Best camera doorbell known to provide a safe and convenient way to see your guest without having to go and open your door. I bought my August Doorbell Cam specifically for that reason. Apart from just wanting to look cool in my neighborhood, crystal clear video images made me wish these gadgets were developed earlier. If someone rings my door, I can decide whether to open or not because the power is in my hand. This August Doorbell Cam Review will explain to you benefits you stand to enjoy especially if security concerns are your priority.
Contents
How it works
This doorbell works pretty much like some of the latest technology doorbells in stores. It uses the same Android and iOS app as your August Smart Lock. Once a guest presses my bell, I get a push notification on my phone. This then takes me to my app where I can view live video and also have a conversation with whoever is at my door. Whether to pick calls or not is me to decide.
August Lock works with my August doorbell making it easier to lock or unlock my door with the press of a button. Press “Watch Live” for video on-demand. Press and hold “microphone” if you want to speak to whoever is at your door. There is more you can do with this doorbell. For instance, you can tap your gear icon so that it opens a settings page. Here is where you can enable the Doorbell chime, check signal strength of the doorbell’s Wi-Fi, adjust speaker volume and check battery levels.
Features
August Doorbell Cam looks nothing like a doorbell camera nor does it look like a doorbell. Its casing is square and measures 3” on each side and 0.8” thick. It comes with a plate to mount that’s 3-by-3 inches with 1/8-inch thickness. It has four wired terminals for the casing and two external wires that connect it to your existing wires.
Most August doorbell reviews will tell you how good this device is but that’s just not enough. This is a one of a kind smart Doorbell you have to try. It is available in two colors, silver and dark gray. It has a 2-inch large and round button at the center that enhances its general look. This button activates the buzzer and camera. You will admire its small 1,280-by-960 HD camera which has a 120-degree field of view.
There is also a motion sensor attached to it in the upper left. A speaker and microphone are located below its buzzer button. They are meant for two-way audio communications between your phone and the doorbell.
Installation
Judging from different August Doorbell Cam reviews on net, you can tell that the installation process is quite easy. Just removed your existing bell and connected two mounting plate wires to the two doorbell wires with Dolphin connectors included in your package. Attach the mounting plate and snap your Doorbell casing onto the plate, it’s that simple. However, it is advisable that you first charge its internal battery for 30 minutes before using it.
After installing, you should now download the iOS or Android August app. This app is easy to configure. It will walk you through the account setup process if you don’t have one. You will then configure your bell successfully. Here is what you should be seeing.
- Select Start Setup in once the LED indicators on your device starts flashing green (meaning you’ve installed everything properly).
- Give your house and door where the buzzer has been installed a name
- If your phone is connected to your Wi-Fi network, it will search for your doorbell.
- It will connect over Wi-Fi
Video quality
With a 1,280-by-960 HD camera, video quality of this smart gadget is more than you could ask for. Its clarity is just excellent. With LED light augmentation, facial recognition has been improved. This device was specifically created to improve security in your home and video clips stored in the cloud reveal every detail of what has happened on your door. You won’t believe how its image detail is crisp and there is no doubt that you will fall in love with its ability to stream videos with clean and excellent colors. Night-time videos are sharp and have good contrast.
Audio quality
The audio quality of August Doorbell Cam has also not been compromised. Audio speakers are loud enough for your guest to get exactly what you are saying. You can clearly communicate with your visitor through August app more effectively provided your Wi-Fi is on point. This one also has noise cancellation features that filter out unwanted background noise. Get a clear voice when talking to a deliver guy through the two-way audio. Who said you must be at home to receive your package? Give him instructions while in your office or in a restaurant having some quality time.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Has excellent HD image quality
- On-demand video streaming
- It can intergrade with August Lock
Cons
- No IFTTT support
- Motion detection and video recording not yet enabled.
- Installation procedure a bit complicated than other doorbells
Conclusion
Although this is not the first creator of new-tech doorbells, but one thing is for sure; their products are a step in the right direction. Other devices in stores are criticized for their significant lag times, standard-definition live feeds and other shortcomings, this model seems to address more than what meets the eye. It surely delivers sharpest videos, better than my CCTV camera. Gone are the days when I had to open for strangers and people who interfered with my quality time. However, all its features are not ready for prime time.
Although my concern was on whether or not my bell would fit where the original bell was, it did fit and therefore there was no need of rerouting my wiring to a different spot. But it is important to understand that August doorbell with other high-tech wired models will only work if your door has a traditional mechanical chime.
