As more and more people adopt Doorbell Cameras and Intercoms in their households, syncing them with a superior VMS as Blue Iris has come into vogue.
Blue Iris acts as a medium to unlock your Monitoring Cam's potential to its fullest.
In a world where manufacturers charge you for even storing a second of recording, Blue Iris may be the way out.
Sadly, not all Doorbell Cams are compatible with Blue Iris. So, which one would suit you best for this very purpose?
The best Doorbell Cameras compatible with Blue Iris are Amcrest AD410, Hikvision DS-HD1, EZVIZ DB1C, and Dahua DB11. These Cams support ONVIF and RTSP protocols, which makes them compatible with Blue Iris. Some are PoE enabled, which is even better.
Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|
Amcrest AD410 | 4 MP Sensor (2K Res), 164-dgree FOV, IP65 rated | Amazon |
Hikvision DS-HD1 | 3 MP Sensor (HD), 180-degree FOV, Free cloud storage | No products found. |
EZVIZ DB1C | Full HD output, AI-person Detection, IP65 rated | Amazon |
Dahua DB11 | 2 MP sensor, IP55 rated | No products found. |
Now, let's discuss these products in detail:
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Amcrest AD 410: One of the Best
If you have been a keen user of Blue Iris for quite some time, you must know that Amcrest is one of the trusted resellers of Blue Iris.
And as expected, one of the Doorbells that works swimmingly with Blue Iris is a product from Amcrest.
Following the success of the much-acclaimed AD 110 Doorbell, the Amcrest AD 410 is built upon the same established framework of the former.
With the AD 410, you get an updated camera module with a 4MP sensor capable of transmitting and recording videos in 2K res, coupled with an extra-wide lens (164-degree FOV).
Even if the lens leaves much to be desired in terms of area covered, the higher resolution retaliates this loss with a much crisper image with minimal fish eye artifacts.
The cam does come with Night Vision sensors capable of detecting objects as far as 16 feet away from the Doorbell.
Talking about detection, AD 410 features a proprietary Human detection mechanism capable of distinguishing humans from other subjects quite precisely.
You also get Two-Way Audio, a feature that has become quite popular nowadays. Use MQTT apps or other home integration apps to experiment with this feature.
The AD 410 is a PoE (wired) device that requires an input voltage of about 16-24V either from a PoE switch or a standalone Doorbell generator.
Even if the device requires an active power supply, AD 410 is a wireless Doorbell with communication made possible through WiFi (2.4 and 5 GHz bands supported).
As with most Amcrest devices, the AD 410 does support both RTSP live streams and ONVIF protocols that make connecting to Blue Iris a breeze.
RTSP has become quite a desirable aspect of surveillance Cams. And fortunately, few OEMs like Wyze do natively support RTSP.
And if you're wondering whether the AD 410 supports local recording to an SD card, Amcrest has also taken care of that by providing SD card support for cards up to 128 GB.
The device is of a plastic build, but it is IP64 rated, making it an all-weather certified device.
Another advantage of AD 410 is that you can store all your recordings onto the Amcrest Cloud services for free.
Now, let's look at the cons that trouble the AD 410.
First, the device does require you to install and set up the Cam using the Amcrest app. You may also experience issues with configuring the Doorbell on Blue Iris.
The AD 410 also lacks a PIR sensor, which happens to be a bit more precise than a generic night vision sensor.
Amcrest has adorned the AD 410 with a price tag much higher than its predecessor. An extra $60, to be exact.
To sum it up, the AD 410 ranks as one of the better options you can get as of right now in a market riddled with Chinese alternatives and inferior products.
No products found.: A Fan Favorite
Hikvision falls under the upper echelon of brands focusing on Surveillance technology.
Their surveillance cams are legendary, and you can find them all over the place.
And as with their Monitoring Cams, you can find similar strands of quality and innovation on Hikvision's consumer-level Doorbell Camera, the DS-HD1.
The DS-HD1 features a 3 MP sensor that can record and transmit HD videos directly to a local storage option (SD card up to 128 GB) or an interface of your choice through WiFi (2.4 and 5 GHz).
An Ultra Wide Lens with an effective FOV of 180 degrees helps the cam capture even more area than with the AD 410.
You also get PIR and additional Night Vision sensors to aid the cam in detecting motion and subjects during nighttime.
Connecting the DS-HD1 with Blue Iris, too, is simple thanks to the RTSP and ONVIF integrations.
Blue Iris is compatible with almost every make and type of Surveillance cam. Unlike Blue Iris, NVR systems differ in this regard as NVR manufacturers encourage users to opt for proprietary cams.
You'll have to power the device through a 24V PoE or an existing AC Chime implementation.
Installation is quite effortless, thanks to the elaborate instructions. Hikvision also supplies all the necessary accessories required to set up the device.
The device is of a plastic build, and you can interchange the faceplates of the device with different colored ones.
HikVision, too, charges you nothing to store and view clips and recording from their Cloud Services.
Coming to the cons, the most obvious one would be the Video quality. HD resolution would have been ideal for the last decade, but in today's day and age, it simply doesn't make the cut.
The DS-HD1 isn't weather-sealed, which could reduce longevity under adverse weather conditions.
The effective detection range (15 Ft) of the DS-HD1 does fall nominally short of the industry standard.
DS-HD1 does have the reputation of being unstable, especially with video transmissions, at times.
Even if there are a few options available for the price range that the DS-HD1 falls, you won't get the trusted support of HikVision and the precision that the DS-HD1 has for any other alternative.
No products found.
EZVIZ DB1C: A True Contender
At this juncture, we have come across Doorbells from some of the top heavy hitters in the surveillance game.
