Dropcam Echo : Home Security Meets the Cloud
by Ganesh T S on August 11, 2010 7:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Gadgets
- IP cameras
- camera
- camcorder
The Dropcam Echo is an ideal solution for the average non-techie consumers. Particularly, the sort of people for whom AnandTech readers might help setup technology solutions (and pray they never have to do tech support for the installation in the future) are well served. It is also a good choice for techies who require an instant solution for home surveillance and do not have time to setup their own custom IP camera / DVR kit.
The Dropcam Echo may not boast impressive hardware specs. However, it makes up for the lack of fancy hardware with great software. Ease of setup is unparalleled, a boon for consumers with nil networking knowledge. Access to video streams is possible on the go with the iPhone app. On the PC, any browser with Flash installed is good enough. The online application allows for setting up notifications on motion or sound detection, and these can be sent to multiple devices / email IDs. We looked for a tamper detection feature, but that doesn't seem to be enabled in the current firmware. Low light performance, even at night time in almost pitch dark conditions, is excellent. However, the absence of waterproofing prevents worry-free outdoor usage.
On the go streaming is available only for the Apple platforms at present. Android support is slated to appear soon. We didn't have a chance to exhaustively test drive the online DVR, but we were quite satisfied with what we saw. If there is one thing we would like fixed, it would involve making sure that the online DVR video retrieval becomes instantaneous.
It is essential that Dropcam continues to work on the firmware updates and enable the hidden hardware features of the Axis camera. Weatherproofing and a move up to HD resolutions are essential in future hardware refreshes.
All said and done, Dropcam deserves credit for taking the risk to move to a completely cloud based solution in this domain. Sceptics of the cloud approach need to only take a test drive of Dropcam's implementation to change their views. We feel that Dropcam's approach will definitely take the consumer IP camera market into exciting uncharted territories.
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vgribok - Thursday, August 12, 2010 - link
Security camera footage is just one kind of data generated by households that one wants to make accessible on the web in a secure, authenticated manner while not having to tinker with routers, IPs and such. Real problem is that it's very hard to create any web-based application that is easy enough for a non-technical person to install, and yet secure enough to expose it on the web. That's why there are very few redistributable web applications for consumers and small businesses, while large corporations moved to web based apps long time ago.An ability to build easily-redistributed web-based applications that can be installed inside LANs but still be securely exposed on the web without making non-techy people fiddle with routers, DNS, etc. is the idea being implemented by UltiDev HttpVPN (http://www.httpvpn.com/). It will be paired with Apple-like application store allowing creation and distribution of web applications for customers with no technical skills required to setup secure web hosting on premises, like consumers and small businesses. Home surveillance systems would be a perfect example of who would use HttpVPN.
ipvideomarket - Saturday, August 14, 2010 - link
Dropcam has dozens of competitors with more mature offerings delivering cloud native solutions.For instance, Axis has over 12 partners world-wide supporting Axis's Video Hosting Service.
Also, contrast to Viaas who is delivering a more sophisticated end to end solution.
Finally, a free 'cloud integration' service is offered by Lorex providing no-cost live video monitoring at half the up front cost of Dropcam.
Lonbjerg - Saturday, August 14, 2010 - link
Who in their right mind still thinks a MAC filter gives any form of security?It's spoofed in less than a second...madre mia :/
Anyone still using MAC filtering should turn in their network-man-card.
xtian78h - Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - link
I'm NOT associated with this company before I'm accused of shameless plugging, but given the subject matter I'm surprised no-one has mentioned viaas.com (Video Intelligence As A Service). It looks to be similar to Dropcam.Key differences appear to be - that Dropcam has audio support & iphone monitoring (big plus) - The Viaas cameras come with a micro SDHC slot which allows for the loss of internet connectivity and a can also provide a buffer allowing the user to impose bandwidth / traffic shaping over DSL etc. Other challenges with Viaas - no iphone support.. lack of UK presence (pricing).
Whilst some will doubtless argue, why do you need UK pricing, it's a cloud service after all. When you start shipping cameras from the US and need to guestimate import duty, VAT etc - it just becomes tedious. Likewise with fluctuating exchange rates - services billed only in dollars can rapidly start adding up.