Aqara G4 Video Doorbell Review vs Logitech Circle View

[@rahuljain-vu7lc]

We ended up exchanging this model for the slimmer version kzbin.infoUgkx0jZ_lGlDVJhDnmagEU8gn47cmfPNlLQU because it was too wide for the only door trim area that made sense to mount it on. However, we should have just noted the dimensions prior to purchasing. Otherwise, we love the doorbell. It works perfectly, and the video is very clear, even at night.

[@grizzlyflute]

Bought one recently after watching some reviews. Was excited to get it all set up. It struggled to connect to my network, and only did so reluctantly after I switched off the 5GHz band, but even then it took about 8 attempts to get it to connect properly. Then it wasn't able to perform a firmware update. It would stall and tell me there's a network error. It said that it completed it one time, but still showed the previous firmware version and continuously offered me the update in an endless loop. All of that aside, it wouldn't even connect the live video feed to my phone. I have no issues with other WiFi devices on my network, and my internet well exceeds the requirements for a device such as this, and the router was very close to the device, along with the repeater being just on the other side of the wall. Moreso, it would say the device was connected, and when I push the bell, it would ring on the chime, and send me a notification to my phone. So I don't know why all the other issues were occuring. Needless to say I had to return it. Such a shame, because I really love every advertised feature of this device.

[@beardfm]

There are definitely mixed experience with the U100. I did a long-term follow-up and also found bugs with the device after months of use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b52Znn1uqapgq5Isi=jz8IjfZq1qc7Bb-o

[@GregoriusAM]

Matter doesn’t need Thread to work. It works over wifi as well. Matter works over Wi-Fi, ethernet, and Thread. Love your videos!

[@beardfm]

Ah good point! Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@joopmenss]

I wanted to add this myself. To clarify: Matter will use WiFi for WIRELESS camera’s. Thread for low bandwith products, like a door sensor. Great video, mine will be delivered today!

[@Aethid]

Matter is specified for Thread, IP, and Bluetooth.

[@GregoriusAM]

@@Aethid Yes, Matter uses Bluetooth LE but only for commissioning.

[@TrueSouthTwitter]

Love the simple design with huge button, and as a renter, I appreciate that it's battery powered. We already have battery chargers and use rechargeable AAs for a couple of things, so that's perfect. I wonder if they can/will add a setting for the video orientation.

[@beardfm]

That’s a good question. HomeKit video *does not* support orientation changing though, so it may be Apple that has to adjust it

[@tommacdougall]

Great video, sound great, but appears rather large about 2.5 inches wide for my door trim. Definitely great to see more competition.

[@beardfm]

It is certainly larger than other options!

[@palmercolson7037]

I have the same issue. The website says it is 6 cm wide. According to my tape measure, the wood where the current doorbell is located is 5 cm. There is a rubber rib that is in the way that the screen door fits into that I don't want to try cutting. I have thought of using some kind of box that would put the doorbell 1/4 inch away from the wall, but I should see if a paper cutout in the doorbell's size would fit right. The thing that turns the doorbell won't work either--I would get a nice picture that is 50% shrubs. Also, I know I can't just put it on the door behind the screen door. The IR motion detector won't work through the glass.

[@dccampfin]

Thanks so much Stephen. So can one buy a second ringer? Or is that not needed if you can ring your homepods, and get the video pop up on Apple TV?

[@beardfm]

I don’t think you can buy multiple chimes (but Arlo lets you do that). But since I have HomePods in most places that more than suffices.

[@FilipRadelic]

3:43 Thread doesn’t have the bandwidth for cameras. Matter over wifi is also a thing.

[@beardfm]

Good call, forgot!

[@MichaelSeverini]

I finally got my Aqara G4 doorbell and have it setup. While I like you can add custom ringtones, I am wondering if you can change the Homepod chime. I turned off the Aqara chime box because I just want to use my Homepods. Overall I like it.

[@beardfm]

I think for HomePod comes you're stuck with only one sound. Glad you like it!

