A high-end outdoor video surveillance solution developed by TP-Link, the Tapo C665G KIT combines 4K video definition assisted by artificial intelligence with complete wireless connectivity (WiFi and 4G), all operating autonomously thanks to a small solar panel. Enough to establish yourself in a booming market?
The manufacturer TP-Link has a rather complete range of surveillance cameras, offered under its brand It became. From Full HD to 4K, mains or battery powered, indoor or outdoor, with or without a projector, there is almost something for everyone, or more precisely, every situation.
The C665G KIT still appears as one of the most original and complete models in the TP-Link catalog: this video surveillance system brings together in the form of a kit (hence the name…) a camera 4K UHD outdoor compatible 4G/WiFi and a solar panel, the idea being to obtain a completely autonomous product that can be installed anywhere, or almost. The promise is good on paper, especially at a price of between 150 and 200 euros (depending on current promotions and the direction of the wind); It remains to test this Tapo C665G in real conditions.
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An imposing camera but well protected from bad weather
The C665G impresses straight out of the box: its dimensions of 17.7 x 12.3 x 26.4 cm (mounting bracket not included) are larger than the average for conventional home surveillance cameras, the fault of the integrated battery and the monitoring system. dome motorization. Its white polymer chassis doesn’t make it particularly discreet either, but it was a waste of time anyway with its two imposing omnidirectional antennas.
Access to the microSD port is hidden under the optical module, alongside the Power and Reset buttons, while the USB-C port and nano-SIM slot are located on the top of the camera. The connectors are fortunately protected by rubber caps: unsurprisingly, the certification IP65 guarantees waterproofing of the assembly against rain and dust. Capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 45°C, the Tapo C665G is therefore prepared to survive bad weather.
The fixing kit is of course included; This includes wall brackets, drilling templates and an extension cable of approximately 4 meters to deport the small solar panel of 21×17 cm towards an area of optimal sunshine. We may also be surprised by a specific mounting constraint: the physical orientation of the camera imposes a natural downward inclination, which consequently requires a significant installation height (2.5 to 3 meters at least) to benefit from a satisfactory surveillance horizon.
Tapo C665G KIT: 24-hour video surveillance
The 8 MPixel “Starlight” optical sensor (i.e. a definition of 3840 x 2168 pixels) of the C665G is mounted inside a motorized dome offering panoramic coverage of 360 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically. The camera also has a internal 10000 mAh Li-ion battery offering several days of autonomy. It can occasionally be recharged via USB, but the preferred charging system still remains the 4.5W solar panel (a Tapo A202 that the manufacturer also sells on its own); Less than an hour of direct exposure to the sun is enough to cover a full day operation of the C665G.
The TP-Link surveillance camera also benefits from technology Always-On-Video : by dynamically adapting the frame rate (one frame per second normally, 15 or 20 frames per second as soon as activity is detected), the C665G allows continuous recording, 24 hours a day. vision nocturne also benefits from two white LED spotlights allowing a scene to be rendered in color even in complete darkness, while two infrared diodes will be used for more discreet surveillance. We just regret that this infrared night vision is limited to around ten meters in practice.
A “100% autonomous” concept, the Tapo C665G does not have an Ethernet port, but the camera benefits from WiFi connectivity (in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but WiFi 4 only while a more recent standard could have slightly reduced energy consumption) and 4G LTE. It is therefore possible to place it near the house to benefit from domestic WiFi coverage, or “in the middle of nature”… as long as the area is covered by 4G.
Local AI to process data
TP-Link offers a application mobile (compatible with Android 7.0 or more recent, and iOS 13.0 at least) to centralize the control and configuration of its Tapo surveillance cameras, C665G included. This will satisfy both novices thanks to its assisted configuration and expert users who will benefit from more advanced settings.
L’artificial intelligence occupies an important place in this mobile app; local data processing ensures increased confidentiality. This AI is capable of accurately discriminating between humans, pets and vehicles, while a feature of facial recognition Advanced identifies household members and allows you to personalize notifications based on the person detected. The system also offers the possibility of configuring personalized activity zones and motorized patrol trajectories with mandatory crossing points, optimizing environmental monitoring.
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If you can view the video stream via the application, via WiFi or 4G (count around 650 MB for one hour live), local storage on microSD card (512 GB maximum) is also possible. For increased security against theft or vandalism of the physical unit, TP-Link also offers its paid Tapo Care service. In both cases, the data is encrypted. Home automation integration with Amazon or Google assistants finally allows video streams to be viewed on connected screens, by simple voice command.
Let’s not end with a downside: the lack of support for eSIM technology becomes particularly glaring when we realize that it is imperative to deactivate the PIN code of the nano-SIM card to be able to use it with this Tapo C665G. In the event of theft, it could therefore be extracted and used fraudulently…
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