What Cameras Does Vivint Use
Rob Gabriele https://www.safehome.org/author/rob-gabriele/ https://www.safehome.org/author/rob-gabriele/
How We Review
Vivint brings a stellar product to the market in their Outdoor Photographic camera Pro. They also sell the Ping Indoor Camera, which is pretty solid on its own. I recently spent two weeks in the trenches testing these cameras, learning all about their features and functionality. On the whole, these are well-congenital cameras that offering lots of customizations and accommodating home protection… but they do come at a price.
If you read my total hands-on review of Vivint, y'all know that these cameras performed (exceedingly) well as office of Vivint's smart home security system. But you actually wouldn't want to buy them equally stand-alone cameras. I'll tell you why in this review, and y'all'll also acquire all the pros and cons from initial setup and everyday use so that you can decide whether or not Vivint cams are right for you. And so let'due south spring correct in.
PROS
- 4K Resolution on Outdoor Pro
- Active Deterrence on Outdoor Pro
- One-Touch "Callout" feature on Ping
- Motion-Triggered Recording
- Smartphone Controls
- Custom Actions & Notifications
CONS
- Night Vision Could be Improved
- Outdoor Camera Pro Is Hardwired
- Pricey Equipment
A Quick Note on the Vivint App and Smart Hub
One thing I loved about Vivint was the ease-of-access to our cameras, using both the Vivint mobile app and the Smart Hub. The Vivint app and Smart Hub act as your chief controls. Y'all'll be able to view your livestream footage, set custom deportment, sentry recorded video, and lots more using these controls. In my experience, both are top-notch in almost every way.
It's worth mentioning that app-based controls are usually ideal with any security camera, equally they're more convenient than wall-mounted control panels. In fact, I've been known to stash away the control panel and lookout man it collect dust. That'due south a scrap dramatic, but the truth is, almost control panels offering limited features, and some are downright clunky. But Vivint's Smart Hub touch-screen control panel is the existent deal. Y'all'll learn much more about this Hub throughout the review, every bit it actually brings the Vivint cams to life.
Vivint Smart Hub and Indoor Photographic camera Closeup
The Vivint Camera Experience
Of course, these cameras aren't perfect; there are a few gripes to note, so stick effectually for that. But overall, a Vivint smart home system handles very well as a seamless, integrated unit. With the Outdoor Photographic camera Pro installed in your driveway, for example, and the Ping Indoor cam in your living room, these two cameras can both monitor your property and alloy into the groundwork, which are huge draws in modernistic tech.
And so without further ado, let's have a await at the Ping Indoor Photographic camera first.
Using the Ping Indoor Camera
Vivint Ping Indoor Camera
On installation day, a Vivint technician named Don (see the masked human being below) brought in the Ping Photographic camera and got to work. This sturdy trivial indoor camera comes with a swivel base, and so all you really take to exercise is plug it in and angle it how you want. With Vivint, you tin also work this into the larger system installation. It's always a skilful idea to let the pros handle information technology, especially if you're having security equipment installed for the first fourth dimension.
Photo of our Vivint Installation Specialist, Don
FYI: Vivint requires professional person installation. While their alarm arrangement is wireless, their Outdoor Camera Pro and Video Doorbell Proane are both hardwired. So y'all'll be happy to have a professional do information technology right … the starting time time. Check out our full rundown of what to expect with Vivint'southward professional installation.
Ping Camera Video Quality
At first, the Ping'due south video quality left much to be desired. Detect how the pic below is really grainy and pixelated.
Vivint Ping Indoor Camera Live Video Quality
What's the bargain? Isn't the Ping Photographic camera 1080p HD resolution? It certain is … but that's non the default setting in a Vivint camera. For this one, simply hop on the Smart Hub and change the default setting from "low quality" to "medium-high." This is one of the first things you'll want to do.
