Our homes should feel like the safest place in the world—and one proven way to safeguard them is to install an indoor surveillance system.
If you’re looking for ways to build your own, getting TP-Link’s newest security camera—the TP-Link Tapo C220—could get you off to a good start.
The affordable device is ideal for safeguarding your home, with its remote monitoring features that can be easily accessed through the Tapo mobile app. It is also ideal for monitoring babies or elderly family members at home because of its motion-tracking functionality and alarms that you can set remotely.
To get you started, we took the TP-Link Tapo C220 for a spin and will show you how the device can make your family feel safe, secure, and comfortable 24/7.
Unpacking security
The box of the C220 home security camera contains everything you need to install and keep the gadget functioning well in your home. Along with the main unit comes a power adapter with a cable that measures more than two meters. It is important to note that this security camera is not the rechargeable type, so you would have to keep it plugged in.
For those who would like to mount the C220 upside down or vertically, you can also do so with the use of the available camera base, mounting template, screws, and anchors. There’s also a quick starter guide explaining the basics of the camera and a QR code linked to Tapo’s step-by-step videos for configuring it, including how to link it to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Seamless start
Setting up the C220 is easy as all you need are a stable surface, a nearby electrical outlet, and a strong Wi-Fi connection. This indoor camera measures only 3.4 x 3.3 x 4.6 inches so you can place it where you can get a good view of the area you want to secure. Because the device comes in white, it can also blend well or even complement your modern furnishings.
Initiating and running the device are done in a breeze through the Tapo app, which can be downloaded on the App Store and Google Play Store. Creating an account is fast, requiring the user to simply register their email address and verify it after. Once logged in, select the C220 from the list of Tapo devices provided on the app and start pairing with it with a few clicks from the app’s simple user interface.
Protecting your peace of mind even from afar
For those installing CCTVs in their homes for the first time (or probably want to cop a better one), the Tapo C220 security camera could be your best bet. Operating it is hassle-free as each of its features can be controlled remotely through the app.
The C220 boasts a 4MP camera that records videos with sharp and vibrant 2K resolution. This is a significant improvement over the older C210, which had a 3MP sensor with 2K resolution.
As seen in the images recorded below, the C220’s shooter can, indeed, capture high-definition images comparable to smartphone recordings. Take a look at the images captured by our test unit below.
The C220’s 2K recording is backed with support for 25fps. Based on our test, this enables the C220 to capture footage near real-time, with a delay of a few milliseconds.
In addition to its vivid recordings, what makes the C220 recommendable is its smart AI technology that identifies the presence of people within your surveillance area and their motion. Once detected, the app instantly alerts the user through notifications on their phone so you wouldn’t have to stay glued on your screen 24/7.
The C220 also has a motion-tracking technology that follows the movement of people detected by the camera. This feature is likewise precise, with our test unit mirroring the direction of our movement when we took it for a spin. This feature can be turned off on the app, but use it instead if you want added security.
Speaking of, the C220 can see everything in its surroundings with its 360-degree horizontal and 114-degree vertical pan and tilt functionality. This, too, is a feature you can utilize remotely through the Tapo mobile app’s pan/tilt section.
In case you want the camera to record fixed areas in your house, you can instead save multiple viewpoints on the app and select them every time you want the device to pan or tilt back to those specific positions.
Besides all these, the C220 has features that can scare unwanted visitors away through its built-in sound and light alarms that the user can also set off remotely when the camera has detected events like camera tampering, glass breaks, and many others.
There’s also the two-way audio functionality that allows the user and the person behind the camera to communicate. With this, the camera not only captures sound vividly but also enables you to talk clearly and loudly to the person at the end of the line.
When it comes to storage, the Tapo app can store clips for only 48 hours based on our test. If you want continuous storage, you can subscribe to Tapo Care or use a microSD of up to 512GB.
Speed says
It is important to note that we reviewed the TP-Link Tapo C220 using home Wi-Fi. The mileage and functionalities of the device can vary depending on your internet connection.
Overall, the C220 is a recommendable indoor security camera with features like 2K camera resolution, person and motion detection, and two-way audio that you can all control remotely through the Tapo app. It can offer you the best bang for your buck, especially with its price tag of just P1,790.
The TP-Link Tapo C220 security camera is available at the TP-Link Store in SM North EDSA and its partner stores, as well as online via Shopee and Lazada.
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