looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
If you care at all about night time performance, Reolink never fits in.
I made the Reolink mistake
- Thread starter pianoman
- Start date
digiblur
Getting the hang of it
- Apr 26, 2015
- 25
- 48
I created an account just to chime in that I'm another hookup 'victim'..
Saw Hookup recommend reolink a couple of times.. I had a hikvision way back (DS-2CD2032-I) which I liked but it seems that despite being very well informed 'usually' I fell in the trap.
I got the reolinks (7x RLC-820As) around 4-5 months back (including their NVR - 8 channel version) and only recently installed.
The context: I was building my house, moved in 2 months ago and with the crap ton there was to do wiring cameras etc only was completed yesterday. With covid and 2 small kids in tow, it left very little time to research beyond 'youtube'.. that'll serve me.
My impression:
Pluses
1. excellent daytime images (on nvr and windows app - the browser version does not support highest quality stream)
2. No need for internet explorer or plugins (I remember thinking 'finally!')
3. Price - The price to marketing info ratio is unmatched
cons:
1. Can have lots of smear/ghosting at night on movement coupled with what seems to be very low fps (cam is set to 20fps - the maximum but the night shots look more like 8 ish PLUS smearing)
2. very very little settings accessible (via nvr or otherwise)
3. NVR often won't work with the 8th camera (the hikvision above); It's not detecting it when connected to the NVR POE and I had to use an injector and add it to my network then it only works when the hikvision is alone on the screen - meanwhile the stream off (internet explorer page of hikvision) works perfectly. At least it's recording the main stream (no motion detection though)
I still have not connected to blueiris (in fact I don't own a blueiris rig yet which is why I got the nvr) but was hoping to integrate my cameras with blueiris/frigate/home assistant down the line by ditching the nvr but it looks like I got a lot more headache ahead of me.. sadly I invested a lot already and won't be able to return anything..
I'm very angry at 'the hookup' that seemed like a legit guy doing good comparisons.
I guess my path 'could' be one of these Andy Dahuas 5442 (although I'd love for something in the $100-120 range with mic) but I wonder if they'll even work with the Reolink NVRs
Would love to know if the new firmwares are any better if anyone got feedback on that.
PS: Looking at Andy's store page on amazon I saw 'sponsored' Reolink postings 
Saw Hookup recommend reolink a couple of times.. I had a hikvision way back (DS-2CD2032-I) which I liked but it seems that despite being very well informed 'usually' I fell in the trap.
I got the reolinks (7x RLC-820As) around 4-5 months back (including their NVR - 8 channel version) and only recently installed.
The context: I was building my house, moved in 2 months ago and with the crap ton there was to do wiring cameras etc only was completed yesterday. With covid and 2 small kids in tow, it left very little time to research beyond 'youtube'.. that'll serve me.
My impression:
Pluses
1. excellent daytime images (on nvr and windows app - the browser version does not support highest quality stream)
2. No need for internet explorer or plugins (I remember thinking 'finally!')
3. Price - The price to marketing info ratio is unmatched
cons:
1. Can have lots of smear/ghosting at night on movement coupled with what seems to be very low fps (cam is set to 20fps - the maximum but the night shots look more like 8 ish PLUS smearing)
2. very very little settings accessible (via nvr or otherwise)
3. NVR often won't work with the 8th camera (the hikvision above); It's not detecting it when connected to the NVR POE and I had to use an injector and add it to my network then it only works when the hikvision is alone on the screen - meanwhile the stream off (internet explorer page of hikvision) works perfectly. At least it's recording the main stream (no motion detection though)
I still have not connected to blueiris (in fact I don't own a blueiris rig yet which is why I got the nvr) but was hoping to integrate my cameras with blueiris/frigate/home assistant down the line by ditching the nvr but it looks like I got a lot more headache ahead of me.. sadly I invested a lot already and won't be able to return anything..
I'm very angry at 'the hookup' that seemed like a legit guy doing good comparisons.
I guess my path 'could' be one of these Andy Dahuas 5442 (although I'd love for something in the $100-120 range with mic) but I wonder if they'll even work with the Reolink NVRs
Would love to know if the new firmwares are any better if anyone got feedback on that.
PS: Looking at Andy's store page on amazon I saw 'sponsored' Reolink postings
looney2ns
IPCT Contributor
@looney2ns Sorry I meant firmware for the reolink (I know I'm disilusioned but I rather hope for that than think I have $800 ish of deadweight)
I'd be ok trying non official firmware as long as it works
I'd be ok trying non official firmware as long as it works
How is the new firmware? Saw the hookup post a new video about the updated firmware that allegedly resolved a few of these issues.
Yep, we asked him in another thread and he said he would test and then never replied back, so I am guessing it is still poor performance...
ipcamtalk.com
Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"
WOW - this should be labeled test of the cameras available at the big box stores :lmao: ... Glad to see someone asks a legit question!
By him I meant the post above yours by airbag888 that said he had the new firmware and would try it out that night and report back the next day, but yes many people do not trust what the hookup puts out (although he has been getting better and isn't a complete Reolink fanboy anymore LOL).
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
- 15,055
- 25,391
Good question .. and from my view, the prior to recent videos he made I felt he either lied ( and knew ), or did not know enough ..
I've posted my analysis here .. the thread has grown, you can still read my original assessment.
Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"
Executive Summary: DO NOT be a sheep. Ask what a reviewer can be missing, ask if a reviewer is using hype words to sell the cheapest product. Test your cameras and kits right away. Just do a bench test. Test real world conditions. Test moving suspects. Test at night, test at day. Use a test rig...
That stated, The Hookup has learned a lot more, and is now covering important issues better on the topic of security camera image quality of capture.
( FoV, Pixels, DORI are very important as basic concepts .. anyone who ignores this either does not know enough, has dumbed down their video, or has a purposeful omissions / deception .. example of a deceptive video channel is back street imho to sell more of their units .. )
Hey, sorry I still haven't gone around inspecting the 'improvements' if any as scientifically as possible.. for starters I was going to setup BI for this (since I'm using the reolink nvr.. I know don't judge). The only way to access the new 'features' is if the cameras are accessible from a browser - so not via the NVR (reolink being stupid)
Also my kids have been sick for like 2 weeks so yep..real life took over Sorry..
Yeah , his video was interesting. Seemed he had to reset the camera to get the update prompt to appear. Not sure if that’s the only way, but it seemed odd.
Guess after all it is YouTube so not everything should be taken as fact. Such as filling a pool with jello or giving away cars and cash like the videos I can’t stand when the kids watch them.
I updated by downloading the firmware and putting on a pendrive and pushing it from the NVR itself. Some actions can only be done on the NVR and not via the web or windows client.. so annoying given where it's located for me..