EZVIZ-C8C-REVIEW
Once in their life, people want to create a home and provide all the best amenities for their families. The next important point is to provide financial, health and security for the family.
When it comes to home security, there are various options of security devices available on the market. Consumers can get door alarms, surveillance systems that can be DVR based or get IP based too.
With the new emerging technologies, IP based cameras are no more just for offices, warehouses or any commercial complexes. There has been a surge of wireless devices across the market and at an affordable price which includes CCTV cameras, wireless cameras, IP based cameras are now at the reach of the consumers.
Established in 2013, EZVIZ has been providing intelligent devices, cloud-based platforms, and AI technology solutions for homes and commercials. We heard about EZVIZ in the UAE in quarter four of 2020 with PR agency sending us information about the company and products. We have received the EZVIZ C8C Outdoor Pan/Tilt Wireless IP based Camera.
Body & Specifications
EZVIZ C8C (model – CS-C8C (1080P) is a medium-size, lightweight outdoor Pan/Tilt Wireless IP and LAN based motorized camera which can be controlled via the EZVIZ app. The App is available on the App Store (IOS) and Google Play Store (Android). The device is made of ABS plastic with a motorized camera. It has a micro-USB port and LAN cable port on the device. The device comes with a 1foot cable from the device which gets connected with (appx. 1.5Meter) power cable with an adaptor.
The device camera can capture 1080HD (1920 x 1080) images and Full HD Video. The device comes with night colour vision, AI detection, two-way talk, MicroSD slot (up to 256 GB) and cloud storage facility but is available in some countries.
The Review
The EZVIZ C8C device comes in a white square box with coloured images and all the features mentioned on the box. Once you open the box, you will find a white soft foam box that contains the user manual, warranty paper, EZVIZ C8C device 1.5-Meter Power Adapter Screw Kit Waterproof Kit, Drill Template Regulatory Information and Quick Start Guide. Below the white box, is the device EZVIZ C8C.
Design & Specification
The device comes in a box with a dimension of 7.76 x 7.28 x 8.07 inches and weighing 885grams. The EZVIZ C8C device comes with a dimension of 6.22 x 6.18 x 5.87 inches and weighs 510grams. The EZVIZ C8C is IP65 rated, so the device can work in a dusty and humid environment. But it is not waterproof and can’t be used in submerged water. It can work -30°C ~ 60°C (14°F to 113 °F), Humidity 95% or less (non-condensing). It uses DC 12V / 1A and power consumption of MAX. 6W.
The camera body is enclosed in the round ABS body made of white piano finish and half body is made of translucent black colour. With the enclosed motorized camera in the centre in the round shape in a black piano finish which can tilt vertically.
The EZVIZ C8C device frame comes with an “L” shape bar which can be fixed on the ceiling or on the wall and each side has 4 holes for a strong grip.
For a wider and better Wi-Fi connective, the EZVIZ C8C comes with two antennas. The antennas can move vertically for a better connection.
The device comes with strobe flash LED lights which can be active by the Active Defense button on the app which can help to deter uninvited guests by warning about the system.
Connection
Connecting and using the product is quite simple. Remove the device, connect the device with the provided power cable with an adaptor which is to be connected to the electric socket for power. There is also an attached LAN cable jutting out from the device for the Ethernet connection. Switch on the electric current and in few secs the EZVIZ C8C switches on. The LED indicator turning fast-flashing blue indicates that the camera is powered on and ready for Wi-Fi configuration. This indicates the device is ready to use/ paring.
A small thing, but I appreciate that EZVIZ includes a drill template, as well as plugs and screws, with the camera. Stick the template to the wall, drill the holes for a perfect fit. If the camera is installed outside there is a chance to have water falling and condensation on the device. You can use the additional waterproof kit which comes along in the box. These are basically to cover the LAN port from humidity.
The EZVIZ C8C can be used via Ethernet or wirelessly as per the consumer requirement. For testing, we decided to use a wireless connection. So, downloaded the EZVIZ App from the Google Play Store (also available on Apple App Store) on the smartphone. Switch on the App, create your new account which can be used for all the EZVIZ products and devices in future. There is a step by step procedure to follow on the App, first need to search for the EZVIZ device available around you. Once you find the EZVIZ C8C device or scan the QR Code on the device or the user manual with your smartphone to complete the full connection.
(Make sure you have the EZVIZ device near or close by the Wi-Fi router for a clear and better connection. (at a distance of 15 feet, I was not getting a full Wi-Fi signal on the EZVIZ app.)
