STACK #193 Nov 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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VIDEO DOORBELL CAMERAS These clever devices solve a multitude of problems in one compact package. They work as a traditional doorbell but have recordable video capability, allowing you to interact with whoever is at the door if you’re not home, or without the need to open it if you are. They come wireless (battery powered) and wired, depending on your needs.

ARLO WIRED VIDEO DOORBELL This smart wired weatherproof video doorbell delivers crystal clear HD video with 180-degree field of view, and will trigger alerts when motion is detected. Onboard technology can decipher whether there’s a human, car, animal or parcel at the door. When the doorbell is pressed, a video call is made directly to your smartphone. Don’t fancy answering it? You can pre-program recorded answers (and have a lot of fun doing so…). It features night-vision and a siren for emergencies. Content can be live- streamed but if you want to record your video to the cloud, you’ll need a subscription. Is there a subscription attached? Yes. Voice assistant compatible? Google Assistant and Alexa.

According to stats from the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 70 per cent of break ins were from doors and windows left open, with 12 per cent of burglars using spare keys left out by residents. 24 per cent of houses are entered through the backdoor and 19 per cent through the front. Houses are most likely to be burgled on Fridays between 12pm and 6pm. Rubbish bins left outside the property, signs of unoccupancy, no cars in the driveway, full mailboxes and no lights on in the house were all cited as reasons why properties were targeted. Good quality external video cameras are waterproof, have enhanced night vision capabilities and pet and parcel detection technology, and can be zoomed to reveal detailed images. The more premium models offer an in-built siren, custom motion detection zones, and two-way talk capabilities. Quality wireless cameras use rechargeable batteries, so you’re still protected during a power cut. SUBSCRIPTIONS Some security camera brands require a monthly subscription service to unlock extended cloud storage or additional features on the camera. We’ve outlined below where this is applicable. You can find full details and costs of these services on the brands' respective websites. CAUGHT ON CAMERA Unless you’ve got the drooling hellhound from The Omen prowling your property and growling through bared teeth at anyone who passes the front gate, your second best protective measure is a camera. Alarms can be effective, but a camera capable of catching great resolution video footage is a big deterrent to burglars.

EUFY VIDEO DOORBELL If you don’t have existing wiring to the front door and/or want to avoid hardwiring a video doorbell, the rechargeable battery-operated Eufy Video Doorbell is worth a look. Easy to install, it boasts 2K video for excellent resolution, two-way talk and live view. If you don’t want to answer the door, choose from pre-recorded answers or record your own response. The big appeal here is the lack of a subscription service. If you already have a Eufy Homebase, the captured footage is stored on the 16GB of internal storage. And motion detection zones help alleviate unnecessary external triggers. Is there a subscription? Yes, but you don’t need it. Voice assistant compatible? Google Assistant and Alexa.

DUMB CRIMINALS A would-be robber walked straight up to the counter in a bank in Illinois, USA, and handed the cashier a note that read: “Be Quick. Be Quiet. Give Cash or I’ll Shoot.” The bank teller handed him $400 but the thief had written the note on one half of his wage packet. The police found the other side outside the bank with his name and address on it.

24 NOVEMBER 2020

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