[@evlnte]

Curious if adjusting the sensitivity on the Aqara app will also improve triggers on the Homekit side. Also was wondering if using rechargeable batteries is an option or if they don't output enough power as alkaline. You stated that the chime acts as the hub, so does that mean that the hub needs the best Wifi connectivity or do both? In other words, does the doorbell connect to the hub and then the hub to home Wifi or does each connect to wifi which is how they connect to each other? What doorbell triggers are exposed to Homekit?

[@beardfm]

Like Hue accessories (motion sensors, etc), I imagine it those adjustments will carry over. The doorbell connects to the chime / hub, and that connects to Wi-Fi. So the chime needs the better Wi-Fi signal. And not sure what doorbell triggers you mean? Everything matches other HSV Video Doorbells like the Circle View.

[@MetehanG]

Thanks great video! I don't know if this question even makes sense in USA but I still want to ask because it makes total sense for where I live (sadly). How do you protect this (or any) Video Doorbell itself from getting stolen from the door place? Is there any way to securely assemble this to the wall?

[@beardfm]

Thanks! Many doorbell cams like the Logitech Circle view have a release button that usually requires a paper clip or similar. That would be easy for someone to bring and steal, so there’s no easy way to fully protect it. But, you will literally have the thief on camera the moment before they remove it.

[@RaduIonita]

you can rotate it 90 degrees for vertical view

[@SiegA776]

Great video. I purchased this doorbell a couple of weeks ago. I am having so much trouble with it that I am almost at the stage of sending it back. Since Stephen Robles is THE Home kit guru, I though to ask the question. During the set up process the Aqara app takes me straight to the Apple home kit add devices process. I cannot add the doorbell to the Aqara app afterwards. I get an error message that there is something wrong with the wifi? I have tried resetting, factory reset, you name it. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

[@beardfm]

Hey, thanks for watching! Unfortunately, once the video doorbell is synced to HomeKit you can't add it to Aqara. I believe I added mine to the Aqara app first and bound it to a hub, but I can't remember what I did to prevent the HomeKit setup initially. Sorry about that!

[@pfr010]

What is the reason you added it to the Aqara app? Only for software updates? I would like to use it with HKSV only and don’t want to share my video feed with Aqara.

[@beardfm]

I did for testing, and then saw firmware updates are only through Aqara. You could certainly never install the Aqara app and just add to Home, but you won’t get software updates.

[@MichaelSeverini]

Does the Aqara G4 have motion sensor triggers or will it only alert and show video on iPhone, Apple TV, etc. if the button is pushed?

[@beardfm]

You can choose to get motion alerts and program only for people, animals, packages, and/or vehicles

[@JOHNNYBADS33D]

Did you test this only on batteries? A lot of people on Reddit have encountered issues when wired.

[@beardfm]

I only tested on battery power, unfortunately.

[@svth689]

Hi, do you happen to have more details on connection reliability? We’ve had this for a month now and the doorbell goes frequently online and offline in the Apple Home app for no reason. Chime and wifi connection are strong. How is it playing out for you so far?

[@beardfm]

I only had it setup for a few days so will have to report back. In that time there were a couple moments of disconnection but didn’t seem more than my other HSV cameras. My Circle View cameras (non-doorbell) periodically disconnect too.

[@NaarDuKlaute]

Protip: I put the Homekit sticker of the doorbell om the back, so people won’t be able to scan it 😊

[@beardfm]

Good call!

[@adalarce]

Thanks for sharing! Gotta say, exposure on its footage looks dark, I guess Aqara focused on protecting the highlights by bumping up the shadows. If only this was HDR as Google is doing it, definitely more important than resolution itself. Hopefully this doorbell kicks off more HomeKit doorbells!

[@beardfm]

In-person the video looks plenty good for doorbell video footage. But would be great if HomeKit Secure Video supports 2K-4K in the near future!

