A big step forward for Apple Home - EufyCam S3 Pro

[@EricWelander]

Want to add an important detail that you need to have the camera plugged into constant USB power to record 24/7 continuous video. As I said in the video I hadn’t tried that feature yet so I wasn’t aware of this.

[@shoalins55]

Where did you get your monitor stand! Looks great.

[@JonImperial]

This looks awesome. I have been using Eufy cameras at home and told myself I gotta get HomeKit compatible stuff if/when we move to another home. This will be at the top of my considerations. 😊 Thanks bro!

[@EricWelander]

Thanks Jon! Sounds like a good plan

[@timd6637]

Hello Eric, Thank you for the nice video! I have two questions for you. First, can you confirm that the S3 cameras can be configured to record 4K video on the Eufy Home Base S380 and viewed using the Eufy app while at the same time recording 1080p video to Apple Home Secure Video and viewed using the Apple Home app? Second, Eufy’s website states, “To record 24/7, connect your eufyCam S3 Pro to a power adapter and switch it to wired mode in the eufy App.” So apparently 24/7 video cannot be recorded while using batteries and the solar panels only. Is that what you understand?

[@Charlie-zz7kr]

would love to know this as well

[@zc7396]

I don’t know about this product but eufy 2.4 k cams do not record in full resolution when also using HomeKit

[@royalpriesthoodgroup]

Waiting to hear from Eric

[@donpowers6033]

I have seen several reviews of this camera and all of them state that the cameras need to be in wired mode for 24/7 recording. This makes sense considering the extreme drain on the battery this would cause.

[@CAPTALISM]

You absolutely would need to have the cameras plugged in to have 24/7 footage. I guess you don’t really need 24 seven footage if there’s no movement or anything happening in that area.

[@CampersInternational]

That’s a bummer. I had the HomeBase3 ordered during PrimeDays and then figured out that it doesn’t support HomeKit. I’ve spoken to Eufy support and they confirmed it doesn’t work with HomeKit, so I returned the Base and the S350. Now I learn from your video, that Eufy starts to support Apple HomeKit with the HomeBase3. Does that mean that all series 3 cameras (which require the HomeBase3) will be supported by HomeKit?

[@dafzthomas]

I have a HB3 and a video doorbell E340 - I think they have to make the individual device HomeKit enabled as my doorbell does not show any HomeKit features when I add the official bridge.

[@TheSonyExperience]

isn't it a downgrade to add it to HK? Why have a 4K camera and only get 1080P from it?

[@tomsop]

I think the only benefit for Homekit is that apple saves the clips on their cloud for free and more importantly if you have Apple TV on when an activity happens it can pop up on your TV screen to monitor in real time. I think it is really for your apple ecosystem - if a specific alert occurs like a person or animal you can have an automation that turns on a HomeKit connects light so you do not have to rely just on your iphone for alerts. You can get creative with how to turn on any HomeKit device when a trigger is set in HomeKit.

[@TheSonyExperience]

@@tomsop I guess Ive given up on HomeKit. I have been using Eufy 2K cameras on HomeKit and for awhile it seemed good. 2K isn’t much above 1080p so didn’t seem like a loss. I used them in my daughter’s crib. I have 3 ATVs and one connected to my bedroom tv. We could have our daughter on a 65 inch screen all night was a huge plus. It slowly stopped working. Not recording important moments, etc. I never have issues using the EUFY app. I was all in on homebridge to help as well. The unified smartphone in HomeKit is a dream I don’t think Apple truly delivered on. Some people may like to keep tinkering but I’m done. I just rather use the native app for full features. Not having 4K is another slap in the face for someone playing for Apple one premier. I have the space, use it up. Should be my choice. Just seems like a half baked thing that never really improved over the years

[@misstubbie1313]

@@tomsop Correct. I still have my EufyCam2 system, precisely because of its compatibility with Homekit. These cameras are natively 1080p so they don't lose any image quality anyway. That way I don't mind at all having them exposed to Apple Homekit and make my automation work. But buying an expensive 4K system only to have my videos downgraded... I don't know if I want that.

[@edndomotique9556]

@@misstubbie1313 i don’t want that …

[@ninermacniner]

From what I’ve read on this particular cam, you can have both. It can be setup on HomeKit and also still store its own clips locally for the Eufy app. I’ll know for sure when I get mine this weekend.

[@jesselopez5951]

Great video Eric! It seems like Eufy is working hard to get back on utilizing HK. One thing to be aware of, I found out that the new HomeBase S380 only exposes S3Pros and not EufyCams Pro2/2C even though they get expose to HK using homebase S280. 🙂‍↔️ As of right now 🤞

[@jasonjeanpierre2904]

Thanks for this. I’m new to Eufy and would like to add other cameras to the S380.

[@jesselopez5951]

@@jasonjeanpierre2904 same. Before I upgrade to the S380 I want make sure I can use Eufycams 2 with HK Secure video.

