Review: EZVIZ DB1C

[Ziggy]

My DB1C RTSP feed to Blue Iris drops out every few minutes for about 20sec each time. It's really annoying. Interestingly though, running VLC Player on the server connected to the RTSP stream I noticed that the stream stays solid (same on the EZVIZ app too) when the BI feed drops out which seems to indicate that at least the DB1C isn't rebooting. BI Support have suggested some things but nothing has fixed it so far.

Would be interested to know if your RTSP stream keeps running on VLC or EZVIZ app when you notice the drop out on your Synology.

About 2 weeks ago I got a new router and moved it to a slightly better position than the last one. Since then the Synology logs show only one dropout which lasted less than a minute. VLC has been reliable whenever I checked it. I'm using the 2.4GHz channel now where before I was trying to use 5GHz. Speed tests (using my phone) showed great performance at the doorbell location on 5GHz but it makes sense that 2.4GHz would be more reliable. The higher frequencies would have more signal attenuation with distance and be more affected by objects in the path.

I'm using these settings in Batch Config. I think all I changed from default was H265 -> H264 and 15FPS -> 10FPS.

 

[David L]

Do you DB1C guys not get the CCD Menu in Batch Config. Tool?

 

[debk]

I wish there was a way to change the doorbell chime. Is there a way to upload a new file?

 

[loopy123]

About 2 weeks ago I got a new router and moved it to a slightly better position than the last one. Since then the Synology logs show only one dropout which lasted less than a minute. VLC has been reliable whenever I checked it. I'm using the 2.4GHz channel now where before I was trying to use 5GHz. Speed tests (using my phone) showed great performance at the doorbell location on 5GHz but it makes sense that 2.4GHz would be more reliable. The higher frequencies would have more signal attenuation with distance and be more affected by objects in the path.

I'm using these settings in Batch Config. I think all I changed from default was H265 -> H264 and 15FPS -> 10FPS.

I have had super stable connections on 2.4ghz, but the distance is only about 15 feet.

 

[Ziggy]

Do you DB1C guys not get the CCD Menu in Batch Config. Tool?

I don't see CCD options in Batch Config. I was able to get it in EZVIZ Studio by following these instructions to allow advanced settings: EZVIZ Support - Creating Easy Smart Homes
There's probably similar steps to get it in Batch Config.

I notice WDR mode is off by default in CCD settings. I tried turning it on but it looks washed out (too bright) in daytime no matter if I use min or max setting. Is anyone else using it?

 

[debk]

I wish there was a way to change the doorbell chime. Is there a way to upload a new file?

Just to bump this, what is the built-in chime that comes out of the device itself called? I suspect there has to be a way for me to change the file if I somehow modified the firmware? I'm trying to search for this on my own but the term "chime" is associated with the device that is in the house or the built in mechanical chime box.

Has anyone experimented with changing the built-in sound effect that comes out of the built-in speaker of the doorbell?

 

[David L]

I wish there was a way to change the doorbell chime. Is there a way to upload a new file?

Not that I am aware of...

 

[David L]

I don't see CCD options in Batch Config. I was able to get it in EZVIZ Studio by following these instructions to allow advanced settings: EZVIZ Support - Creating Easy Smart Homes
There's probably similar steps to get it in Batch Config.

I notice WDR mode is off by default in CCD settings. I tried turning it on but it looks washed out (too bright) in daytime no matter if I use min or max setting. Is anyone else using it?

What version of Batch Config. Tool are you using?

The WDR should help with background washout, I have mine On but have it turned down, maybe 30% I am guessing. You might try BLC, but you can't use both WDR and BLC at the same time, one has to be Off...

 

[SheriffWoody95]

First of all, thanks to @loopy123 and @David L … I now have audio on my DB1C using the “RTSP Alternate AAC decoder”!