Vivint Smart Hub – Video Quality Settings
You might besides notice that information technology says "Moving the slider higher may make your live video become inclement and deadening." This is true — you might experience lags and delays if you set it to "High" due to bandwidth constrictions. But if your cyberspace speed tin can handle it, the highest setting provides the best video quality. There'south definitely a balance you desire to strike. This is something you might run across with several cameras in the industry. Encounter below for the improved resolution you might expect from the "Medium-High" setting. Also, check out that field of view; the Ping offers a solid 155-degree FOV.
Vivint Ping Indoor Video Quality
Ahhh … that's better.
With the Ping Cam'south resolution now optimized, it was time to kickoff digging into the features and tech.
But commencement — here'due south a sneak peek of the Ping Camera video in real life.
Motion-Triggered Notifications
Like any decent indoor camera, you'll go instant notifications with the Ping Cam. These notifications can be customized in the Vivint app, and they'll be sent direct to your smartphone. If y'all want to be notified whenever the camera senses motion, I think y'all'll find the camera will become the chore done. It is a little catchy to gear up.
In the Smart Hub, you'll select "Detection Settings," and a view of your camera will pop upward with orange squares. You'll grab these orange squares and drag them around to optimize your detection zone. The thing is, you tin add several different overlapping zones, which tin get a piddling confusing.
Vivint Motion Detection Settings on the Smart Hub
So if yous're out of the firm and a notification comes in, the first affair you should do is open up the app and click on "Cameras" to view your livestream footage. Here'south what I saw the starting time time:
Vivint App Live Video
Luckily, it turned out to be the family dog innocently moving through the living room. Merely here is where you can zoom in for a closer wait, just to make sure everything was in its place.
Vivint Compression and Zoom Feature
Annotation that both of Vivint'south cameras have a pinch-and-zoom characteristic, which is always prissy to run across. The Ping Camera has a 10x zoom, while the Outdoor Pro has a 3x zoom.
Beyond capturing your K9 in the act, if you ever demand to zoom in for proof — whether you demand to detect out which kid spilled the milk, or you lot suspect your house cleaner or handyman of theft — and then the zoom characteristic will definitely exist useful. Honestly, I don't see this feature very oftentimes in indoor cameras, so kudos to Vivint hither.
Did You lot Know: Each state has different laws when it comes to recording other people in your house.two And then it'due south wise to check with your jurisdiction earlier you record nannies, contractors, and other service providers in your home.
Two-Style Talk
As the days laissez passer with your new Vivint Camera, yous might find the Ping'south Two-Way Talk feature particularly useful. No matter where y'all are, yous can open your photographic camera in the app and press the microphone to talk. The camera itself has a built-in mic and speaker, and then whoever's within earshot can answer. Just note that I experienced about a i-second lag, which isn't equally bad as some cameras, but it still made communicating a little tricky at times.
Vivint Smart Hub and Indoor Photographic camera
Ping'southward Callout Feature
Another nice characteristic is Ping's "Callout" button. I just needed to use it in one case, only one-bear on call is especially useful for families with kids or an elderly relative in the home. All you lot have to do is press the button and an instant mobile alert is sent for a "Video Call" to anyone who has app admission to your system.
Using the Callout feature, you lot tin chat with your spouse about adding broccoli to the ol' shopping list. Yous know, serious matters. Only honestly, most adults too have their smartphone handy, which is faster and more reliable for calling. (Now if only I could railroad train the pup to press the button!)
Vivint Indoor Camera Callout Characteristic
Other Useful Features in the Ping Photographic camera
Night Vision
The Ping does take infrared night vision,iii simply I wasn't impressed with the flick. As you'll see below, it's quite grainy and black and white. Simply in a way, poor night vision is better than no nighttime vision. Unfortunately, this is pretty standard for indoor security cameras, so a quick tip is to get out a light on, as even a soft light tin help to illuminate a room. However, go on the light away from the camera's directly sight. Lights can cause glare, especially if the dark vision is on.
