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The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => IP Cameras => DCS-2670L => Topic started by: DaDDz on August 28, 2017, 08:24:08 PM

Title: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on August 28, 2017, 08:24:08 PM
Finally setup and mounted the 2670l 180° Outdoor Cam.  A few thoughts.
1.  Camera mount consist of a thin round plastic mount screwed to the wall.  Cam slides down and locks onto it flush.  Cam cannot be adjusted side to side, only downward.  Would have been better to mount on an arm like the 5010l for better choice of positioning.
2.  Needs updated firmware.  Camera setup has some problems.  First the internal setup menus have issue with Firefox 53, live video flickers, menu icons are missing. None of my other cameras have these issues.  Manual setup for motion is very convoluted, not user friendly like the 5010l.  There is a wizard to do it also but it leaves out settings.  Daytime setup for motion (30%) sent numerous email snapshots with no apparent motion triggers with few intermittent push notifications to my iPhone.  Setting the motion trigger for evening/night stopped the emails but push notifications continued.  Have not been able to get night vision, which works well, to see motion.  This is the first night so I'll try adjusting to fix.  Also rebooting the camera loses a number of settings, not good.
3.  Video quality at 1080 is very good, but live streaming on 2.4ghz wireless was very lagged.  Dropping to 720 greatly improved.  Fish eye effect was minimal when camera is pointed straight ahead.  Angling it down 20-30° increases the effect though.  Night vision worked well but the area has a number of outdoor lights. 

Since there's no support here, I'll have to contact Canada support directly to see about firmware updates, etc.  Hopefully it gets released to US soon.  Motion sensing is my main concern.  That's the whole point of putting it up.  My 5010l has been a real workhorse in that regard and always reliable.
Links to pics of hardware and screenshots

http://ibb.co/dnb2Z5 (http://ibb.co/dnb2Z5)
http://ibb.co/nExsHQ (http://ibb.co/nExsHQ)
http://ibb.co/ehNRcQ (http://ibb.co/ehNRcQ)
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: FurryNutz on August 29, 2017, 09:18:30 AM
Thanks for the info and feedback.

Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: RYAT3 on August 29, 2017, 06:59:16 PM
3.  Video quality at 1080 is very good, but live streaming on 2.4ghz wireless was very lagged.  Dropping to 720 greatly improved.  Fish eye effect was minimal when camera is pointed straight ahead.  Angling it down 20-30° increases the effect though.  Night vision worked well but the area has a number of outdoor lights. 

I'm not sure what router you are using - but you might want to look into an extender or 2nd router that is close to the camera.
Have the extender connect at 2.4Ghz to the camera, and connect the extender back to the main router at 5Ghz, that should help a lot. (Depending on if your place works well with 5Ghz).
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: GreenBay42 on August 30, 2017, 06:38:32 AM
Thanks for the feedback.  I edited your image URLs btw  ;D
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on August 30, 2017, 09:58:25 AM
Continued to have numerous settings issues with the cam.  Motion detection all but stopped regardless sensitivity setting.  Email snapshots stopped coming completely even  when push notifications indicated motion.  Settings randomly changed, time zone, motion detection and more.  Did all the usual, restarted, rebooted, factory reset.  Called support, but unfortunately they have little to go on because it's so new.  No issues reported.  Suggested to replaced it with a new one and see if the issues are duplicated and call them back.  Returned it and another is being shipped this week.  Will try again, but I've only 12 days left for a full refund.  My gut feeling is that it's a firmware issue and I'm not sure I would hold onto it while they resolve it given it's very limited release.  Will report back when I get the replacement.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: BAMoh on August 31, 2017, 11:36:15 PM
Thanks for the update. The issues are surprising since most DLINK cams don't have too many problems. I have a failure of the IR cut filter on a 5020 but other than that all of them have held up. I thought the 2670 would be just the outdoor version of the 2630 which is rock solid iMO.

Due to lack of availability in the U.S. and poor night vision and other reasons I wasn't about to accept the 2330 as a substitute especially given its high price.

