UltraHD 4K (8MP) IP PoE AI Camera, FOV 129°, 49ft Color Nightvision, Security Outdoor Bullet Camera, Human & Vehicle Detection, Active Deterrent, 4K @15fps, IP8M-2796EW-AI (White)

This Amcrest bullet security camera, model IP8M-2796EW-AI, has been an overall positive experience to set up and use. I am using it to replace an older model camera with lower resolution, and have attached the new one to the rear of my property on the garage. The packaging for the camera was top notch. It was packed securely in foam padding, and included a mounting template, screws and anchors, and the necessities to ensure a water-tight connection to the ethernet port if necessary. Some brief documentation was also in the box, although I found myself consulting the more thorough online documentation while learning the nuances of the device. As has been my experience previously with other Amcrest cameras, set-up was simple. I attached the camera to a PoE switch to provide power and to perform initial configuration before mounting it. It obtained an IP address from my DHCP server, and after logging in to the familiar web interface and changing the default password, I set a static address for the device. For this type of gear, I prefer to group the cameras within the same consecutive static IP space - it just makes them easier for me to manage, but isn't a necessity for operation. After completing the initial configuration, I mounted the camera in its new home on the outdoor wall of the garage and aimed it in the direction that I want to observe. The camera housing is quality, and it feels quite durable, so I wasn't fearful of breaking it while mounting. Once mounting was complete, I attached the permanent PoE ethernet cable and began to configure the details of the device. I utilize my fleet of Amcrest cameras with Synology's Surveillance Station, and I was pleased to see that this camera model is present in the Synology, so I did not have to configure it as a generic Amcrest device. The camera's AI features are really good at detecting both humans and cars. The alley at the rear of my property is infrequently traveled by cars, but people do walk through it during the day. In the Synology, I configured it to record only on detection of these advanced events, and it's doing a great job. The camera's image sensor is EXCELLENT, at 8MP. The detail captured by this sensor is really good quality. Should something nefarious occur at the back of my home, I am confident that this camera will capture anything needed to identify those involved. The nighttime image quality is also exceptionally great. I have also scheduled the camera, within its web interface, to only flash the white light during specific overnight nighttime hours - hours during which I want someone to know it's there, in case they have bad intentions. While performing configurations and in an attempt to get everything set up just right, I consulted with Amcrest's detailed PDF documentation for the product. They cover the bases, detailing answers to any of the questions I had along the way. There's also the option to reach out to support, and even a few support forums for deeper discussion, but I didn't require that level of help with this device. In all, Amcrest has delivered another device that doesn't disappoint. I feel comfortable knowing that this watchful eye is present to keep watch over things on my property.

I have 7 Amcrest cameras and I've been using them since 2016. 5 of the 7 cameras are Amcrest IP8M-2496EW-V2 UltraHD Outdoor Bullet PoE IP Security Camera, 4K. Aside from them having basic detection, they all work very well. I wanted something that had a security deterrent, the LED on this camera is trigged by a human detection. You can set it to stay on, or flash. At night when you set to to high flash, its perfect, exactly what I want, it makes it very obvious to the person in my yard you're being recorded. The IVS human and vehicle detection worked as it should, and image/video quality was good. The issue... After getting it installed, I found out that any motion detection and IVS events when played back using the Amcrest Surveillance Pro desktop and mobile app it would not start at the time of the event, it would 30 seconds to as much as 9 minutes before the event. For example, a triggered event at 2:00am, when you play it back would be 1:51:02am. Then if you scrubbed or skipped up to the event using the timeline, it would start to show you the triggered event then loop back 5 seconds 3 times, and then jump back to 1:51:02am again. I checked and the camera had the latest firmware version available. I opened a case with Amazon, they sent me a replacement camera. (thank you for great Customer service!) Meanwhile, I also opened a support ticket with Amcrest. It did take them a couple of days to get back, but once we started communicating support was on point. I kept the original camera on hand hoping Amcrest would find an issue with either my settings or maybe identify a hardware issue. Amcrest Support sent me a beta version firmware to install. The install didn't clear my settings, but I still formatted the SD card and factory reset, and put my settings back in. The issue was still present. Then I installed the Amazon replacement camera, did the same steps, SD format, updated firmware to beta version supplied by Amcrest Support. Issue is STILL present. I then installed a 128GB SD card from one of my perfectly working IP8M-2496EW-V2 cameras. Formatted SD, and sadly, it still had the exact same issue. Amcrest Support tech bench tested the same camera and could not replicate the issue. They think the batch sent to Amazon might have a defect. Sadly this means any replacements I get are most likely going to have this defect. I ended up sending both the original camera and the replacement back to Amazon. Amcrest Support and Amazon Customer Service gets 5 stars here, however the camera itself, gets the lowest 1 star. I spent nearly a week going up and down my ladder on my garage to try to resolve this issue. I really like Amcrest cameras and would hate to change brands, however, I did purchase a Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus. Without turning this in to a Ring camera review, I really hate their software, love the hardware. I will check back with Amcrest support to see if they can get me a camera that is known to not have the defect! **Update** I heard back from Amcrest Support and they confirmed this, they bench tested camera and had the same/similar issue. So this was not limited to only a batch of cameras. If you have a camera that does this, you need to reach out to Amcrest Support.

