Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"

[mat200]

posted a new thread on:

Reolink Duo / Dual-Lens 150° FOV, 4MP/2K : review of nighttime image captures by securitybros

Reolink Duo / Dual-Lens 150° FOV, 4MP/2K : review of nighttime image captures by securitybros

securitybros on Youtube reviewed the following on Sep 18, 2021 REOLINK PoE Security Camera Outdoor System, IP Camera with Dual-Lens 150° FOV, Smart Human/Vehicle Detection, 4MP/2K Color Night Vision, Two Way Talk, Up to 256GB Micro SD Card, Reolink Duo PoE I will take a few screen shots of...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[wittaj]

Some recent great threads by @mat200

Reolink, Reviews, Deception, DORI / FOV / math matters, or why image comparisons are only part of the story ..

Thanks to @wittaj and thehookup for inspiring some math analysis .. "The Hookup Ranks Budget Cameras under $50" Thread here https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/the-hookup-ranks-budget-cameras-under-50.65638/ I wanted to make a easier thread for me to point people to look at the math, and why DORI...

ipcamtalk.com

Reolink: Low Light Review from "Reolink 4K POE Bullet IP Camera Comparison - RLC 810A vs RLC 811A" securitybros

Review from youtube 1080p .. do go to youtube for the original content and a higher resolution .. Reolink 4K POE Bullet IP Camera Comparison - RLC 810A vs RLC 811A Apr 21, 2022 securitybros In this video we test and compare two of Reolink's 4K POE Bullet IP Cameras, the RLC-810A and the...

ipcamtalk.com

Reolink lowlight youtube video review: "How to install Reolink Security Cameras Outside" - Home Tech DIY

Review of Reolink youtube video by Home Tech DIY .. I am capturing the images set yotube to "1080p", please see the original video for better resolution modes, as well as note that youtube may not perfectly represent the images captured .. Cameras Reolink RLK8-800DR " .. here at night with...

ipcamtalk.com

Review of youtube video on Reolink RLK8-800D4 4K CCTV

Review of low light image capture as shared by Geek Street on youtube. Reolink RLK8-800D4 4K CCTV with NVR Unboxing and Setup BEST 4K CCTV System Geek Street Reolink RLK8-800D4 4K CCTV with NVR Unboxing and Setup BEST 4K CCTV System PMZ camera check this review out Starts about 29.27 into...

ipcamtalk.com

Reolink RLC-811A Night vision vs color night vision review from youtube

Thanks toubnpast of slickdeals who provided videos for review from Reolink RLC-811A Night Time / Low Light image capture. Video here: The RLC-811A is a 8MP camera, some of the screen grabs I am doing will be at a lower resolution - so please do check the original video on a "4k" screen for...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[Mark_M]

I've searched on Youtube for another type of camera and this channel has shown up.
Wow, it's an AliExpress store!!

https://www.youtube.com/c/Securitybros/videos

It's even got those weird dual lens things.

 

[wittaj]

Compliments of @samplenhold over in this thread, but thought it was good to add to our unofficial Reolink thread as well:

A house rehabber in Houston had about $2500 worth of brand-new appliances stolen out of a home he was working on. They had just been delivered a that afternoon, were still in the boxes, inside the locked house.

But fear not, he has video of the whole thing, courtesy of Reolink!

Now really, can you tell me anything about this entity? Human? Male? Female?

I guess you can tell the truck is a Toyota Tundra. But the guy walking to the back yard is barely visible.

This shot has this guy barely moving. Not going to get any ID here.

Well to give the Reolink some slack, this guy was actually running to the truck.

Here is the cam mounted way too high:

This is a Reolink WIFI cam with a solar panel to power it.

 

[brisvegas]

looks like there was a firmware update on the cams.. i dont get anywhere near the level of ghosting i used to get. this is with a black shirt on, against a wet exposed ag driveway.. (this particular combo used to freak out the compression algorithm)

and while moving.. not great, but its way better than it was last year when i tested..

still havent really played with the contrast ect..bottom of my leg is gone, but also had black shoes/socks.. and that shin was just coming into frame as im walking.. can can easily make out the writing on my shirt.. - wouldnt have been able to do this at all before update.
my left arm looks distorted as im holding mail i just got from the letterbox.

distance from cam to perp was about 4-5 meters.

all in all still happy with my purchase..

on another note.. my parents are looking to put cctv in.. they live on acreage.. so very low light performance needed.. can someone recommend a decently priced pvr+4 cam kit?

