I resisted as long as I could but finally gave in, I have a love hate relationship with technology !! I love the things it provides for health and science. When I had my two stents put in I was awake for the procedure and absolutely amazed as I watched listened to the procedure
the cath lab was like NASA control room and I felt better immediately and resumed a normal life almost the next day. so that kind of Technology I love !!
This kind of technology (video Doorbells ) I'm not so fond of because I think its kind of Big Brother and I'm a little suspicious of anything that uses the cloud or off base storage and has the potential for being hacked, but I let the wife talk me in to it because of some issues around the neighborhood lately.
So both Target and Best Buy had this unit on sale and I caved, The technology is impressive I'm just not sure I need it.
any way this is a buyer beware post. I thought I did my research but I missed a warning that was stated on the web sight and on the box
REQUIRES 16-24 Volts @10 VA well I get everything hooked up (the step by step instructions in the app were excellent) and I get a amber instead of white led indicating low voltage to unit, well I got lucky my door bell transformer is on the same circuit as my garage door opener and easily accessible on my garage wall. Sure enough I get my multi-meter out and my transformer is only putting out 13.2 volts even though the transformer is only rated at 10 volts so I replace the transformer with a $11.99 multi-volt 8-16-24 unit set it up for 16 volts
which my volt meter reads as 19.8 and presto everything works as designed !! so if your entertaining the idea of installing one ck your transformer voltage first !!
Personally I think a knock on the door with a go away or yeah yeah keep you shirt on response is still adequate !!

 

When we had an item stolen off our porch I bought a NEST doorbell camera and a separate monitor. It was very easy to install, however the Google link constantly drops offline. Well it made the wife happy, that's all that matters.

 

Why are you even clouding? If you get a device using a motion sensor, that's all that would be necessary.
I went out and ordered one of these, because the few that showed up at ALDIs were supposedly sold out. The other day, there was one in the glass case which pi$$'d me off, because the cheapest offering out of the internet plus shipping made me pay about a third more than that one they found laying around in their storage somewhere.
It has infrared lighting for night time recording and you could stash it just about anywhere. It has a 20 meter range and could be hooked up to a remote 12 volt source. If you get a hold of 8 AA rechargables capable of at least 2000 milli amperes, you could strap one of these to a nearby tree, since home invaders aren't going to take the time to look at trees.
I use ALDI for a reference, because there are so many versions of this camera to choose from in the internet. Since none of them are made in Japan, I generally don't trust anything made in You Know Where:

https://maginon.de/en/collections/fu...wk-4-hd-100404

 

Casa Cam set up, night vision, motion detection, sound recording and broadcasting "by you" from your phone, flood lights activated by motion or via your phone. I have 8 cameras around the property, fun at night with the wild life and a sense of security all other times.

 

Chi-na?

 

I don't think I would get a door camera. These darn cell phones are too much like Big Brother as is...

 

That's why it's never a good idea to connect your private affairs to the internet. As witnessed by the shenannigans Big Tech were capable of during recent events, if you were to have to defend your home against the wrong person, instead of offering accomodation to that person in your daughter's bedroom, there are certain grassroots groups who will waste no time in having you frog-marched into some kangaroo courtroom, depending on which neighborhood that defensive measure was taken in or what you might just happen to have as a publicized background.
Fifty years ago, you could tie a string from your doorknob to the trigger of a shotgun and it wasn't a big deal. Nowadays, it's become the complete opposite scenario

 

I use these products (WYZE) - very inexpensive - just need 120 outlet - all wireless - free App & Cloud Storage

Indoor camera starts at $20 +-
Outdoor costs a bit more

No issues with quality or set up

https://wyze.com/shop-wyze

 

I use a number of D-Link cameras around my place. Though Cloud storage is available, I avoid it for the reasons stated above. I have the cameras programmed to send vid or pics to my cell phone when motion is detected. Motion detection "masking" is possible to monitor only certain portions of a video frame. This allows you to filter out motion of trees in the breeze, etc. I store vid locally. Free, via cloud app, access to cameras through cell phone, tablet or PC app is available to live monitor or update/configure. This can be accomplished either wired or wireless. You can also use "local" mode and access the cameras via your local/home LAN without accessing the web app. Cameras are on the more expensive end of the range, but I've had mine in place for nearly 10 years, so got in when the tech was New and Shiny. Less expensive versions and providers (WYZE, etc.) are now on the market. I don't like the Ring and NEST for the reasons that I don't want Google/Big Brother in my personal video space 7x24x365. This is the same reason I won't ever get an Alexa or anything of that nature.