The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus is a great improvement over previous generations of the SmartCam lineup. I had previously reviewed the Samsung SNH-6413BN SmartCam Security Camera and can see improvements in the hardware. Some of the complaints about the microphone are addressed too. The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus competes well with the Nest Cam which is saying a lot. I might even rate it a little higher because I can avoid the cloud storage charges.
Software
Like other Samsung Smartcams, the SNH-V6414BN uses the Samsung SmartCam app. The Samsung SmartCam app may not have as much refinement as other home security camera apps such as what I have seen from Nest or Logitech but it has all the functionality that I need. I haven’t seen any improvements in the app speed as it takes a few seconds to be able to see the live video. However, once connected it’s uninterrupted and very crisp.
The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus coupled with the SmartCam app provides the high end functionality that I think is needed in any decent home security camera. 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 128GB).
When motion is detected, it writes a 30-second video onto the card so that you go and check it later. A notice is sent via phone notification or Gmail. Only Gmail is supported for email notification and it’s a little tricky to setup so read our tutorial if you need help. Other email clients are supported but only if subscribed to the SmartCloud service.
Effective June of 2016, Samsung started a cloud service called SmartCloud. This service is available starting at $49 per year and makes the Samsung SmartCam HD Plus one of the few that supported cloud and on-board storage. We have a very thorough analysis of SmartCloud which is worth a read.
Setting up motion is a bit of an art, so be sure to read our article on that topic called How to Eliminate False Motion Alerts on a Samsung SmartCam.
In comparing the motion detection between this camera and the previous generation of the SmartCam, I can see improvements to the motion detection in terms of false events such as tree leaves or shadows. This makes an enormous difference in managing events.
Like other cameras, 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. 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.
The camera runs on the Linux operating system for those keeping track.
Connectivity
This is a wireless camera supporting 802.11 b/g/n at 2.4 GHz. 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. It joined right in with the other Samsung cameras that are already on my account.
Hardware
The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus is a smaller camera measuring about 2.55″ wide x 6.5″ high x 2″ deep. It’s made to use indoors. The case isn’t waterproof and it’s not made to withstand extremely cold temperatures.
New with this generation is the use of a metal stand. It’s heavier and way sturdier than the older SmartCams. I was always worried about tipping the camera over. Not a worry with this new metal stand. Nice job.
The power cable is an 8-foot mini USB connection into the bottom of the camera. A bit of a pain to insert, but not a big deal.
The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus provides a 4x zoom option and a 1944 x 1092 pixel capability. . The app allows selection of three different resolution levels including 1944 x 1092, 1280 x 720, 640 x 360. I had no problems using the highest setting.
A feature called Wide Dynamic Range Imaging (WDR) is used to brighten up video where the lighting isn’t optimal. I found that it makes a big difference in low light environments. This is kind of half way between daylight and night environments. I like this feature a lot and it’s activated within the Samsung SmartCam app.
There is a 130 degree wide angle lens on the Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus. This camera doesn’t swivel but with this wide angle lens, it doesn’t matter. I am able to get an extremely clear view thanks to the 130 degree coverage. The night vision works real well. Sporting a 1/3.0-inch CMOS sensor, I experienced very clear night video.
The camera has a built-in speaker and microphone for half duplex talk. The speaker quality has improved. I can hear what’s going on and there’s no additional bazaar background noise. This is a big improvement. The speakers on the camera though continue to underwhelm. So this means that I can hear the activity taking place around the camera just fine but the people near the camera cannot hear me. If using this as a security camera, this is probably a not an issue.
Mounts
The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus comes with a folding metal mount that is attached to the body of the camera. There are a pair of screws included if you would like to mount this to a wall. Another great camera without any alternative mounts. I think this is a real lost opportunity for camera manufacturers.
Fun and Different
The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus comes with pre-recorded sounds to scare off an intruder. You can access them from the mobile app where you see the music note. The included sounds are a barking dog, alarm and siren. I must admit, the barking dog sounds pretty real and would scare me off.
Summary
The Samsung SNH-V6414BN SmartCam HD Plus really impressed me. The hardware quality feels solid. The image quality is among the best for cameras in this price range. I think an update to the look, feel and functionality of the Samsung SmartCam would make this even better, but it suffices for use as a basic home security camera.
Quick Specs:
| Video Quality | Field of View | Cloud Support | SD Support | Night Vision | Mobile/Web App | Alerts | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 x 1092 | 130 Degrees | Yes, $49/year | Yes, up to 128GB | Yes | Yes/Yes | Yes | No |
Manufacturer Link: Samsung