[@adalarce]

@@beardfm It would! As long as it doesn't slow it down. But even in standard definition, HDR (dynamic range) is what I think could potentially take doorbells to the next level even more than bumping resolution

[@jbnelson]

It looks like you can set the included doorbell chime to 0% volume in the Aqara app? I’d rather just hear the HomePods and leave the chime/hub in the closet

[@beardfm]

You can!

[@friesknight6289]

is it waterproof?

[@beardfm]

Water resistant and will do fine in the rain.

[@calmenow]

Does this work with existing chimes? And in this case, do I need the chime that comes with it?

[@beardfm]

You need the chime that comes with it as it acts as the “hub” for the video doorbell. I don’t believe it works with physical / existing chimes. The Circle View does and that’s how I have mine set up

[@JassiSandhu777]

Is it possible to hook the aqara doorbell up to my homes current doorbell chime system? Any software or hardware I could use to relay the signal to my existing set up? Thanks!

[@beardfm]

It doesn’t connect directly to a physical chime. Not sure about possible third party devices. The Logitech Circle View can connect to preinstalled physical chimes!

[@dlwilhelmdw]

Does anyone know what type of power is required to hardwire the external part of the doorbell, not the usb c part?

[@chadbonadonna3778]

Have you had any of the issues Shane reported with HomeKit connectivity?

[@beardfm]

HomeKit connectivity had been pretty reliable in my few days of testing. Considering the chime acts as the “hub” there maybe an issue if it’s placed too far away. I had it about 40-50 feet away across 2 walls and it worked fine. When the video appears on Apple TV sometimes it didn’t play smoothly. That’s all I noticed

[@richardgarno6591]

Anyone else have problems with the doorbell speaker in the Aqara app? As of today, Aug. 29, 2023 I am running the latest version of the app and of the Aqara firmware. The speaker and microphone work fine in the Apple Home app, but they cannot be heard when using the Aqara app. I assume this is an app issue and not a problem with the doorbell itself, but I'm still within the return window and don't think I want a $120 doorbell that doesn't function properly. I've reached out to Aqara twice but haven't even gotten an acknowledgement that they have received my ticket.

[@CDP135Z]

You said it's one of the 3 HomeKit secure video doorbells. But I thought you could use the Ubiquiti video Doorbell and Doorbell Pro with HomeKit? Am I wrong by thinking this? I'm just dipping my toe in the smart home HomeKit world and I'm in the process of building my house. I'm also planning a HomeKit smart home with a Ubiquiti network and camera system so I really home I'm not wrong on this one.....Thanks for your help.

[@beardfm]

I have a Ubiquiti network with Unifi AP’s as well. Those cameras may be viewable in HomeKit with homebridge, but HomeKit secure video is Apple’s feature that records clips to iCloud when you have an iCloud+ subscription. So there’s no need for a third party storage service or subscription.

[@CDP135Z]

@@beardfm Ahhh, I understand now. Thanks for clearing that up. So I think it will still work as I was planning, using a UDM SE as local camera storage. I really want to keep everything local but don't want the hassle of Home Assistant which is why I'm going with HomeKit. The only reason I was really wanting to have the Ubiquiti doorbell in HomeKit was to show up on my AppleTV. Thanks again.

[@alanvick5803]

Have you had the overheating issue with the Logitech?

[@beardfm]

Nope. Had it over a year in Florida, no overheating issues

[@Buharialtinee]

Thanks for sharing

[@beardfm]

Thanks for watching!

[@derekmooney9324]

How do you get the live preview pop up on the apple tv? Right now, all it shows for me is a notification stating "the doorbell rang" - can't seem to get homekit secure video to show up under the camera in the Home app either

[@beardfm]

Were you able to add the cameras to the Home app at all?

[@derekmooney9324]

@@beardfm Yes, was able to add it to the home app. I'm able to see the live view in the app but no playback timeline at the bottom. I have iCloud+ storage. Also, doesn't show the live notification on the AppleTV

[@derekmooney9324]

The timeline randomly appeared finally. still not getting a live preview on the AppleTV though

[@JLafranca]

After 3 days (and updating to latest firmware) my Aqara G4 stopped syncing with HomeKit. Although the chime does ring when the button is pressed, the doorbell is relatively useless. After several contacts with Aqara Support, it is still not working. Collegue of mine had the exact same problem, but only after 3 weeks of using. Would not recommend buying this doorbell until all bugs are fixed.