Instead I went with a competitor's product. After lots of tweaking, following initial perception DLINK could provide a better product, I have to say I'm impressed with it and have no plans to go back to DLINK given their current lineup in the U.S. unless is for an indoor product.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on September 04, 2017, 05:07:20 PM
Received the replacement cam from BB.  This setup went better although I am testing it in a controlled room where I can trigger the motion, before setting up outside.  Motion detection seems to be working properly, but what's not working well is the notifications.  I think the first cam was the same, but I have been able to zero in on the issue more.  The cam seems to send out multiple notifications on a single trigger.  Push notifications to ios I think are overwhelming it so you sometimes don't get one.  My email in effect gets spammed with multiple messages (6-8) showing the same snapshot on a single trigger. Called it in to support.  Spent a long time giving all the observations to them.  They seem to think firmware issue.  Forwarded it all to 2nd level support for testing.  Will get back to me.  Got 5 days left for a return to BB.  Not sure if I'll keep it unless I hear some encouraging news from support before then.  Will update as I hopefully progress.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: BAMoh on September 10, 2017, 08:46:37 AM
If its a firmware issue I would keep it. Think they would fix it in time albeit given the smaller marker in Canada, they don't have as much incentive (pressure) to as they would in the US. 1000 reviews and 50% of them negative on Amazon would kill any brand. I think in Canada, DLINK can hide from that kind of feedback.

The cam view of your property looks good. Would be more interested in its night vision abilities. I don't think the fish eye is a big deal. If its 180 degrees why do you need L to R adjustment anyway?

Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on September 10, 2017, 11:17:30 AM
If its a firmware issue I would keep it. Think they would fix it in time albeit given the smaller marker in Canada, they don't have as much incentive (pressure) to as they would in the US. 1000 reviews and 50% of them negative on Amazon would kill any brand. I think in Canada, DLINK can hide from that kind of feedback.

The cam view of your property looks good. Would be more interested in its night vision abilities. I don't think the fish eye is a big deal. If its 180 degrees why do you need L to R adjustment anyway?

Support called me to get details on the second camera, to see if the the problem was duplicated for me.  Took all my settings so they can test and duplicate on one there.  Since today the last day I can get a refund, I decided to have faith in them and keep it based on the reliability of my other cams.
When I finally get it installed in place, I'll post night vision shots.  Right now it's inside for testing till they get back to me.

L to R physical adjustment would be beneficial so you could pick your 180 view if you mount on a corner for example.  Just gives you more install options.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: PeZzy on September 21, 2017, 12:07:48 AM
I have owned the DCS-2670L for awhile.

Major dislikes:
Problems with connecting to Ubiquity access points
Very poor wireless range (2.4GHz)
Web UI is from the stone age and downloading through the browser has interruption issues (wireless and Ethernet)
Recorded playback of local files on the phone is not streamed, so it has to download the whole video file before it plays
Flickering caused by auto exposure adjustment (usually near sunrise and sunset) which sets off the motion detection - forces you to reduce sensitivity until it becomes useless.
With a Sandisk Extreme Plus micoSD, there are stutters in the 1080p recorded video, perhaps due to taking a snapshot with the video at the same time
Pre-record time is limited to a maximum of 3 seconds
Only local recording is to microSD - no other local options
IP65 rating - means it must not be directly exposed to the elements
Dislike cloud-based storage for security cameras

Major likes:
180 degree view

My prior experience is with Amcrest cameras. They are far from perfect, but they are much more reliable, configurable, and user friendly. Maybe a firmware update will fix the auto exposure problem, but since it is a Canada-only product, I expect to updates to be very slow.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on September 21, 2017, 07:03:08 AM
I have owned the DCS-2670L for awhile.

Major dislikes:
Problems with connecting to Ubiquity access points
Very poor wireless range (2.4GHz)
Web UI is from the stone age and downloading through the browser has interruption issues (wireless and Ethernet)
Recorded playback of local files on the phone is not streamed, so it has to download the whole video file before it plays
Flickering caused by auto exposure adjustment (usually near sunrise and sunset) which sets off the motion detection - forces you to reduce sensitivity until it becomes useless.
With a Sandisk Extreme Plus micoSD, there are stutters in the 1080p recorded video, perhaps due to taking a snapshot with the video at the same time
Pre-record time is limited to a maximum of 3 seconds
Only local recording is to microSD - no other local options
IP65 rating - means it must not be directly exposed to the elements
Dislike cloud-based storage for security cameras

Major likes:
180 degree view

My prior experience is with Amcrest cameras. They are far from perfect, but they are much more reliable, configurable, and user friendly. Maybe a firmware update will fix the auto exposure problem, but since it is a Canada-only product, I expect to updates to be very slow.

