camera to use this to start recording. But with this app you need to go to automations and create the rule first. Once the trigger is set, you can then turn on outlets, set the camera to record, send push notifications, really there are endless things you can do. In my case I set this up for both sound and motion. In both cases you have the ability to adjust the sensitivity to only trigger when you want.
One thing I really appreciated about the notifications was the ability to go straight to the live feed or call my contact. This made it easier when someone came to the door, I was able to simply tap live feed and use the 2 way audio feature much faster than going through my phone to find the app, load it, get to the right screen then select 2 way audio. Such a simple thing to do, but it really makes it more user friendly.
One thing I mentioned earlier was my concern that D-Link included a threaded connection for mounting. Normally it is great to have other options, but I was concerned the size of this camera maybe too much for the magnetic mount. I was wrong. Over the course of a few weeks and several windy storms the camera hasn’t moved. At least not in a perceptible way. If I was going to nitpick though I do have one problem with the mounting of this camera and it isn’t the mounts themselves. Rather I have an issue with the wiring. While it is great to have 23 feet to find the best spot, I think the cable choice was poor. D-Link supplied the unit with an AC power adapter cable that is 13.1 feet long that terminates in the AC/DC converter to USB (seen below). Then the USB cable is only 9.8 feet. My issue is I like to hide my wiring, and you should never hide an unprotected AC line. So that means most of the wiring needs to be left exposed. My preference would have been to have a short AC line, maybe around 2-3 feet so that I can mount it near my outside outlet and leave a drip loop. Then the remaining USB cable which is much thinner and more flexible can be routed behind siding without fear of having an electrical hazard.
IP65 protection: So far I have been quite pleased with the cameras ability to tolerate a range of conditions without exhibiting any issues. In the last couple of weeks we have had warm high humidity days, a few sub freezing days, and numerous days of torrential rain. While the camera is mounted on a porch it is still fairly exposed since it is mounted to the handrail so driving rain easily hits it. Currently it has water dripping off of it and only occasionally do you see a drop on the feed. But even then it is gone before you know it. Overall I am optimistic these will stand the test of time.
