I have used a few Samsung SmartCam Security Cameras and haven’t been disappointed. I had high hopes for the Samsung SNH-E6413BN SmartCam Security Camera. I use it to monitor my pool. That’s my Samsung SNH-E6413BN SmartCam in the photo with this article.
You may have already read my review on the Samsung SNH-1011 SmartCam. The Samsung SNH-E6413BN SmartCam is a higher end camera and I was expecting a better monitoring experience. The camera is very similar to the Samsung SNH-E6411BN SmartCam and in fact, I can’t tell the difference between the two. Let’s take a closer look at this security camera.
Software
The camera is fully compatible with the Samsung SmartCam app. That’s important as I plan to monitor the pool when not around via my smartphone. The fact that it uses the same app as my other Samsung SmartCams is an important advantage for me. I already have too many apps on my phone. Don’t need another to monitor a single camera. The Samsung SmartCam app has a lot of functionality but as mentioned before, it always seems a bit slower than some of the other camera monitoring apps that I have used.
The Samsung SNH-6413BN SmartCam coupled with the SmartCam app provides some nice functionality. Motion and sound detection are provided as are sensitivity settings for each. There is a micro SD slot and a 16GB card that’s provided in the package (it can handle up to 32GB). When motion is detected, it writes a 30-second video onto the card so that you go and check it later. Granted, someone could steal the camera and the video is gone, but I’m using it indoors to monitor the pool, so not terribly worried about theft. Alerts from motion and sound can be seen on your smartphone. You can also configure the app to use your Google account.
Like any decent camera, there are options within the app to turn night vision on or off, change the brightness level, display the date (or not) on the video and turn the status light on or off. In the case of monitoring my pool, I like to keep the status light off as it reflects in the glass of my sliding doors. You can selectively save a video clip to the included micro SD card. You can also take a snapshot and save that directly to your phone.
Connectivity
This is a wireless camera supporting 802.11 b/g/n. Connection of the camera is simple if you have a router that supports WPS. Push the WPS button on the camera and press the WPS button on you wireless router. The connection is made and then open the application to take it the rest of the way. If your router doesn’t support WPS, that’s what the network port is for and you will do the initial connection with an Ethernet cable attached to your router instead. Attaching this to my home network was quick and simple using the app and WPS.
Hardware
The Samsung SNH-6413BN SmartCam is a smaller camera measuring 2.5″ wide x 6.3″ high x 1.7″ deep. It”s made to use indoors. The case isn’t waterproof and it’s not made to withstand extremely cold temperatures. There is a plastic stand that’s attached to the camera that keeps it steady. The power cable seems a little clunky with the stand but I didn’t run into any stability issues.
The camera provides 1080p HD video. The app allows selection of three different resolution levels including 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 360. You will find that the high definition setting of 1920 x 1080 sucks up a lot of bandwidth and without a good connection, there will be some video lag. I typically use the middle setting and have no issues.
There is a 128 degree wide angle lens on the Samsung SNH-E6413BN SmartCam. This camera doesn’t swivel but with this wide angle lens, it doesn’t matter. I am able to get a clear view of my entire pool thanks to the 128 degree coverage. The night vision works real well. Sporting a 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor, I get nice clear night video.
The camera has a built-in speaker and microphone for two-way talk. Like other Samsung cameras I have used, the microphone is lacking and there is a constant buzzing in the background. If you aren’t using this for sound monitoring, then not much of an issue, but if sound is important, be aware of this experience.
Mounts
The Samsung SNH-E6413BN SmartCam comes with a folding mount that is attached to the body of the camera. I haven’t seen any alternative mounts for these cameras but it sure would make sense for Samsung to make something that would enable better positioning of these cameras on the wall.
Fun and Different
In the Fun and Different Category, there is the ability to record and play music. This would come in handy if using the camera for a nursery. Although I don’t see that as a marketing mention anywhere, I am guessing that’s the intent.
Summary
So would I buy the Samsung SNH-E6413BN again? Yes. It gives an incredibly clear video. While I wasn’t too pleased with the microphone functionality, it wasn’t important to me. I’m using it as a security camera with motion and notification. It works well for me and makes a good intermediate level of functionality.
Quick Specs:
| Video Quality | Field of View | Cloud Support | SD Support | Night Vision | Mobile/Web App | Alerts | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 x 1080 | 128 Degrees | No | Yes, up to 32GB | Yes | Yes/Yes | Yes | No |
Manufacturer Link: Samsung