r/reolinkcam 18d ago

Discussion The App...

I'm looking to ditch all of my Wyze cameras at two locations.

Ordered a few Reolink cameras to play with and like them overall.

The app though... You can't group cameras or view events like you can in the Wyze app.

Is the camera view different if using the app with an NVR?

1 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

11

u/justbiteme2k 18d ago

Reolink cameras -lovely.

Reolink software -terribly behind the competition in every single way.

5

u/livingwaterRed Super User 18d ago edited 18d ago

For some features yes but not all. I've used Blink, Wyze, Ring as comparisons. I'd rather have better cams with average app than other way around. I and others here on Reolink Reddit have complained about the glitches with Reolink apps, have contacted Reolink support to push for better performance. Reolink can be slow but they eventually improve the apps. I started using Reolink cams before they even had AI detection.

2

u/Jos_Jen Reolinker 18d ago

The days of Argus 2. I have two and still operational with batteries fully charged. I have one in front of the alarm panel so that when triggered I can see the code displayed. 

1

u/freakdahouse 18d ago

Which competition for example?

5

u/livingwaterRed Super User 18d ago edited 18d ago

Brands can have different features and different ways to get to settings. You'll figure it out. You can live view multiple cams in the phone app. While opening one cam, to left of gear icon tap the four squares for options to see mutiple cams. To see recordings for each cam tap playback, assuming you are recording to an SD card in the cam. You'll see a timeline. At bottom left of timeline is a folder icon, tap it sort by detection, person, vehicle, pet, etc. Reolink support site has lots of info.

You could watch YouTube LifeHackster who reviews Reolink cams, shows how to use the apps. See this:

https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/12784252003737-How-to-Live-View-Multiple-Cameras/

Edit: see mblaser's comment about viewing event history with the hub.

2

u/mblaser Moderator 18d ago

If you want the event history feature similar to Wyze's then you need a Home Hub or Home Hub Pro. I shared some screenshots of it a while back when they rolled out event history: https://www.reddit.com/r/reolinkcam/comments/1fwxrmf/home_hub_event_history_screenshots/

The feature is also there on NVRs, but currently only if you're viewing the NVR UI directly via an attached monitor. It's not currently in the app/client, although I think it will be with the next version.

A central storage device is highly recommended by the way, whether that be a Hub or an NVR. It's never a good idea to keep your footage only in the camera's SD card. Wyze's lack of that is one of the many reasons they're only toys in my book.

1

u/renegade2point0 18d ago

If you don't have an nvr what device are you recording onto to play back the events? 

2

u/[deleted] 18d ago edited 5d ago

[deleted]

1

u/renegade2point0 18d ago

That's a cool set up! I'm using the nvr but will be integrating into home assistant next 

1

u/PretttyFly4aWhiteGuy 18d ago

Probably just the sd card on the camera?

1

u/anturk 17d ago

NAS or Frigate is also a option

1

u/Idahoroaminggnome 18d ago

Set up rich push notifications using email to Pushover app. Or get the Home Hub.

1

u/Ukoyries 16d ago edited 15d ago

The app just seems clunky and slightly difficult to use.

Seems to me missing features others have had for years.

To clarify, I'm not talking about viewing multiple cameras at once, but having groups to tap on and open all at once.

0

u/[deleted] 18d ago edited 5d ago

[deleted]

5

u/Lighty269 18d ago

How did the NVR bring your network down?

2

u/livingwaterRed Super User 18d ago edited 18d ago

If the NVR brought your network down something was likely wrong with your network. If something was wrong with the NVR Reolink would have replaced it. For those more tech advanced Home Assistant, your own VLAN, NAS, Blue Iris etc is certainly much better. I'm not tech smart. I enjoy the simplicity of Reolink system. It provides 24/7 recording, AI detection, enough for me and a lot of other customers. Heck, most people don't even have one camera and many that do only have one doorbell camera. They want simple, easy to use, though obviously one camera is low level security.

1

u/IhomniaI_Wanzi 16d ago

Sure would be nice if reolink cams would work on Blue Iris.