[@k-money70]

Great review! Is the motion sensor available for use with HomeKit?

[@EricWelander]

Thanks! Yes each camera exposes a motion sensor in Apple Home

[@trhoda2001]

I think you might have the 24/7 recording statement wrong in your video. 24/7 can only be done from hardwired power, not from the battery or solar. Plugging in a hard drive into the hub wont be enough to enable 24/7 recording. I stand to be corrected.

[@pierrebourguignon1515]

Really enjoy your channel My use case is such that I need a powered camera. Can you do a segment that includes wired POE HomeKit cameras.

[@EricWelander]

Aqara announced a PoE HomeKit camera at IFA. I bet I’ll cover that camera when it gets closer to launching.

[@emmgeevideo]

Really good overview. I'm looking for a HomeKit camera that does motion detection at night to work with my sprinkler system. I live in a suburban area where my front yard gets a lot of damage from deer and raccoons surprisingly enough. I want to start the sprinklers when an animal intruder (including off-leash dogs) wander onto my lawn. BTW, I would enjoy your videos much more if you would improve. your. halting. narrative. style.

[@EricWelander]

These cameras do have motion sensors which are exposed to Apple Home and I bet other smart home platforms as well. If the cameras aren’t fast enough you might consider triggering the same sprinklers with a dedicated outdoor motion sensor. I can relate on the suburban wildlife. Thankfully our back yard is fenced in which helps a lot. And thanks for the feedback on the narration. It’s something I want to improve as well.

[@MarsorryIckuatuna]

After my experience with Logitech’s Circleview Cameras - I’m really skeptical about this HomeKit Secure Video stuff. The things don’t work half the time, and they were rated amongst the best.

[@alexandrossalonica]

Hi Eric! Great video. Is there a siren option? Yo mention two way voice option?

[@EricWelander]

There is a siren option and two way voice

[@alexandrossalonica]

@@EricWelander Great news! There is a significant shortage of sirens compatible with HomeKit in the European market, and this is an excellent option!

[@TechHeadB]

For those prices I’ll definitely wait for aqara lol

[@roberto.gallegos]

I’ll wait for the cameras that are coming out that are PoE that have HKSV. Can’t remember what brand they are going to be but I can’t wait for those. Been putting off getting security cameras and glad I did.

[@EricWelander]

I bet you are thinking of the G5 Aqara camera that was announced at IFA.

[@roberto.gallegos]

@@EricWelander that’s it

[@Jjsaba2008]

How far can the camera be away from the base station, I have 1 acre of property or cover

[@pietvankerckhove872]

Thank you for your great Movie, any suggestion on which WIFI router support best the Apple Homekit environment? My current asus has a lot of problems with my (to many?) eve cams, however wifi signal itself is perfect. I want to change router but don't find a good alternative

[@EricWelander]

I like Eero or Ubiquiti if you want to get nerdy. My parents and in-laws use Eero, and I use Ubiquiti.

[@jasonjeanpierre2904]

I don’t see the home base in HK even though I added it to a room. Any idea??

[@darylfortney8081]

Wish they would update their video door bell with HomeKit

[@edndomotique9556]

Thanks for video . I’ve a problem with Eufy , Hue and HomeKit . All is in HomeKit . When camera detect a movement , camera is ringing and it start Hue outdoor . But I set a switch-off delay, it is respected randomly.. once it turns off automatically, once it does not. no reliability. I have to go through a sensor and the Hue application...i cant use HomeKit with this scene

[@kendrick.e.williams]

Can one save video to a Synology NAS?

[@tomsop]

you can do that through scrypted which is a program that runs on Synology as long at it is an RTSP or Onvif device. Also synology has surveillance station that gives you two free licenses. Scrypted allows a back door into homkit for devices that are not HomeKit supported.

[@craigtener3663]

I have the E330 Professional cameras with the homeBase 3. I got the update for the homeBase and it’s been added to HomeKit now, but how do I get the cameras to add to HomeKit??

[@abc123fhdi]

it's a 4k camera but still only 1080p when using HomeKit secure video.

[@seanmcqueen2186]

I bought eufys original homekit cameras and the home app is far from easy to actually view and save clips. Phone would get really hot, barely load and it would drain the battery even on wifi at home. After a year I bought sd cards and switcheed everything to eufy app with continuous recording. Much better experience than homekit. Apple really needs to improve it.

[@EricWelander]

I think Apple has done a lot of bug fixes to improve HKSV in the last 4 years

[@CoolTatts]

I've already purchased the disappointing Logitech Circleview and don't want to replace two cameras and a doorbell. I'll wait for something better when Apple stops capping image quality for videos, or I might go back to Android permanently and give up on Homekit.

[@1csearle]

So my question is when I set up motion detection in eufy how does that translate into HomeKit?

