Netatmo debuts stylish HomeKit-enabled Smart Video Doorbell

In what is shaping up as a race to be the first HomeKit doorbell to market, Netatmo took its stab at the niche segment and debuted its new Smart Video Doorbell at CES 2019.

The new Smart Video Doorbell is similar to many others on the market that feature a camera on top, speaker/mic in the center, and a button below for visitors to ring.

Thanks to Apple HomeKit, whenever someone rings the doorbell, a rich notification appears where users can tap to jump right into the Home app. They can even ask Siri to show them who is at the door. The camera sports a 160-degree lens and records video in 1080p.

There is a built-in motion sensor, which is also tied to HomeKit. Automation rules can be configured to turn trigger actions like turning on the porch lights whenever motion is detected.

Aside from HomeKit, Netatmo's device is able to tap into IFTTT for additional apps and services.

One downside is the fact that this product is designed as a doorbell replacement, which means it needs a wired connection to function.

Unlike other video doorbells on the market, Netatmo requires no subscription. Video is stored on a microSD card within the device and can be accessed from within the app. Currently, HomeKit doesn't offer its own support for recorded video playback.

The Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell will be available in the second half of 2019.

This isn't the first HomeKit doorbell we've seen thus far. Netherlands-based Robin Telecom also claims to be releasing its ProLine video doorbell in the first half of 2019, ahead of Netatmo.

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15 Comments

xyzzy01 143 comments · 15 Years

About 5 years ago

Can the video be automatically stored somewhere else? Being able to get rid of evidence by stealing the device as well sounds less than ideal.

loekf 41 comments · 11 Years

About 5 years ago

@Appleinsider... does this one have some kind of theft protection ? For example, the Nest door bell simply clicks (no screws etc) on a plastic holder you screw on the wall or door post. So it's very easy to get stolen.. and that for a 200+ euro device.

Bad design decision to store the video files on a SD card inside the device. Still haven't seen any door bell device, which stores video on a NAS for example. There are standards for that (ONVIF), but no one is paying attention appearently.

HomeKit for home security is btw useless without any means to sound a proper loud alarm. Best solution I can think of is an Eve switch controlling a 230V or 24V alarm.

EDIT: looks like it works in Europe and the US. Doorbells in Europe typically use 8V DC, while in the US it's 24V DC. Nest is still using 24V only, while Ring can work with 8V as well.

EDIT2: article doesn't mention that you can store stuff in Dropbox or via ftp as well. Ftp is interesting, because it would allow you do to dump files.

davidmalcolm 402 comments · 9 Years

About 5 years ago

I'd heard that Ring has said that they're going to bring HomeKit support and I really hope they do since I bought my dad one for Christmas and we've got a bunch of other Homekit stuff. (Ring stores their video in the cloud and you pay a few bucks a month for the service.)

airnerd 688 comments · 13 Years

About 5 years ago

loekf said:

@Appleinsider... does this one have some kind of theft protection ? For example, the Nest door bell simply clicks (no screws etc) on a plastic holder you screw on the wall or door post. So it's very easy to get stolen.. and that for a 200+ euro device.

Bad design decision to store the video files on a SD card inside the device. Still haven't seen any door bell device, which stores video on a NAS for example. There are standards for that (ONVIF), but no one is paying attention appearently.

HomeKit for home security is btw useless without any means to sound a proper loud alarm. Best solution I can think of is an Eve switch controlling a 230V or 24V alarm.

EDIT: looks like it works in Europe and the US. Doorbells in Europe typically use 8V DC, while in the US it's 24V DC. Nest is still using 24V only, while Ring can work with 8V as well.

EDIT2: article doesn't mention that you can store stuff in Dropbox or via ftp as well. Ftp is interesting, because it would allow you do to dump files.

My Ring doorbell is screwed into the baseplate which is also screwed into the mortar of my house. not sure what Ring doorbell you are using, but it is more than just "clicked to a plastic holder".

airnerd 688 comments · 13 Years

About 5 years ago

davidmalcolm said:

I'd heard that Ring has said that they're going to bring HomeKit support and I really hope they do since I bought my dad one for Christmas and we've got a bunch of other Homekit stuff. (Ring stores their video in the cloud and you pay a few bucks a month for the service.)

IMO you fell for the same scam that I did. I bought the Ring Doorbell Pro about a year ago on the same "we will bring HomeKit integration to the Pro doorbell". Still waiting and there has been no comments from Ring to make it sound like they are actually going to make good on that. I'm still amazed there hasn't been a class-action lawsuit here in the States yet, because that 100% is the ONLY reason I went with the Ring lineup.