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00:00We're setting up security cameras today, so this should be interesting.
00:03♪♪♪
00:09Good day, you beautiful people. Welcome to Isa Does Tech, where we do tech in your house in style.
00:15Lol, yes, I said in your house because we're doing security cameras today.
00:19In this video, I'm gonna take you through the journey of picking out the security cameras,
00:23figuring out how to set it up, finally setting it up, and what these cameras can do.
00:29We're checking out some Reolink security cameras.
00:32Having eyes and seeing everything that's happening around my home
00:35has always been an idea that's appealed to me.
00:38But what really sold me was when I found out that security cameras these days
00:42have intercoms built in.
00:44That means that in theory, if I decided to put a security camera outside of my house,
00:51on the front gate, I'd be able to talk to a delivery guy
00:55without me even going out to meet him or talk to him.
00:58Literal contactless deliveries. I was sold.
01:02But first, I had to figure out what cameras to set up.
01:06These are the cameras and stuff I ended with from Reolink.
01:09Don't worry, I'll explain all of these later.
01:12I wanted to set up cameras in the following places.
01:15One, the front gate.
01:16Two, the house facade, basically where the front door is.
01:21Lanai one, which is that area outside there.
01:24And Lanai number two, which is, well, this area out here in front of this
01:32sliding door where the dogs are.
01:35And now on to the cameras I picked out.
01:38First off is the Reolink Argus 2.
01:40Now this camera comes with a bunch of accessories,
01:43including patterns for drilling the mounts on the walls.
01:47There's a 24-hour surveillance sticker.
01:51And there is mount number one with this tree tie thing.
01:56I'll explain this in a tiny bit.
01:59The first mount that comes to this camera has this bottom, which you can detach.
02:04You can thread that tree tie thing through it and voila!
02:09You don't have to drill holes on stuff so that you can mount the cameras.
02:14You can just tie this around, let's say, a tree or a post and you're good to go.
02:20Honestly, I like this because this just makes it easier
02:23for someone like me to mount security cameras.
02:29Next up, you have the charging cord that's micro USB.
02:33You have this tiny tie keychain thing.
02:36I'll explain this too later.
02:38There's also this silicone case thing,
02:41which I'm assuming is for better weatherproofing and waterproofing.
02:45So this is the camera itself and it's very well protected.
02:49Everything that ever has a slot, like for example, the micro SD slot
02:53is covered by the silicone cover.
02:55Same thing for the micro USB slot for charging on the back.
03:00Now, this thing has a detachable battery and this is mount number two.
03:05You can screw this onto a wall and voila!
03:09You can move the camera around, adjust it to whatever angle you'd like.
03:14It's pretty useful.
03:15But also, yes folks, it's a magnet.
03:18That thing is attached by a magnet and remember the tiny keychain thing?
03:23It's for tying the actual camera to the bottom of the magnetic mount
03:28so that you just feel safer that it won't fall off.
03:32Although from experience, it takes a lot for it to fall off from that mount.
03:37So I got three of the Argus 2s, but I also got the Argus Eco.
03:43Now, this thing looked like it was more apt for outdoor use.
03:48It came with the same pattern for mounting.
03:51There is one mount on this and there is no magnetic mount.
03:55It has the same tree tie thing, which again, very useful.
04:00Now, this particular camera has a different form factor.
04:05It's a little bigger.
04:06It looks a little more traditionally like what security cameras would be like.
04:11It's also powered by a micro SD card and a micro USB on the back.
04:17So those two cameras, the Argus Eco and the Argus Pro are wireless
04:21because if they're not wireless, like how do I even set it up?
04:27Like for example, in this like outdoor area, like how, how, how even?
04:32I also decided on solar panels for each camera.
04:36Now, what I love about this is that these panels are compatible with any Reolink camera
04:41so you won't have to worry.
04:43Everything is pretty straightforward.
04:45You have the panel and then that has a long cord connected to it.
04:52You screw the mount on the back and if you notice on that cord,
04:56there's sort of this rubber thing and this is what that's for.
05:01Basically, plug it onto the cameras and that means that this connection is now waterproof.
