Have had a Hikvision doorbell cam for several years but it is giving me issues and I need to upgrade. Was looking at the Reolink wifi doorbell cam but it doesn't work directly with the doorbell chime - I only have two wires to button location. It occurred to me that I have a location to the side of the door about 25' away I could put a POE IP camera with object detection and detect button presses at the existing chime and essentially have the same thing - just not quite the close up view which I think is ok. Thoughts? Anyone done something like this?
It comes down to if you need the option for remote interaction with the people ringing the door bell or not. I personally don't at this time as such I have a hikvision dome camera for my front door that records to my Synology NAS as my NVR and use a shelly button 1 as my doorbell trigger (as I also have a security door I have a door sensor and vibration sensor on it for knock detection as well) that sends me an image when its pressed to my phone so I know who is at the door and plays the chime via tasker using the notification title as the trigger.
To me a door camera is separate from a door bell.
The camera is something that can identify someone or some thing and alert me automagically.
A door bell is a device that someone intentionally alerts me about.
So, pros of doorbell w/camera are simpler, lower up front cost, potential two-way audio, single solution. Slightly cleaner.
cons are limited field of view, single point of failure, less flexibility, can miss activity.
Separate doorbell and camera pros better coverage, better image quality, more reliable recordings, easier upgrades, redundancy, more privacy/control options. the cons are higher cost, more installation work, more equipment to maintain.
Which one sounds like you prefer?
Also, there is a third option. doorbell w/camera and a PoE Camera. And, to me this is likely the better choice because even if someone disables the doorbell camera your PoE is still functions, and likely will be not noticed. the camera's function is after all to allow identification, good, or unfortunately bad.
Have a look at Frenck’s doorbell
I'm not too worried about security - more just knowing what's going on, if a package shows up while we are away so I can have someone get it, things like that. But I like the idea of having both. I just ordered the Reolink white wifi doorbell cam (strange that it doesn't show up on the reolink page but Amazon has them - I see tons of comments about their limited availability - for about $30 more than the black) because it sees some direct sun and white will be cooler and also for the low package field of view although the second camera will have a good view of the porch deck.
Esp32 connected to button attached to two wires can trigger audible bell, phone notification and other actions. Also gives visitor comfort that someone has been notified.
Seperate camera is easier to replace in future. Cheaper, you can use multiple and yes object detection that can notify you if button not pressed.
This has been the way I’ve always done
This. I’ve purchased video doorbells but form factor never fits location, sometimes cloud, slower to notify(seconds slower). They aren’t bad but I think only work for new construction or Reno where it can be more intentionally placed vs kinda placed where convenient.