The Ring Video Doorbell is a very cool new Wi-Fi enabled device that transmits the sound of a doorbell chime directly to smartphones, as well as to Ring’s wall-mounted Chime accessory. Mount it where your old doorbell resides, and the video camera at the top of the device offers a home security feature that discourages burglers from gaining access to your home.
The Ring Video Doorbell’s video camera provides two-way communication, and makes people think you’re always home. There’s also a motion alert feature that activates the doorbell camera, which let’s you see who’s come to the door, even if they never press the doorbell button.
The Ring is actually a second-generation device. The first product by the company was called the Doorbot. The Ring has a new design, which makes it more appealing to traditional homeowners. There have also been functional improvements to the product.
Ring Video Doorbell Design
Compared to its predecessor, the Ring doorbell has a more contemporary, straight-edged look, and comes in a few finishes that will match any decor. The ring button is located at the bottom. It’s surrounded by a blue ring that lights up when pressed. The camera lens, which house the 720p, 180-degree camera, is located at the top. The camera itself delivers a streaming video feed to your smartphone or tablet device via Wi-Fi.
Installation, Setup and App
The mounting design includes a screw down plate, and the whole unit simply snaps in to place. Installation is a breeze, and you can remove it without any tools. When you’ve decided where the Ring will be installed, just pivot the adjustable camera to the position you’d like, and place Ring on the included mounting bracket. Then, secure with the included proprietary security screw to help prevent theft. Plus, if your Ring doorbell is ever stolen, the company will replace it free of charge.
You also have access to installation videos, which gives you step-by-step instructions on how to mount the device. The Ring Video Doorbell comes with everything you need to install it in minutes on any surface, including cement, wood and stucco. The installation kit you get includes screws, anchors, a screwdriver, and even a drillbit and sealing rubber.
Connecting to the Ring was also very easy, requiring a simple connection via Wi-Fi and installing the associated app onto your smart device. The app is simple to use, and gives you info like ring incidents, including both missed and accepted calls, as well as motion detection customization and review of your cloud-based files.
Ring Features and Performance
Feature-wise, the Ring is simple and to the point. It gives you two-way voice communication, as well as one-way video to let you see who’s at the door. You can even talk to your visitor using your phone and the Ring’s speaker and mic. When a visitor presses your doorbell, it rings the app on your smartphone. You can answer directly, get a preview of who’s there, and then either continue your voice call or ignore the call.
The voice feature works really well, and the video does as well, providing you with a super wide-angle, somewhat medium-definition look at what’s going on at your door.
Motion detection has also been added, which will let the Ring unit passively monitor your front door for activity, and then capture video of the incidents and save them to the cloud for future review. What that means is that even if someone doesn’t ring your doorbell, you’ll be alerted to their presence, and have a record in case of a later incident. It can detect movement in different zones and at different distances, and the cloud recording is free, with paid plans available down the road.
Should You Buy?
The Ring Video Doorbell brings a pretty sophisticated home security and convenience solution for only $200. It’s also great for those who receive a lot of packages throughout the day. The motion detection is the true distinguishing upgrade to the product compared to the company’s first-generation product. With motion detection, The Ring can appeal to not just a market who wants a cool gadget, but rather, a market that wants more security for their home and main entrance.
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