D-Link's HomeKit-enabled Omna 180 Cam HD home security camera today gained new functionality through a major app update that brings important new features to the device.
The user interface of the app has been improved and it's no longer quite as slow when you open it up, which is a major plus.
There's a new pinch-to-zoom feature that allows you to zoom in on the video feed from the camera, a new toggle lets the night vision feature to be turned off if desired, and there's now support for event notifications when motion is detected. It's also possible to turn off the LED indicator light on the camera following the update.
Both video clips and snapshots taken with the camera can be saved to a local album from the microSD card from the playback menu, and for users who don't have an Apple TV or an iPad to enable remote viewing, there's now a built-in remote live streaming feature.
Customers who own the Omna 180 Cam HD can download the new update in the iOS App Store. Following the update, new firmware will need to be downloaded to the camera through the Settings section of the Omna app. Along with today's iOS update, D-Link released a new app for Android, enabling Android compatibility.
The Omna, one of the first cameras to support HomeKit, is an in-home security camera with a wide-angle lens, night vision support, and a two-way microphone, among other features. It records all data to a microSD card and does not offer a cloud upload feature.
We reviewed the Omna when it first launched earlier this year and some of the features that were implemented today were among our chief complaints with the device.
D-Link recently lowered the price of the Omna, and it is now available for purchase from the Apple Store for $149.95.
Top Rated Comments
For homekit integration, the OMNA wins hands down. The video feeds load instantly, nightvision mode is instant, and the motion sensor zones (and motion-notification delay periods) carry over from the OMNA app straight into the Home app. However the SD card has never worked for me so I can't view older recordings. This is on both cameras.
The Circle 2 cameras however are much better cameras, and the Logitech Circle app is really good. They are waterproof, have free 24 cloud access of all motion alerts, and can be positioned in virtually any angle. However although they do appear in the home app, they are slow to load, nightvision takes 15-20 seconds each time to refocus each time you click to view the feed, and there are no motion zones or wait-period settings that carry over from the Logitech app.
I've set mine up with 2 OMNA's inside for baby/toddler monitors as I can set the exact motion zones I want to be alerted about (not the whole room, just the cots), and nightvision is instant when I click the video (which is essential as I mainly sue them at night!).
I use the 3 circle cameras outside as security cameras as they are waterproof and are positioned exactly as I want them. I just have to set the notifications to only alert me when I am not at home, as otherwise I get bombarded every time anything happens (as I am unable to set a motion sensor-zone or time-delay between each notification that carries over to the Home app), and you have to pay in Logitech app. I also only use the Logitech app at night as the Home-app takes forever to re-focus nightvision, but the circle app is instant. Additionally I get 24 hours of free cloud storage for motion alerts, which is great for outside security cameras.
Both the OMNA and Circle work perfectly with HomeKit automations - I have the circle cameras set to turn on Hue lights in certain rooms if they detect motion at night.
[doublepost=1515585277][/doublepost]For your scenario, I would definitely say the Circle 2 wired cameras. I have mine set over the driveway and they are great and providing instant notifications if they sense any motion. They are also waterproof, can be positioned exactly as you want them, and provide free 24 hours of motion footage.
It's just if you want to view the video feed at night, use the Logitech app and not the Home app.
OMNA cameras are really only good inside.
Schmidt65, it’s been a few months on from this comment, what is your long term view of the Omna versus the Circle 2?
Im also curious as to which device is easier/better at accessing footage say a few hours old? Say if there has been an incident of damage in the night of my car and I need to retrieve footage. Same with notifications, if my car is being damaged does one appear better/faster at sending movement notifications? Final question, does cloud or local storage matter in daily use?
I’m torn between both devices, Spec wise they seem extremely similar!
Yes the motion alerts tap on the watch pretty well with a small image of the motion captures, works really well with our 2 year old.
It is annoying that the omna can’t be tilted, but has a 180 degree angle so captures everything really well, and you can set the zones you want to be alerted to movement on which ties into the home app.
The Omna’s are much better at night vision and far more granular at motion detection - you can mark zones on them for HomeKit notifications.
The circle 2’s only allow zone marking for notifications within its own app - which aren’t anywhere near as good.
Overall both are pretty good though