As for the 20 sec drop outs every few minutes or so, I think I’ve fixed it and hopefully the following will help others with a similar problem. Here’s the back story…

My DB1C feed into BlueIris was dropping out every few minutes for about 20 seconds at a time and showing a “no signal” count in the hundreds. I established that when the drop outs occurred the Ezviz app maintained a solid video feed and the doorbell chime still functioned during the 20 seconds the BI server lost signal. I followed that up by running a VLC session on the BI server and observed that the feed to the VLC session also stayed solid during the 20 second outage on the BI server.

Now my simple logic told me that the problem must be with the BI server, though support advised that the VLC test may not have proved anything due to protocol differences of some sort (I‘m a database analyst not a network engineer… I get the basics, but that’s about it ).

However, David L’s post about network tests, ICMP stuff, etc. might have given me a clue in that I’d seen a setting in BI somewhere about RTSP “keep alive” something or other. I found the setting in the network config for the camera, but it was already switched on. So I took a gamble and switched it off.

The camera has been running for nearly 12 hours now without a single dropout, so weirdly, switching the “keep alive” option off appears to have fixed my “no signal” errors in BI. YAY!

Hopefully that helps others in the same boat.

 

[sebastiantombs]

I've given up, totally, on the DB1C. I decided to reinitialize it after changing out my router. I've spent about two hours trying to get it going again with no results and the same failure every time. It is recognized by the EZViz app and the phone does connect, but that's the end of it. It fails at trying to configure. I can't get any closer to the phone since the phone is, literally, touching the DB1C. So now it's disconnected and will be replaced with something else.

 

[flynreelow]

I've given up, totally, on the DB1C. I decided to reinitialize it after changing out my router. I've spent about two hours trying to get it going again with no results and the same failure every time. It is recognized by the EZViz app and the phone does connect, but that's the end of it. It fails at trying to configure. I can't get any closer to the phone since the phone is, literally, touching the DB1C. So now it's disconnected and will be replaced with something else.

i got the RCA variant doorbell for sale if interested. think it may still have the laview firmware, but not 100 sure. you can always flash any firmare u want on it i guess.

 

[sebastiantombs]

I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. If it isn't PoE it isn't going on my system.

 

[David L]

I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. If it isn't PoE it isn't going on my system.

Let us know what you replace it with.

 

[fixxlee]

Hi all, anyway to record with a standard field of view rather than fisheye?

 

[David L]

Hi all, anyway to record with a standard field of view rather than fisheye?

Not that I am aware of. the lens is fixed Fisheye.

 

[mangler]

Just an update on my doorbell (DB1C). I have had issues with it reconnecting after a power outage since new. I recently changed the battery (to a slightly higher capacity), but it did not seem to change the behaviour. Basically the doorbell will reconnect (on a fixed IP) if it sees the wifi network when it boots up. The problem I have is the doorbell boots waaay faster than my main router and access point. So by the time the doorbell is up and looking for wifi the router/access points are not booted up yet, and it gives up, stays offline.

I am hoping to fix this by putting my router and modem on a UPS (Bluetti EB3A). 99% of my outages are just blips (1 second) so that should fix the issue and give me much better up time on the doorbell. I did figure out that it will reconnect if its breaker is switched on and off, so I just do that now when I see it offline, no need to go through the reset/reconnect process.

 

[gadutchman]

I was ready to give up on my DB1C after fighting the continual Wifi dropouts for the past year. Was looking closely at the AD410. But then I read SheriffWoody95's post about turning of the "Keep Alive" function in Blue Iris and gave it a try. It's been 25 hours now and ZERO signal dropouts seen by Blue Iris!!! My normal signal dropout rate was 200-250 per day. Thank you SheriffWoody95, I may not go out and buy the AD410 now that it appears my DB1C is solid!!! If I start getting signal drops I'll update.

 

[David L]

I was ready to give up on my DB1C after fighting the continual Wifi dropouts for the past year. Was looking closely at the AD410. But then I read SheriffWoody95's post about turning of the "Keep Alive" function in Blue Iris and gave it a try. It's been 25 hours now and ZERO signal dropouts seen by Blue Iris!!! My normal signal dropout rate was 200-250 per day. Thank you SheriffWoody95, I may not go out and buy the AD410 now that it appears my DB1C is solid!!! If I start getting signal drops I'll update.

