Nest Cam Offers Simplified Video Monitoring

I use Arlo, best system I have used to date. Easy to install, I have 4 cameras at one home and 3 at another. Give notices via email and app on phone too. Does not cost for recording. I have basic package that records 10 seconds at a time. IF I needed more recording time, I can pay but no need for what I need.

Thanks,

Craig

IoT items, especially cameras, have been extremely "hackable" in the recent past and used in DOS attacks. Any idea whether these are better than previous versions? BTW, today's Amazon price for me is $168 for indoor,$170 outdoor and $286 for IQ.

With NEST being a "closed" system that does not allow you to capture the video and store it on your own NAS device, the product becomes very expensive with the monthly fees. There are plenty of video capture, notification applications that do all that the NEST application does, without the high monthly fee. Why purchase a product that requires you to use their cloud service? I capture nine cameras on a NAS using ISPY, get the motion or sound notifications without any additional fees.

So with Nest Aware, Google will collect facial recognition data of all my friends? Yikes!

I had considered Nest products until Google acquired them. Google already knows way more about me than they need to, so Nest is no longer on my shopping list.

I agree with George on this topic. This article’s first sentence talks about "expensive" and "difficult to install". Yet, it goes on to discuss monthly charges which start at $10/month for "basic" (but limited) service.
I have been soul searching to justify installing "surveillance" equipment for home protection due to some of my ethical issues with eavesdropping ['do onto others, ...']. Be that as it may; I used the 'excuse' of providing security, privacy and comfort for the sake of my mate to commit to such an installation.
Upon some in-depth market research, I decided to go with IP-based (power-over-internet (POE)) wired system rather than the wireless systems on the market. I was able to resolve my choices down to outdoor day/night VidCams which would provide me continuous 24/7 recording w/30day retention capabilities, on a wired networked system. I wanted high resolution (greater than 1080P/4Mpixel) utilizing a local 3TB HDD (connected to my desktop PC) to store the feeds from two IP cameras. I also wanted these VidCams to be compatible with all desktop and mobile devices. I investigated every VidCam from every manufacturer before deciding on the TrendNet offerings, which qualified for all my needs, including minimal maintenance, price, hardware. Although there was major learning curve for initial setup of the hardware and software w/TrendNet (as w/any other); the system has been reliably running for a year with no issues at all. TrendNet also has been exemplary in providing firmware updates and software upgrades free of charge.
Few months ago, I discovered a brand named ReoLink, which appears to be re-branded hardware at half the price of TrendNet model# TV-IP314PI that I use.
NOTE#1: There may be some privacy concerns for private surveillance camera recording, which are readily resolved by placing signage outside as notification of premise video surveillance.
NOTE#2: Resist the temptation to position the VidCams away from the boundaries of your property (i.e. 'no snooping on neighbors').

It is far easier and less expensive to buy a IP camera of your choice and build your own system. There are many free apps for Android/IOS/Apple/Windows to monitor and record. I have about 6 different brands of IP cameras scattered around my house all monitored by the same software.

As another reader mentioned, I also use Netgear's Arlo cameras. I'm only using the powered (non-battery), indoor models. I can not vouch for Nest's cameras; but the Arlo cameras and especially apps are the best I've used to date.

I've had a Nestcam for about 2 years It loses wifi connectivity on average of once a day for about 10 minutes. Once it was out for 2 days (nothing wrong with my wifi). It sends me false positive notices about 4 times a day - changing light condititions in the room due to passing clouds are enough to trigger it. Night vision stopped working after a year.

First time I have found the comments more useful than Bob's article. But I really can't complain. It is the first time in many years (back to internet tourbus days.)

NOTE#3: A website named 'perfect-surveillance(dotcom)' is offering 3 FREEware, which may be of interest for those who own IP-VidCams: *IpCameraViewer, *IPCameraRecorder and *WebcamMonitor. Review I read stated that these 3 FREEware are compatible w/many surveillance cameras on the market with continual updates for compatibility with newer models being introduced. Unfortunately, their website does not list the compatible hardware. I surmise that their FREEware are designed around the ONVIF standard with over 400 VidCam manufacturers that are compliant with and are members of: *Panasonic, *Samsung, *TrendNet, *TP-Link, *ReoLink, *et al.
I did not see the name Nest as being ONVIF member and/or compliant.

I use Y-cam. Easy to install, and comes with free 7 day retention of video. Only records when motion is detected.
Downside is that it can provide false flagging of motion when the light changes. Camera's drop WiFi connectivity periodically.