When comparing NetCam HD+ vs Samsung SmartCam HD Pro, the Slant community recommends NetCam HD+ for most people. In the question“What are the best home-security cameras?” NetCam HD+ is ranked 8th while Samsung SmartCam HD Pro is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose NetCam HD+ is:
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.
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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 Customizble features
You can manually adjust the speaker and microphone volumes, as well as wide dynamic range settings to balance the brightness of the video. Sensitivity of both motion and audio sensors can be adjusted as well.
Pro Night vision
The SmartCam HD Pro is equipped with infrared LEDs. These illuminate dark rooms for the camera, while being invisible to human eyes.
Pro Speak and listen capable
You can have a conversation with somebody through your phone while they're in front of the SmartCam. This is useful as it allows you direct communication with babysitters, contract workers, house sitters or anybody else around your camera.
Pro Local storage
There is a SD slot which allows for local storage. This means that as video is captured, it is recorded straight onto the local storage, while most cameras don't offer local storage (instead they upload it directly to a cloud service, and often charge a monthly fee to download these videos).
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 Legacy designed app
The app looks like it was created more than 3 years ago. There are different tabs and menus, and often times features aren't where you'd expect them to be. There are also few labels - icons dominate the app, and it isn't always obvious what the icons do.
Con Uninspiring build
The design of the SmartCam HD Pro is polarizing. While it looks functional from a distance, getting closer to it will reveal its physical shortcomings. It's bigger, chunkier, and feels like it's made out of cheap plastic. The glossy plastic front panel makes it feel much cheaper than it actually is.
Con Sub-par video quality
While it has a 1080p camera, the recordings don't match the same quality as other slightly more expensive 1080p cameras. This makes detail harder to make out, although it's usually still clear enough to figure out what's happening in the picture.