That's kinda the battle I have trying to hook up generic poe cameras to my Reolink NVR. I bought another generic NVR box and it doesn't care what brand as long as it's plugged into the box or my network POE switch. Some of my wifi pet cams also support ONVIF so they work with the generic box from wifi, and one has a network port so it can work with all the options. Then the other problem is getting some of the cameras to work with the motion detection, some do, some don't even if it can view the camera. Wish they all would unify the standards a little better. Keep up the good work, learn something new every time you post 👍
Tapo's cameras actually shows up on the Reolink NVR but its connection is not reliable. Reolink also suggests to only use their cameras for their NVRs. Thanks for watching!
I really like the Reolink ecosystem but I just wish their GUI was more up to date and modern looking, It feels like they don't spend any time or effort in updating their NVR's in anyway.
IMO, the Reolink GUI is excellent, easy to navigate, and modern looking. Reolink updates their NVR software frequently but you have to manually perform the updates I even like their Android phone app which does an excellent job navigating and viewing your cameras. You should take a look at ZOSI Security Surveillance System GUI which is really outdated and hasn't been updated in years. The ZOSI GUI was built on Linux OS.
@@LifeHackster How would you compare Reolink to Swann? Been using Swann for years now and the mobile app has had horrendous connectivity and seems unreliable. Quality is fine but again attempting a live view is near impossible with lag and playback seems impossible. All POE.
@@LifeHackster Appreciate the response! Yup, sounds like I will be swapping out my entire Swann ecosystem to ReoLink during Black Friday this year. Don't mean to be subjective, however would ReoLink be your top tier choice for POE NVR Home systems?
Hi Lifehackster, thanks for your analysis. How would you consider implementing this with half of my 4 cameras being plugged in WiFi and remaining 2 battery powered? Hub or NVR is a dilemma Also I am bit confused with home hub storage on micro sd is it that reliable compared to an HDD or SSD?
If you don't want to hook up a monitor, then the hub should be fine. Micro SD card is fine especially if you are just recording motion events. They will have the PRO version coming out soon and it will have an SD card and also HHD drive.
I know the NVRs don't allow out of the box smart home connectivity like to Google or Alexa. Does the home hub allow that? What circumstances would you use a home hub over a NVR system other than the battery powered reason you provided? Thanks for the video.
Best setup is poe direct to the NVR and then plug the NVR into the router for internet. This prevents wifi jamming from disabling cameras. Not sure if independent alarm companies could then monitor such a system and if you can change vendors or not.
Well, if you have some technical flair, you can put your NVR on VPN and provide access to it to whomever you want. This also allows to make it accessible without Reolink proxy server.
Yes. With the Home Hub, when you add cameras to it, it will lose its setup in your network and you will not have access to it unless you go through the hub. In short, it cannot be used as a backup like an NVR.
Hello, please let me know if it is possible to operate both cameras with a LAN connection (RLC810A) and WiFi cameras (E1 Outdoor) with the Reolink NVS12W unit. So if the unit is able to work together both with cameras connected via LAN and via Wifi together. Thank you for your reply and have a nice day.
I have a 8 channel reolink NVR with 8 cameras I need to add 4 more cameras. I purchased a 8 channel reolink POE network switch. Can I view all 12 cameras with the 8 channel switch and 8 channel NVR? Without a hassle?
I’m testing the Home Hub. Only way I stream on monitor is through desktop computer. The one issue I have is I cannot connect the home hub cameras to the stand alone NVR itself it says “Not enough camera space” but I do have enough as I have 16 channel NVR and only use 6 cameras
Yes.. it seems like the cameras attached to the hub can only be accessed through the hub. It is like if you have cameras directly connected to the back of the NVR, you will also not able to see it and connect to it separately from your network.
I like my 36 channel nvr But would be good to have more flexibility and control over the layout with multiple cameras. I have 5 currently but only show 4 on the monitor as the layout with more doesn't suit well.
Dear Lifehackster, I have been following your videos in UA-cam and you are one of the best presenters. Thank you for your excellent work!!! But I would like your opinion about the following: I have 14 ring cameras (10 in my house and 4 in my mother's house), I also have 3 Eufy cameras and 3 Kuna cameras (old version). I recently bought the Reolink Argus 4 Pro because it was advertised as being the best 4K and 180 horizontal field of view on the market. That is very far from the truth. It has poor colors and a definition that is very close to 720p. Out of all my cameras, the Ring Floodlight Pro (1080p) has better colors, better clarity, very responsive, better construction and very reliable. the Eufy cameras follow Ring as second alternative. I know that Ring didn't catch up with all the advances in technology during the last few years and you also have to pay an annual fee, which is a bummer. But in my opinion Ring cameras are the best so far. Can you please give me your opinion on this? Thank you!!!
