When comparing NetCam HD+ vs Nest Cam, the Slant community recommends Nest Cam for most people. In the question“What are the best home-security cameras?” Nest Cam is ranked 3rd while NetCam HD+ is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose Nest Cam is:
The 1080p resolution allows plenty of detail to be captured, and because it's a wide-angle lens you'll get a wide 130 degree picture. If you need to, you can zoom up to 8X to investigate small details. The night vision feature works surprisingly well in low light, or even pitch black. There are 8 LEDs surrounding the lens which can illuminate the scene.
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Pros
Pro Very easy setup
Instructions can be found in the app, or in the printed manual. The steps are very simple - plug it in, connect it to the internet, and install the app on your phone. After that, you just have to worry about registration and your personal settings.
Pro WeMo compatible
WeMo is a home automation system by Belkin. The NetCam HD+ is compatible with this system, which means it can integrate with other WeMo compatible products such as the Belkin Wemo smart bulbs. If you own compatible products, they can interact with each other. For example, you can configure the system so that when the NetCam detects motion, it will turn on the Belkin WeMo lights.
Pro Multi-platform controls
There are apps for both iOS and Android, as well as a web app for any computer or other operating systems. This allows split households (in terms of operating systems) to control their smart camera with ease.
Pro Night vision
The NetCam HD+ has infra-red LED lights that provide light that the camera can pick up, however this light is't visible to the human eye.
Pro Talk and listen
With both a microphone and a speaker, you can have conversations through the NetCam and your phone.
Pro No cloud-based recording service required
Pro High quality video, even in pitch black
The 1080p resolution allows plenty of detail to be captured, and because it's a wide-angle lens you'll get a wide 130 degree picture. If you need to, you can zoom up to 8X to investigate small details.
The night vision feature works surprisingly well in low light, or even pitch black. There are 8 LEDs surrounding the lens which can illuminate the scene.
Pro Scheduling
You can schedule the camera so it isn't constantly recording your everyday activities, or sending you alerts.
Pro Talk and listen capabilities
While not exceptional quality, you can hear the audio picked up through the Nest Cam play through your iPhone. You can also speak into your iPhone, and have the Nest Cam play the sound.
Pro Integrates with other smart phone appliances
If you own a Nest thermostat, the Nest Cam will automatically turn on when you set the thermostat to 'away'. If your Nest Protect (the smoke detector) goes off, your Nest Cam will activate to show you what's happening although the placement of the cam may or may not be useful.
Nest Cam also integrates with other third party smart home products such as Philips Hue smart bulbs (if the Cam detects motion it can turn these bulbs on). Other products that can work together are: SkyBell (smart doorbell), Mimo (baby monitor), August (smart lock), and Petnet (smart pet feeder).
Pro Recreational use
The Nest Cam can act as more than just a connected security camera. You can take time-lapse videos with it, or use it to capture images or video for social media as well.
Pro Well designed
The camera looks sleek and compact, yet includes all the useful features you would expect from a high end security camera. The base is magnetic, helping to keep it stable (it also has a wall/ceiling mount), and the hinge allows enough movement to make sure you can place it virtually anywhere you'd want to.
Cons
Con Subscription required for cloud video storage
The subscription is almost required - without it you won't be able to see recorded video (only a live feed). You will also only receive email alerts without the subscription - it also unlocks app notifications.
The subscription is $10/month (or $100 if billed annually), and it will allow videos to be saved online for 14 days. You can download these clips if you so wish. This subscription also allows push notifications to be sent to your phone so you will be notified of any intruders immediately.
Con Low field of view
The NetCam HD+ has a 95 degree vision in front of it. This is more than adequate for monitoring a small corridor or a single doorway, however other options offer a much wider field of view and will be able to see more surroundings.
Con No local storage
All videos are uploaded directly to the cloud, and there is no local storage on-board.
Con Low resolution video
Video is only captured at 720p, which is sub-par when compared to virtually any other home security camera. A higher resolution would offer more crisp video, and greater clarity so its easier to recognize who is on your property and what they're doing.
Con Inconvenient viewing of previous recordings
Previous recordings will be kept in the cloud for up to 10 days (30 days with the subscription), however when viewing these recordings there is no option to scrub through the video, leaving you no option but to view the entire clip.
Con Annoying artifacts makes activity detection less robust
When switching to night vision, the camera momentarily goes all black, causing notifications to get fired. This should be avoidable by software handling
Con False alarms
While not frequently occurring, some false alarms will happen. On a particular windy day, trees blowing in the wind may cause an alarm, and sometimes the sun lighting up sections of a room can also cause false alarms.
Con No local storage
All video is immediately uploaded to the cloud, and there is no local storing happening on the Nest Cam itself.
Con Some features require a subscription
The Nest Aware App has a subscription ($10/month) which unlocks additional features. The subscription promises less false alarms, allowing for more advanced algorithms. It also allows for a history of notifications and alarms as well as continuous recording for up to 30 days.