[@EricWelander]

I had a whole section on these details I cut from the video. My guess is that turning off motion sensing in the Eufy app somehow shuts off the camera in a way where it’s not also detecting anything to send to Apple Home. I leave motion detection on in the Eufy app but shut off notifications for the app on my devices.

[@1csearle]

@@EricWelander that’s what I have done

[@PhiLLyPhiLLz]

What if you don’t use it with Apple HomeKit and instead use the Eufy app, will the recordings be 4K?

[@EricWelander]

Yes it will be in 4K then, if you turn that on in the Eufy app settings

[@Josh-od6oc]

So I am confused. You talked about the Eufy Homebase taking a hard drive for storage, but then talked about needing iCloud+ storage, so does it use the hard drive plus the icloud storage? Did I miss something?

[@EricWelander]

Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video clips in the Home app use iCloud, but Eufy’s clips or 24/7 recordings in the Eufy Security app use your home base in your home.

[@Josh-od6oc]

@@EricWelander Also did they change it. I thought you could have only a certain amount of cameras in Homekit? Also since you are making a bridge for Homekit, does that only count as 1 towards the Homekit, or does it count all the cameras you have towards it?

[@Kav1an]

Is this not available to just use with just the HomePod without the Eufy Hub?

[@EricWelander]

Correct

[@jorgeguzman8083]

Does this mean if I connect a Eufy doorbell to a Eufy Homebase 3 that I can use it as a doorbell in HomeKit with secure video?

[@EricWelander]

Unfortunately not. Each individual model of camera needs to have Apple Home support for it to work.

[@jasonjeanpierre2904]

@@EricWelanderwhat other Eufy cameras support?

[@albundy3929]

Eufy deal killer: when you launch app, you have to click on the play button to see each camera live. other brands show a live view of every camera immediately. this is a significant security flaw because you can't quickly see your property live at all angles. once eufy fixes this, I'll upgrade, but until then I'm sticking with my current setup.

[@ANIMALHOUSE55555]

Whats your setup like

[@charles101193]

Any set up you recommend that has HK compatibility?

[@DaveJunior-o6z]

24/7 continuous recording?

[@EricWelander]

Yes with a hard drive that’s possible. I haven’t fully tested that part myself yet, but it’s there.

[@theyorkshiremagneteers6590]

Thanks, I've just ordered the 4 cam kit. I have the Arlo UltraHD 4 cam kit but they keep putting the price up of the continuous recording. It was 9.99, then 13.99 and now 18.99 PER cam. So hopefully Eufy stay free to view recordings

[@jemorgan222]

Does they support POE?

[@EricWelander]

No it does not. You’ll have to wait for the Aqara G5 for that

[@01bigtrev]

365 days on eufy should really take the 6 and 5 off and say 3 months.

[@hercy]

WiFi for the new one seems to be weaker than S330

[@gavinharris1953]

That mosquito sound was horrible for setup....

[@-musiclee-]

24/7 recording. Not possible on solar powered battery. Only when hardwired. So you’re paying extra for solar for nothing if you want 24/7 A no go for me. I’d get the e330 wired cams instead

[@Tech-zy3fj]

It’s a weird omission not to discuss encryption, when the subject of the video is a eufy security camera, no?

[@_TJPatterson]

Wow, just over £1000 for 2 cameras that can only be 1080 in HomeKit, Could get into the Unifi ecosystem for less.

[@EricWelander]

It’s about half that price in USD. Yeah once you get into four figures you start to be in Unifi territory, but not everyone is willing or able to run Ethernet for cameras

[@RayanRahmanBappy]

$800 CAD

[@EricWelander]

Yeah these camera kits start off as expensive for sure! If past models are any sign of what will happen here, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see the price gradually come down on these units over the next 12 months.

[@RayanRahmanBappy]

@@EricWelander if you had to guestimate, what do you think they would come down to?

[@mraljewari9381]

I won’t recommend any Chinese camera or anything from a Chinese company. Pretty much all of them call home

[@Byte_J]

One of the benefits of HomeKit Secure Video is that you can disable the camera’s ability to connect to the internet since HomeKit handles everything. That’s what I do with my cameras.

[@mraljewari9381]

@@Byte_J that’s correct But from what I heard that if you are using eufy. the data must go through the hub first. And the hub must be connected to the internet (eufy servers). If you unplug your ISP you lose access So everything is hitting eufy servers first before apple homekit secure videos I can’t validate that because I avoided them when I heard this info

[@ScarthyUK]

No two way talk, only 1 live stream at a time and 15fps 👎👎

[@TechHeadB]

DEFINITELY a deal breaker for me

[@EricWelander]

Thanks for the feedback and sharing that here. I usually don't care about that for myself so I didn't focus on it in this review.

[@ScarthyUK]

@@EricWelander I would personally find all the critical when looking for a HKSV cam. All the technical bits are what separate them out and how you can pick the best cam for your needs 👌🏼👌🏼