Reolink Duo 3 - I was wrong about PoE Security Cameras…

Reolink Duo 3 - reolink.com/lp/16mp-security-...
Today I take a look at the Reolink Duo 3 PoE security camera... the first PoE NVR camera i've tried! Having not been a fan of PoE camera systems int he past, can the Reolink Duo 3 convince me otherwise?
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[@StusReviewsUK]

*CLARIFICATION EDIT* - The duo 3 works on PoE without the NVR, I was working under the assumption that when using the SD card slot, you're powering it via the DC adapter... my bad! Should have clarified this. 🤦🏻‍♂

[@jsparx]

NVR firmware update that requires manual instal via usb drive fixes the full screen feature. It will now work properly without having to drop the resolution.

[@Hupihovi]

Just waiting when Stu finds out Frigate and Coral TPU integration.. :) Also, I think you are wrong on the SD Card functionality. It does work with smart controls, remote view, no need for DC power if the camera is POE and this all works without NVR setup. This is the way I've setup many of the Reolink cameras to my relatives and they work "flawlessly".

[@downunderprepparedness]

yeah; I got the duo2 with flood light; using memory card and feeding blue iris... and all runs over poe; doubt they made that worse

[@AlexManMe]

Is it correct that you don’t need the Reolink NVR if you use Frigate? I’m new to it, just wondering what do you have Frigate running on?

[@vegaswayne247]

They also make an excellent POE video doorbell. Your security system will also keep working in the presence of a WiFi jammer.

[@ACAIDC]

I would never trust anything wireless on my home. Wired cameras and a wired alarm system will never be beaten by wireless DIY solutions.

[@robotmaster597]

Why

[@gzoechi]

WiFi jammers are basic home invaders equipment nowadays from what I have heard

[@robotmaster597]

Ohh

[@kevinhenryviii]

Stu. You don’t need the NVR to have the full functionality. The SD card will do the same. Nice review 👍🏻

[@StusReviewsUK]

Is that only if it’s hooked up to Ethernet? I probably should have clarified regarding that point but I meant if you power it via the DC adapter rather than Ethernet, you lose that functionality… is that right?

[@Hupihovi]

@@StusReviewsUK Nope. There are 2 types of cameras in general from Reolink. The ones that have Wifi cannot be powered via PoE (in general), but can be hooked to ethernet and DC, and then there are POE cameras that can be hooked only via POE. Both have the same functionalities with SD cards, e.g. much broader than you suggest in your video.

[@LeiChat]

Rich notifications can be done through Home Assistant, which is a nice way of avoiding the cloud dependency/subscription. A reasonable amount of DIY involved in setting that up though, so I suspect most would prefer to pay a reasonable price for a cloud service (direct from Reolink).

[@RickyKennedy01]

I have a hardwired 4K Reolink system with 4 cameras currently. It’s been faultless ever since I installed a couple of years ago. I’m pretty good with tech, but confident that anyone could install without issue 👍🏻

[@AlexxxPiP1]

That was the best review in my entire life! WoW! Amazing. Thank you very much!

[@gzoechi]

Why would PoE be related to features? PoE can easily deliver the power for every feature you wish. Reolink even offers a PoE floodlight. The only difference is that power is delivered with the network cable instead of separately. Solar powered is quite a different story. I bought an Argus PT and while it worked well I found it cumbersome that I couldn't integrate it into HomeAssistant or an NVR, which robbed it of a lot of it's value.

[@basschoren]

With the Reolink integration in Home Assistant you can make your own rich notifications. It's really ease to do, if you want I can show you my example.

[@mhaka621]

Great to see you join the dark side with us who have been using POE cameras from the beginning. Couple of minor comments. 1. You don’t need the NVR once you install the SD card the camera will act as its own independent NVR… remote access and all. All the same features including smart detection. 2. If you want rich notifications … Home Assistant. The Reolink integration is pretty well flawless. I have a nice little automation that will look for people entering my driveway and then turn on the front lights for a few minutes. But only after lights out.

[@netstar5950]

Excellent review Stu. I did exactly what you had mentioned in the video. I purchased 100 ft spool of ethernet cable along with CAT6 connectors. Cut the cables to length and crimped CAT6 connectors on both ends. I installed a Reolink NVR RLN8-410 which is connected to a SODOLA 16 Port POE switch (switch not required). The POE cables connect from the SODOLA switch to (6) Reolink CX410 cameras. The CX410 cameras are amazing due to the cameras ability to provide excellent color and brightness in total darkness. The cameras also have speakers, SD card slot, and a motion activated spotlight but no infrared lights which means no bugs. The Reolink AI is excellent and very accurate. I get no false notifications from sunlight or tree movement. The cameras tell me if it's an animal, human, or vehicle at a distance of 100 feet. The best part is there are no subscription fees. I agree that Rich Notifications are a big negative but I'm concerned that, if they offer it, there will be a monthly charge for it. I agree that the response time over cellular network is extremely fast. I even get alert notifications on my Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. I have the ability to bring up my cameras on my TV using Amazon FireTV stick. I just say "Alexa, show me my backyard" and the backyard camera appears. Reolink offers the best product for the price.