I had high hopes for it when announced and based on my years of experience with my other D-Link cameras, I bought it.  But it's not ready for release because of the firmware.  The firmware is a mess compared to that of my two 5010L workhorses, which have been operating almost flawlessly for two years outside in protected areas.  They were set and forget.  Sensitivity is at default 30%, schedule set and I get notifications on my iPhone and an email with snapshots of movement within seconds.
This cams firmware is a jumbled mess.  The Event setup is a major issue.  It ignores the settings all the time, often detecting motion with no motion, ignoring obvious motion from 5 feet away, flooding my email with multiple emails snapshots on with every event it does notice.  Notifications and emails rarely coincide.
The WebUI for some reason presents differently in Firefox, with icons missing on the live view and screen flicker?
On the plus side it's looks great, and night vision for my installation areas is also great.
But it's basically non-functional as a outdoor security camera at this point.
I've been working closely with support on the issues, sending logs, cfg's snapshots, etc.  They are in constant contact via phone and email. 
It's obvious from all concerned that the release firmware is bad.  I agree it only being released in Canada leaves little hope of a quick fix.  I've wondered if the issue were the reason of a limited release?  Are we alpha/beta tester?

Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: PeZzy on September 21, 2017, 11:48:59 PM
In order to catch movement near the edge of the camera's view, I have to set the sensitivity to 75-80%. Any minor changes in lighting will cause a motion detection.
I like Amcrest event settings which have threshold and sensitivity settings. Threshold is a must-have for motion detection. I see this setting in other D-link cameras, but not this one.
I have been using Internet Explorer, which is becoming dated, since Firefox and Chrome have annoyances.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on September 22, 2017, 11:25:29 AM
In order to catch movement near the edge of the camera's view, I have to set the sensitivity to 75-80%. Any minor changes in lighting will cause a motion detection.
I like Amcrest event settings which have threshold and sensitivity settings. Threshold is a must-have for motion detection. I see this setting in other D-link cameras, but not this one.
I have been using Internet Explorer, which is becoming dated, since Firefox and Chrome have annoyances.

I've tried increasing it too with the same results.  I'll give a little longer to fix the firmware where it can function as advertised.  Not sure how they're going to honor the warranty if model doesn't work. 
What model Amcrest are you using?  Not familiar with there products as I've always had good results with my other D-Link's.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: PeZzy on February 08, 2018, 05:47:01 PM
They updated the firmware for this, but it's still a piece of junk. Terrible motion detection as usual.
With the new firmware, the SDCard fills up and doesn't overwrite, so it stops recording. Newer firmware just added more problems.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on February 09, 2018, 05:53:50 AM
They updated the firmware for this, but it's still a piece of junk. Terrible motion detection as usual.
With the new firmware, the SDCard fills up and doesn't overwrite, so it stops recording. Newer firmware just added more problems.

Have to agree.  Update in November did nothing to correct the critical issues.  I've been in constant contact over the past six months with 2nd level support and they stated that update was not to address those issues.  They were constantly emailing with changes in settings to try but nothing worked.  In December they gave me beta firmware to test which did absolutely nothing.  I reported back my tests but other than thanks I've heard nothing since then.  I believe it's failed product that they have given up on it, and other than a few users from Canada who bought this it no loss to them.  I'm moving on and looking at other options from other company's.  I've had good luck with their other cameras which are still operating well but I won't buy an outdoor product or likely any other product from them after this mess.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: FurryNutz on February 09, 2018, 09:13:44 AM
I've asked D-Link Canada to review this. They are aware of the issues at hand and are still working on bringing fixes to this camera. The camera is still being developed on.

We saw similar issues with the DCS-936L.  :-\ Have been resolved so I hope this camera will see the same.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on February 09, 2018, 10:18:07 AM
I've asked D-Link Canada to review this. They are aware of the issues at hand and are still working on bringing fixes to this camera.

We saw similar issues with the DCS-936L.  :-\ Have been resolved so I hope this camera will see the same.

