Indoor control camera

The camera is not Gigagset elements surveillance camera in the true sense, with her rather it is possible to visually inspect their own homes in their absence. A motion detection system and it does not have the images are not stored, as is the case with a security camera. The camera is designed as an extension for the Gigaset element system, but they can also be operated alone, connect to the base station is not necessary and is not yet possible.

To use Gigaset elements you have to register online, who already has a starter kit, the camera only needs to add in his system overview. For initial installation this is connected by enclosed Ethernet cable to the Internet router. The power to the camera via an AC adapter, batteries are not used to it, they are used only in the other sensors of the elements. When the camera is connected to the LAN, you either via the web application or the smartphone app in its System Overview, select Add under the camera and enters the activation code located on the back of the camera. Then can be set equal to the Wi-Fi connection, this one must have ready the SSID and password for its network. The device worked for me, it can be carried out quickly by an experienced PC users.

The camera can now be accessed in both the web application and the smartphone app. Both are very tidy and well laid out, moreover, the user can find his way intuitively. The transmitted live images come with a few seconds delay, they are a little rough, as it is known by other security cameras, but in relatively good quality, faces, for example, clearly visible. For the night vision camera has the element infrared LEDs that allow for a dark-contrast black and white view. When the camera is connected, it is permanently in operation, a switch does not exist. If you attend, you must actually do not record and consumed therefore useless power. I therefore draw from the power cord always when I'm at home.

The Gigaset element system is not a full monitoring and alarm system, it's more of a system for control of the apartment. You can see who is coming and going when or what the dog held when he is alone. An alarm function in the absence of the inhabitants, they nevertheless fulfilled, since you will be informed of the smartphone when the sensors detect an activity. The camera is an extension of the plant, so you can check visually what is happening just when the motion or door sensors have triggered a message. However, for a burglar, it's easy to disable the system, especially since the camera with her white housing and permanently glowing green Ready light is not very discreet.

When it comes to data security, the user must consider that there is a certain risk that a hacker is now taking live pictures from the apartment. It's just always a trade-off, which is the greater risk that the burglary or of data abuse. Against this background, it would make sense if the Gigaset system and particularly the camera are easily turned off when you are at home there. Currently, this is not yet the case. However, one must also note that all Gigaset element system is still in the construction phase and more features are still being added. The elements currently available operate in any case simple and reliable, opportunities for improvement, however, are also available.

Update January 11, 2015

Gigaset offers in December 2014 an update, with which the system can be expanded to full-fledged surveillance camera. After the recording feature of the camera is by burglary, motion or Homecoming, which are registered by the sensors to the base station, and started the video stored in the cloud, with the smartphone app, or web application, you can then be retrieved. However, these features are not free, appropriate packages are currently available for 0.89 to 4.49 euros a month. Free is still live streaming.