Home security almost always passes through video cameras to be installed in some remote corner of the house, perhaps hidden from the sight of thieves. This time we test a lamp, with a video camera function: apparently a common light bulb, but which offers a panoramic view of the house. This is how this smart lamp with security camera function works.
The lamp under test, actually without a specific name that can easily identify it, has abundant dimensions. The attack is standard E27, but the dimensions of the lamp do not allow it to be installed in small ceiling lights.
It is entirely made of plastic, at least on the outside, and is white in color. At the sight, in short, it is confused with a common lamp, and to any malicious people it will not seem at all to be filmed.
First configuration
The first configuration of this smart lamp with security camera function is quite simple. Just insert the bulb in the ceiling light, turn on the light switch, and wait for the audio signal that everything is ready to connect to the router. At this point you can open the “icsee” application, available free for iOS and Android, and click on the “+” button at the top to add a device.
You can choose, in advance, to create an account, or enter as a guest. In any case, the lamp will be recognized automatically and the user will only have to enter the password of the router, so that the lamp can connect to the internet. After successful pairing, the user can set a PIN to protect the video stream of the camera.
If the configuration described above is not successful, as happened during our tests, it will be sufficient to connect the lamp, turn on the switch, and press the reset button for about 6 seconds. At this point, resume the configuration described above. It worked for us without further problems.
After the reset, the lamp connected without any problem whatsoever, and even changing the position of the lamp, it always recovered the WiFi signal quickly and without problems.
Operation
The operation of the WiFi lamp / camera is quite simple. After connecting it, it will be enough to open the app to get the panoramic video stream. Between the lamp and the chamber, the needle of the scale extends more towards this latter function.
This is because, once connected, it will not be possible to turn the light on or off from the switch, as if it were a traditional light bulb, but it will be necessary to turn on the light beam from the application. In short, the use of LEDs is totally entrusted to the app, and not to the traditional home switch.
It is clear, then, that the primary use of this “lamp” is as a security camera. The video stream is always stable, it is transmitted with some micro lag, but the connection is always quick when you start the application on your smartphone.
It is possible to choose from a myriad of views, being able to choose whether to have a 360 degree image, a horizontal or vertical view, a side-by-side view of the various corners of the room. From this point of view it is a truly practical and versatile solution, which in any case will allow you to keep the entire room in which it is installed under control.
As already mentioned, the function of the lamp itself is secondary, also because the light beam is not suitable for illuminating a medium-large room during the day. It is a peripheral to be used, mainly, as a secondary lamp, perhaps in a bedside table or in a bedside lamp in the living room, to keep the room under control.
On the lamp there is a MicroSD slot, where you can insert a memory card, so as to record the video taken by the camera.
Application
The camera does its duty, just a pity that everything is frustrated by an application translated in the worst way. Many of the words are really incomprehensible, or rather they do not suggest which functions are activated with each click.
In short, you will have to grope a bit to understand exactly which function corresponds to the banners on the screen, considering that the translation is very bad. After a first approach, however, you will certainly understand the main functions of the camera.
It offers night vision, to control the environment even in low light conditions, as well as sentry mode, which sends movement notifications to the smartphone.
Conclusions
The main weapon of this security camera is the 360 degree view. This means that by installing it on a ceiling light in the center of the room, you can have a global view of the environment.
As already mentioned, however, this solution is not ideal, because the room would replace the main lamp of the room, without having a brightness that can be used as a daily light bulb.
The video stream is always sent to the smartphone in a precise and timely manner, it is a pity that the application has been translated in a bad way: worse than an automatic Google translator.
It costs about 14 euros and can be purchased directly from here.
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