Amcrest UltraHD 4K (8MP) IP PoE AI Camera, FOV 129°, 49ft Color Nightvision, Security Outdoor Bullet Camera, Human & Vehicle Detection, Active Deterrent, 4K @15fps, IP8M-2796EW-AI (White)

Pros:High-quality 4K video feedDurable construction designed for outdoor useRobust security features, including Active Deterrence and IVSUser-friendly operation with a well-designed quick-start guidePower over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities for simplified installationCons:Somewhat sensitive motion detection can produce noisy resultsLack of a power on/off light indicator can make it difficult to confirm if the camera is functioningIntroduction of another Amcrest application can be frustrating for users who prefer a consolidated platformFirst ImpressionsAt first glance, the Amcrest 4K Outdoor bullet camera appears to be a high-quality product, designed with durability in mind. It is evident that this camera is built to withstand outdoor conditions, promising longevity. The construction quality is very good, with a few minor exceptions such as the mount design. Mount design appears to be straight forward, but as you will see I discuss later there is some difficulty positioning this when set to 90 degreeInstructions:The instructions are straightforward, with a quick-start guide that helps get the camera up and running. However, like many of Amcrest's products, more complex features such as IVS, require a little more experience and tinkering to fully master. This process might be daunting for first-time users, but it also offers a high degree of customization for those seeking more than just basic functionality.Camera Installation:The installation process was relatively smooth and straightforward. The camera does not feature a power on/off light indicator, so the only way to confirm if it's functioning correctly is by checking the camera feed in the software. This absence of an immediate status indicator can make the setup process a bit tricky. This was installed at a 90 degree angle. Even with the screw loosened it seemed to be difficult to get the camera to swivel at the base. With force it moved to the desired adjusted position, but not without concern it would bread while doing it.Setup/Functionality:Setting up the Amcrest camera was a straightforward process, largely due to the well-designed quick-start guides provided with the product. Connecting it to the Amcrest app was also a breeze. This particular model comes with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, which simplifies installation by combining power supply and video transmission into a single cable. This camera model was quickly recognized and integrated into the system without issue.The camera is installed using a mount that is included in the box. Although the construction of the mount is robust, its adjustment is somewhat limited once it has been attached to a surface. This limitation can slightly hinder the camera's ability to capture a 90-degree angle view if it's mounted on a wall.Once installed, the camera's App interface was navigable with multiple customization options. The web interface seems better as it offers a wide range of settings available for you to tweak, such as Face Detection, Smart Motion Detection, and SMTP (Email) configurations. While these settings add to the camera's appeal, they might also require additional time to understand fully and optimize to your liking.The Active Deterrence and IVS features, such as tripwire and intrusion detection, were some of the advanced features that could enhance the camera's security capabilities. While understanding these features might be challenging initially, visual aids in the advertisement and the user guide greatly assist in comprehending and utilizing these functionalities.A slight inconvenience during setup was the lack of a power on/off light indicator. Without it, users need to check the camera feed on the software to confirm that the camera is functioning after the initial power connection. Despite this, the setup process remains user-friendly and intuitive overall.Lastly, the introduction of another Amcrest application is a bit frustrating. Managing different cameras across multiple apps can be challenging, and consolidation of these apps might streamline the user experience significantly.Overall, the setup process for this Amcrest camera was relatively simple, with minor areas for improvement. The wide range of functionalities and settings, while requiring a bit of a learning curve, offers the potential for a highly customized and effective home security solution.Issues:While this camera is impressive with its feature set and overall performance, it's not without a few quirks. The motion detection, while useful, can be somewhat sensitive and occasionally produce noisy results. This means users may receive alerts for benign movement, such as tree branches swaying in the wind, or animals. This is a common item with all the Amcrest cameras I’ve installed. It requires a lot of tinkering to get things dialed in. Even then, things are still remain on the noisy alert side of things.Furthermore, while the Intelligent