05:10Awesome.
05:11Now, I've never used solar panels before and I imagined them to be bigger and bulkier
05:16but they are not as you can see here.
05:20This comes with that mount also.
05:23You can adjust it and this time around you need to be screwing in the mount to the wall
05:30or wherever you're gonna put it.
05:35And setting up is really easy.
05:38So easy, I was surprised at how easy it was.
05:41All you need to do is download the Reolink app,
05:44add camera and scan that tiny barcode on the back of each camera.
05:51And then that will prompt you to scan a barcode on your phone using the security camera.
05:56You'll then be asked for a password and you're good to go.
06:01Now, it's time to mount the cameras.
06:03Now, I did use the tree typing.
06:05It's just such an easy solution.
06:08As you can see for this camera, there were no holes drilled.
06:12It's literally tied to this little tube on here.
06:16I actually mounted this myself.
06:18It was pretty easy and that's actually pretty sturdy.
06:23Yeah, so that is the Lanai camera up there.
06:27Perfect.
06:29We did have the other two cameras drilled on because we were gonna have the solar panels
06:33drilled on anyway.
06:34So we figured, why not?
06:37So yeah, that's something to note.
06:38If you decide on the solar panels, they don't come with a tree type thing.
06:42So you're gonna have to drill those.
06:44The Argus Eco on Lanai 1 is over there.
06:49We're looking at Mac's little corner.
06:55Again, that is securely drilled right there.
06:59This camera, we also screwed onto.
07:03I can go up there but I'm not gonna go up there.
07:07You can see from the back where the solar panel is and that's connected to the camera up front.
07:13That's directly in front of our gate.
07:16Basically, all screwed on.
07:17Basically, never having to charge this at all.
07:22So those three cameras, we connected solar panels to.
07:25I'm not gonna show you the panels on the other two because they're mounted on top of the roof.
07:33Specifically, what you have to remember when mounting the solar panels
07:36is that they have to be at an area where the sun always shines.
07:41Solar panels.
07:42So that's how it works.
07:44It is worth it to know though that the wires on solar panels are super long.
07:48So it gives you enough leeway to do that.
07:50And how they're connected at the back, it's actually sealed.
07:54So you'd have no problems with the rain or whatever.
07:57I know because it has rained a couple of times and my cameras are still good.
08:01This one up front, we just kept loose because it's harder to attach it to a solar panel.
08:05And it's gonna be easier to get to it and charge it where it's at with that magnetic mount.
08:10So there's that.
08:11So what can these cameras do?
08:14These cameras can be viewed from the Realme Link app.
08:17And as you can see, this is each of those cameras.
08:20This is the facade live.
08:23And you can view it in a grid like this.
08:26All of them live right now.
08:28From here, you can change certain settings on the phone.
08:33You can change the quality of your video on here.
08:36Like it does all those settings.
08:39What's another cool feature is this privacy mask.
08:41So for example, this is a scene that the camera is showing me.
08:46I can actually draw a rectangle to cover that.
08:50You have motion sensors on here.
08:53You can schedule that.
08:54Turn that on or off.
08:55For example, there's a recording of when I fell on my butt and the camera got everything.
09:02Even me limping back into the house.
09:06I'm a klutz.
09:07I'm sorry.
09:09So I programmed these cameras to send me push notifications every time there's movement.
09:13So that means I get alarms like this every now and then.
09:16And I can tap on it and then it brings me directly to the app.
09:20Remember the code we put in earlier?
09:22That is what you need to share camera.
09:24So if I tap share camera, it'll show you a QR code.
09:27Your family member need only to download the Reolink app, scan that code,
09:31and then input that password.
09:33And then that means they have access to the cameras.
09:36Record audio.
09:37Meaning when I record the clips from the cameras, when it detects movement, there's audio.
09:45Ow!
09:52It's a pretty simple interface.
09:53I have all cameras here.
09:56And as you recall, I put in a card for each camera.
10:00Now you can also connect it to cloud storage.
10:03It does come with a free trial.
10:06And that means that anytime that you have something recorded, it uploads to the cloud.
