the 2K camera which also makes Hub ZigBee 3.0

A camera geared towards home automation

Aqara is a Chinese brand that has recently targeted France and Europe. Recently, the brand has been seeking to break into France via a set of products geared towards home automation, and this is how the camera G3 on the sidelines of the G2H.

More than just a camera, this is a motorized camera that aims to provide home surveillance, but not only. Indeed, the G3 is distinguished by the integration of a ZigBee 3.0 hub and artificial intelligence.

To make it versatile, the G3 boasts Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility for better integration into homes already equipped with connected objects.

Much more than a motorized camera

L’Aqara Hub G3 displays a particularly extensive technical sheet as well as a set of advanced features.

On the technical side, it is a motorized camera on a base offering 340° rotation and 45° tilt (+30° upwards and -15° downwards). It offers a 2K 1296P high definition image, an SD card reader, microphones and speakers, a button for automatically launching video calls, as well as a WiFi b/g/n/ac 2.4 and 5 connection. GHz.

The camera weighs 280 grams, is 125mm high and has a screw thread on the underside for wall, ceiling or tripod mounting. It comes with a USB-C cable and an AC adapter as well as instructions and a “kawai” silicone cover adding ears on top of the head.

Beyond its simple characteristics, we can count on several functionalities:

• IR transmitter (remote control function)
• Privacy mode (hides the camera sensor)
• Automatically stop recording upon recognition of a family member (facial recognition)
• Video recording to SD card or cloud
• Smart motion detection (pets, gesture controls)
• night vision
• ZigBee 3.0 gateway with up to 128 connected objects
• Compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones as well as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant voice assistants.

Everything is of course associated with an Aqara Home mobile application which centralizes all the settings and functions of the camera.

Regarding Zigbee, note that the Aqara Hub G3 has many advantages such as being able to connect up to 128 Aqara sensors and controllers and thus benefit from home automation, remote control and support for third-party ecosystems. You’ll also be able to use the G3 to control devices that use infrared such as air conditioners, TVs, smart fans, and more.

The main use of the camera will be above all remote monitoring: once plugged in and connected to the mobile application, the user can easily take remote control of the camera to monitor his home, his shop, his office or the baby room.

Surveillance is particularly effective thanks to the motorization of the camera which can rotate 340°, but also tilt: no matter where it will be placed in a room, it will perfectly scan every corner.

User tracking features are offered for use in videoconferencing, or for monitoring. As such, recordings can be triggered on motion detection and stored either on the microSD card inserted in the camera or in the cloud. In addition, it is possible to configure alerts when detecting movements in the home.

If the image quality is particularly good, both precise and bright, we regret that the definition is limited to 1080p when used in the context of Apple’s HomeKit universe. iOS users, however, can enjoy 2K resolution images but only on the Aqara Home app. On the Android side there are no limitations.

Latency is acceptable and the unspecified refresh rate makes viewing enjoyable.

As for taking control of the camera remotely, the user has several functionalities: intimacy mode which tilts the camera upwards to cut the image, photo or video mode, pause and call which allow use the speakers and microphones of the camera to exchange with an interlocutor who would be in the same room as the latter.

On the sidelines, it is also possible to control the rotation of the camera and its inclination and to automatically switch to different positions pre-recorded by the user. An infrared remote control mode will also allow you to control other devices via the camera, practical if you have forgotten to turn off your television before leaving for work…

Advanced features are also available:

• Human Tracking will offer to automatically track people who are in the camera’s field of view, in order to facilitate remote assistance or even for videoconferences.
• Dogs and Cats Tracking offers similar functionality, but for pets
• Cruise automatically rotates the camera which will sweep 340° back and forth.
• Face Detection allows to recognize the faces of users registered locally in the application and to automate certain functionalities of the Zigbee hub. For example, when the camera detects the return of the main user, the camera can automatically adapt the brightness of the selected connected bulbs, launch a playlist on a connected speaker or launch calendar reminders or preconfigured to-do lists.
• Gesture Identification allows you to activate or not the control of certain features via gestures to be performed in front of the camera.

The application will also centralize the photos and videos taken by the camera.

Aqara offers an alarm system that allows you to combine the G3 camera with a set of manufacturer’s accessories (motion sensors, door or window sensors) and everything can be centralized via the application.

Aqara Hub G3 Review

Currently, the Aquara G3 Camera Hub is undoubtedly one of the most complete on the market. Well-equipped and versatile, the camera will be aimed primarily at users looking for a video surveillance system and who already have other connected and ZigBee 3.0-compatible devices to centralize everything in a complete home automation system.

Unfortunately, the strengths of the G3 are also one of its shortcomings: if you want to integrate it into a HomeKit environment, you will have to make some concessions, especially on 2K, but also on some functions such as gesture recognition or even the infrared sensor since Apple’s platform does not support them. In this case, you will therefore have to take the fold of switching to the Aqara application and changing your habits. But in an Android universe everything will be perfect.

Currently offered on Amazon at the reduced price of €81 instead of €120 (-25% + additional coupon of -10% to be activated on the site and valid until June 7, 2022), the Aqara Hub G3 represents a very good deal. You will also find other products Aqara on their official page at Amazon.