Vivint Nighttime Vision
20 2nd Clips
The Ping tin can too record xx-second video clips whenever information technology detects movement. Yous can set a custom activeness to only have this mode enabled when your system is armed in "Away." Similar to the delays in SimpliSafe's SimpliCam and sure Arlo cameras, y'all might find a 5-2d filibuster between the commencement of the activity and when the Ping starts to record. This isn't a huge deal — and information technology'due south likely an internet issue, as my Wi-Fi experienced a noticeable slowdown while using the Ping's recording feature — but information technology's something to recollect well-nigh.
Pro Tip: Looking for a highly-functional dwelling security camera system? Check out our full Arlo review to see how their HD camera systems tin can protect your dwelling house and family.
Viewing the Cameras live on the Vivint Smart Hub
Privacy Style
If you're expecting company, Privacy Mode is a nice style to brand sure your guests experience comfortable – and with a Vivint camera, you lot can make information technology happen in a snap. Simply toggle Ping's privacy style to "off," which ways the shutter is basically shut, and the livestream is unavailable. I've used many indoor security cameras that don't offer this functionality, and so information technology's nice to encounter it in Vivint's Ping.
Vivint Smart Hub – Devices
You tin actually ready a custom action for this, as well, which would automatically turn off privacy style (which means the camera is agile) whenever y'all arm your home. And just every bit easily, y'all tin can enable privacy style anytime the system is disarmed. Information technology'south a nice touch, for sure.
Vivint App – Custom Actions
Continue in mind that these "custom actions" are a big reason why Vivint'south cameras are so pricey. This camera comes with loads of customizations that can really assist you automate your lives. Could you live without them? Sure. But why turn down intuitive and streamlined features and tech? Information technology's what makes Vivint, Vivint.
A few drawbacks with the Ping Cam include:
- Not having whatsoever AI features like facial recognition
- Possible Wi-Fi slowdown when increasing the video quality
- Non really intended to be a stand-alone camera; rather, it makes the well-nigh sense as one component of the whole Vivint smart home arrangement.
- At $199 it's a bit pricey for an indoor photographic camera
Bottom Line on the Ping Indoor Photographic camera: It'south a quality device, and if you take Vivint already in your home (or you're planning on getting it) then this indoor camera absolutely gets the chore done with actress features and a dash of style.
Hands-On with the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro
The Outdoor Camera Pro is Vivint'southward answer to the loftier-tech and highly functional outdoor security photographic camera. It'due south non inexpensive, simply I've heard some good things about this device. So let's have a quick wait at the setup process, and then you'll acquire all about the features and tech and whether or not the Outdoor Pro makes sense for y'all.
Professional Installation
Dearest information technology or hate it, Vivint requires professional person installation. Turns out, though, you'll probably be thankful to have a pro practice the install, as this hardwired photographic camera would've taken at least an hr to install on my own. For the installer, it took a full of 20 minutes. Not bad, equally you lot can run across in the below photo.
Installation Specialist, Don, Installing the Vivint Outdoor Camera
Now, remember the Outdoor Pro is a wired camera, which means a technician volition need to drill through your wall to complete the install. But, that also means you won't exist running out of batteries with this device. This camera runs off a Wi-Fi connectedness with a Power over Ethernet (PoE) Wi-Fi Bridge. Without getting too technical, you'll like this if you're a big fan of PoE for its all-around speed and reliability. This way, you won't stress over connection issues or outages.
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro Wiring
After experiencing the camera within and out, hither are some fundamental takeaways:
Epitome Quality
The image quality on the Outdoor Pro is much ameliorate than what I experienced with the Ping camera. It'due south non every day that you lot can utilize a camera with a 4K HDR Sensor — which is a step up from the usual 1080p Hd that most outdoor cams offer. The Outdoor Pro also has 3x HD zoom, which isn't super typical in security cameras. And then if you're looking to pick up well-baked and clear particular around your holding, this camera has you covered.
Vivint Outdoor Camera Video Quality
Motion-Triggered Alerts
Similar similar cameras in this category, the Vivint Outdoor Pro has movement-activated alerts. Although instant alerts are standard, I was able to fine-tune and customize alerts and notifications in the mobile app.
