Reference Library – Security Reviews
A policy intended to deter hostile acts in space, like antisatellite weapons tests, may not have had the desired effect. (credit: ESA)
by Christopher M. StoneMonday, January 18, 2021
In 2011, the National Security Space Strategy (NSSS) was …
Reolink is quickly padding out their smart detection camera product line-up. I have previously reviewed:
The new Reolink RLC-822A is a 4K dome camera with the addition of 3x optical zoom. This additional feature incurs a small premium of £10 compared to the two other 4K models.
Table of Contents
The other 4K models, RLC-820A and RLC-810A, are identical apart from the design, one is dome, one is bullet. Dome vs bullet tends to be a personal preference, I have noticed a lot of people complain of spider webs with a bullet, but its lip over the lens also offers some rain protection.
The Reolink RLC-822A is a little different, while it is still a 4K sensor it has changed to accommodate the 3x zoom. So this is now a 1/2.8″ CMOS sensor compared to 1/2.49″. The lens is no longer fixed at 4.0mm with F=1.6 , it can now go from 2.8-8mm and has F=2.0.
For me, a key difference is the field of view, this has improved with:
There are some negatives to having an increased field of view, but I prefer the wider viewing area, and I would bet the same is true for most home or SMB users.
A quick overview of the spec:
Set up is identical to all the other cameras, it is quick and simple. I use the Netgear GS110TUP[1] 240W fanless POE++ switch to run my test cameras, with it powered up I scanned the QR code with the Reolink app then went through the basic initialisation process.
With the camera set up in the app, I also added it to the Reolink NVR[2]. All I needed to do here was select the camera and type in the password I had created.
I have not installed a microSD during this review, but they have worked well with my previous reviews, and you could happily use a Reolink system without an NVR. You would need a high endurance card to avoid corruption, and if you want 24/7 recording, you may want something like the SanDisk Max Endurance[3] which is rated for 120,000 hours recording.
The Blue Iris[4] set up is the same as the other cameras too, Reolink makes it nice and easy. You can set up a unique user, or use your admin user. With the IP and user details inputted, I scan hit search, and Blue Iris does the rest.
You can reduce CPU load by declaring the sub-stream and using it for motion detection. In my earlier review of the 12MP model, a Reddit user tried to call me out for using the h264Preview_01_sub saying this is incorrect. However, it is not, I double-checked this time.
For the main-stream you use:
rtsp://admin:password@192.168.1.XX:554//h265Preview_01_main
For the sub-stream you use:
rtsp://admin:password@192.168.1.XX:554//h264Preview_01_main
This is different from the Reolink documentation[5], so it may not apply to every camera. Using h265 generates a failed to start error.
With this review, I tweaked some of the default settings to improve the quality of the video. February in the north of England is dull, and during the night I have very bright street lights.
So, for this camera, I switched the automatic IR lights off but had the backlight setting to dynamic. This resulted in brighter clearer images during the daytime, then at night, there was no IR reflection of street signs and number plates.
As usual with my reviews, the camera is placed precariously on my window sill, so the cameras are in the same place, but the angles are different. With this being a dome, it was hard to face the lens downwards into my garden.
I took several video samples for this review. The zoom samples were done before I tweaked the image settings. The zoom lens works as you would expect, allowing me to zoom right up to the street sign for clear coverage of across the road.
Most of my reviews have the words on the street sign as either barely legible or a pixelated blur. With this camera, the lettering is easily readable at all zoom lengths.
With my street lighting, I could just about get away with leaving the camera in colour, but there is considerable noise.
With the IR lights switch off, the street sign becomes easily readable, and parked cars also have visible number plates. However, car lights immediately cause too much glare.
With the IR lights off, and dynamic backlight on, overall night footage is excellent for my well-lit road. It will never be quite as good as full-colour offer by some competing brands but a camera with 4K colour night vision with smart detection[6] is going to cost you £200+.
Motion detection is identical to the other cameras, with the angle I have the camera facing it constantly detects things, but with it faced down a garden path, it is superb for finding footage of people.
The Reolink RLC-822A[7] has an RRP of £93.99 on the Reolink website[8], £10 more than the RLC-810A and RLC-820A, which would be the obvious alternatives. There appears to be no current stock for the 4K cameras on the site at the moment.
It is worth noting the RLC-810A is available on Amazon with 20% off, so about £67, which is an amazing price for a 4K camera.
The RLC-1220A could be a consideration, it has a narrow viewing angle, but if you want to monitor a specific spot on your property, the 12MP sensor may offer some advantages.
PTZ cameras offer greater flexibility, and the RLC-423 goes up to 4x zoom, it is only 5MP though and will set you back £227.99.
If this camera’s features have piqued your interest, there are not really any comparable alternatives from other brands worth mentioning.
With this costing just £10 more than the other 4K cameras but offering 3x zoom and a wider viewing angle, I would say the RLC-822A is better than the already excellent RLC-810A/820A.
3 times zoom gives you a lot more flexibility where you place the camera, this could be used for a higher more secure and convenient placement (I place mine near windows for easy access). Or you can use it to zoom into entranceways with the hope to capture more details of a person entering or even car registration plates.
Overall, this is a superb camera from Reaolink, I’d say it is my favourite out of the new smart detection range, and I will likely use it full time, swapping one of my other cameras out.
Summary
With most of the Reolink cameras costing below £100 there is little out there that can compete with them on value for money for home or small business owners. The RLC-822A continues this trend and so far is my favourite out of the recently launched smart object detection cameras.