IF you can upgrade to a wired system, that's the way to go. If you're trying to stay in the WiFi realm of cameras, Tapo would be my first choice then Eufy. Tapo is a notch above on some offerings over Eufy, plus, they offer up to 512Gb of storage compared to Dufy's 128. Both of course don't require a subscription. I wish Tapo offered a floodlight camera like Eufy's E340 which is my preferred floodlight cam for anyone looking.
@@jcm9698 I wanted to do upgrade to a wired system... The problem is the cost of installation. Here in South Florida people charge an arm and a leg for the wiring work... It is hard for me to run cables in the attic so I would have to hire somebody... But thank you for the advice, I think I will have to save money for the installation.
@@gust_FL Fortunately I have a friend who is an electrician and did all our wiring, and has done all our friends wiring for really inexpensive. Maybe checking into a handyman who is familiar with running and terminating network cabling, might be a less expensive way to get started.
Having an NVR with a separate wireless network can be a good thing for network security but Reolink seems to have dropped the ball on its design. Sure you could use an extender with it but that adds more delay when watching the live video feed and the lack of POE on the built in switch is stupid. If they didn't intend on it working with wired cameras they should have only put a single port and label it "camera setup only" or something instead of a four port switch.
It seems it must be the most recent battery cameras. After updating my NVR`s firmware, i was able to add my Argus 3 ultra , and it works great. However, after doing that, whenever i try to access said camera from the app as an independent camera, as i was doing begore adding it. I get the message "device disconnected". NOT sure why.
Yes, this is what happens when you link the battery camera to the NVR and even on the Home Hub. You will get this warning stating that everything needs to go thru the hub or I guess to the NVR. It is like plugging in the camera on the back of the NVR...you will not see them in your network anymore.
@@LifeHackster thank you for taking the time to respond. Currently have the Ring Floodlights and Reolink POEs. Can’t help but think the Reolink Duo Floodlight would be a worthwhile upgrade…
Am I missing something with updating NVR firmware? Downloading to usb and then installing from there when the NVR is connected to LAN seems like madness in 2024
A lot of their online updates don't work. The button is there but is non functional and just says you are up to date. Been like this for years. They fixed it for something recently but I just assume it is never going to be a working feature.
It's disappointing. I have several Reolink cameras/doorbell/NVR and it is a great system. Just let down by some basics like rich notifications and updates. Also not being able to default inmersive view to high quality is annoying, when using a local network why would Reolink decide what lag is acceptable for the user
You have to do the USB thing when updating from the NVR interface... I just learned when making this video that you can use the Reolink app for PC to update and the update will automatically show when you check updates. The battery powered cams are the only ones that supposedly auto-updates.
LOL... I know. I personally think they should have just let their NVR to be used for their IP PoE Cams and Wired/Plug in WIFI ones and their Home Hub exclusive to their battery cams...
Can you do a video on how to run cameras on the outside of a building using conduit, preferably before next Tuesday? lol. I also need to know how to get up to two months of data stored on a Reolink NVR and is there anyway to get paid cloud storage that could store that amount. Need to monitor a building I have out of state. Thanks.
That will need planning as to using EMT or PVC conduits. I bet someone made a video on it here in UA-cam. As to 2 months data, it really depends on the number of cameras you are using and also the hard drive capacity but you can do it by setting the cameras to record motion events only and just choose person and or pet and vehicles in the recording setting of each of the cameras connected to the NVR.
@@LifeHackster Thanks. I don't need to record motion or anything like that, I just need everything recorded 24/7 for legal purposes, doesn't have to be high resolution either. It would be maybe 4 cameras. I just want to be able to remotely view anything if necessary and record everything.
… there was talk about Home hub pro coming out in “a few weeks”. That was 2 months ago now, so any day. NVR is standard and all, yet you cannot use through app. While Home Hub currently requires 2 512gb card which honestly isn’t enough for someone who takes security a little seriously and expects atleast a weeks recording with over 5 cameras Home hub just has better features and less management compared to the NVR. Waiting for the pro…
@@LifeHackster Another question: Which one has an offline mode?? When your internet is down or even power outage… hopefully turn on the NVR or Hub with a power source in an emergency.