10:11If in case, and I hope this doesn't happen,
10:14if in case let's say someone steals your camera, you still have the footage on your cloud.
10:20We are at the front lanai now.
10:22So this is a button for sounds.
10:26You can hear barking in the background.
10:29From here, you can also take photos of whatever is happening on there.
10:34Or randomly take video.
10:36So that's recording right now.
10:38And if I stop it, it's gonna save.
10:40And you can do full screen on this.
10:43That is the lanai right now.
10:45And these are, well, all the cameras.
10:51And like I said, my biggest selling point, you can even use them as intercoms.
11:00Hi, can you hear me?
11:02Yes, hi.
11:07See you later.
11:09See you.
11:11If you want to talk, all you really need to do is tap talk.
11:14And whoever is in this area can now hear what I'm saying.
11:19This little playback button is for all the times that the cameras have ever detected motion.
11:26And you can play it back.
11:28It gives you this sort of timeline.
11:30So at lunchtime today, why was it recording?
11:35Yeah, that was me going outside.
11:39And this is what it looks like when it's dark.
11:41There's no light out.
11:42As you can see, it just turns black and white.
11:45And yes, at 10pm, my brother was playing with the dogs.
11:51Another cool thing that you can do from the app are these scenes.
11:54So as you can see, I've set up two already.
11:56But you can basically name a new scene, add a unique icon.
12:01And then you can change all these different settings for each camera accordingly.
12:07So each time you pick that specific scene, you have programmed the cameras to do specific things.
12:15And now I have eyes everywhere.
12:18But yeah, ever since I've had the security cameras installed,
12:21I've felt a little more secure in my home.
12:24Basically, peace of mind that I never thought I needed, which I got.
12:28I love that I've literally been able to do the contactless deliveries I've so long dreamed about.
12:38Okay, who was it earlier?
12:40My sister.
12:42What's her name?
12:43What's her name?
12:44Okay, I'll just answer it.
12:46Admit it, it's really cool.
12:48And aside from that, something I never really thought about,
12:51I could chat with anyone at any part of the house where the cameras are at,
12:56even with just my phone.
12:58One thing that I didn't think I needed but actually now swear by
13:02would be the solar panels I got with these cameras.
13:04Now, these Reolink cameras are designed to last a long time
13:09with just the battery built with the camera.
13:12The one Argos 2 that I didn't connect to a solar panel,
13:16I've only needed to charge like once in a month, a month and a half.
13:20I mean, I get that it's easy to charge it because of that magnetic mount,
13:24but fact still remains, I have to charge it.
13:26Meantime, the three other cameras I've set up and connected to the solar panel
13:31just work without wires, without anything.
13:35They never stop working.
13:37If you've already decided in getting your home security cameras, good for you.
13:42But also, I would caution in picking the right type of cameras.
13:46For example, I wanted to get the Argos Eco
13:49thinking it was the best cameras for the front gate that we had.
13:53I mean, I don't know why I thought that.
13:55I just, it really looked like the cameras I'd see in public.
13:59So that's why.
14:00And yes, the Argos Eco is a good camera for big spaces and outdoor spaces.
14:06But because of how our front gate was set up,
14:08I needed something that was more compact and gave me a wider perspective,
14:13which basically was the Argos 2.
14:16Tiny little things that you have to sort of figure out
14:18when setting up a security system.
14:21What actually helped me was that on the Reolink website,
14:25they have this table of what cameras are available and what they do.
14:30As for me, I defaulted Argos 2 because it is a very versatile device.
14:35It's small, it's compact,
14:36and it basically does most things that those bigger outdoor cameras do.
14:41Right, that's it for today.
14:42Let me know how you like this video.
14:44Moving forward, I have been thinking of doing more smart home content.
14:49Very fitting for today's time because with everything that's going on
14:53out there in the world,
14:55it's looking like we're gonna have to be staying indoors for way longer.
14:59But yeah, let me know what you think about these cameras as well.
15:03I will link them down below.
15:05If you want to see how I use my tech on a daily basis, find me online.
15:08That's Isa Das, underscore, on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
15:12Until next time!