Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell

Been looking for a doorbell that could work with HomeKit for a long time. It would be nice to switch on the Hue lighting instead of an old-fashioned gong when someone rings the doorbell. Been waiting for this device for over a year, so you expect this to be perfectly tested and bug-free, not so. The manual states somewhere that you must connect a gong to be able to work with the device. This is not the case. It is compulsory to connect the gong module, but a gong does not necessarily have to be present. To prevent lost connections, I have discovered that it is best to go for a 24V transformer. This was my first problem. After placing a 24V transformer, the connection is very stable and the device no longer randomly goes into "sleep mode". It has been promised that with a software update HomeKit secure video would be added. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case 3 months after introduction. Initially, once someone walked by, you immediately received a notification that movement had been detected. As an AppleWatch user, it is very nice to immediately see a photo on your wrist of the people who are walking around your home. At a certain point a software update from Netatmo (which you can't stop) and that nice function has been made a lot less sensitive. You must now remain silent in the detection area for at least 15 seconds or the software will not warn you. Use as a doorbell: Out-of-the-box, HomeKit has no option to trigger an activity after pressing the call button. You have to create this via another app such as Eve. Well, if you are not at home, you will actually immediately receive a notification from Netatmo's Secure app via 4G that the doorbell is ringing. In order to be able to speak with the caller, you must allow at least 25 seconds. The video image is very distorted and blocky. Wifi transmitter is literally next to the bell and 4G reception is 100%. Very fast wifi connection here, so that's not the issue. Working via HomeKit, the picture is much better and the sound crystal clear. However, it takes up to 10 seconds after ringing that you are notified via HomeKit. By the time you are speaking via HomeKit, we are up to 40 seconds after pressing the button. The courier is long gone by then. You notice that Netatmo is still working on this, but I think the software is still in beta phase. Too bad for such a more expensive product that actually has pretty good hardware. We bought them for that reason and because of further good experiences with Netatmo. Hopefully it will be software improved after half a year. Unfortunately, there are currently very few alternatives that have the potential to offer the same price/quality ratio. Especially if you think HomeKit integration is important.

Product keeps dropping off WiFi network. Even loses power regularly. Suddenly goes out. Then on again. Must then be reset. Then again not. LED does work. Or not. Or sometimes. No country to sail with. Manufacturer does not respond, but simply does not answer questions or problems. This product is an absolute failure.

We have had this doorbell for a little over a week now and we really like it. It was necessary to replace the transformer of the bell to 8v 1A because the transformer no longer functioned properly with us. Assembly and installation is very easy with the app and helps you through the entire installation process. A good WiFi signal is required. No Cloud service required because images are stored on the supplied SD card and can be downloaded via the app. A nice alternative to that other video call, personally I like the design better.