Pros
Cons
Last update on 2021-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pelosi announces immediate review of Capitol security after riots
Duration: 01:40 3 hrs ago
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has asked retired Lieutenant General Russell Honore to lead a security review of the Capitol after riotin…
Ahead of Republic Day, Delhi Police held a security review meeting on Saturday to take stock of the situation and arrangements during the parade.
There will be a random check of identity cards of people visiting New Delhi on January 26.
Delhi Police Co…
Here’s an overview of some of last week’s most interesting news and articles:
Top videoconferencing attacks and security best practices[1]
Videoconferencing has become a routine part of everyday life for remote workers, students, and families. Yet wide…
On January 11, 2021, we published “Trump’s Lingering Menace[1],” Jonathan Stevenson’s observations about how dangerous it was to have a disgraced and enraged commander-in-chief still in nominal charge of the US military (not to mention the nuclear code…
In Washington, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced a review of security at the US Capitol after last week’s violent riots, warning that any politicians found to have aided the mob would be held to account.
But America remains deep in the grip …
Yemen: Saudi-led coalition claims to intercept al Houthi explosive-laden drones targeting Saudi Arabia; Saudi-led coalition reportedly launches airstrikes in al Houthi–held Sana’a; southern forces shell al Houthi positions in Dhaleh governorate
Horn of…
A tearful Nancy Pelosi[1] said members of Congress[2] may be prosecuted over the Capitol insurrection as she launched a major security review.The House Speaker[3] grew emotional as she announced that she has asked retired Lieutenant General Russel Hono…
Enlarge this image[1]
Steven Sund was chief of U.S. Capitol Police during the Jan. 6 insurrection. He resigned after the attack but defends his agency’s preparations. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Gett…
Internal investigators for the departments of Justice, Defense, Interior, and Homeland Security will investigate how security officials prepared for and responded to the pro-Trump rally on Jan. 6 that descended into a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, o…
Health and safety risks in Parliament should be reassessed due to a security worker dying after contracting Covid-19, MPs have urged.
Tributes have poured in for father-of-two Godfrey Cameron, 55, who MPs said showed “selfless care for others” and was a “hard-working” member of parliamentary security staff.
The SNP’s Chris Stephens has now tabled a motion in the Commons asking the House authorities to work with trade union officials to carry out an “updated risk assessment” in relation to health and safety on the parliamentary estate.
The MP for Glasgow South West added they must take “all appropriate measures” to help keep staff safe. His motion has been supported by a further 25 MPs, including Labour former shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
PCS was saddened to learn of the untimely death of our member Godfrey Cameron, who has died suddenly aged 55 after contracting Covid-19. https://t.co/smEB2xL4A8 pic.twitter.com/dbbYRfD1zS[1][2]
— PCS Union (@pcs_union) January 15, 2021[3]
The House of Commons has insisted Parliament is a “Covid-19 secure workplace”, adding it continues to meet all Government guidance and its measures have been supported by Public Health England (PHE).
This statement came after Labour frontbencher Valerie Vaz on Wednesday told MPs that public health officials were “ready to close” Parliament before Christmas given the high numbers of people on the estate.
She told a debate: “I think it’s fair to say that public health was so concerned about what was happening on the estate – the number of people who were coming – before Christmas, they were ready to close us down.”
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told the same debate that the House of Commons Commission, which is responsible for the administration and services of the House, takes “seriously” its duty of care to those who work in the building and has been guided by PHE advice.
Remote participation in the Commons was extended after Christmas to cover debates in a bid to limit numbers on the estate, with face masks now advised to be worn in the chamber following a surge in Covid-19 infection rates across the country.
The motion from Mr Stephens states: “That this House is deeply saddened by news of the death of Godfrey Colin Cameron, a hard-working member of parliamentary security staff and member of the PCS trade union who passed away aged just 55 after contracting Covid-19.
“(The House) extends our sincere condolences to his devoted wife Hyacinth, children Leon and Renee, his sisters Arlene and Cynthia, his brother Carlton, and fellow members of the PCS.
“(The House) notes that Godfrey was a private man who showed selfless care for others, hoped to retire to his late parents’ homeland of Jamaica and was a fanatical fan of Liverpool FC.
“(The House) sends our deepest sympathies to all those who knew and worked with Godfrey, and our heartfelt thanks for the contribution of all those workers who have continued to serve the public during this public health crisis.
“And calls on the House authorities to work with trade union representatives to undertake an updated risk assessment in relation to health and safety on the parliamentary estate, and take all appropriate measures to help keep staff safe.”
On Thursday, Sir Lindsay and Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg led tributes to Mr Cameron.
Mr Rees-Mogg said: “He was an heroic figure. He managed to stop a young lady jumping off Westminster Bridge. He is a model of the type of service we are fortunate to have in this House.”
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We are all deeply saddened at PCS by the loss of Godfrey.
“He was a hard-working, dedicated member of our parliamentary security branch who was devoted to his job and his colleagues across Parliament.
“It is imperative the Government resumes a remote, virtual parliament to protect staff from contracting Covid-19, which has caused over 80,000 deaths in the UK alone.”
Overseas investors will from Monday face tighter scrutiny from the Chinese government as new rules take effect requiring national security reviews for certain types of foreign investment activity.
The Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investm…
On December 19, 2020, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”) and Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”) released anticipated “Measures for the Security Review of Foreign Investments” (the “Measures”). As part of the new foreign investment…
I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life. One of them is the hallmark job of a man who’s had a lot of jobs; door-to-door salesman. I sold house alarms, or as I would tell people “I’m selling peace of mind”. Yeah, I’m not proud of that chapter in my life, but …