Once it was all configured, fake alerts were minimal. I think a big reason for the accuracy (not receiving imitation alerts!) is due to Vivint'southward advanced analytics that distinguishes between people, pets, and passing cars. But it'south also because the tripline on this camera is really dialed in.
Wait, what's a tripline?
Adept question. Detect below how I set our move-detection tripline correct to the very edge of our driveway and front end backyard. Anyone who came into the green shaded surface area would "trip" the photographic camera to record, and it would even sound a siren if the organisation was armed. Take a expect…
Vivint Motion Detection
Active Deterrence
The camera'south siren is 85 dB, which is plenty loud even if it doesn't compare to the ear-piercing 110 dB Vivint alarm. This is part of Vivint's Smart Sentinel suite of features, which is all well-nigh deterrence to proactively send would-be burglars packing. If you're wondering how information technology works, it has ii primary features: It can make a audio to deter "lingerers," or it can all-out blare like a banshee. In some ways, this camera reminded me of Deep Sentinel's proactive protection. You can read more about that in our assay of Deep Sentinel.
Did Y'all Know: 85 dB is also about the same decibel level as heavy traffic, a noisy restaurant, or a backyard mower.4
So … whenever your Vivint security system is armed, the Outdoor Camera Pro will too be armed. I fifty-fifty noticed a carmine LED ring that actually commanded attention, especially at nighttime. This Smart Sentry integration did offer a lilliputian actress peace of heed at nighttime. And during the daylight hours, it was loud enough to make the neighbors scratch their heads (just for a second).
Another helpful feature hither is tone deterrence. You lot'll find this in Settings, and you can set the "Linger duration" between one second and 90 seconds. When the tripline is crossed, it whistles at whomever information technology encounters.
Vivint App Driveway Alarms
Here are the options for tone deterrence in the app. Choose wisely!
Vivint App – Deter Tone
Night Vision
As mentioned, the Outdoor Pro delivered crystal-clear resolution during the solar day. But again, the nighttime vision on this camera was pretty lackluster. Compared to some brands I've used — similar the Lorex Outdoor camera, which has long-range color night vision — the Outdoor Pro recorded a dark and grainy picture show. Not a deal-breaker, merely in that location's definitely room for improvement hither, particularly considering the cost point.
Vivint App – Nighttime Time Video Quality
Other than the subpar night vision, using the Outdoor Photographic camera Pro is a pretty enjoyable experience. And don't forget you'll be able to set up custom actions to have the photographic camera record on command depending on the scenarios yous set up. In my opinion, Vivint'due south 'Custom Actions' really delivered a lot of value and helped to turn an otherwise normal security camera experience into something customizable and fun to use.
Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro Installed
Bottom Line on the Outdoor Camera Pro: This unassuming cam offers 4K resolution, active deterrence, and customizations till the cows come domicile. If you lot have the upkeep, you really tin't go wrong here.
Did You Know: Vivint Smart Home won the 2020 IoT Quantum Award for Innovative Outdoor Camera. The Outdoor Camera Pro was too named the "Connected Home Security Product of the Twelvemonth."
Vivint Video Doorbell Pro
Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro
Yep, Vivint as well sells a video doorbell to round out their smart home security offerings. I had Don install 1 for me, and although information technology isn't one of my top-rated doorbell cameras (it'due south $249!), it secured our entryway with lots of actress bells and whistles.
Yous can read all most our experience with the Video Doorbell Pro in our hands-on review. Simply for at present, simply know that it comes with not bad features like instant notifications, ii-way talk, nighttime vision, and the like.
Ringing the Vivint Doorbell
And since Vivint is smarter than the average security system, y'all'll be able to do things like runway packages that are delivered to your door and run a doorbell chime through your actual smartphone. Pretty slick! Finally, here's the resolution that you can look from Vivint's doorbell camera…
Vivint Doorbell Video Camera – Video Quality
Vivint Camera Prices
Vivint cameras aren't inexpensive, but the style I come across it, zip worth having is ever cheap. These security cameras are right up there in price with Nest Cams and some of Ring's top-of-the-line cameras.
