Belkin tries for entry-level security camera supremacy

Belkin’s $130 NetCam HD+ (£130 in the UK, and AU$170 in Australia) is an updated version of the brand’s existing NetCam HD. The basic NetCam HD had decent specs already, but Belkin added two-way talk and WeMo product integration to its latest iteration — these extra features give the new NetCam HD+ Wi-Fi camera a unique edge over other DIY security IPs.

While its 720p resolution didn’t match the $199 Dropcam Pro’s 1080p, it still returned a pretty clear image on both the web and mobile apps (although that could vary depending on your Wi-Fi connection). And, if you spend $10 a month or $100 a year on the optional Cloud+ services, you can save 14 days of clips and receive instant push notifications whenever the built-in motion detector senses activity. Overall, Belkin’s $130 NetCam HD+ delivers high-end features at a comparatively affordable price and I think it’s a great fit for anyone interested in a solid lower-cost IP camera — just be prepared to trade some video quality for the HD+’s value.

The Belkin NetCam HD+ is on point (pictures)
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Curb appeal

The NetCam HD+ has a white finish and is made up of plastic components, with the exception of a small metal joint that connects the camera to its stand. That metal component makes it very easy to adjust the camera angle as needed. While the HD+ doesn’t feel as durable as the Dropcam Pro, it is well proportioned and nicely designed — especially compared with Samsung’s top-heavy $189 SmartCam HD Pro.

The box includes the camera, an integrated stand, a power cord, and hardware for optional wall mounting. It has a 95-degree diagonal field of view and a glass lens. Since the $199 Piper security system has a 180-degree glass fish-eye lens, this 95-degree lens isn’t particularly impressive. But, that shouldn’t be a problem if you want to monitor a smaller room or a particular section of your home or business.

While Belkin’s HD+ doesn’t have Dropcam Pro-level optics, the local SD card storage of the Samsung SmartCam HD Pro, or the Z-Wave compatibility and additional environmental sensors of Piper, a side-by-side comparison may make you think twice before spending $199 on a Dropcam when you can get something pretty similar for $130.

The HD+ has a speaker and a microphone, free real-time monitoring, night vision, and the option of 14-day cloud storage and motion-related push notifications for an additional $10/month or $100/year. You can also set up rules with Belkin WeMo products on the WeMo app.

Here’s a rundown of the NetCam HD+’s options versus the competition:

The nitty-gritty

This IP camera was very easy to set up. Basic instructions are included in the box, but the Belkin NetCam Android or iOS app can also guide you from start to finish. The whole process took less than 10 minutes.