REVIEWED SwanSecure NVW-470 Wi-Fi home security camera
Keep your eye on your home while away on trips, but don’t bother with the tablet
This pricey package attempts to recreate an all-in-one CCTV system, but it achieves that only after a long slog setting-up. It’s a two-part product, with a Wi-Fi camera and a seven-inch tablet, with apps for remote viewing for iOS, Android & Windows desktop.
Long-winded set-up
If you’re tech-minded, patient and actively enjoy spending an evening reading essay-like ‘wizards’ to set-up gadgets, the modular NVW-470 will reward you with high quality video feeds, endless customisation and no need for cloud subscriptions. The NVW-470 is unique in including a seven-inch tablet as part of the package, which does seem rather redundant given the spread of big-brand tablets.
Poor tablet
Worse, the 1,024×600 pixel resolution tablet here uses an ancient form of Windows that harks back to the 1980s in looks and uses a touchscreen that’s the least responsive we’ve tested for several years. However, this Wi-Fi tablet is fully portable thanks to its rechargeable battery, and can be hooked-up to a TV using a HDMI cable for truly bigscreen security.
The app
The SwannView Link app for smartphones and tablets lets you watch live streams of video as well as access motion-detected sequences saved to the included 8GB microSD card, but we do wish it played a role in managing the NVW-470’s settings. Relying on an outdated and awful user interface is painful.
Sharp HD video
The 720p HD camera itself is excellent and provides sharp HD video during the day and in night-vision mode, but it has to be physically attached to a wall (screws and fittings are included), which could be limiting. However, since cameras can easily be added to the NVW-470 – up to four in total – this makes a good option if you’re set on expanding, but why the terrible tablet?