EZVIZ may not be the best of the best, but with the DB1C, EZVIZ does capture the title of the best-looking Doorbell in this roundup, thanks to its slick design and minimalistic form factor.
But don't let the looks fool you for compromises in the technical department, for the DB1C packs quite the punch under the hood as well.
The DB1C is capable of recording and streaming 1080p clips with the help of an ultra-wide glass that has a verticle FOV of 170 degrees so that you won't miss Shaq when he visits you.
Unlike its competitors, EZVIZ adopts AI-based person detection to precisely distinguish and detect subjects with little room for error. A premium feature!
Record videos directly to an SD card (up to 256 GB), or view the recordings on an external interface like Blue Iris via WiFi (2.4 and 5 GHz bands supported).
As with all other products we have hence come across, the DB1C, too, is powered through a 12-24 VAC PoE.
Two-way Audio, or Two-way Talk as EZVIZ calls it, is also present on the DB1C.
The device features a couple of powerful onboard speakers, too, for you to sound the siren for some off reason.
Plastic is the material of choice in the construction of DB1C. It is IP65 rated, so needn't worry about the occasional thunderstorms.
One of the cons that have been haunting the users for quite a while now is the app integration. DB1C is known to show issues with iOS time and again; something to keep an eye on.
Quality Assurance is yet another area EZVIZ has a lot of catching up to do. The SD card slot is the culprit here.
And so, if you can get around the poor QA issues and the instability with mobile apps, EZVIZ DB1C is quite the catch.
No products found. Doorbell from an Industry Leader
Dahua has been a pioneer in the surveillance scene and is known for its compatibility with Blue Iris.
A strong presence among Blue Iris users, Dahua has enjoyed its reputation as a Blue Iris favorite for most of its journey.
The DB11 may seem a bit underwhelming for some since it isn't the most appealing of doorbells.
But what the Dahua lacks in looks, is compensated for in its specs.
Featuring a 2 MP Cam capable of outputting crisp images with seemingly no artifacts, you can either record the clips locally to an SD card (max.64 GB) or an external VMS like Blue Iris through WiFi (2.4 GHz).
Dahua also doesn't charge you anything extra t store and view clips from their Cloud Services.
The viewing angle falls a little short compared to its peers at about 140 degrees.
The sensor is coupled with a PIR sensor with an effective range of 16m to record and detect motion during nighttime.
In addition to Two-Way audio integration, the DB11 can host both Mechanical chimes and wireless chimes (set up in the app).
The DB11 is the only device in this list that doesn't support PoE as a mode of power supply. For that, you'll have to use a 12V DC supply.
It does come with an IP55 rating good for light water splashes.
When we come to the installation part, it does get tricky. Users have pointed out issues with the instructions and the labels. Keep a lookout for parts, too.
And so, if you want to experience Blue Iris and IFTTT integrations to the fullest, and don't mind the severe lack of features, go with Dahua DB11.
No products found.
Buyers Guide: Things to Check When Shopping for a Doorbell Camera
If you don't feel comfortable with the recommendations made in this list, you can choose your perfect Doorbell Camera that's compatible with Blue Iris with the help of a few things.
When shopping for a new Doorbell cam, even if the price doesn't matter much to you, do check for the following requirements nonetheless:
★Sensor and Resolution: Anything above 3 MP with an HD output resolution should do you justice. Cams like the Amcrest AD410 offer an output resolution of 2K, which certainly ranks among the best. Do check the FOV also for better vertical viewing (= 180 degrees).
★Night Vision: PIR or Passive IR sensors should be preferred over the traditional night Vision sensors for better detection and precision characteristics under low light or nighttime recording.
As you may already know, for the Doorbell to be compatible with Blue Iris, it should support RTSP and/or ONVIF. Some Doorbell cams also provide PoE options to link with Blue Iris.
★Motion Detection Capabilities: Motion detection varies from product to product. Look for AI-assisted Person/Motion detection, like the one found on EZVIZ DB1C.
★Storage Options: Provision for storing clips locally on an SD card is a bonus. Also, check if the manufacturer provides free cloud storage and viewing of clips.
★Audio Capabilities: Two-Way audio has become a norm in this industry. Additionally, check the onboard speaker characteristics for more details.
★Power Supply: Hardwired power supply through PoE switches is the preferred mode of power supply over passive power supplies like batteries. Also, check for mechanical Chime compatibility.
★Weather Sealing: Any form of weather sealing is appreciated. IP65 is the desired choice since it certifies that the product is water and dust-resistant.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, four exceptional Doorbells that work seamlessly with Blue Iris.
With each successive generation, manufacturers are adopting a more liberal route in opening up their products to the world and breaking the norms set up by their predecessors.
OEMs like Wyze do work with Blue Iris but are limited to a couple of products, of which the Wyze Doorbell lacks support.
And unlike other third-party monitoring systems like Zoneminder, Blue Iris fares quite well in regard to camera support, UI optimizations, and the overall aesthetics of the app.
Provided, too, are a few basic requirements for you to check and select a doorbell all on your own.
Blue Iris supports excellent compatibility with cameras in general, and Doorbells from Dahua, HikVision, and Amcrest, can all be trusted to work swimmingly with Blue Iris.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does ring doorbell work with blue iris?
No, Ring products do not work with Blue Iris since Ring doesn't have support for RTSP or ONVIF. Although, other OEMs like Wyze do support Blue Iris at least on a few of their products. Nest partially supports Blue Iris.
Which doorbell camera has the best motion detection?
Ring's motion detection capability may be one of the best you can find as of right now. Wyze, Nest, and Blink can all be trusted in this regard.
How many cameras can blue iris support?
With the premium plan, you can add up to 64 cams on Blue Iris. If you choose to go with the basic plan, you can add only one cam to Blue Iris.
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