Camera
The camera comes with a Self-adaptive shutter, 1/2.7″ Progressive Scan CMOS sensor. The camera lens is 4mm @ F1.6 and has a view angle: 87° (Horizontal), 105° (Diagonal) 6mm @ F1.6, view angle:55° (Horizontal), 66° (Diagonal).
Once connected, you can see the camera view with your EZVIZ App. When you press record on the App you can capture the images with your smartphone and you can record videos with audio too.
But if you need to record motion detection without switching on the APP, you need to insert a microSD card behind the camera body protected by 2 screws. Or you can connect with the EZVIZ cloud storage option.
You can choose the cloud storage facility which you get 30 days for a free trial and the paid version is not sure it is available in UAE.
The MicroSD card slot to insert the card is at the back behind the camera protected by 2 screws with a reset network button. You can insert up to 256GB size memory card into the slot. To use the microSD card and need to format which will be suggested by the Smart App on the smartphone.
Inserting the microSD is a little tricky and removing it by finger is tough as the card inserts totally inside the body frame and to remove the card, you may need tweezers to pull out the microSD card.
You can record 1920 x 1080p Full HD @30fps video and captures standard quality too. The camera comes with a smart colour night vision camera, so when it is pitch dark, the camera automatically switches on night mode.
In the smart colour night vision mode, you still have AI human detection mode on which will capture any movement in the dark. The camera can change to B&W images and video at night within 30 m / 100 ft and capture 0.5 Lux @(F1.6, AGC ON), 0 Lux with IR.
The camera has 8X zoom which is digital and not optical so the zoom is not very clear.
Panning & Tilt
EZVIZ C8C device comes with a motorized function which means the camera can be panned/tilted with the help of the application on the phone. The camera can do 352° horizontal rotation/panning on each side which covers 360-degree coverage with a wide-angle lens. The camera can do tilt 95°. In the AI Human mode, the camera detects the movement in front of the camera follows the movement and captures the motion alert. This motion alert is also sent to the smartphone app if the alert notification is switched on.
Audio Noise Cancellation
The camera has mics inbuilt with audio noise cancellation. So, you can hear the camera surrounding clearly.
(make sure you are not in the same room with the device or it will keep echoing and go to a high-frequency sound which is irritating)
AI Person Detection
The device comes with smart AI person detection. The camera moves and follows any movement in the camera zone. The camera sends alerts to the smartphone whenever there is a movement in front of the camera, you view live camera view in real-time.
(Please note- Real-time camera view also works on the speed of the internet connection and Wi-Fi speed)
Privacy is important
There is sleep mode on the app by which you can switch off the EZVIZ C8C device when it is not required or you don’t want to record anything from the device camera. Also, all the images and videos are encrypted as mentioned by the company.
Storage for Home Protection
There are 4 options mentioned by EZVIZ for storage
- microSD card on the EZVIZ C8C device needs to capture images and videos when the APP is not in use.
- EZVIZ cloud storage is available in some countries, not sure it is available currently in UAE.
- NVR like EZVIZ X5C or X5S can be used for storage.
- You can also capture images and videos on your smartphone when you click record from your App.
You can also capture images and videos on your smartphone when you click record from your App.
Price & Availability
The EZVIZ C8C outdoor Pan/Tilt Wireless and wired IP based Camera is priced at AED 285 and it is available on online e-commerce stores like Amazon.
Conclusion
The EZVIZ C8C outdoor Pan/Tilt Wireless and wired IP based Camera is the perfect device for the consumer who would want outdoor home protection and keep real-time watch while they are away from the house.
With the smart Night Color Vision camera function and AI Human detection built-in, now you can have home protection in the dark too. The consumer can get an instant alert on their smartphone if there is any movement at home.
It comes with a Strobe flash LED light which can be activated by pressing the Active Defense button on the EZVIZ App. It has a Full HD camera which is of decent quality for the price and it can work in hot and cold weather and comes with an IP65 rating.
The 8X zoom is digital and not optical and the image is not very clear. The Wi-Fi connection was good. The App allows you to capture images and videos on your phone but when press record from the app, you need to have the microSD installed in the device for motion detection to be captured on the device or have Out. Also, if there is a power cut then the device will switch off as this device doesn’t have any built-in battery backup for even a short period of time. Also, you need to put the verification code on the APP which is available on each device, everything the electricity is switch off from the device.
(Make sure you have the verification code copied on your smartphone, so you don’t need to remove the C8C device to see the code or use the user manual which has the sticker of the QR code.)
For the price of AED 285, the motorized outdoor Pan/Tilt Wireless and Wired IP based Camera device is worth the investment for home protection.
Suggestion – Add the microSD card to the device for capture of motion detection when you are not using the APP.
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