Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsNeeds better software
Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2024
Used for remote viewing for large family events, and for conversing with my elderly parents when I am away.
HARDWARE: The camera is made well enough, and was easy to install. The picture quality is excellent.
SOFTWARE: I have USER issues and these are things I should have investigated more, before buying this wi-fi camera.
MOBILE: The mobile software for this camera, that I installed from the Google Play store, does NOT allow the user to view the streaming image or hear the audio feed at the same time as doing other tasks. Once you change to another mobile app or go to an open window on your phone, the sounds and video goes dead and there is no way to activate the Picture-in-Picture function on the mobile app.
The only way to use this app, is if you are only interested in using it exclusively. You cannot do other tasks at the same time. NOT GOOD.
For example, I wanted to watch the family event and using the audio, join in the occassional conversation. Since this camera's audio technology is like a vintage walkie-talkie, only one conversation is active. In other words, once you press the button to send your voice message, the audio cuts out on the app, and nothing can be heard from the other people. It makes for frustrating audio interaction. I tried to open a separate messaging app (Whatsapp) on my phone, and then call into the event, but when I did, I lost both the Eufy video and audio streaming...since the app wont work if the user is using another app at the same time. DISAPPOINTING.
The panning and tilting function is not smooth, and often I was unable to have precise movements. It could be that this camera will only work to it's best ability with both connections having very high speed internet.
WINDOWS: You can also login via your Eufy very secure webpage. You can then view the streaming image that is on your phone. The advantage with the windows access, is that you CAN do picture-in-picture (PIP), so you can do other tasks on your laptop, etc... at the same time as viewing the streaming image. BUT here is the problem. You cannot control any functions in PIP mode. Not the volume, and not any ability to PAN or TILT. In addition, your windows website access (not PIP), also does not allow any speaking from the user and not pan/tilt. You can only listen. And worse...if you want to change the volume of the streaming video, you have to exit PIP and go into FULL SCREEN mode, as the audio level is only adjustable in full screen (not in PIP and not in the normal size window). RIDICULOUS. NOT USER FRIENDLY. But easily fixable with today's technology.
This camera is best used for pet/baby monitoring and where two-way conversation is not needed, and where the user does not need to do other tasks at the same time.
I was hoping for more.....
I would suggest in order to keep the low retail price, that Eufy allows for an upgraded software solution ($) for users like myself who WANT more from their wi-fi camera.
Thanks.