[@beardfm]

That’s unfortunate. Latest firmware installed and everything?

[@KoolaidKillerfish]

Is this thing just going to break if it's outside and gets wet?

[@beardfm]

It’s made to be outside but will follow up if there are any issues!

[@MichaelSeverini]

Currently I’m powering the G4 using batteries, but based on what I’ve read and what I experience with delayed motion detection and that I want 24/4 video capture, I’m going to hardwire it. I can’t find out what the voltage specs are for the transformer. Any ideas? I’m guessing 24volts, but I don’t want to guess. Thanks!

[@beardfm]

Use the Ring doorbell power (24v) and that will work with the Aqara! amzn.to/3HcPNvw

[@MichaelSeverini]

@@beardfm ahh, yes this might work. I was going to run new wire to a transformer. This might be easier, although I’ll have drill a hole to the inside wall to an outlet. Thanks!

[@kk5]

Are you able to confirm if you block it from wan access if it will still function in homekit? I like to firewall devices from the internet to prevent phoning home.

[@beardfm]

I’ll try to find out. But from what I understand HSV communicated locally to your Home hubs (HomePod and TV) and should require direct internet access

[@kk5]

@@beardfm ive tried it with some other homekit secure cameras before but ive read online some devices shutdown or dont work when blocked from the internet.

[@zeusrodriguez9536]

Any recommendations on an external power supply?

[@beardfm]

For the chime? You could get a power strip that includes USB-A ports or use an old Apple brick you have lying around!

[@zeusrodriguez9536]

@@beardfm sorry, I meant the actual camera.

[@tsushima33]

How easily it detaches if someone will try to pull it out?

[@beardfm]

That’s a possibility with any video doorbell for sure.

[@artstech]

Looks like it was made in the 1990's and why does it use six AA batteries?

[@ateddy7901]

Yes having the plug in on the chimewould be better... will not buy untill they fix that

[@beardfm]

I get it for sure. Arlo chime with plugin is great, just wish they would support HSV

[@mikebedford4362]

It’s been in Australia for a month now and it’s a bit unreliable. The feature that caused me to return it is the camera. It’s landscape and AWFUL as it cuts off heads whilst also only showing waist up! Why?? And because of this no package detection!

[@beardfm]

If the aspect ratio doesn’t work in your setup that’s a dealbreaker for sure. Do you have the Circle View doorbell available there? It would still be my preferred doorbell

[@mikebedford4362]

@@beardfm Unfortunately the Circle View ISN'T available here (or anywhere outside the US). I've pretty much given up on a HomeKit camera and I'm going to get the new Ring Battery doorbell Plus when it lands in April and have it as my only exception for devices and HomeKit. Great channel BTW that I only just discovered and am now following.

[@tikmetal1982]

I want your iPhone shirt haha 😅

[@beardfm]

It’s from Basic Apple Guy! cottonbureau.com/p/R7TPS4/shirt/buy-your-mom-an-iphone#/15491865/tee-men-standard-tee-vintage-black-tri-blend-s

[@tikmetal1982]

@@beardfm thanks man! Love the channel your videos are very detailed!

[@laukhengsoon]

I got one, strongly suggest don't buy it. the doorbell will sometime be disconnected. the video quality is dark. compared to Google Doorbell, this doorbell is still half-cooked. In order to record to icloud. you need to purchase icloud+ which does not make sense.

[@beardfm]

I'll report on connectivity in several weeks if it's an issue, but HomeKit Secure Video requiring iCloud+ has been the case from launch.

[@TrueSouthTwitter]

I think Shane also reported this one constantly getting disconnected.

[@MrPerfect229]

Lets be realistic here….This doorbell is way too big.

[@beardfm]

It’s larger than the other two HSV options for sure, but I don’t mind it!