Why ecobee's Smart Doorbell Camera is a BIG upgrade 

Yep, without HKSV I am not buying it. It is almost crazy how everyone is trying so hard to force everyone into subscriptions.

Agreed!

Thank you for posting this. Didn't know that was even possible. My non-native UniFi cameras using a HomeBridge plugin even support HKSV so it has to be something Ecobee turned off intentionally. Looks like I'll be keeping my UniFi setup :)

Same, if it is not HKSV, I won't get it. They probably want people to subscribe to their subscription services, but it is at the expense of you and I and many others not buying the device at all and looking elsewhere.

An astounding omission tbh.

I understand that HomeKit Secure Video is a must have for some people but due to Apple's lack of pushing that platform forward, it means you are ruling out on device image processing and potentially things like radar sensors. Also Apple routinely has Wi-Fi connection bugs with HomeKit cameras and you potentially have no backup way to access them. In this case during early iOS 17 builds with Home bugs, the ecobee app still worked fine while all my HKSV cameras were down.

Yeah, kind of agree. I get Ecobee’s direction here, but I don’t own any other Ecobee devices. I don’t want to pay for another subscription. I think it’ll limit their audience.

@@EricWelanderfrom a business economics perspective, Ecobee should be setting up a ‘threshold tier purchase model’ where a customer who buys and links say 4 Ecobee cameras and an Ecobee doorbell gets a Free Premium Subscription for 5 Years. (2 months free is not enough). Subscriptions are a major turn off as an annoying add on for people who invest so much in their initial bulk purchases. So, I don’t understand why these SmartHome companies aren’t following the strides of say Internet Providers - where if you sign up to a new Internet Plan for a minimum 2 years, they give to a Free WiFi 6e Modem Router. As opposed to a customer who just buys a month-to-month plan. The customer’s initial commitment to buying 5 devices (as a large fixed income for Ecobee) should be rewarded with a complimentary subscription of 5 years to further boost their rapport with the Brand and foster a long-term relationship - where the customer is will update or buy more products after that 5 years of free Subscription service has been used.

@@EricWelanderwas looking forward to a HomeKit Video Night Mode in iOS17 - seeing as Apple has made process with its built-in ‘Focus’ architecture that works across its device Ecosystem. Having a ‘Record at Bedtime’ mode or even an added shortcut variable / automation for the Home App will be a delight whenever it comes. Integrating ‘Focus’ modes with the Home App seems the best way for them to do this so people can link Scenes to their Focus.

For a DSLR or iPhone, this would be poor image quality, but for a compressed surveillance clip it's good. I understand that HomeKit Secure Video is a must have for some people but due to Apple's lack of pushing that platform forward, it means you are ruling out on device image processing and potentially things like radar sensors.

How has it been? How is the battery drain and the connection?

Correct. It's just a live view and notifications there

Thanks! Yes I already use the security system. The benefits are that you can control it in Shortcuts and all the door sensors natively show up in the home app. One feature I miss from Ring is support in the app to schedule a mode change, like every morning disarming at a specific time. I have to use a personal automation on my iPhone for that with ecobee instead.

Interesting line of thinking here. I agree and I bet it’s because the company would not make the money back from subscriptions if lots of customers pay Apple (via iCloud) for HKSV instead. I still think this doorbell is a great option for lots of people with Apple homes, which is why I wanted to make this review, sponsored or not.

It’s not paying Apple, it’s losing subscriptions as people bypass your own cloud services, alongside added development costs. What companies should know however is that there is a decent user base which refuses to buy cameras which aren’t HSV compatible from a privacy standpoint

Yup, that’s why I bought an Aqara even after I was gifted a nest doorbell. I wasn’t about to pay the subscription fee just to have basic functionality

How do you like it?@@gbidrugchemist

For an iPhone or DSLR that wouldn't be great image quality, but for a surveillance clip compressed I think it's pretty great. This is especially true with colors in low light of dusk and dawn.

Exactly, dealbreaker to me as well.

I understand that HomeKit Secure Video is a must have for some people but due to Apple's lack of pushing that platform forward, it means you are ruling out on device image processing and potentially things like radar sensors. Also Apple routinely has Wi-Fi connection bugs with HomeKit cameras and you potentially have no backup way to access them. In this case during early iOS 17 builds with Home bugs, the ecobee app still worked fine while all my HKSV cameras were down.

@@EricWelander very good point! Thank you for sharing.

Yes you just see the live view in the Home app and need the ecobee app and subscription to view and manage recordings. But you still get doorbell ringing notifications with live view on Apple TV

@@EricWelander to me Homekit video is a nice aspect of the homekit solution as I already pay for some icloud storage. So sadly this is not the doorbell I am looking for. Hopefully at some point they will make a Pro version or something that supports home kit video.

Ecobee isn't likely to allow any Apple user to bypass their subscription. Ecobee, like everyone else, is banking on the subs to offset the hardware cost. Where they could screw over apple users is enable HKSV with paid ecobee subscription.

Yes the live feed pops up as an Apple TV notification and yes you can view the live feed on an Apple TV like other Apple devices with camera access and yes your HomePods can be used as chimes.

This would be neat to showcase in a video!