Is this what ya'll are talking about? Mine is turned on, no drops...

 

[gadutchman]

Is this what ya'll are talking about? Mine is turned on, no drops...

View attachment 137955

Yes, I turned off the "Send RTSP keep-alives" check box. I realize it's only been one day but my previous experience with my DB1C is that I'd have 200-300 dropout already. The only other difference from my settings is I don't have the "Get ONVIF trigger events" box checked. I didn't think the DB1C could generate ONVIF triggers? Do you use yours with Blue Iris or an NVR and get ONVIF triggers from it? Thanks!

Update 8/30/22, after five days I still have zero signal dropouts on my Ezviz DB1C Doorbell Cam. Don' have a good explanation of why it solved my dropout problem but the "Keep Alive" was the only setting I changed!

 

[David L]

Yes, I turned off the "Send RTSP keep-alives" check box. I realize it's only been one day but my previous experience with my DB1C is that I'd have 200-300 dropout already. The only other difference from my settings is I don't have the "Get ONVIF trigger events" box checked. I didn't think the DB1C could generate ONVIF triggers? Do you use yours with Blue Iris or an NVR and get ONVIF triggers from it? Thanks!

Interesting. The reason I kept my keep-alives On is I record 24/7, well that was my thought at the time I set it up, I think it is On by default too. I also record Motion Events too so I have two CAM setups in BI for my DB. I just checked and both have keep-alives On.
One thing I have witnessed these last 3 years (Installed my DB Aug. 2019) with everyone's post (Mainly in this Thread) is these DBs have poor WiFi signal, this is the majority of the complaints. I can say I have had 3 different Access Points connected to my DB, all in the same location in my living room about 20 feet from the DB. Maybe the glass door helps, not sure. I did have issues with my Asus router's WiFi at 5GHz. I remember even having to temporarily moving my router closer to the DB on initial setup. Once I dropped to 2.4GHz I had no more issues. The TP-Link APs I used after getting rid of the Asus Router, replaced it with a pfSense Router, have been Great. EAP245 and now running an EAP660.



My LaView DB has ONVIF support through its firmware, build 190716. Presently there are three firmware's that give you ONVIF support. The risk is changing firmware from another brand. I would say we have had a 90-95% success rate but there are a few who have bricked their DBs, note most did recover. I have tried several other firmwares on my DB but ended up staying with LaView. Hik's DS-HD1 latest firmware is what Most people are using on their DB1 and variants...

FIRMWARE LIST (DOWNLOAD LINKS INCLUDED):

DOORBELL MODEL	PREVIOUS FIRMWARE	LATEST FIRMWARE	ONVIF	ALEXA	GOOGLE	OUTDOOR BELL SOUND (ON/OFF)	MOTION DETECTION CONFIGURABLE
HIKVISION (DS-HD1)	191017, 200321 (2020-03-31)	211101 (2021-11-01)	YES	NO	NO	???	YES
RCA (HSDB2A)	180809 (????-??-??), 180703 (????-??-??)	190124 (2019-01-30)	NO	NO	NO	NO
EZVIZ (DB1)	200904 (2020-10-21) US, 200220 (2020-04-02) EUR, 191211 (2020-01-05), 190708 (2019-07-21), 190304 (????-??-??), 181024 (????-??-??)	211011 (2021-11-01)	NO	YES	YES	YES	NO
LAVIEW (LV-PDB1630-U)	190103 (????-??-??)	190716 (2019-07-29)	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO
NELLY'S (NSC-DB2)	190122 (2019-03-04), 190412 (2019-??-??), 190625 (2019-06-25)&(2019-11-22)	191216 (2019-12-16)	YES	NO	NO	NO
LTS (LTH-7132-WIFI)		??????	???	???	???	???	???

HTH