SimpliSafeHome Security System Doorbell (VPD301)

Updated 8/1/2020 & 8/5/2020 - Also 8/31/2020I read somewhere that SimpliSafe designed their doorbell to be a good basic Video Doorbell that would be super easy to self install and use. If you need/want advanced features, you want a different system. Or if you have a situation that lies outside their targeted customer, it gets a tiny bit more difficult to install. But in most cases, not by much.Their target customer is a person who can use a screwdriver, who can drill a tiny hole in the exterior wall (if needed), who can find the main power switch for the doorbell at their powerbox/fusebox, who has a mechanical chime (not digital) already installed on their existing doorbell. OOPS! One other thing, be able to read and understand instructions! If you meet these criteria, your installation will likely be in 20 minutes or less.I meet the above criteria, but I have a VERY low tolerance for poorly designed self install instructions. The whole self-install scenario went VERY smoothly for me.Everything works as it should, except for one thing. I haven't tried to contact Simplisafe customer service yet to remediate, I literally just installed it and wanted to write about installation before I forget. Although I am extremely good looking for my age, I am old and forget stuff. I will update as time goes on.* It connects to my Orbi, 2 node, mesh router* The chime rings both at the mechanical chime and at the volume-controlled SS base station.* A notice is sent to my phone.* I can see who is at the door.* It integrates quite well with my Simplisafe Security system.* I can't get the audio to play when I press the talk button in my SimpliSafe phone software. (yet - more info later, when I have it) this will be a good test of the Simplisafe customer service!* I have NOT yet tested the night time view.For the most part, it does exactly what I want. The view is a super-wide angle, and while the image shows distortion, it's not as distorted, in my eyes, as much as some video doorbells. The camera control allows you to select 1080p, 720p, or 480p. The default is 720p the image quality is crisp and sharp, and not too laggy.480p will be faster, and take up less room in storage, but will be significantly lower in image quality. 1080p will be slower, take up the most room in storage, but be significantly higher in image quality. I am comfortable with the quality and speed of 720p. It's a doorbell, not "Game of Thrones".At this point, I would say I'm over the moon happy with the installation, but concerned a bit by the audio issue. I can't give it 5 stars yet, but I think 3 stars might be too harsh.REVISED: Changed to 5 stars. In experimenting with this doorbell. I have discovered that the audio problems completely disappear at 480p, and the image quality on my Android phone, Android tablet, and 27 inch PC monitor at 480p is quite good. The video loads and runs a bit faster as well and I don't lose a connection People who have been having this sort of trouble would be advised to try the 480p before trying the tech support people.The night time view is good and clear with the porch light either on or off, though having the porch light on is better.I've been getting 3-4 false movement detected messages a day, but I haven't yet tried any sort of remediation on that yet. If it becomes problematic, I will report back.Right now, I'm quite happy with the ease of installation, integration with the SimpliSafe security system, and with its overall operation. It isn't the most advanced video doorbell on the market, but it covers all the main functions I am looking for at a most reasonable price. The 480p dimension setting is adequate to the task.I think for existing SimpliSafe users, this must be seriously considered, for others . . . mmm - it probably ought to be considered. There ARE going to be viable other options out there, some more advanced, some cheaper, but I think this hits the 'sweet spot' for a combination of features, quality, and affordability.LAST REVISION, I promise: I resolved the 480p - 720p issue completely. I noticed that even though the Orbi mesh router wall node was only about 10 feet away from the doorbell on the other side of the wall. The doorbell app told me the signal was "weak". I had an additional outlet almost directly below the doorbell on the other side of the wall. I plugged the router node into that outlet, and the signal changed to "strong". This allows me to use the 720p screen dimension with no problem and full audio. If your signal is weak to the doorbell, your wall or door may be part of the transmission problem. In that case, you will need to consider moving your router closer to the doorbell. (Mesh router systems make that easy!)For the false movement detected - The setup parameters in the app allow the user to prevent certain areas of the screen for being used for detection. I turned off that part of the screen that showed the road and sidewalk in front of the house and that stopped the false movement notifications, except for the odd child running across the lawn. and in our neighborhood, they are all odd.LAST EVER REVISION 8/30/2020: I'm finding that the audio capability is the least useful feature of a video doorbell. I would say the single most important feature for me, has been the notification at my smartphone, and at my Samsung Smartwatch. That is extremely useful.The video itself is useful somewhat if you need a record of who is at the front door. I suspect, however, Video's most value is in providing a record of whatever is happening in the front of the house during a break-in or other emergency situation.Audio? Frankly, I haven't had a reason to use it. Delivery people drop a package at the door, ring the doorbell and head back to their truck. People coming to visit, need to have us greet them in person, and we rarely have door to door vendors in our neighborhood. It might be marginally useful to record audio in the above-mentioned emergency situation, but I have not needed to talk to someone remotely even while the doorbell is new, and I am looking for situations to do so.

The simplicam app and simplisafe app are available and zoned for US only. This rendered the doorbell unusable in Australia

Perfect …easy…simple.. security

I had an og old door bell so switching the buttons out was super easy. It takes some mechanical whit but honestly, if you don't know how to turn off a fuse box, unscrew a couple screws, drill and screw in a couple others for the new assembly, and then push the wires in their slots and tighten those screws, then pop on the new doorbell button and turn the fuse back on, what are you doing with your life? I had to switch the wires once cause there's no specifications for which goes to which but it took me a total of 30 minutes. And my breaker box is in the basement.As far a connectivity issues, I had been having those issues with the regular camera so I got a wifi extender right next to the door. I haven't had any issues with that camera or the doorbell camera at all.It is very sensitive. The wind blowing the flag outside my door is enough to trip it. It also trips when cars go by. I would have so many issues with the regular camera dropping or not picking up motion, but I really like this doorbell camera.If you're familiar with simplisafe and like it, you should be quite satisfied with the doorbell. I think it's the best camera I have. I highly suggest getting the wifi extender if the wifi signal is anything less than very strong at your front door. Those are super easy to set up too. Keep in mind, the cameras only work on 2G. If you want frustration free, that's the way to go.All in all, I recommend the camera. Don't listen to all the people who expect life to work at the push of a button.

Fast & EZ install & set up was a breeze. Clear & concise instructions that actually worked!! How unusual for technology!I didn’t sign up for monitoring. Giving it a few days to use & get familiar with it. Works fine with my dual band (cable co supplied) router. It’s about 18 ft from my installed doorbell & signal is slightly low so I ordered an extender that should boost signal.Notifications of motion or pressed doorbell only take 2-3rd inda to WiFi thru to my phone. No lag time. Microphone works fine; clear.Notifications didn’t work at first; I deleted & reinstalled app & bam! Fixed !!!Set up is fast; load app, register w/password & device set up starts. A few steps, then add a name for device, type in WiFi name & pswd … ping ding ding … done.Only 2 drawbacks1) is that I cannot adjust the lens view. I have long entranceway and way too much of the sidewalks show in camera view (same as most other cams. My doorway is setback so deep that the camera doesn’t see much of the street but does show way too much wall.2) the doorbell light is not constantly on. It lights up during set up & when the doorbell is pressed. I want it to be lit all the time. It makes for a much better deterrent especially at night at a distance.No window decals are included. Too bad. That’d be a nice add.So far so good. I may add a base station and outdoor wireless cams too at a later date.I’m happy to have a piece of technology that sets up easily & accurately & fast !!!