@@Sorrus-B4lyfe Only way to use it during a power outage is with a battery backup UPS. Depends how long you want it to run and how much power it uses as to how much you have to spend on the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). To access it from the internet during a power outage you would need a UPS on all the gear it uses to access the internet as well. Assuming your internet provider is able to power their equipment during the same outage.
Please watch this update video after you watch this - ua-cam.com/video/PM28FOLA7dA/v-deo.html
Great video. I have a question that I can’t find an answer to. I have a REOLINK NVR model RLN8-410. Will this accept a REOLINK WiFi camera?
That's kinda the battle I have trying to hook up generic poe cameras to my Reolink NVR. I bought another generic NVR box and it doesn't care what brand as long as it's plugged into the box or my network POE switch. Some of my wifi pet cams also support ONVIF so they work with the generic box from wifi, and one has a network port so it can work with all the options.
Then the other problem is getting some of the cameras to work with the motion detection, some do, some don't even if it can view the camera. Wish they all would unify the standards a little better.
Keep up the good work, learn something new every time you post 👍
Tapo's cameras actually shows up on the Reolink NVR but its connection is not reliable. Reolink also suggests to only use their cameras for their NVRs. Thanks for watching!
@LifeHackster Basically, I'm stuck with depender system? I can't just buy a reolink camera only and replace depender in the future
@@LifeHackster Tapo ,Amcrest and Iegeek work well on the Reolink RLN8-410 nvr with the latest firmware update. I have had no connection problems !
I really like the Reolink ecosystem but I just wish their GUI was more up to date and modern looking, It feels like they don't spend any time or effort in updating their NVR's in anyway.
IMO, the Reolink GUI is excellent, easy to navigate, and modern looking. Reolink updates their NVR software frequently but you have to manually perform the updates I even like their Android phone app which does an excellent job navigating and viewing your cameras. You should take a look at ZOSI Security Surveillance System GUI which is really outdated and hasn't been updated in years. The ZOSI GUI was built on Linux OS.
True...but other brands actually look more dated, like Swann's, Amcrest and Annke...
@@LifeHackster How would you compare Reolink to Swann? Been using Swann for years now and the mobile app has had horrendous connectivity and seems unreliable. Quality is fine but again attempting a live view is near impossible with lag and playback seems impossible. All POE.
@@CJashuaSwann is definitely dated on their app and NVR interface. Reolink is way better.
@@LifeHackster Appreciate the response! Yup, sounds like I will be swapping out my entire Swann ecosystem to ReoLink during Black Friday this year.
Don't mean to be subjective, however would ReoLink be your top tier choice for POE NVR Home systems?
Hi Lifehackster, thanks for your analysis. How would you consider implementing this with half of my 4 cameras
being plugged in WiFi and remaining 2 battery powered? Hub or NVR is a dilemma
Also I am bit confused with home hub storage on micro sd is it that reliable compared to an HDD or SSD?
If you don't want to hook up a monitor, then the hub should be fine. Micro SD card is fine especially if you are just recording motion events. They will have the PRO version coming out soon and it will have an SD card and also HHD drive.
Trackmix does not work with home hub right?
I know the NVRs don't allow out of the box smart home connectivity like to Google or Alexa. Does the home hub allow that?
What circumstances would you use a home hub over a NVR system other than the battery powered reason you provided?
Thanks for the video.
Yes, you can connect the hub connected cameras to Alexa or Google unlike the NVRs.
Best setup is poe direct to the NVR and then plug the NVR into the router for internet. This prevents wifi jamming from disabling cameras. Not sure if independent alarm companies could then monitor such a system and if you can change vendors or not.
Yes, wired IP is the best setup.
Well, if you have some technical flair, you can put your NVR on VPN and provide access to it to whomever you want. This also allows to make it accessible without Reolink proxy server.
Thanks for the clarification and the to the point review. Original requesror!
Thanks for watching!
@LifeHackster would you still have a second wired NVR as the backup for a POE system? Instead of a Home Hub?
Yes. With the Home Hub, when you add cameras to it, it will lose its setup in your network and you will not have access to it unless you go through the hub. In short, it cannot be used as a backup like an NVR.
@@LifeHackster thank you for taking the time to respond.
Hello, please let me know if it is possible to operate both cameras with a LAN connection (RLC810A) and WiFi cameras (E1 Outdoor) with the Reolink NVS12W unit. So if the unit is able to work together both with cameras connected via LAN and via Wifi together. Thank you for your reply and have a nice day.
