D-Link HD Mini, small in size and price

D-Link's new approach to video surveillance systems is clear: a small camera, with an affordable price and some interesting features. This is what together can summarize the specifications of the new HD Mini camera (DCS-8000LH) that together with the new MyDlink Pro application allows generating automations and forming a fairly complete video surveillance system at a low price.

Motion and noise sensors, night vision, possibility of cloud recording for free, 720p video and a viewing angle of 120 degrees in a camera that we have tested and of which we share our impressions.

Specifications

One of the things that impresses the most about the camera is its small size. Compared to the Omna HD camera from the same brand that we also reviewed in this article, it is really a miniature. With only 9 centimeters high and 3cm wide and its cylindrical shape It will be very easy for you to hide it on any shelf. Just a tiny LED will inform you that the camera is malfunctioning.

The camera has Bluetooth and WiFi N wireless connectivity, and the recording quality is 720p, offering a good image although Full HD (1080p) resolution is missing when you view the video on the iPad or computer in full screen. It has night vision of up to 5 meters, with good image quality. The angle of view is wide, 120 degrees, more than enough to capture images in a room as long as you place it in a strategic position. The motion and noise sensors will wake up the camera and the microphone will capture the sound, but it lacks a speaker to be able to establish two-way communication with it.

MyDlink app and settings

The Mini HD camera setup process is very simple, very similar to any HomeKit device, by scanning a QR code. Although for this you must create an account on the D-Link portal (if you do not have one yet), something that will be essential both to access the application of your mobile and the portal to access your devices from the computer.

The MyDlink app is very similar to the iOS Home app, and its purpose is the same: group all D-Link devices together for a "smart home", not only cameras, but plugs and other motion sensors, smoke detectors ... The brand wants you to be able to control all its devices and it is a good idea if we take into account that it is not compatible with HomeKit. The interface is quite intuitive and the response times are very good, even allowing the vision of several cameras simultaneously.

As with HomeKit, the application that D-Link offers us allows automations between different devices and this offers a huge plus that differentiates it from other similar applications. Even with a single device like this camera you can establish automations so that when it detects a noise it sends you a notification or to automatically record a video clip in the cloud so you can watch it when you need it. It is an effective way to convince buyers to purchase more devices from the same brand, as the integration between them will be seamless.

However, there is something that I miss and that must be put in the list of shortcomings of the application: it does not use the location of the device to define whether you are at home or not. You can create an automation that makes it so that when you are in case it does not launch notifications or record, and when you are out yes, but the change from one state to another must be manual. Something that is easily solvable with a software update and that we hope D-Link has planned for the near future because it would add a very important plus to its cameras and other devices for the smart home.

Although there is no integration with HomeKit, it is compatible with other services such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, in addition to being integrated into the IFTTT platform, so the possibilities for those who use these services multiply. MyDLink requires a subscription free that allows live viewing and recordings for 24 hours, in addition to being able to add up to three cameras to your account. At the moment there is no possibility of other "premium" subscriptions but it is something that will be added soon, and will allow recording for days, weeks or months.

Editor's opinion

With a really small size and a very affordable price, the D-Link Mini HD camera is a very good alternative for those who want to set up a home surveillance system controlled from a single application. , something very to take into account. With some shortcomings, such as 1080p recording or having a speaker, we cannot forget that it is a camera with a price of just € 65 in Amazon, and that it has a very well developed application with which you can get a lot out of it.