Video Doorbell

[Cat]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an efficient video doorbell please?

[Pongo]

A neighbour has Ring. I think most are pretty good.

[Cat]

Thanks Pongo.

I'm a little bit unsure as yet whether to install one or not as from what I read the downside could be a hacker logging into the App

so I suppose I'll just carry on researching for a while.

[Merriman]

Hi Cat,

I think it depends on your reason for wanting a video doorbell, as in, is it for simply answering the door in your absence, or surveillance of your driveway and surrounding area, whilst you are either out or asleep?

I have installed a few 'Ring' doorbells for family and friends and they have all been happy with the results. Even with the movement sensor turned on, which records video when somebody is in range of the infrared sensor, the battery has lasted for around 3 months, before requiring a recharge. You can get a power supply for them, but for most of the ones I have installed, running cables from the nearest power socket through a porch to the front door, required an amount of drilling through walls and potential damage to plaster and paintwork, so I didn't bother. If you wish to record events, you will need to pay an additional £25 per year subscription, for the App based video recording service.

I hadn't heard about the hacking issue, but doing some brief research, it would seem that the hacks have been more mischievous than sinister, hacking in to the speaker in the doorbell and verbally harassing the occupant. I appreciate this would be upsetting for some, especially if they frighten young children. Ring also make additional security items such as internal cameras, which are generally far more interesting to hackers than the view from your front door, I think it is more these systems, that have caught the news headlines. It would also seem that most of the hacking has been due to users, using the same password across multiple platforms. The key is not to keep using the same password.

There is a useful site called, 'have I been pwned', where by simply entering your email address, it will show which applications you use, have been hacked and your password accessed. Personally my passwords have been obtained from, Dropbox, Linkedin, Adobe etc.

The site can be accessed here:

https://haveibeenpwned.com

It is important to use an exclusive, strong password for a device such as this, then I would say you are pretty safe from hackers.

[Cat]

Hi Merriman

Thank you for this very comprehensive and informative response. It is much appreciated and very helpful.

Cat

[TaylorMadeLiveries]

Hi Cat

I think Ring is Amazon but another option would be Google Hello doorbell.

I have a few Nest cameras and the alerts for people are pretty good.

You can set up two step verification on your account with a phone number meaning someone needs to be physically holding your phone in order to get the text code and log in. You can also check activity history periodically to make sure only devices you have specifically set can access you video feed.

Two step verification is a good thing to have across all you accounts.

Here's a nice vid explaining if you'd like to know more:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hGRii5f_uSc

Regards
Mark

[Cat]

Thank you Mark especially for the information about the Google make.

Anything that improves the security of one's home is worth investing in.

[Cat]

Thank you all!

Ring has now been installed.

[Merriman]

Hi Cat,

Whilst I realise it is still early days, how are you finding it?

I am sure there are those who have been following this thread, who are themselves interested in installing one and appreciate some first hand experience.

Are you using it for surveillance as well as a video doorbell?

[Cat]

Hi Merriman

Thank you for following up.

You're right. It is early days and I think I'll give the system another couple of weeks before updating to this site.

Any issues or glitches (if any appear) should be ironed out by then.

[Cat]

Hi Merriman

Happy to report that the video doorbell appears to be working well.

Great to be able to see who is at the door and even talk to them.

Cat

[Merriman]

Hi Cat,

Pleased to hear all is working well. Are you just using it as a doorbell, or have you got the motion detector activated?

Of course, it depends on what your camera is overlooking. I have some friends who find the function useful for checking on their cars in the driveway, especially if they are away, but also during the night.

[Cat]

Hi Merriman

Yes. Motion sensor is activated and you are quite correct, I can still keep an eye on the house even when away.

Cat