RCA HSDB2A Video Doorbell - Install and Review
I've been interested in a video doorbell camera, but didn't want to get tied to a monthly service fee or use a completely cloud-based camera. This RCA HSDB2A doorbell seems to meet those requirements. It uses existing wiring for power, and connects to my WiFi network. Even though it is branded as RCA, it works with multiple Android apps: RCA Security, Hik-Connect, and EZVIZ. The main reason I got this doorbell, rather than something more popular like a Ring, is it can send a video stream to the Blue Iris application. (Blue Iris is a great program that can support over 60 simultaneous cameras from various brands. If you're the least bit interested in technology, look into this PC application!) So, I get the convenient video doorbell behavior that my wife expects (phone access + video calls) while still being able to use it as a standard surveillance camera on the front door, even when Internet access fails. Disclaimer: Third party software is not officially supported by the RCA, but was working at the time this video was uploaded. Also, the notification problem I described in the video was fixed by an update to the RCA app. If anyone has ideas on how I can block this thing from "phoning home" to receive automatic updates, please leave a comment!
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Unboxing
00:53 - How it works with existing wiring
02:10 - Hardware Installation
03:22 - Software Installation
05:18 - Blue Iris Configuration
07:28 - Night Vision Test
08:00 - Transformer Replacement
09:00 - Two Way Audio Tests
10:11 - Phone App Call Test
10:46 - Conclusion
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