REVIEW : This Xiaomi Outdoor Camera Detects Less | BW500 | Battery-Operated | Solar-Charging

[@supermoto101]

I bought the BW500 camera and base station in Nov 2024 to complement an existing camera system. Like you, I noticed very few detection events, compared to my other Xiaomi cameras. As a security cam, I suspect the BW500 suffers from two critical flaws. One is poor detection ability and the second is extremely slow wake-up from sleep mode. Either one in itself is bad but to have both in one camera is a deal-breaker. My BW500 has been relegated to non-critical monitoring now. Expensive lesson. As a baby monitor or to take outdoor photos or videos, this camera would be quite good. Battery life is excellent (But it should be since the camera is always sleeping on the job 😂). Anyway, there are far better security cameras in the Xiaomi range.

[@garywillis8737]

Had this for 3 weeks now. No issues with detection. Even picks up animals and small movements (eg wind blowing plants). Excellent.

[@ahmadfairuz9282]

currently with icloud?

[@luwiiii]

Very informative video from start to end! Thanks for this sir Jun!

[@matehorvath5152]

Can i set, if the cam detect a pet, do not start the recording ? Only if he saw a human And can i delete easily the recorded video ?

[@ibytute]

Thank you for the great review! I have a question: if I already have a BW300 camera and I purchase the Outdoor Camera Base Station, will I still need a subscription, or will it no longer be necessary and videos will be uploaded to base station? Thanks again! 😊

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@ibytute depending upon your needs. However, the 256GB is more than enough since the camera is not recording continously. For me, subscription is not necessary for this camera or the BW300..

[@belkacemaz2203]

Thank you for the review. I'm about buying it, then I get into your review.. is it possible to record whatever motion or not ?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@belkacemaz2203 It records once it detects human, vehicle, pet and package but no continuous recording.

[@afifqalby]

so if the electricity goes down (no wifi connected), will it still detect & recording and save the video to internal storage?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@afifqalby i forgot that aspect in my review. I used to do that on every camera i tested. My apologies. However, most, if not all, Xiaomi cameras can detect and record videos while offline even if it's not connected to the router. Anyway, i'll test it if it could also do like that. Thanks for reminding me.

[@afifqalby]

@HiTechTaBai no problem & thank you pls let me know if you already test it.

[@HiTechTaBai]

@afifqalby Just tested it this evening. Like what i've guessed it can detect and record videos even no internet connection but connected to the Wifi router and also, even if the Wifi router is off. It's similar to the rest of Xiaomi cameras.

[@PedroJuanSaliente]

we bought BW300 and has the same issue that you mentioned.. It frequently missed detection..

[@Mira_EG6]

Is it possible to disable the LED completely?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@Mira_EG6 Yes. There's a Status Light switch.

[@HiTechTaBai]

If i may add, the IR sensors that function as fill light if the camera is set to Full Color Night Vision can only be adjusted down to 10% only. So, there's still visible light once the camera is activated.

[@ahmadfairuz9282]

what will i get if not using any pay apps? just thinking to use basic Mi Home apps

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@ahmadfairuz9282 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5eWf2N7eshgg9U

[@marshalldjuric]

Can you make a video with a house tour with all your Xiaomi devices and show your Mi Home app?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@marshalldjuric For now, i only have this video-- kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXbKZGWuo6t1mpY

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@marshalldjuric What do you suggest-- automation?

[@xpatd03ify]

Is it possible to power this camera with power bank?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@xpatd03ify yes

[@jelicadujmovic9781]

I have one it misses to detect and film a lot

[@clairvoyance7424]

cw700s or bw500 pls cant decide which better

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@clairvoyance7424 Incomparable. You have to decide according to your needs.

[@Mr0828Light]

How many cameras can you connect to the base station? Can you connect the bw500 to the base station?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@Mr0828Light watch the video. I discussed it partially.

[@jelicadujmovic9781]

4 bw500 or bw300

[@Grazmo]

Can this camera stay recording for an hour or two or does it always shut down?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@Grazmo Watch the video to know the answer. I've clearly explained it here.

[@Grazmo]

​@@HiTechTaBaiIm sorry if I troubled you but I watched it but english is not my first language so I didn't understand it very well. Could you please be kind and explain?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@Grazmo It detects less and record videos up to 2 minutes only every time it records detected events.

[@Sapiterbang231]

why i cant monitoring this device on pc? i can do it on my smartphone with mi home account but not my pc

[@HiTechTaBai]

@@Sapiterbang231 I mentioned that in this video.

[@Sapiterbang231]

@@HiTechTaBai thanks for reply mister i have question again... do you now why xiaomi bw500 cant show on xiaomi camera viewer? are they not supported yet?

[@HiTechTaBai]

@Sapiterbang231 All outdoor cameras of Xiaomi are not supported on the PC Viewer app. Xiaomi has not publicly stated the reason.

[@arnoldflores-re2mw]

JunTars❗❗