[@joshuasagraves]

I've been using Hardwire systems for about 3 years and I'll never go back to wireless. It's worth the Saturday worth of time to run the cables. Great review Thank you!

[@BadgerBob]

Also, when using the the SD card the remote viewing is still available if the camera is connected to your network. You get full functionality. Even if you have an NVR it’s worth adding a card. For £10 you can get one that will hold months of motion events, a good ‘backup’ in case you network or NVR fails.

[@StusReviewsUK]

Sorry I should’ve clarified, that in that instance I mentioned you’d be only powering it via the DC adapter (and not hooking it up via Ethernet) - and I’m right then that the functionality would be minimal?

[@BadgerBob]

@@StusReviewsUKvery minimal! No connection to the camera to configure or view footage. The DC is only for when you don’t have POE, just normal Ethernet

[@StusReviewsUK]

Yeah that’s what I meant! Haha! Although interesting about the Ethernet, didn’t realise it could work without the NVR 👍👍

[@BadgerBob]

@@StusReviewsUK Yep, full functionality without the NVR. You can run it without the NVR. In fact the camera exposes more settings when accessed directly. If you connect via a POE switch you get ‘2’ instances of the camera in the app, giving you the best of both worlds (24/7 recording and more options). Also if you access the camera directly it’s even quicker to respond than via the NVR.

[@JasGawera]

My understanding is that with sd card, you get all of the smarts still. It is the camera that has all the clever stuff. Power can be 12v or poe. Rich notification is a bugbear of mine too, I think if you pay for their cloud service you get them, otherwise you don't. 😢

[@HeatwaveHD]

Nice review. Question about the led lighting. Aside from improving night time video, how well did the camera leds light up the area in front of the camera? The Duo2 offers a floodlight model. Is it likely the Duo3 will launch a “spotlight” version? Or is a spotlight version no longer needed?

[@LiAm-ly7di]

Good stuff mate, thank you

[@skullandcrossbones65]

G'day. I have several Reolink cameras all POE. I don't bother with any internet use. It is all just through the NVR and a Moniter on a wall.

[@glanoe]

You can use the SD card in the camera and still use the app without needing the NVR. Its actually a really good experiance. Also you aren't limited to using a Reolink NVR, I use mu Reolink cameras recorded on a QNAP NAS Box. The windows app is also really good for keeping an eye on your cameras remotely. and the best bit is younot need to put a static NAT on your router to access the cameras.

[@DocNo27]

hardwired with a local NVR is the only way to go. I prefer Unifi Protect cameras/NVRs (their Pro Doorbell camera is the best by far - if you can find it in stock) but really, the key is hardwired with local NVR storage and no stupid cloud NVR crap.

[@stevek6418]

Wow, surprised about the brightness of the lights on this thing. Would you say they are bright enough to use as floodlights? Was going to buy a camera + Floodlight, but this might save me having to run electrical if bright enough!

[@BadgerBob]

Hi Stuart. Good isn’t it, I have the Duo 2. But not sure why you think POE systems dont have much smarthome functionality, they often have more. Reolink support RTSP/onvif, so can be integrated into HomeKit etc with things like scrypted. And the Reolink home assistant integration is incredibly good. Admittedly you have to have a bit more knowledge to set them up. Also the they can be used with other NVR systems, not just Reolinks own.

[@SiAnon]

I installed an NVR, three DUO 2s and an 811a over the last couple of weekends and to be honest, the worst part of all of it was getting the cable into the loft from outside. All up and running and covering everything around the house. If i'm honest it does what i need it to do but i'm sure there are more expensive, better and more complicated systems to be had but for the price you can't really beat the Reolink stuff. I also went for the hard wired POE stuff because there was no way i was dealing with batteries or power cables into a loft with no power.

[@Badonicus]

Seconded, the poe is great but the crawling in the attic and drilling to outside was a pain. Still though,if it was wifi you'd still need a hole to for the power cable

[@SiAnon]

@@Badonicus No point running a power cable into my loft. Only lights up there and that's your lot. Wasn't going down that rabbit hole of misery too lol

[@Hupihovi]

@@Badonicus Also the patience to troubleshoot failing connections to the Wifi camera and good luck when they fail and you are gone for a few days :D

[@SiAnon]

@@Hupihovi One thing i did do thought is run 4 cables from the NVR to the loft to RJ45 adaptors, then run the 4 cameras to the adaptors. Then if anything goes wrong i'm not running a full length of cable from the camera to the NVR. It may add a point of weakness in theory but no different to putting keystones in etc. Will just make trouble shooting a lot easier if something breaks.