Video System (IVS) technology is a great addition to the camera's feature list, it requires management via a web interface and can be a bit more complex to handle for the average user. I need to continue to play with this feature in the months to come.One minor inconvenience observed during the setup process is the lack of a power on/off light indicator. This omission makes it tricky to determine if the camera is functioning or not after the initial power connection, necessitating users to check the camera feed on the software to ensure that it's working.Also, introducing yet another app to the growing portfolio of Amcrest applications might be a little annoying for some users, who would prefer a consolidated platform for their devices.Overall:Overall, this camera is a commendable product that balances advanced features with user-friendly operation. It lives up to the Amcrest reputation of delivering high-quality, reliable, and technologically advanced security solutions. The camera's durability, excellent image quality, and robust security features make it a worthy investment for those seeking to enhance their home security systems.The Intelligent Video System (IVS), Active Deterrent feature, and the high-quality 4K video feed are standout aspects of this camera. However, users should be aware that mastering these advanced features might require some additional time and patience.The camera isn't without its quirks, with some aspects like the somewhat sensitive motion detection and the lack of a power on/off light indicator that may require adjustments or extra steps during setup and operation. Nonetheless, these are minor inconveniences when weighed against the camera's performance and functionality.

Functionality:I can make all of the necessary configurations with any browser. Currently using Chrome. Saving is very important as I make any changes.Overall experience:• I am not a fan of bullet cameras but decided to give this one a shot (am in love with the spotlight, more later)• Connected to my network quickly and joined my BlueIris server.• Very surprised at the size of this camera. It was actually a bit bigger than I expected and is very, very solid metal.• This camera is positioned in a spot on our farm overlooking our ducks because there was a couple of features of this camera I wanted to test out in this area.• It is very clear that it is waterproof as undoing the screws from the dome piece I could hear the air being released. It was also very simple to add the SD card.Image:• The 129-degree field of view makes for an excellent image and is much wider than you would expect as well as most other cameras. The image is crystal clear and the coverage is amazing.• While not a stated feature, for some reason I feel that this camera has a bit higher viewpoint if that makes sense. I can see more top to bottom. That may be due to placement or the wider angle but either way, it has been a perfect fit for this location.Night Vision:• The night vision kicks on and looks great when needed.• I will forever always try to purchase and recommend cameras that have the spotlight feature. Ever since it was updated to being able to be ‘always on’ during motion, I have just raved about it. Having that additional light powered by POE is incredible to me. While it’s not a floodlight, it is just enough during the night when I am walking out there to light up my path.• Really appreciate the night color Technology. Makes the night time images much easier to seeAudio:• While I am not using audio to trigger recording, it is very nice to be able to listen in on the ducks as they go about their day.• It is crystal clear and cutting adjusting for the wind noise was easy to accomplish with the provided settings.Playback:• It’s great to be able to select by file type when looking at recordings. This makes it much quicker to go through the videos of the day.AI:• This is where I wanted to do some additional testing. This camera is pointed at our ducks on the farm and I wanted to test it’s motion, human detection as well as trip-line (IVS).• I was able to easily block out where the ducks are located in the detection area very quickly. Then using IVS, set trip lines coming from both directions to pick up any animals or humans. I also set the detection to humans.• Notifications and video seemed to be captured every time it was feeding time (human) and anytime the trip-line was tripped (dogs running by) which was fantastic to see. I have been able to see these events specifically as well as know if any racoons show up in the area again. There have defiantly been some false positives but I would much rather that then not capturing something.Overall, this is a great bullet camera with an incredibly wide-angle view. I have found a permeant spot with this camera overlooking my ducks and can view their entire pen as well as anything approaching with it. While I wish the hood was a bit more movable, it is not necessary due to the camera facing more north. The camera and image though are top quality from Amcrest as usual and with the included spotlight, this is easily in one of my top 3 cameras from Amcrest.