Installation and Mounting - I ordered this camera with the intention of replacing an older lower resolution Amcrest camera (ASH42-W - similar bullet style), and I was very happy to see that the mounting holes aligned perfectly, so it made for a simple installation. Fortunately, I have used enough Amcrest cameras to know the process to setup and install on the app. I really like the fact that a barcode is provided that enables the SN to be loaded into Amcrest App. Installation was mostly effortless, and I was moving from a WiFi camera to a POE camera, so now I didn’t have to worry about a separate power source, which made my installation so much cleaner. I am a long-term user of Amcrest Surveillance Pro, and continued to use that application to access this camera. Camera Resolution/Image Quality – I really really like the color night vision on this camera. I have this camera overlooking our pool and it picks up great at night with the pool lights on. Compared to the older 4mp camera that I was replacing, I also really like the wider FOV (101o vs 129o) which lets me capture a broader span of my back patio. Another big upgrade is the added mic, which has great sensitivity to listen in on audio in the area. It does pick up some wind noise, but no more than my other outdoor security cameras. All in all, I am really impressed with this camera. Of the 10 or so Amcrest cameras, I feel that this is the highest quality camera of the bunch. I really like the clarity and resolution of the video (both day and night). The price point I think is fairly reasonable given the considerable features that this model offers. I really like that it has the AI features to help distinguish humans and vehicles. All in all I give this camera five out of five stars.

Pros: High-quality 4K video feed Durable construction designed for outdoor use Robust security features, including Active Deterrence and IVS User-friendly operation with a well-designed quick-start guide Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities for simplified installation Cons: Somewhat sensitive motion detection can produce noisy results Lack of a power on/off light indicator can make it difficult to confirm if the camera is functioning Introduction of another Amcrest application can be frustrating for users who prefer a consolidated platform First Impressions At first glance, the Amcrest 4K Outdoor bullet camera appears to be a high-quality product, designed with durability in mind. It is evident that this camera is built to withstand outdoor conditions, promising longevity. The construction quality is very good, with a few minor exceptions such as the mount design. Mount design appears to be straight forward, but as you will see I discuss later there is some difficulty positioning this when set to 90 degree Instructions: The instructions are straightforward, with a quick-start guide that helps get the camera up and running. However, like many of Amcrest's products, more complex features such as IVS, require a little more experience and tinkering to fully master. This process might be daunting for first-time users, but it also offers a high degree of customization for those seeking more than just basic functionality. Camera Installation: The installation process was relatively smooth and straightforward. The camera does not feature a power on/off light indicator, so the only way to confirm if it's functioning correctly is by checking the camera feed in the software. This absence of an immediate status indicator can make the setup process a bit tricky. This was installed at a 90 degree angle. Even with the screw loosened it seemed to be difficult to get the camera to swivel at the base. With force it moved to the desired adjusted position, but not without concern it would bread while doing it. Setup/Functionality: Setting up the Amcrest camera was a straightforward process, largely due to the well-designed quick-start guides provided with the product. Connecting it to the Amcrest app was also a breeze. This particular model comes with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, which simplifies installation by combining power supply and video transmission into a single cable. This camera model was quickly recognized and integrated into the system without issue. The camera is installed using a mount that is included in the box. Although the construction of the mount is robust, its adjustment is somewhat limited once it has been attached to a surface. This limitation can slightly hinder the camera's ability to capture a 90-degree angle view if it's mounted on a wall. Once installed, the camera's App interface was navigable with multiple customization options. The web interface seems better as it offers a wide range of settings available for you to tweak, such as Face Detection, Smart Motion Detection, and SMTP (Email) configurations. While these settings add to the camera's appeal, they might also require additional time to understand fully and optimize to your liking. The Active Deterrence and IVS features, such as tripwire and intrusion detection, were some of the advanced features that could enhance the camera's security capabilities. While understanding these features might be challenging initially, visual aids in the advertisement and the user guide greatly assist in comprehending and utilizing these functionalities. A slight inconvenience during setup was the lack of a power on/off light indicator. Without it, users need to check the camera feed on the software to confirm that the camera is functioning after the initial power connection. Despite this, the setup process remains user-friendly and intuitive overall. Lastly, the introduction of another Amcrest application is a bit frustrating. Managing different cameras across multiple apps can be challenging, and consolidation of these apps might streamline the user experience significantly. Overall, the setup process for this Amcrest camera was relatively simple, with minor areas for improvement. The wide range of functionalities and settings, while requiring a bit of a learning curve, offers the potential for a highly customized and effective home security solution. Issues: While this camera is impressive with its feature set and overall performance, it's not without a few quirks. The motion detection, while useful, can be somewhat sensitive and occasionally produce noisy results. This means users may receive alerts for benign movement, such as tree branches swaying in the wind, or animals. This is a common item with all the Amcrest cameras I’ve installed. It requires a lot of tinkering to get things dialed in. Even then, things are still remain on the noisy alert side of things. Furthermore, while the Intelligent Video System (IVS) technology is a great addition to the camera's feature list, it requires management via a web interface and can be a bit more complex to handle for the average user. I need to continue to play with this feature in the months to come. One minor inconvenience observed during the setup process is the lack of a power on/off light indicator. This omission makes it tricky to determine if the camera is functioning or not after the initial power connection, necessitating users to check the camera feed on the software to ensure that it's working. Also, introducing yet another app to the growing portfolio of Amcrest applications might be a little annoying for some users, who would prefer a consolidated platform for their devices. Overall: Overall, this camera is a commendable product that balances advanced features with user-friendly operation. It lives up to the Amcrest reputation of delivering high-quality, reliable, and technologically advanced security solutions. The camera's durability, excellent image quality, and robust security features make it a worthy investment for those seeking to enhance their home security systems. The Intelligent Video System (IVS), Active Deterrent feature, and the high-quality 4K video feed are standout aspects of this camera. However, users should be aware that mastering these advanced features might require some additional time and patience. The camera isn't without its quirks, with some aspects like the somewhat sensitive motion detection and the lack of a power on/off light indicator that may require adjustments or extra steps during setup and operation. Nonetheless, these are minor inconveniences when weighed against the camera's performance and functionality.