The Vivint Ping Indoor Camera costs $199.99, the Outdoor Camera Pro jumps to $399.99 (worth information technology!), and Vivint'southward Doorbell Camera Pro runs $249.99.
If you're serious virtually getting Vivint cameras, yous'll want to discuss the different options and bachelor packages with a Vivint sales specialist (they don't bite). In the meantime, here's my latest roundup of Vivint's plans and prices.
| Vivint Cams | Camera Type | Key Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ping Camera | Indoor | – 1080p HD resolution – Ii-way "press to talk," – Instant alerts – 3 high-powered LEDs for night vision | $199 |
| Outdoor Pro | Outdoor | – 4K resolution – Motion-triggered clips – Facial recognition – Excellent sound with two-way talk – Proactive deterrents (lights and siren) | $399 |
| Doorbell Camera Pro | Video Doorbell | – 180-caste field of vision – Proactive deterrents – Infrared dark vision – Sleek and modern design | $249 |
Keep in listen these aren't your run-of-the-mill budget security cameras like Zmodo's entry-level cams (merely those take their merit, as well!). Instead, they are meant for folks who value premium products and accept the budget to back it upward. With that said, Vivint does offer a pretty attractive nil-percent financing option, which spreads the cost over v years.
FYI: Vivint offers a 60-month, interest-complimentary financing option. This means you'll only pay between $3 and $6 per month per camera, depending on the model you choose. But if you go this route, yous'll accept to sign a long-term contract with Vivint.
Deject Storage and Monitoring
I reason why Vivint doesn't earn higher marks is considering you'll also take to pay for Vivint's professional monitoring on peak of the camera prices. Note that it costs $39.99 per month for home security monitoring, plus $5 per camera for 14 days of deject storage. Vivint'due south cloud storage subscription compares well to Arlo'south plans and prices, but I'd like to run across cheaper options.
Another route you tin go is with Vivint's Playback DVR. This requires that you purchase a Vivint Smart Drive for $249, and gives you 1 terabyte (TB) of local storage and thirty days of continuous recording (DVR) up to four cameras. From what I've seen, this is on-par with DVR systems that cost $i,000-$3,000 or more. And so $249 isn't so bad! Vivint Playback DVR allows yous to play dorsum any activeness that occurred within the past xxx days in and effectually your home. It would be great to see more than options like this in the industry.
Our Verdict on Vivint
There's a lot to dear near Vivint. Their indoor and outdoor cameras are ultra-high-tech, while however existence easy to utilize on a day-to-day basis. I enjoyed 4K video quality while using the outdoor photographic camera, and the indoor camera'southward press-to-talk feature was really impressive.
If y'all already take a Vivint home automation arrangement in place, or you're seriously considering buying a Vivint security bundle soon, then the cameras are definitely worth the cost. The customization options are really mind-blowing.
With that said, I wouldn't recommend Vivint cameras if y'all're not already in contract with the company (or plan on beingness and so!). But if you're a homeowner who values a premium feel — even if information technology costs more money — then you won't exist disappointed with a Vivint smart abode security system or any of their cameras.
Vivint Camera FAQs
Are Vivint'southward cameras wireless?
Only the Ping Indoor Camera is wireless, the Outdoor Photographic camera Pro and Video Doorbell Pro are both hardwired.
Does Vivint Crave a contract?
You will have to sign a contract unless you lot pay for your equipment upfront. Vivint's contracts range from iii to 5 years in length.
What is the video quality like?
Both the indoor and outdoor camera max out at 1080p HD; however, the Outdoor Camera Pro has a built-in 4K HDR Sensor which makes the resolution higher-quality than what we've seen from your typical 1080p Hd cams.
Is it DIY installation or professional person installation?
Vivint requires professional installation, specially for their Outdoor Pro model. We had a great feel on installation day, and so this shouldn't exist a big concern.
Are Vivint cameras expensive?
Unfortunately, Vivint sells some of the almost expensive cameras on the market. But the company is really going afterward a demographic that doesn't mind paying a higher toll for a premium product.
Source: https://www.safehome.org/security-systems/vivint/cameras/
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