 

[wittaj]

Reolink ranked number one again for 2023 LOL

The 10 Best Wireless Home Security Cameras of 2025 | SafeWise

We've tested dozens of wireless security cameras. And after reviewing the results, footage, and apps, these are the 10 best wireless cameras of 2025.

www.safewise.com

NYtimes was having none of that Reolink stuff and instead went with Arlo as the number 1 camera for 2023

The Best Outdoor Security Camera

An outdoor security camera will alert you the moment it detects prowlers, package deliveries, and unexpected (or unwanted) animals and visitors.

www.nytimes.com

 

[BORIStheBLADE]

Reolink ranked number one again for 2023 LOL

The 10 Best Wireless Home Security Cameras of 2025 | SafeWise

We've tested dozens of wireless security cameras. And after reviewing the results, footage, and apps, these are the 10 best wireless cameras of 2025.

www.safewise.com

NYtimes was having none of that Reolink stuff and instead went with Arlo as the number 1 camera for 2023

The Best Outdoor Security Camera

An outdoor security camera will alert you the moment it detects prowlers, package deliveries, and unexpected (or unwanted) animals and visitors.

www.nytimes.com

Ignorance is bliss for a lot..

 

[JKLman]

In this video at 10:18 he shows Reolinks very very bad images when it is dark. And he says something like "it does not matter since in all pictures (even Dahua) you can not identify a person". That is true in HIS lightning conditions. But if light was just a little better maybe the Dahua could give a very good picture and still the Reolinks would probably still be bad.


Stuff like this makes me 100% feel like he is paid (or want to be paid) by Reolink.

 

[mat200]

In this video he shows Reolinks very very bad images when it is dark. And he says something like "it does not matter since in all pictures (even Dahua) you can not identify a person". That is true in HIS lightning conditions. But if light was just a little better maybe the Dahua could give a very good picture and still the Reolinks would probably still be bad.


Stuff like this makes me 100% feel like he is paid (or want to be paid) by Reolink.

Also . the local LEO may actually recognize some suspects - so in that case a better image capture, even if it does not fully meet Identification standards can be useful.

 

[wittaj]

In this video at 10:18 he shows Reolinks very very bad images when it is dark. And he says something like "it does not matter since in all pictures (even Dahua) you can not identify a person". That is true in HIS lightning conditions. But if light was just a little better maybe the Dahua could give a very good picture and still the Reolinks would probably still be bad.


Stuff like this makes me 100% feel like he is paid (or want to be paid) by Reolink.

Yep, it lead to my post here talking and demonstrating how he was using a great camera on default settings and the wrong focal length that resulted in the issues with the better cameras:

The HookUp ranks the Empiretech T5842 (Dahua IPC-HDW5842T-ZE) as the best affordable camera if night time performance is the main concern

Hot off the press, The Hookup ranks @EMPIRETECANDY T5842 as the best affordable camera if night time performance is the main concern. I still think he has flaws in his analysis trying to do to much with a camera and trying to get a further distance IDENTIFY out of it than the focal length is...

ipcamtalk.com

And that then led to the creation of this thread:

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP). I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[wittaj]

Just adding a few recent threads where folks came to this forum after being burned by Reolinks providing useless video:

IP Cam recs for a Reolink victim

HI, I stumbled upon the thread here Alternatives to Reolink? and I have recently noticed blurred motion night vision from my RLC-520 cameras. I have 1 at the front doorway and 1 at rear doorway (I know ideally I would have more but wiring is a challenge). I am looking to add a camera or 2 to...

ipcamtalk.com

Looking for a new camera to replace my rlc-423

Hey folks new guy here, I've been surfing the forums for a bit and researching a replacement for my Reolink RLC-423. We have had a spat of crimes in my area including 2 attempted catalytic convertor thefts in front of my house and this guy right next door: . I'm looking for something that...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[Parley]

Looks like plenty of light in the above picture.

 

[wittaj]

^Exactly - it shows how much light is needed on these consumer grade cameras that put in less than ideal MP/sensor combo's. And unless it is daytime sun, these cameras will struggle.

I am sure a Dahua 5442 would do well in color with that amount of light.

 

[Andreszz]

Why are there so many attacks to Reolink? Reolink systems are great, but it is not intended to be used with BlueIris for a professional security system.

Reolink makes home appliances that are so good that they shadow some professional cameras.

The Web client and the phone app are the best and easiest to use, for non-professionals.

You buy an LUMUS, argus 3 PRO or E1 pro, place over the table, and in 5 minutes you have a great security system !

If you know how to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the phone, you can install your security system in 5 minutes!

It's an incredible camera because of the image clarity, color night vision, motion detection with the PIR sensor, 4G GSM cameras !

Yes, the 12 MP are not worth it, some professional-grade cameras have better images, yes. Extreme conditions, such as day or night, are not ideal. But you are comparing Peras with Bannas.

I use arround 20 Reolink cameras in the last 8 years and never had a issue.

 

[wittaj]

Why are there so many attacks to Reolink? Reolink systems are great, but it is not intended to be used with BlueIris for a professional security system.

Reolink makes home appliances that are so good that they shadow some professional cameras.

The Web client and the phone app are the best and easiest to use, for non-professionals.

You buy an LUMUS, argus 3 PRO or E1 pro, place over the table, and in 5 minutes you have a great security system !