I used the Amcrest View Pro app on my Android phone to set up the camera, once I hooked the camera up to my PoE switch. I pointed the phone camera at the QR code on the camera, and setup was nearly instantaneous. Because many of my other Amcrest cameras are wireless, I'm used to having to go through the sometimes-frustrating process of the whole "audio tone" setup process several times to get them to work. The fact that it was nearly instant was very refreshing. I don't currently have much use for the AI features of the camera. However I did go to that section in the online interface, and was very happy to see that they have a "Detect Region" drawing button AND an "Exclude Region" drawing button. This is SO much more intuitive than other systems I've used, which don't really tell you this succinctly how to draw to detect/include. This is a great feature. The rest of the Event setup features are also intuitive and well thought-out. Though I will likely just use this as a standard camera for now, it's great to know that the camera has a host of detection features that I can take advantage of. In fact, since I'll be pointing it at an exterior door into my house, I may well take advantage of the human detection, since nobody should ever be going through that door. I also like the abnormal audio detection mode. That's something I would likely use to detect the pounding of an implement on my home's windows, in case someone's trying to break in. This is the first time I've noticed it on an Amcrest camera, though I may have missed it in others that I own. Video quality and field of view are outstanding, which I've come to expect from Amcrest cameras. One thing I noticed, when putting the camera into a nearly-completely-dark cupboard, is that when I brought the camera back out into room light, it stayed in the IR B&W mode. It finally reverted back to a color image in my well-lit environment after about two to three minutes. Not sure if that's a bug, but probably not a huge dealbreaker even if it is, since the camera will be outdoors, and the transition from the pitch black of night to the brightness of daylight will take place gradually over the course of hours, rather than in my test, which was pulling the camera out of a dark cupboard into the light over the course of seconds. But I thought I should mention it. I will be using this camera with BlueIris security software, which detected it perfectly (as it does all my Amcrest cameras). About the only thing I could suggest, is to make it so the camera could record 30FPS in at least 1080p mode, if not 4K. Because I'm in the video production business, I certainly understand why they have it maxed-out at 15FPS...cost of the unit would likely have to be much higher to get to 30FPS. And though most applications won't need 30FPS, it'd be a nice option to figure out how to get it to do that through a firmware upgrade or something. But not a dealbreaker for me. The packaging was almost all cardboard, with just a couple of sections of foam to protect the top and bottom of the camera. I LOVE this about Amcrest cameras. There is a minimum of plastic/foam in all the packaging, and that is a huge positive to me. The Quick Setup Guide was very simple and succinct, understandable since the app really walks you through the setup. Amcrest cameras just *work,* and I love how they haven't made it difficult to use with third-party software. That is always a dealbreaker for me, which is why I am a diehard Amcrest fanboy. The fact that they continue to innovate and listen to their customers, is also the sign of a very good company.