If you are gradually installing Smart devices inside your home, consider purchasing Video Doorbell V5, a video door phone that fully embraces this philosophy thanks to smartphone control. Not only does the appliance disappear in the house but it will be possible to answer the doorbell from anywhere in the world, guaranteeing control of up to 4 users at the same time.
All this technology, thanks to GearBest, even costs very little: less than 30 euros for a product that will forever change the way you answer the doorbell.
In the box
Video Doorbell V5 is sold together with a plate and a set of plugs and screws for fixing to the wall as well as the inevitable manual for instructions where you will find the instructions (in English) for the first configuration, the QR code for the installation of the 'app and the use of accessories sold separately.
As did
The video door phone is made entirely of polycarbonate. It is very light and the impression is that of having an object of mediocre quality in your hands. On the front it presents the video camera, a series of holes for the microphone, a brightness sensor and, underneath a protective red band, the LEDs to enable night vision. Then there is a large button surrounded by a blue LED light that will replace the classic doorbell. On the bottom there is instead the loudspeaker and a screw for locking the intercom to the wall plate.
In the back there is the Reset button, a compartment for inserting three rechargeable 18650 batteries via the microUSB socket on the back and a microSD slot for any storage of recordings. There are also contacts that guarantee the power supply of the video door entry unit by simply connecting the wires to the wall, thus avoiding the need to use batteries.
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How does it work
Video Doorbell V5 needs a wireless connection to your home router in order to function. It can be powered by batteries only (to be purchased separately). It will therefore be necessary to remember to recharge them periodically but this will also allow installation anywhere in the house, even on a gate, as long as it can be reached by the router's WiFi signal.
Alternatively, the video door entry unit can be powered by the electrical circuit of the house: it is sufficient to block the two wires L (line) and N (neutral) directly in the respective poles on the plate.
A third and last possibility is the use of batteries at the same time as connecting the electrical circuit. In this way the latter will power the system for most of the time while the batteries will be called into question only in those cases in which the current will fail. It is the best solution because it guarantees continuous operation of the video door entry unit, provided that the router is obviously connected to an uninterruptible power supply.
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First configuration
Before mounting the video door entry unit, it is advisable to check its correct operation. The fastest way is to connect it via microUSB cable to a charger or power bank.
The LED light surrounding the button will glow red and start flashing. At this point, download the ToSee app (available for iOS and Android) on your smartphone, start it and follow the instructions on the screen. To configure it you will basically have to connect to the WiFi network generated by the video door entry unit, then select the home WiFi network, enter the password and wait for the device to connect to the network.
At this point you will be asked to create a security password for access to the video door entry unit, to which you can possibly also assign a name if you decide to install more than one.
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How is it going
We did some tests at home without installing it on the wall. The system works quite well and the combined application is easy to use. When you press the button on the video door phone, the smartphone will start ringing with the “dlin dlon” type and a notification on the screen will notify us of the incoming call.
At that point all that remains is to unlock the smartphone directly from the notification or start the app to answer the video call. You have 10 seconds, at the end of which the video door entry unit will stop ringing. Whoever is in front of the intercom will notice the no answer from the interruption of the flashing of the LED indicator.
If you answer in time, the camera will be turned on in less than 5 seconds and users will be able to interact in two ways. To be able to talk to whoever is in front of the video door entry unit it will be necessary to activate the microphone: until the relative switch is pressed, it will be possible to look through the camera without being seen, thus allowing us to decide whether to answer the door phone completely or ignore it.
In addition to answering as with any other video door entry unit, it is possible to record the conversation and archive it on the microSD previously inserted in the appropriate reader and take one or more photographs.
Advantages
The beauty of Video Doorbell V5 is that it also works under a mobile network: it is not necessary to be connected to the same WiFi network to which the video intercom is connected, so it is also possible to answer from the office, from the garage or from under the umbrella during a holiday. hundreds of kilometers away.
This also means that if there is some Smart home lock opening system (here, here and here you will find some models we have talked about in the past, however many equally functional solutions are on sale online) it will be possible to decide to open the door. it even carries the courier remotely so that he can deliver the package by depositing it immediately inside the front door – in this case it can be monitored with one of the many Smart security cameras installed at the entrance of the apartment (here and here you will find two models reviewed by our editorial staff but also in this case of valid alternative solutions found for sale by the dozen).
Additional accessories
Video Doorbell V5 can be enhanced with some accessories sold separately. In addition to the rechargeable 18650 batteries to take advantage of the wireless power supply and the microSD (supported up to 32 GB of capacity) to store the recordings, it is possible to purchase one or more indoor doorbells.
They are basically speakers compatible with the video door entry unit that plug into the socket and ring whenever the video door entry unit button is pressed: in this way, even with the smartphone turned off, it will be possible to hear the doorbell ringing from anywhere in the house.
Conclusions
Video Doorbell V5 is easy to install and configure, works well and completely changes the way you answer the intercom. In addition to eliminating the internal device, you can use the smartphone to answer at any time and from anywhere in the world, thus being able to communicate with those who go to our door as in any video call.
Another strong point is the price. On Amazon it is for sale around 45 euros but if you buy it on GearBest you can pay almost half: in fact, at the time of writing costs only 29 euros .
It has one flaw: security. In fact, the video door entry unit locks to the coupling plate with a single cross screw that can be easily reached by a screwdriver and removed in a few seconds. This means that an attacker could steal the video intercom complete with plate, reset it to factory data with the push of a button and install it in your home at no cost (perhaps also complete with batteries and microSD card).
It works even without power thanks to the batteries
Cons