Good luck with that.  Like I said I've had a caseID opened with their techs for almost seven months and nothing has been resolved.  Exchanged many emails and tested numerous settings on my end for them with no results.  This camera cannot detect motion during daylight hours and very sporadically detects motion in night mode during night time hours.  It does falsely detect motion all the time, continually sending email screen shots with no subject in the shot causing the motion.  Switching to a schedule setup as opposed to "always on", it ignores the schedule and continues to detect phantom motion during off schedule times and stops detect motion when on schedule.  I can't conceive of how this made it out the door.  Other than very good video display, it cannot do any thing it was designed to do.  I'm going to mothball it as I can't use it or sell it unfortunately.  I'm forced to replace it with something else as I want a reliable working outdoor camera.  Considering a Ring Floodlight Cam.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: FurryNutz on February 09, 2018, 10:30:54 AM
Understand Sir.

Ya it took several months for the 936L to get corrected. From what I'm told, the 2670L is still being worked on.

Good Luck.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on February 09, 2018, 01:10:02 PM
Understand Sir.

Ya it took several months for the 936L to get corrected. From what I'm told, the 2670L is still being worked on.

Good Luck.

Got a call from support here and they are sending me a 2330l to have and use while they work on the 2670l issues.  I know that's an older discontinued unit.  Will see how it goes.  Assured me as they always do that they have not forgotten me.  Said it will either need a firmware upgrade or a hardware upgrade (replacement?) to fix the issue. 
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: FurryNutz on February 09, 2018, 01:48:32 PM
Good to hear.

Sounds good. Hopefully they will get this 2670L fixed. Understand the frustrations though. Thanks for being patient as much as possible. Glad they are help you out with a different model.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: Watcher on March 11, 2018, 02:36:33 PM
Hmmm... I almost placed an order, but reading the experiences here, as well as a customer review at the following retail site in Norway:
https://www.elkjop.no/product/data/nettverk-og-routere/DCS2670L/d-link-dcs-2670l-180-graders-utendors-sikkerhetskamera
I come to the conclusion, that I'll pass on it.

The Danish reviewer above wrote that the camera floods with false positives on exposure changes, especially during sunrise and sunset, but when the setting is lowered so as not to react to the exposure changes, then the camera does not see any motion, e.g. someone spading away snow under the camera's nose.
Poor guy replaced 3 of his 2332L's with 4 2670L only to find out about the problem.
In addition, the cam has a weaker radio, than 2332L so the reception in exactly the same spots is worse than what he used to have. And the composite cable means he had to expand the holes leading into the house to fit the cable contacts through!
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on March 11, 2018, 05:18:54 PM
Hmmm... I almost placed an order, but reading the experiences here, as well as a customer review at the following retail site in Norway:
https://www.elkjop.no/product/data/nettverk-og-routere/DCS2670L/d-link-dcs-2670l-180-graders-utendors-sikkerhetskamera
I come to the conclusion, that I'll pass on it.

The Danish reviewer above wrote that the camera floods with false positives on exposure changes, especially during sunrise and sunset, but when the setting is lowered so as not to react to the exposure changes, then the camera does not see any motion, e.g. someone spading away snow under the camera's nose.
Poor guy replaced 3 of his 2332L's with 4 2670L only to find out about the problem.
In addition, the cam has a weaker radio, than 2332L so the reception in exactly the same spots is worse than what he used to have. And the composite cable means he had to expand the holes leading into the house to fit the cable contacts through!

Wise decision.  Mine's gathering dust inside now awaiting what I think will be a complete hardware model replacement.  If it was a firmware only issue they would have solved it long before almost a year passing.  I installed a Ring floodlight Cam to replace it in the location the 2670l occupied.  It worked right out of the box, smooth HD video, great motion detecting, scheduling, etc. Not as wide a viewing angle but it has floodlights and was $50  cheaper than the 2670l.
Downside is it's $30 a year to save video, but that no issue.
Noticed Amazon has the 2670L at $115, half price!  Writing on the wall?
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: Watcher on March 12, 2018, 10:26:29 AM
Hmmm... I almost placed an order, but reading the experiences here, as well as a customer review at the following retail site in Norway:
https://www.elkjop.no/product/data/nettverk-og-routere/DCS2670L/d-link-dcs-2670l-180-graders-utendors-sikkerhetskamera
I come to the conclusion, that I'll pass on it.

