[Review] Dlink DCS-5222L (HD Cloud Camera)

[evq]

Hi all,

Got this DSC-5222L at Challenger for $189 for member ($219 non-member), Sim Lim also selling at $189. I had owned the DSC-942L (vid resolution 640x480 only), then upgraded to DCS-2132L (1280 x 720).
Both cameras do not pan or tilt. So this 5222L is my first pan & tilt camera.



Ok, I will do the write up in parts as I go along, may takes a while to have all done. So bear with me.

Below are some of the features which I may cover, believe there are the main things for someone who have never owned any ip camera before & intended to get one;

1. Unboxing
2. Physical
3. Setup
4. Remote access
5. Night video quality
6. Motion detection
7. Preset patrol position
8. Mic & Speaker
9. Final Verdict
10. Pros & Cons

As for the rest of the features, I will not cover as average users likely not using them. You can view them in the videos provided by Dlink here.

 

[evq]

Unboxing



What you get


You will get 2 types of mount
Mount A


Mount B

 

[evq]

Physical

The Camera
It is about 130mm in height, 99mm dia base.


MicroSD card slot, WPS button & un-removable antenna.


Audio out 3.5 mm jack, Reset, Ethernet port, a series of four input/output connectors & AC adapter connection

 

[evq]

Setup

I will skip the cable setup as they are already in the Quick Setup manual. Basically, there are only 3 simple steps. I will go into setting up of the cloud so to access the camera remotely.

1. Run the Setup Wizard (in the CD provided or can be downloaded from here) & follow through the steps.


2. Select the new camera & input your preferred Password


3. Next you will be prompt to choose either wired or wireless connection


4. Setup your Mydlink account if you don't have any


5. Just a few more setting & you are done! You should be able to see the camera's view on the right window.

 

[evq]

Remote Viewing

Viewing using a smartphone.
Download the 'mydlink Lite' app from either Apple App Store or Android Play Store


Log into your Mydlink account & the camera will be shown in the app


View from my Note 4. Can span & tilt by touching the screen.
There are some simple setting avail in the app. It takes about 2 sec to response to my command to span & tilt.


Using web browser on a PC.
Go to https://sg.mydlink.com/entrance


All my dlink products shown here.


Setting page. More settings avail here.

 

[evq]

Night mode video quality

This is close to total darkness


Key in the ip address of the camera in the web browser while connected locally will lead to the camera's settings. This is where you can access all the advance settings.

The features available here r pretty comprehensive. And there's a detail explanation on the right side for each setting


Motion Detection

There are 2 options here; Video motion & PIR (Passive InfraRed Sensor)
More info here on what are the differences & detail setup.
Can highlight the Zones where you want the detection to activate.


There's even a Sound detection


Preset patrol position

From here, i can setup a few positions, name these positions then do a patrol settings so that the camera will auto pan around these positions. Pretty nice feature.

 

[evq]

Mic & Speaker

The 5222L is able to perform 2 ways communicate. Can speak through the phone & your voice will be heard on the camera. Volume is so so but clear enough. On the other side, you can hear on your phone what is going on from the camera.

Final Verdict

Having both 2132L & 5222L, though 2132L is also a HD camera, but I notice 5222L has better video quality. Image is sharper. Pretty impressed with tons of settings available. Have yet to try them all.

*will update when I play with it more.

Pros & Cons

Pros
- Setup was pretty easy for wired or wireless. Took me about 5 to 10min. Took me another 5min to setup my remote access with mydlink account.
- Motion detection & Sound detection
- My Qnap NAS is able to work with both my 2132L & 5222L for recording.
- Video is sharp for day, pretty good for total darkness.

Cons
- Price may not be on the cheap side.

 

[lib_rian]

This model I thought is selling at $159 at comex at the moment? Is this a wide angle camera?

 

[evq]

Got this from Dlink site
Angle of view: (H) 98°(V) 52°(D) 115°

No idea comex price, didn't go find out

 

[koroshiya8]

Thanks for sharing.... i have a few questions not sure if you have info off hand..

Does it connect well with synology NAS.... i'm currently using Xiaoyi camera and cant link to my NAS and i'm saving everything to the sdcard.

 

[ardneh]

Yes, this model is selling at 159 during Comex.

And the previous IT show, it's also selling at this price. Looks like D-link believes this price is the sweet spot.

Sent from LGE LG-D802 using GAGT

 

[evq]

Thanks for sharing.... i have a few questions not sure if you have info off hand..

Does it connect well with synology NAS.... i'm currently using Xiaoyi camera and cant link to my NAS and i'm saving everything to the sdcard.

Oh, I using qnap, don't have a synology Nas to test for u leh. U can check with synology website on compatibility models.

Dlink is well known, shld be OK.

 

[evq]

Yes, this model is selling at 159 during Comex.

And the previous IT show, it's also selling at this price. Looks like D-link believes this price is the sweet spot.

Sent from LGE LG-D802 using GAGT

Thanks for sharing the price. Maybe for those interested, shld wait for shows.

 

[Mecisteus]

the communication is full duplex? that means you can talk and hear at the same time.

is there any screeching problem due to feedback?

 

[evq]

the communication is full duplex? that means you can talk and hear at the same time.

is there any screeching problem due to feedback?

yes, both ways. But is it can talk & hear the same time, I didnt try. No screeching if at a certain distance.

 

[Mecisteus]

yes, both ways. But is it can talk & hear the same time, I didnt try. No screeching if at a certain distance.

the speaker and mic of the camera are close to each other. so my foscam got screeching sound. unless you connect a speaker and place them apart.

 

[LIN_JOEL]

What's the diff between this & DCS-5222L (H/W Ver: A1)?
Cos I got it few years ago at $99 pre-order during show

 

[Project_Xco]

Oh, I using qnap, don't have a synology Nas to test for u leh. U can check with synology website on compatibility models.

Dlink is well known, shld be OK.

Synology NAS is compatible with D link camera. Just download the DScam application on your Synology NAS.

 

[Project_Xco]

Something worth noting for gmail users.

I got the D link 5222L from Comex 2015 at $159. I had problems sending my snapshots to my gmail account although i set it up accordingly. Then i found out you need to configure your gmail account as per below.

http://support.dlink.ca/FAQView.aspx?f=GOt9TgGitzXJdy1iaZXLEg%3d%3d

Useful information regarding setting up motion detector..
http://support.dlink.ca/FAQView.aspx?f=lv9LD%2BgaW2rg8FIcQJjPYQ%3D%3D#3

 

[evq]

the speaker and mic of the camera are close to each other. so my foscam got screeching sound. unless you connect a speaker and place them apart.

I didnt connect another external device to my 5222L. What I meant when I said at a distance, means while holding my phone at a distance from my 5222L, my phone speaker do not have any screeching sound.

Yes, u might be right that the 5222L may not be able to input & output the sounds at the same time, if not, it may cause screeching.