Swann 4K Thermal Sensing Security Camera Review: Needs Work
Swann 4K Ultra HD Dome IP Security Camera with Thermal Sensing NHD-888MSD
"It has excellent monitoring, but the software and user interface could use some tweaking."
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Incredibly high resolution
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Clear audio amplification
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Thermal detection reduces false alarms
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Face recognition gives you a better idea of who is in your home
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Installation can be a little tricky
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No siren
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Voice assistant support cannot be easily set up
Home surveillance cameras are the first line of defense in a security system, but many act as stand-alone systems. It only takes a few cameras to cover the front and back doors of a house, but a more comprehensive security system requires more than just a few cameras. Swann's new camera kit is the ideal choice for this – the included network video recorder (NVR) stores footage and allows you to view the feeds of all your cameras in a single location, usually a television or external display. Up to eight cameras can be connected at the same time.
Swann sent me an NVR and one of the new 4K Thermal Sensing Security Cameras (PRO-888MSD) to test. The Swann 4K Security Camera with Thermal Imaging is packed with powerful security features, including several that I have never seen in a security camera before.
Installation and setup: just a bit of confusion
Many smart cameras market themselves as "plug and play". Aside from tapping a few icons on your phone, there is not much involved in setting up the cameras. This quick and easy process is very attractive, but the Swann 4K Security Camera with Thermal Imaging Sensor doesn't offer anything. While it wasn't difficult to set up, incomprehensible instructions led to confusion before realizing I should look for a QR code on the NVR rather than the camera itself.
The whole process involved downloading the Swann app, registering an account, and then adding a device. It can be powered independently, but my kit did not include a power cord for the camera; Instead, it works via Power over Ethernet or POE. To do this, I had to power the NVR, connect it to my router via ethernet, and then connect the 4K dome security camera via a secondary ethernet cable that was included. Any ethernet cable will work, but there are advantages to using the included cable – it's one of the longest ethernet cables I've seen.
The NVR contains a mouse, which I found strange. To set up, the NVR must be connected to a monitor or television and set up using an on-screen keyboard. You need to create a password and username before you can sync your device using the mobile app.
Again, not difficult, but the instructions weren't clear so it took longer than expected for the system to work. But when the time came, it started without any problems.
Features: Few false positives
The features of the 4K Dome Security Camera stand out from comparable surveillance cameras.
There are three basic modes: Home, Night, and Away. Everyone has different attitudes that best suit their current needs. For example, Home Mode typically disables indoor cameras and sets outdoor cameras to detect moderate movement. The night mode sets the sensitivity for outside cameras to a higher level and activates inside cameras in unoccupied areas. Away mode arm each camera and set the sensitivity level to a medium to high setting. However, you can also configure any of these modes to best suit your preferences.
You can also activate do not disturb mode in the app. This means that your cameras will continue to register activity, but you will not receive any push notifications. The app also informs you about possible service problems. When I swapped an Ethernet cable for a longer one, the app notified me that a camera had gone offline for two minutes.
Advanced settings include face recognition with personalized alerts based on who the camera sees. You will also get fewer false positives thanks to Swann's True Detect system. The Swann 4K Thermal Security Camera uses thermal imaging cameras to provide more reliable alerts rather than relying solely on motion.
Performance: High quality footage
The Swann 4K surveillance camera with thermal image recognition works excellently both indoors and outdoors. The camera was developed with durability and weather in mind and has a weather protection rating of IP66. It can withstand most outdoor conditions with no problems, while the built-in night vision provides visibility of up to 60 meters as long as the ambient light is present.
The technical details aren't too shabby either. With a 93-degree field of view, a built-in high-gain microphone, and easy mounting options, the 4K dome security camera is a solid addition to any home security system. The quality of the video footage is fantastic too, displaying the footage in near real time with minimal lag. Even when viewing the clips on a 1080p monitor, you will be spoiled with clear details. If there's a reason to buy this camera, it's great video quality.
The sound is also great – it picked up sounds that other cameras wouldn't have. In fact, it could pick up the sound of me typing from 9 meters away.
Software: your basic functions
The Swann app gives you an excellent overview of the activities in your home and the possibility to check the live stream of your camera. You can change the arming mode, check notifications, and play activity alerts throughout the day.
In addition, the functionality is rather sober. Although you can integrate the Swann 4K Thermal Sensing Security Camera with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, you don't do that through the app. Instead, you must first download the Alexa Skill or set up the device in your Google Home app before any of the intelligent assistants will detect the presence of the camera. After that, all you have to do is ask the assistant to stream the feed to your display.
Our opinion
The Swann 4K Thermal Sensing Security Camera is a rugged, powerful surveillance camera, but it leaves out many functions that have become almost standard. For example, there is no siren or the ability to pan or tilt. Both functions would significantly increase the functionality of the camera. The design of the camera almost looks like it should be able to move, but the camera is in a fixed position. The large field of view makes it useful for monitoring large areas at once, but sometimes you need to get creative with the mounting mechanism to get the angle you want.
This camera dropped some bells and whistles in exchange for better performance than many smart cameras. The 4K resolution, high-quality microphone and 60-foot night vision, as well as the NVR and Power-over-Ethernet functionality, are hard to beat. At $ 150, the price isn't bad – but you'll need to combine more than one of these to get the full benefits.
Is there a better alternative?
If you live in a small apartment, you don't need a full NVR and camera setup. An all-in-one camera like the Canary Flex ($ 130) provides you with push notifications, motion alerts, a siren, and more. On the flip side, if you want to go completely high-end with your camera setup, the Arlo Pro 4 has all the features you could need, but at a significantly higher price. For something more affordable, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt is an amazing indoor camera.
How long it will take?
The structure of the camera calls for durability. With proper care and installation, this camera should serve you for many years. Outdoor cameras are more prone to damage just from exposure to the elements, but even then they should be used for several years. In the event that something goes wrong, Swann offers a 12-month guarantee on all of its cameras.
Should you buy it?
Yes, the Swann 4K security camera with thermal sensor is characterized by its main task: monitoring your home. If you live in a larger house and want to connect multiple cameras together and monitor them all in one place, the NVR makes it as easy as plugging the ethernet cables into the appropriate ports. While this might be a little on the expensive side for some users, the Swann's audio and video clarity make it one of the best options out there.
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