New RCA HSDB2A 3MP Doorbell IP Camera

Even with the white, I'm going from 180 to 135 vertical fov. 45 degrees is a lot. I need all 180. Why would manufacturers move away from this?
180 was nice and mine was angled down to capture packages at the foot of my door. But it was too tall IMO, I did not need 180. You get alot of the ceiling of a porch with 180...guessing why 130 now...
 
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+1^^^.
90 down would not be bad but 90 up looking a ceiling of an overhang or porch doesn't make sense to me either. :cool:
 
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Respectfully disagree. It all depends how far away someone would be standing. If the doorbell is right next to the door, a person could easily take up the majority of the frame top to bottom. I could do away with 10-20 degrees from the top, but definitely not 45. Additionally, doorbells angled down look stupid. Left or right is one thing, but angling the entire thing downward is a non-starter for me not only for athletics but also function (pressing the button is slightly more awkward). If they're going to reduce fov, they should be angling the camera downward within the doorbell so the doorbell can be mounted straight, like it should be. It's all just wrong. A video doorbell is to see people and packages right in front of your door. Nothing else. The floor area directly in front of the door is most important for packages. If someone wants to see more than that, like the road or their driveway, they should get another camera. This change fails to make sense to me. It must be cheaper. That's all I can think of.

Does anyone know what the "diagonal" fov is for this doorbell? Sometimes I only see a diagonal fov value while looking at other doorbells, and I can't find a diagonal fov value for this doorbell.
 
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Respectfully disagree. It all depends how far away someone would be standing. If the doorbell is right next to the door, a person could easily take up the majority of the frame top to bottom. I could do away with 10-20 degrees from the top, but definitely not 45. Additionally, doorbells angled down look stupid. Left or right is one thing, but angling the entire thing downward is a non-starter for me not only for athletics but also function (pressing the button is slightly more awkward). If they're going to reduce fov, they should be angling the camera downward within the doorbell so the doorbell can be mounted straight, like it should be. It's all just wrong. A video doorbell is to see people and packages right in front of your door. Nothing else. The floor area directly in front of the door is most important for packages. If someone wants to see more than that, like the road or their driveway, they should get another camera. This change fails to make sense to me. It must be cheaper. That's all I can think of.

Does anyone know what the "diagonal" fov is for this doorbell? Sometimes I only see a diagonal fov value while looking at other doorbells, and I can't find a diagonal fov value for this doorbell.
;) :) It was only angled down a few degrees, not noticeable. It only takes a few degrees for cameras. What was noticeable was the angled brackets I had to use, 2 of them, since my doorbell wiring was on the side wall and not on the door wall/frame. You do what you have to do. As far as capturing someone, you have them walking up to the door which is plenty for Identifying someone, then when/if they pressed the doorbell, which is rare now a days, you will capture their face. The best captures I got was after they pushed the button or knocked they normally would step back and stand there posing for the camera :winktongue:, but these were mostly Solicitors or Neighbors...

What I found over these last 4-5 years is I would get a motion notice (snapshot) of the delivery person, which really is all I needed to know I had a package at my front door. Some here have another camera facing their doormat or a mirror for packages.

It is all up to what works for you...

 
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Hello,

I'm coming into this discussion incredibly late. I recently purchased an RCA HSDB2A for my elderly mother. I went this route because of the price, no subscription fees, use existing wiring, and I can still (relatively easily) use the existing mechanical door chimes -- all of this was important.

From what I can gather, 2 way audio will only function through the cloud. I see Google has delisted the RCA app -- I did find the APK's floating around on questionable websites -- but if RCA is not maintaining the app, is it safe to assume the servers are also NFG?

And if so, if I were to crossflash to the Hikvision firmware, could I then use Hik-Connect (for 2 way audio) instead?

Thank-you!
 
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Welcome to IPCamTalk @noparking247.

It should work.

Personally took mine off the internet and switched it to older Hikvision firmware. It still works fine here. I did test it initially and the audio functions worked.

Nelly's Security NSC-DB2 NDB313-W V5.2.4 HikVision FW build 200321

Initially purchased the RCA camera which was registered to the cloud. It was used. RCA could not remove the account so I returned the camera.