I saw you’ve been featured on Eufys official ads . Congrats man !
What?!
I know they have several videos that they licensed from me...
Do you know how to connect new altas to wifi nvr? Can get help from reolink support!
I have a 8 channel reolink NVR with 8 cameras I need to add 4 more cameras. I purchased a 8 channel reolink POE network switch. Can I view all 12 cameras with the 8 channel switch and 8 channel NVR? Without a hassle?
I’m testing the Home Hub. Only way I stream on monitor is through desktop computer.
The one issue I have is I cannot connect the home hub cameras to the stand alone NVR itself it says “Not enough camera space” but I do have enough as I have 16 channel NVR and only use 6 cameras
Yes.. it seems like the cameras attached to the hub can only be accessed through the hub. It is like if you have cameras directly connected to the back of the NVR, you will also not able to see it and connect to it separately from your network.
They’re trying to compete with Eufy home base 3
I think they're website says the hub doesn't work with 2MP cams and battery cams. So yes, you just proved that's true.
Do they make a wireless flood cam
That works with a NVR ???
Not at this time.
Does Eufy make a NVR for their s330 and e340 Flood cams?
I got a broken 1 depender poe cctv camera from costco (NS8MPCB1). Can I replace it with a reolink poe? Thanks
Most likely, not. Reolink recommends using their own cameras on their NVRs... and this is to minimize compatibility issues.
@@LifeHackster thank you
I like my 36 channel nvr
But would be good to have more flexibility and control over the layout with multiple cameras.
I have 5 currently but only show 4 on the monitor as the layout with more doesn't suit well.
True, I wish you can customize the number and layout better.
When are you going to test out and review the Eufy Wearable Breast Pump S1 Pro?
LOL... I'm testing it but I'm getting powdered milk ;)
Good to know. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Any word on the Home Hub Pro yet? Hopefully not going to be relying on the worlds least reliable recording media.
I think you can see it on their website now but not it stock yet. It will have SD plus HHD on it.
Dear Lifehackster,
I have been following your videos in UA-cam and you are one of the best presenters. Thank you for your excellent work!!!
But I would like your opinion about the following: I have 14 ring cameras (10 in my house and 4 in my mother's house), I also have 3 Eufy cameras and 3 Kuna cameras (old version). I recently bought the Reolink Argus 4 Pro because it was advertised as being the best 4K and 180 horizontal field of view on the market. That is very far from the truth. It has poor colors and a definition that is very close to 720p.
Out of all my cameras, the Ring Floodlight Pro (1080p) has better colors, better clarity, very responsive, better construction and very reliable. the Eufy cameras follow Ring as second alternative.
I know that Ring didn't catch up with all the advances in technology during the last few years and you also have to pay an annual fee, which is a bummer. But in my opinion Ring cameras are the best so far. Can you please give me your opinion on this?
Thank you!!!
IF you can upgrade to a wired system, that's the way to go. If you're trying to stay in the WiFi realm of cameras, Tapo would be my first choice then Eufy. Tapo is a notch above on some offerings over Eufy, plus, they offer up to 512Gb of storage compared to Dufy's 128. Both of course don't require a subscription. I wish Tapo offered a floodlight camera like Eufy's E340 which is my preferred floodlight cam for anyone looking.
@@jcm9698 I wanted to do upgrade to a wired system... The problem is the cost of installation. Here in South Florida people charge an arm and a leg for the wiring work... It is hard for me to run cables in the attic so I would have to hire somebody... But thank you for the advice, I think I will have to save money for the installation.
@@jcm9698 Tapo C720 is the floodlight camera you want.
@@gust_FL Fortunately I have a friend who is an electrician and did all our wiring, and has done all our friends wiring for really inexpensive. Maybe checking into a handyman who is familiar with running and terminating network cabling, might be a less expensive way to get started.
@@jcm9698 Thank you!!!
NVR Is it compatible with eufy wireless cameras?
No.
Can you tell me how I can see all my eufy cameras at the same time like you did in this video?
@@aymanalshebli8237Eufy cams don’t have an option like this yet… What you see are my Reolink wired cams on the monitor.
Having an NVR with a separate wireless network can be a good thing for network security but Reolink seems to have dropped the ball on its design. Sure you could use an extender with it but that adds more delay when watching the live video feed and the lack of POE on the built in switch is stupid. If they didn't intend on it working with wired cameras they should have only put a single port and label it "camera setup only" or something instead of a four port switch.
