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The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

arstechnica.com

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Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#61

Post by danielpal »

goldenkey wrote: post #59
case wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fwiw, a few UPS devices (for battery backup) could help out in this scenario.

This is what most security companies do if they are any good. A battery backup with cell connection. Can easily replicate it yourself using a mobile hotspot on an old phone. Along with some usb battery packs. Pretty cheap and easy to make a solution. (Under $50)

The premise is that having this on the cloud is supposed to make it easier and not require this complex setups. For instance, not needing a recording station in the house that can be stolen or a Telco chipset with an alternative power source.

If you do this on the cloud, you can call from a cloud provider and record outside the house. Nest could easily call you from Twilio after 1 minute of being disconnected and it will achieve the same.

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#62

Post by mcphage »

goldenkey wrote: post #55
wepple wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

curious to know why, I have one and really like it, but maybe I'm missing something?

I gave my experience and even provided screenshots but it appears that the above commenter downvoted me for having a conflicting opinion. Downvotes are supposed to be used for offtopic or malignant comments. I hope we can get a reply so I can see the shortcomings of dropcams -- because so far they've worked very well for me, but little do I know, maybe there are some real big issues that are just not in my regular ro…

> but it appears that the above commenter downvoted me for having a conflicting opinion

I may be mistaken, but I don't think you can downvote replies to your comments.

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#63

Post by narrowrail »

braum wrote: post #49
ubercore wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can order most of their products through Amazon Prime.

that is ideal! I guess their reseller's would not appreciate having that link listed along side their names. I understand the reseller model but it seems an ancient practice.

For products of some sophistication, OEMs still use value-added resellers (VARs) because they want to address a larger market than those that can setup Linux VMs, configure advanced firewall rules, etc. Many businesses also want some sort of local support if something goes wrong.

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#64

Post by Cshelton »

antsar wrote: post #53
braum wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What camera would you recommend for use ourdoors (full hd)? What software did you use in your diy linux setup: zoneminder, xeoma, or something else?

I use the Unifi NVR software[0] which ships with their hardware NVRs, running on a Debian VM within my home network. This works nicely with their iOS app[1]. The new UVC-G3[2] is rated for outdoor use, but appears to be preorder-only for now[3]. [0] https://www.ubnt.com/download/unifi-video/unifi-nvr [1] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unifi-video/id964967062?mt=8 [2] https://www.ubnt.com/unifi-video/unifi-video-came…

This sounds like what I need. I was going to use a r-pi to run a small server to connect other security things to outside clients, but I guess I'll just build a box running debian and load it with a bunch of storage to hold video recording.

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#65

Post by goldenkey »

mcphage wrote: post #62
goldenkey wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I gave my experience and even provided screenshots but it appears that the above commenter downvoted me for having a conflicting opinion. Downvotes are supposed to be used for offtopic or malignant comments. I hope we can get a reply so I can see the shortcomings of dropcams -- because so far they've worked very well for me, but little do I know, maybe there are some real big issues that are just not in my regular ro…

> but it appears that the above commenter downvoted me for having a conflicting opinion I may be mistaken, but I don't think you can downvote replies to your comments.

Thanks, I didn't know that, I am mistaken then. I do wonder who downvoted me for providing objective information even if it is in support of a product from a company that has gone to shit internally. I agree that the CEO who recently got dumped was a real piece of work, and that the culture in the company became toxic. But Dropcam is still decent, can't really screw something up too badly that worked well to begin with. It's still something that I find worth it because its one less thing to worry about. I love my cats and it helps me watch them when I am on vacation or away.

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#66

Post by wepple »

goldenkey wrote: post #55
wepple wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

curious to know why, I have one and really like it, but maybe I'm missing something?

I gave my experience and even provided screenshots but it appears that the above commenter downvoted me for having a conflicting opinion. Downvotes are supposed to be used for offtopic or malignant comments. I hope we can get a reply so I can see the shortcomings of dropcams -- because so far they've worked very well for me, but little do I know, maybe there are some real big issues that are just not in my regular ro…

I don't have permissions to downvote at all, I think you need a certain karma for that?

I genuinely did ask because I wanted to know. Even though my experience has been great, if there are say security problems I wasn't aware of or really poor customer service, I'd be keen to hear! (I'm considering buying more and would very much rather not if it's not that great, I'm a very new customer)

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#67

Post by awqrre »

radoslawc wrote: post #26

Magnetic mount only? Access trough cloud service? $200? Seems like something that should be marketed in TV Shop shows. Anyway I highly recommend https://zoneminder.com/ even old laptop with built in camera can be decent playground for it then buy some cheap Chinese IP cameras with WiFi and make separate VLAN for them on router cut off from internet access (some of those cameras are doing home ping back or even sendin…

Motion[0] is pretty nice too.

[0] http://www.lavrsen.dk/foswiki/bin/view/Motion/WebHome

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#69

Post by lurkinggrue »

goldenkey wrote: post #42
veidr wrote: post #13

I have the $200 old regular indoor Nest camera. It's so horrible, in more ways than I would have imagined that a camera could possibly suck, that it's completely redefined my understanding of awful. It's caused me to rethink many other purchases way outside of the category, from blenders to TVs to cars. Absolutely don't ever buy a Nest product, unless your aim is to do experimental anitmaterialism therapy.

To give a counter perspective: I have two of the old dropcams before Nest took over and released the Nestcam. The old dropcams are basically the same as the new nestcams except they lack the improved IR. They work flawlessly with Nest's new mobile apps (I have iPad and Samsung Galaxy Note 5.) Also the new web app works great as well. The web app is designed to scale on any screen, and looks a bit like it uses mobile…

My only issue is wishing I could just run a cable to it and get it to be more stable.

You know you have a problem when you have to put a wifi access point next to the camera to get it to stay online.

Re: The Nest Cam Outdoor is a $199 camera with an easy-to-install magnetic base

#70

Post by lurkinggrue »

danielpal wrote: post #56

One of the biggest issues with Nest is that they pretend to be a serious company that takes cares of your home needs (security/monitoring, fire & gas prevention and heating) but their products are toy like in that respect. However I own 3 cameras and the fire alarm. The fire alarm, is worthless, I eventually disconnected it given the large amount of false positives. Then there are the cameras. I travel a lot so wante…

Lets be serious here ... how often to people cut the power to the house?
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