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A Smart Security Camera That Offers More Than Just Surveillance

Have you ever felt frustrated when you can’t reach your spouse on the phone, even when they’re at home? Maybe they’re busy doing housework, studying, or working and must not notice your calls or messages. Or they’re enjoying quiet time and don’t want to be disturbed. Either way, you might feel anxious, annoyed, or left out, especially if you have something important to tell them.

That’s how I felt when I tried to contact my wife when she was at home. I understand that she has a lot of tasks to do around the house, as well as preparing lessons for her students while doing her post-graduate studies. She must often remember to check her phone, put it on silent mode, or leave it in another room. Sometimes, I would call her several times, only to get no response. Other times, I would text her something funny or sweet, hoping to make her smile, but she would only reply briefly.

I wanted to find a way to communicate with her more quickly and effectively without interrupting her work or bothering her too much. That’s why we decided to buy a smart security camera to use as an intercom and a video chat device. We chose the TP-Link Tapo C200 Network Wi-Fi Camera and couldn’t be happier with our purchase.

Why We Love the TP-Link Tapo C200

It is a smart security camera that offers more than just surveillance. Also, it allows us to communicate in real-time using our smartphones and the Tapo app. Some of the reasons why we love this camera are the following;

1080p Full HD Video. This camera records every image in crystal-clear 1080p definition. Thus, it lets us see every detail on my smartphone or tablet. The video quality is also good in low-light conditions.
Pan and Tilt Function. Also, it has a 360-degree horizontal and 114-degree vertical range. Hence, we can cover a wide area of our living room, bedroom, or office with just one camera (in each location). We can also control the camera’s movement using the Tapo app on our phones.
Motion Detection and Notifications. It has a built-in motion sensor detects any movement in its field of view. Additionally, it sends us an alert on our phone with a video clip of the event. Moreover, we can customize the motion zones and sensitivity settings to reduce false alarms and focus on the areas that most matter to us.
Two-Way Audio. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker that allow us to talk to each other through the Tapo app. You can also use this feature to scare away unwanted visitors or intruders by triggering a sound and light alarm on the camera.
Safe Storage. It supports microSD cards up to 128 GB (not included), which can store up to 384 hours (16 days) of footage locally. Thus, we don’t have to pay cloud storage fees or worry about privacy issues. Furthermore, we can access and playback the recorded videos anytime on the Tapo app or download them to our phones or computers.
Voice Control. In addition, it works well with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (not available in all languages and countries). We can use voice commands to control the camera’s functions, such as turning it on or off, changing its position, or viewing its live stream on our display devices.

Based on our experience with the TP-Link Tapo C200 Network Wi-Fi Camera, here are some of the pros and cons that we found:

Pros

Easy to set up and use. It has a quick start guide that walks you through the installation process. All you need is a power outlet, a Wi-Fi network, and the Tapo app on your phone. The app is also very user-friendly and intuitive. It allows you to control all the camera’s settings and features from your phone.
Affordable price. The camera is very reasonably priced compared to similar products on the market. For less than $50, you get a high-quality camera that offers many features and functions that enhance your home security and convenience.
Compatible with smart devices. It works well with other devices such as Alexa, Google Assistant, smart plugs, smart bulbs, etc. This camera helps me to create routines and scenes that automate my home security and comfort.
It does have a cloud storage service called Tapo Care. With Tapo Care, you can enjoy features such as a 30-day cloud video history, rich notifications with snapshots, and AI detection.

Cons

No zoom function. It does not have a zoom function, which means you cannot zoom in or out on any part of the video. Thus, it might be an issue if you want to see more details or get a closer look at something in the video.
No battery backup. This camera relies on AC power to operate, which means it will stop working if there is a power outage or someone unplugs it. A battery backup would be helpful to keep the camera running in emergencies.

How Do We Use It?

The TP-Link Tapo C200 has made our lives easier and more enjoyable. Some of the ways we use this camera are as follows:

First, we use it as an intercom when we need to talk to each other quickly and conveniently. For example, on my way home from work, I can call my wife through the camera and ask her if she needs anything from the store;
Next, we use it as a video chat device to see each other’s faces and have more conversation. I can video call my wife when I’m not at home or working late;
Third, we use it as a surveillance camera to keep our home safe. When we’re away on vacation or visiting our relatives, we can check on our house through the camera and see if everything is okay. Or when we hear a strange noise or notice something suspicious, we can check on the camera and see what’s happening.
Lastly, we use it as a fun and creative device to have fun and make memories. For instance, when we feel playful or silly, we can take selfies or videos with the camera and share them with each other.

Conclusion

The TP-Link Tapo C200 is a smart security camera that offers more than just security. It also provides communication, entertainment, and convenience. Moreover, it is easy to set up and use and gives us peace of mind and happiness. Whether we want to talk to each other, see each other, or watch over our home, the TP-Link Tapo C200 can help us do it all.

I hope you enjoyed this review article and found it helpful. Thank you for reading, and have a great day! See you at the next one!

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