I was surprised too to learn that it doesn't have PoE... Thanks for watching!
It seems it must be the most recent battery cameras. After updating my NVR`s firmware, i was able to add my Argus 3 ultra , and it works great. However, after doing that, whenever i try to access said camera from the app as an independent camera, as i was doing begore adding it. I get the message "device disconnected". NOT sure why.
Yes, this is what happens when you link the battery camera to the NVR and even on the Home Hub. You will get this warning stating that everything needs to go thru the hub or I guess to the NVR. It is like plugging in the camera on the back of the NVR...you will not see them in your network anymore.
@@LifeHackster Noted.
Which NVR do you have
@@infamoussgarage The RLN8-410
@LifeHackster Reolink Duo Floodlight vs Eufy S330 Floodlight vs Ring Floodlight Pro?
Reolink Duo Floodlight should win but it is a different setup and install. It doesn't use a junction box like the traditional floodlight cams.
@@LifeHackster thank you for taking the time to respond. Currently have the Ring Floodlights and Reolink POEs. Can’t help but think the Reolink Duo Floodlight would be a worthwhile upgrade…
Am I missing something with updating NVR firmware? Downloading to usb and then installing from there when the NVR is connected to LAN seems like madness in 2024
A lot of their online updates don't work. The button is there but is non functional and just says you are up to date. Been like this for years. They fixed it for something recently but I just assume it is never going to be a working feature.
It's disappointing. I have several Reolink cameras/doorbell/NVR and it is a great system. Just let down by some basics like rich notifications and updates. Also not being able to default inmersive view to high quality is annoying, when using a local network why would Reolink decide what lag is acceptable for the user
You have to do the USB thing when updating from the NVR interface... I just learned when making this video that you can use the Reolink app for PC to update and the update will automatically show when you check updates. The battery powered cams are the only ones that supposedly auto-updates.
We need the "Home Hub Pro" 16TB asap :p
Yes indeed. Cant wait untill they anounce it
True...hopefully, soon.
Thank you for clearing up the confusing mess they created.😅
LOL... I know. I personally think they should have just let their NVR to be used for their IP PoE Cams and Wired/Plug in WIFI ones and their Home Hub exclusive to their battery cams...
Do any of the Reolink NVR work with the Argus 3 ultra
I'm having same issue with altas and wifi nvr
Yes I can connect a battery camera! Argus 4
Great to know. I'm currently in touch with Reolink and see if they now how to make mine work.
Same issue no answers
Can you do a video on how to run cameras on the outside of a building using conduit, preferably before next Tuesday? lol. I also need to know how to get up to two months of data stored on a Reolink NVR and is there anyway to get paid cloud storage that could store that amount. Need to monitor a building I have out of state. Thanks.
That will need planning as to using EMT or PVC conduits. I bet someone made a video on it here in UA-cam. As to 2 months data, it really depends on the number of cameras you are using and also the hard drive capacity but you can do it by setting the cameras to record motion events only and just choose person and or pet and vehicles in the recording setting of each of the cameras connected to the NVR.
@@LifeHackster Thanks. I don't need to record motion or anything like that, I just need everything recorded 24/7 for legal purposes, doesn't have to be high resolution either. It would be maybe 4 cameras. I just want to be able to remotely view anything if necessary and record everything.
eufy looks better. thanks for the vid
It's a shame they did not include poe in their wi-fi nvr. I think that would have made them much more attractive.
I have altas and wifi nvr won't connect! No support! No phone number that works!
… there was talk about Home hub pro coming out in “a few weeks”. That was 2 months ago now, so any day.
NVR is standard and all, yet you cannot use through app. While Home Hub currently requires 2 512gb card which honestly isn’t enough for someone who takes security a little seriously and expects atleast a weeks recording with over 5 cameras
Home hub just has better features and less management compared to the NVR. Waiting for the pro…
You can access the Reolink NVR and the cameras attached to it on their app.
@@LifeHackster
Another question: Which one has an offline mode?? When your internet is down or even power outage… hopefully turn on the NVR or Hub with a power source in an emergency.
@@Sorrus-B4lyfe Only way to use it during a power outage is with a battery backup UPS. Depends how long you want it to run and how much power it uses as to how much you have to spend on the UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). To access it from the internet during a power outage you would need a UPS on all the gear it uses to access the internet as well. Assuming your internet provider is able to power their equipment during the same outage.
💐🌹🌷👍💐