@@efmarosario4953him leaving all that out is why I hate sponsored videos.

Here’s a video I made all about what I don’t like with HomeKit secure video. Some of the items apply here in ways Ecobee is better than HKSV like on device processing and a siren button. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KLh0uDWV5H4.htmlsi=ruDb7kuuDznVc_M9 Ecobee also gave me a trial of their home monitoring. I haven’t had any incidents to test that part out but I find the system to be great and you can trigger it with Shortcuts. I would investigate it further to see if it’s work it for you.

Thanks Eric!

@@EricWelanderI have the Ecobee premium and a Arlo doorbell. Would recommend switching to the Ecobee doorbell (granted the Ecobee doorbell is more expensive than the Arlo). I also have the Level door lock.

they will increase the price of monitoring at some point. I'd rather get a doorbell that doesn't require subscription.

@@abc123fhdi I was told by surport that you receive 30 days free each month and just wasn't a trial period.

Hi @EricWelander Any thoughts on this

I was told by support this AM 10-20-23 that there was NO cost for month cloud storage. It clears every 30 days. Not thinking I misunderstood that but would appreciate if someone else could verify?

Yes on Apple TV and on the ecobee thermostat and in the image of the notification to your devices

No. You also don’t need one of their thermostat. Read more on their site on how the free plan compares to the paid plans.

Remember you’re also paying for a 24/7 Professional Monitoring system and cloud recordings is just an added bonus for the doorbell. Yes I agree they should have local storage, but I think the values offered here is great. HKSV would be the easiest solution here, but I don’t think it’s needed and should be optional, because HKSV is also limited with its features. You don’t need the thermostat to view footage. You can view live footage on Apple TV, not sure about the others. You can’t satisfy everyone!

I partially agree with you. This video was a bit misleading. But I don’t think HKSV is needed here when you’ll be comprising features of the doorbell. Definitely should’ve mentioned it though. Videos like this make me want to start making videos with full transparency!

It's easy for us steeped in the Apple ecosystem to forget that HKSV also requires an iCloud subscription. This is less than dedicated video subscriptions but it's still a recurring cost. With ecobee you can combine it with security system monitoring, which is another expense you might already plan on paying. I can what you mean of how people might think I'm talking about a HomeKit Secure Video Doorbell especially if they don't watch the full video. For doorbells specifically, there's a lot more to Apple Home integration than HKSV. There are chimes on HomePods, live view notifications on Apple TV, and notifications of events on other Apple devices. Not to mention the security system option here works with Apple Shortcuts and the door sensors show in HomeKit. Of course companies making cameras are looking to recoup some costs of the product through subscriptions. I think it's why we'll never see lots of HKSV options for doorbells or other cameras. Apple has taken the best part for themselves. While I still use HKSV and will cover it on this channel, it's part of why I push other options in videos like this. The economics of the HKSV system aren't setup for thriving options and innovations. This will only be exacerbated by Matter video feeds flooding into HomeKit some day. Buying into a manufacturers ecosystem like this is more limited selection, but the economics are setup to incentivize the camera company to keep pushing forward with new camera and software products and features. Apple hasn't added many features to HKSV and we'll see. I hope they evolve the program to make it better for manufacturers and customers in the coming years.

@@EricWelander Dude, come on. Don’t treat your viewers like that. Maybe that is truly your opinion on HKSV and your points are not invalid, but it’s misleading to not even mention it in the video because most customers want HKSV despite your perspective on it.. and I think you know that. That is my point. We don’t really need to keep engaging on this I guess. I’m really not out to start a fight or get into a protracted argument. Hopefully you see my comments as reasonable criticism and consider the points. I do wish you good luck with everything.

Unfortunately not. You can’t change which doorbell chimes make sounds as part of an automation

But you can choose which thermostat participates in the chiming. I’d suggest just not allowing the one next to your toddlers room to participate in the chiming.

Why would you want Herpes Simplex Virus?

Want to elaborate?

@@jasonmcmaster4968 HSV = HomeKit Secure Video. From what I understand is it allows you to view video from HomeKit as well as Ecobee’s app. One of their cameras has HSV, but I don’t know if it would require a firmware update for them to add a doorbell, or if they would need different hardware. No HSV is definitely making me rethink Ecobee. The problem is that there are not a lot of options for HomeKit.

Herpes simplex virus?

HSV is Homekit Secure Video and even devices which provide support for the Home app with video streaming aren’t necessarily HSV compatible. HSV means the video is encrypted end-to-end and routed to be analyzed locally through your home hub (Apple TV or HomePod).

Absolutely agree! This was a trash review! He should be ashamed too!

I’m so sorry to hear you misunderstood. I still think you got a great doorbell, but you should be able to return it if it’s not for you. HKSV is a valid video option but it’s far from the only video option that works with Apple Home. I talked about how this doorbell works with Apple Home because that’s the important integration here. Personally I’d prefer this over a HomeKit Secure Video doorbell given the on device recognition, radar, integration with the thermostat / security system, and more solid Wi-Fi connectivity than HKSV doorbells in my experience. I say yes to products for sponsored reviews that I think are a great product and I present them in the best possible light by focusing on what they do well. I say no to 99% of these kinds of video opportunities.