[@andrewchesney]

Great video - thank you. I'm using the same camera via Synology NAS and as I use an ORBI mesh system, wiring is so easy too. Wired all the way!

[@lewiskelly14]

Ewww Synolocrap

[@TC-mb2pw]

I use Reolink POE cameras (not this one, though) and not only can you use NVR, if this is too expensive, you can get it to automatically FTP videos/pictures to a hard drive on your normal network.

[@Amarjit999]

can i use POE injector and use duo 3 to view remotely ?

[@LGSolutions]

wait for the sd recording to work you need to connect the dc power? strange is thta just for this model beacuse others just record on tghe sd card when only connected using poe

[@StusReviewsUK]

No - my bad - I should have clarified my thought process, but I was working under the assumption that in the scenario you’re using the internal SD card, you’re also running it off the DC connector at the same time.

[@coachsergiotarazona818]

Would the camera record continuously and storage in the ad card without Internet connection, just being powered?

[@thatsimon4275]

Yes it can be configured that way

[@thisnthat3530]

I run a combination of Reolink 510A and 810A POE cameras (6 total). For other hardware I use a cheap TP-Link POE switch, a Lenovo P330 Tiny with 32GB RAM and a nVidia P1000 8GB graphics card, a large capacity USB3 HDD for video storage, and a pair of Coral USB TPUs. Software is Debian Linux running Docker. Portainer for container management, and in 9 containers Firgate NVR, MQTT, Double Take, Compreface and Home Assistant. This combination provides pretty much every desired feature mentioned in this video.

[@stuartforrest]

Hi there. I am just about to switch to this setup from wifi cameras and have home assistant already. Just a quick question why do you need two corals. I have seen a few people saying they have two but not sure what that's for.

[@thisnthat3530]

@@stuartforrestI'm using a recognition model that takes ~100ms per image. With 6 cameras pushing objects this gives them quite the workout. The default model detection is around 8ms, so much faster but less accurate. Also, the nVidia card only requires 8GB because of the Compreface CUDA model which is about 4.2GB. I use the rest (as well as the inbuilt Intel UHD630 in the i5-9500T CPU) for video transcoding.

[@stuartforrest]

@@thisnthat3530 thanks for the reply. Maybe I am getting ahead of myself as never set any of this up outside of a raspberry pi with home assistant but I have bought all the equipment you list here and am going to give it a go. I only ordered one coral so far. If you use a second do you have to do something to instruct the system to split the load or does it just happen by magic.

[@thisnthat3530]

@@stuartforrestAdd the following to your Frigate config: detectors: coral1: type: edgetpu device: usb:0 # coral2: # type: edgetpu # device: usb:1 If it turns out you need a second Coral TPU, uncomment the second section. Frigate will divvy up the work automatically.

[@DementedDog]

Hard-wired is always best from a security perspective. However, not many people have the ability to cable-up their house without a huge amount of work and expense.

[@downunderprepparedness]

Surprised if the Duo3 requires NVR... I use bunch of Reolink duo's (duo; duo2+floodlight) poe's without their NVR. I use them with blue iris (and its AI); though needed to use the web page to enable the extra ports for it to see it; and a bunch of poe+ switches. without the NVR can also tune and use the reolink app notifications directly; and i turn off the movement alerts. the onboard recording makes it record all motion etc and if my blueiris is down can see it still.

[@mattus1gig]

Are you connecting directly to the NVR or the cloud?

[@StusReviewsUK]

NVR

[@TheSrvrgeek]

Not only do you not pay monthly fees, but these systems are off the grid. If the internet is down, you still have visibility. Also, there are thieves with wifi jammers. POE is immune to jammers.

[@RYN988]

human dressed as a dog 🤣 the response time on these is insane! wow!

[@StusReviewsUK]

I know right. Blew me away!

[@elasticleeds]

ok. so,... under or over? how do you get out from behind your desk?

[@StusReviewsUK]

😂 there’s a 50cm gap either side 👀

[@elasticleeds]

@@StusReviewsUK so a Starsky & Hutch bonnet roll over the desk. gotcha.

[@StusReviewsUK]

Backflip actually. Don’t even touch the desk. 👀

[@Badonicus]

Camera time......suprise Drop. Wheres that Tesla video 😮 Im a big Reolink advocate

[@StusReviewsUK]

No Tesla video for a while yet 👀👀👀

[@MadMatt13]

10:22 it's a Stuclops!!!

[@mactastic144]

Does it support HomeKit Secure Video?

[@AlexManMe]

Probably via Homebridge or scripted

[@henryyiu618]

HKSV is limited to 1080p so you wouldnt want to use anyway

[@AlexManMe]

@@henryyiu618 I don’t know, I like the Home interface a lot better than other apps good for viewing a timeline

[@itizme8072]

Reolink went DEI, so I stopped buying my cameras there

[@SLRPAZ]

So basically they hire based on melanin and not qualifications?!

[@MsG_executor]

10:23 looks normal to me