The Danish reviewer above wrote that the camera floods with false positives on exposure changes, especially during sunrise and sunset, but when the setting is lowered so as not to react to the exposure changes, then the camera does not see any motion, e.g. someone spading away snow under the camera's nose.
Poor guy replaced 3 of his 2332L's with 4 2670L only to find out about the problem.
In addition, the cam has a weaker radio, than 2332L so the reception in exactly the same spots is worse than what he used to have. And the composite cable means he had to expand the holes leading into the house to fit the cable contacts through!

Wise decision.  Mine's gathering dust inside now awaiting what I think will be a complete hardware model replacement.  If it was a firmware only issue they would have solved it long before almost a year passing.  I installed a Ring floodlight Cam to replace it in the location the 2670l occupied.  It worked right out of the box, smooth HD video, great motion detecting, scheduling, etc. Not as wide a viewing angle but it has floodlights and was $50  cheaper than the 2670l.
Downside is it's $30 a year to save video, but that no issue.
Noticed Amazon has the 2670L at $115, half price!  Writing on the wall?

What I cannot understand, is why D-Link would not standardize their use of hardware and software. For example, the indoor 960L has been stable now for almost a year, 2332L has been working outside in the range of -20 to +40C for 3 years now. Yet some cameras, like 2630L would be playing up from time to time. And the UI is different on all models with a different set of functionality, so you really don't know what to expect, when buying a cam from D-Link in terms of functionality.

This 2670L, does it have writing of events to an FTP server, for example? Does it work with DCS-100 D-ViewCam (at least in compat mode)?

I'll wait until summer, in hope of an improved 180 degree model, and if it's not forthcoming, will buy 2670L from a local on-line shop with a good return policy. It feels like I'll be exercising it after testing...
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: DaDDz on March 12, 2018, 12:32:10 PM
Hmmm... I almost placed an order, but reading the experiences here, as well as a customer review at the following retail site in Norway:
https://www.elkjop.no/product/data/nettverk-og-routere/DCS2670L/d-link-dcs-2670l-180-graders-utendors-sikkerhetskamera
I come to the conclusion, that I'll pass on it.

The Danish reviewer above wrote that the camera floods with false positives on exposure changes, especially during sunrise and sunset, but when the setting is lowered so as not to react to the exposure changes, then the camera does not see any motion, e.g. someone spading away snow under the camera's nose.
Poor guy replaced 3 of his 2332L's with 4 2670L only to find out about the problem.
In addition, the cam has a weaker radio, than 2332L so the reception in exactly the same spots is worse than what he used to have. And the composite cable means he had to expand the holes leading into the house to fit the cable contacts through!

Wise decision.  Mine's gathering dust inside now awaiting what I think will be a complete hardware model replacement.  If it was a firmware only issue they would have solved it long before almost a year passing.  I installed a Ring floodlight Cam to replace it in the location the 2670l occupied.  It worked right out of the box, smooth HD video, great motion detecting, scheduling, etc. Not as wide a viewing angle but it has floodlights and was $50  cheaper than the 2670l.
Downside is it's $30 a year to save video, but that no issue.
Noticed Amazon has the 2670L at $115, half price!  Writing on the wall?

What I cannot understand, is why D-Link would not standardize their use of hardware and software. For example, the indoor 960L has been stable now for almost a year, 2332L has been working outside in the range of -20 to +40C for 3 years now. Yet some cameras, like 2630L would be playing up from time to time. And the UI is different on all models with a different set of functionality, so you really don't know what to expect, when buying a cam from D-Link in terms of functionality.

This 2670L, does it have writing of events to an FTP server, for example? Does it work with DCS-100 D-ViewCam (at least in compat mode)?

I'll wait until summer, in hope of an improved 180 degree model, and if it's not forthcoming, will buy 2670L from a local on-line shop with a good return policy. It feels like I'll be exercising it after testing...

I agree, D-link seems to be inconsistent with cams and firmware.  I've had a 5010l outside in a covered area for 3 years with no issues.  I do believe the 2670l can send to a ftp.  Don't have it online now so I can't check.  If you get it be sure to be able to return.  I could have but trusted support would fix it and kept it past the return date.
Title: Re: DCS-2670l Installed
Post by: FurryNutz on July 02, 2018, 07:51:45 AM
Keep in contact with your regional support office about your camera, if you feel it's not working right, ask for an RMA...