If you know how to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the phone, you can install your security system in 5 minutes!

It's an incredible camera because of the image clarity, color night vision, motion detection with the PIR sensor, 4G GSM cameras !

Yes, the 12 MP are not worth it, some professional-grade cameras have better images, yes. Extreme conditions, such as day or night, are not ideal. But you are comparing Peras with Bannas.

I use arround 20 Reolink cameras in the last 8 years and never had a issue.

Yes their web app is decent and the little table camera might be ok for watching pets and stuff. But folks are here for good captures at night when perps are out, and that is where these cameras fail.

That simplicity of connecting for a "Security system" in 5 minutes comes at a cost of having a non-secure network.

The issue this whole thread is about is the night quality. Take Blue Iris out of the equation and the night quality still sucks.

Have you not looked thru the 19 pages here - nobody has been able to provide a clean capture at night of a moving object with a reolink.

Based on all these images in this thread where someone tried to provide their best capture, nobody here will agree with your sentence "It's an incredible camera because of the image clarity, color night vision, motion detection with the PIR sensor, 4G GSM cameras"

So put your evidence to the test here - prove this thread wrong and provide your best video of a person moving at night and prove to us that someone can freeze frame and get better than a ghost/blur motion with someone in motion. We have been waiting a long time to see a nice clean capture at night with motion from a Reolink.

 

[looney2ns]

Why are there so many attacks to Reolink? Reolink systems are great, but it is not intended to be used with BlueIris for a professional security system.

Reolink makes home appliances that are so good that they shadow some professional cameras.

The Web client and the phone app are the best and easiest to use, for non-professionals.

You buy an LUMUS, argus 3 PRO or E1 pro, place over the table, and in 5 minutes you have a great security system !

If you know how to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the phone, you can install your security system in 5 minutes!

It's an incredible camera because of the image clarity, color night vision, motion detection with the PIR sensor, 4G GSM cameras !

Yes, the 12 MP are not worth it, some professional-grade cameras have better images, yes. Extreme conditions, such as day or night, are not ideal. But you are comparing Peras with Bannas.

I use arround 20 Reolink cameras in the last 8 years and never had a issue.

Because they are horrible. You apparently have never seen what a "real" camera can do.

 

[duplo]

I've searched on Youtube for another type of camera and this channel has shown up.
Wow, it's an AliExpress store!!

https://www.youtube.com/c/Securitybros/videos

Why are these Youtubers now speaking like anything is a question ??

Has anyone notice ?

 

[Andreszz]

Yes their web app is decent and the little table camera might be ok for watching pets and stuff. But folks are here for good captures at night when perps are out, and that is where these cameras fail.

That simplicity of connecting for a "Security system" in 5 minutes comes at a cost of having a non-secure network.

The issue this whole thread is about is the night quality. Take Blue Iris out of the equation and the night quality still sucks.

Have you not looked thru the 19 pages here - nobody has been able to provide a clean capture at night of a moving object with a reolink.

Based on all these images in this thread where someone tried to provide their best capture, nobody here will agree with your sentence "It's an incredible camera because of the image clarity, color night vision, motion detection with the PIR sensor, 4G GSM cameras"

So put your evidence to the test here - prove this thread wrong and provide your best video of a person moving at night and prove to us that someone can freeze frame and get better than a ghost/blur motion with someone in motion. We have been waiting a long time to see a nice clean capture at night with motion from a Reolink.

Yes I also rather a hikvision 5MP video quality, but I can setup in a house 8 reolink cameras in 10 minuts and have a full video and alarm system.
I am not an expert nor can I make an exhaustive review. i just save some videos from phone app.
But for me the cameras fulfill their purpose.

• Push notification on the phone 5 to 10 seconds.
• never a false alarm from PIR
• Enough resolution to recognize a face.
• 5 min to setup.

RLC - 410
Lumus 1080p
Reolink GO (old 1080p) 4G GSM battery

 

[wittaj]

Thanks for sharing the videos.

None of us here would want a 5MP Hikvision as it wouldn't be on the ideal MP/sensor ratio LOL.

OK, so all of your examples are inside where you are benefiting from light bounce off the walls, and yeah most cameras can do ok in that situation.

The complaining here is about outside performance at night where you do not benefit from IR bounce off of white walls.

So basically you are telling us you are ok with your 8 cameras setup in the house in under 10 minutes that you probably used a QR code to scan and as such the cameras are touching the internet for anyone to hack into them or use your router as a BOT attack....

The RLC-410 is a tight hallway with a lot of IR bounce with the person right on top of the camera. Any camera can do well in this situation.





The LUMUS field of view is tough with that counter or cabinet absorbing most of the light.





The old Reolink is middle of the day with a lot of light and struggled:

 

[Mark_M]

Reolink makes home appliances that are so good that they shadow some professional cameras.

I'm curious what professional camera is better...? Can you please name one?