When I was taking care of my elderly mother (93) (RIP) I moved her over to a Ring alarm infrastructure using a paid script.
 
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Thank-you @pete_c -- greatly appreciate your help.

Sorry, for clarification you still think the RCA servers would still work? Or, would you move it over to the Hikvision firmware and use Hik-Connect?

What is "Nelly's Security NSC-DB2 NDB313-W V5.2.4 HikVision FW build 200321"? How would this build differ than the International 200321 Hikvision firmware?

(Apologies if these are stupid questions).

All the best!
 
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Hello,

I'm coming into this discussion incredibly late. I recently purchased an RCA HSDB2A for my elderly mother. I went this route because of the price, no subscription fees, use existing wiring, and I can still (relatively easily) use the existing mechanical door chimes -- all of this was important.

From what I can gather, 2 way audio will only function through the cloud. I see Google has delisted the RCA app -- I did find the APK's floating around on questionable websites -- but if RCA is not maintaining the app, is it safe to assume the servers are also NFG?

And if so, if I were to crossflash to the Hikvision firmware, could I then use Hik-Connect (for 2 way audio) instead?

Thank-you!
You should be able to use any of the Apps...only thing is some you have to unregister the doorbell to register it on the new App.

Check out our 101

⦁ Available Apps (Allows Remote Access):
iO/S: Hik-Connect, RCA Security, EZVIZ, LaView One, Guarding Vision
Android: Hik-Connect, RCA Security, EZVIZ, LaView ONE, Guarding Vision
⦁ Android 9 Hik-Connect Setup Help - Dewcal
⦁ In App be sure and change Hi-Def to Ultra HD
 
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FW 200321 offers more features (ONVIF) for connectivity. Firmware is same domestically and internationally.
 
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Thank-you @pete_c -- greatly appreciate your help.

Sorry, for clarification you still think the RCA servers would still work? Or, would you move it over to the Hikvision firmware and use Hik-Connect?

What is "Nelly's Security NSC-DB2 NDB313-W V5.2.4 HikVision FW build 200321"? How would this build differ than the International 200321 Hikvision firmware?

(Apologies if these are stupid questions).

All the best!
No questions are stupid...
 
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You should be able to use any of the Apps...only thing is some you have to unregister the doorbell to register it on the new App.

Check out our 101

⦁ Available Apps (Allows Remote Access):
iO/S: Hik-Connect, RCA Security, EZVIZ, LaView One, Guarding Vision
Android: Hik-Connect, RCA Security, EZVIZ, LaView ONE, Guarding Vision
⦁ Android 9 Hik-Connect Setup Help - Dewcal
⦁ In App be sure and change Hi-Def to Ultra HD
Just noticed RCA link is no good. Will this App work?

 
Just noticed RCA link is no good. Will this App work?


According to ChatGPT, no. But TBD. I plan to do a rough install of the doorbell at home soon before taking it to my mothers and will give it a shot.

Would you recommend I upgrade to the latest RCA firmware (if prompted)? Or, leave it as is (if I can), with the intention of likely going to the Hikvision firmware?
 
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Personally I would configure it at home on your workbench leaving the firmware alone then updating to the Hikvision firmware.

On the workbench just attach a power cord to an AC doorbell transformer (buy it from Amazon then return it once you have completed your testing).
 
According to ChatGPT, no. But TBD. I plan to do a rough install of the doorbell at home soon before taking it to my mothers and will give it a shot.

Would you recommend I upgrade to the latest RCA firmware (if prompted)? Or, leave it as is (if I can), with the intention of likely going to the Hikvision firmware?
If RCA's cloud is no more, you probably won't get a firmware update notice. The reason people use other firmwares, like Hikvision's is due to more features, like ONVIF. If it were me I would try the firmware on it and if it works, leave it alone. There is always a risk updating firmware via WiFi, though there is a way you can put the file on the SD-Card and do it, but I would check out our 101 for that.

Do you plan on RTSP to a recorder? NVR? Blue Iris? If so then you may want ONVIF for events from the Doorbell...though I never used ONVIF, I liked Blue Iris and how you can set motion zones/trips/intrusions, etc.

The PIR on the Doorbell is ok but did not work for me, that is why I used Blue Iris motion...