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PCMag UK

Avaak VueZone System Review

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The Avaak VueZone System is a clever IP webcam solution that uses wireless cameras to capture, stream and record video to the Web or smartphones. It fixes most of its predecessor issues, but it's still an expensive tool, and it's not a high-powered security system.

Avaak VueZone System : Full Set

The cheapest model you can buy (one camera plus the base) is $199.95, and a two-camera-plus-base model can run up to $289.95. Extra cameras (you can have up to 25 on one base) cost $79.95 for regular models and $99.95 for motion detection cameras.

Avaak VueZone System : Control Center

To sync a camera with the gateway, just turn it on, place it near the gateway, and press the Sync button on the gateway.

Avaak VueZone System : Profile

The gateway is the hub of the system, and it plugs into a power outlet and your wireless router.

Avaak VueZone System : Back

The hub looks a lot like a wireless router itself, and though it's one more thing to take up space (and a spot in your router), it's a much better solution than plugging the camera itself into the router.

Avaak VueZone System : Cameras

The regular cameras measure 2.19 by 1.15 by 2.5 inches, and weigh 2.5 ounces (motion detection cameras are a bit larger and heavier, but not much). They run on Lithium CR123 Photo batteries, which Avaak says will last 6 months of normal use (five minutes per day).

Avaak VueZone System : Bottom

The cameras are sleek, black and gray, and actually quite good looking. They also don't look much like cameras, which is good if you're trying to keep them relatively hidden.

Avaak VueZone System : Holders

The mount is one of the best things about the VueZone System: the design allows you to angle the camera just about any way you want to, so you're not limited in where you can place the camera.

Avaak VueZone System :

Nearly everything, from accessing the cameras to software updates, you do either through a Web browser or through Vue's mobile apps (available for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry).

Avaak VueZone System :

Most settings can be changed either from a Web browser or the VueZone mobile apps.

Avaak VueZone System :

From the website or the mobile app, you can choose a camera to check in on; it powers up and shows you a live feed of what it sees, all in about five seconds.

Avaak VueZone System : Alert

You can set up alerts that will send you an email every time the camera turns on and records, and you can quickly check in and see recorded video (the paid accounts get you free storage on the VueZone website), or check in with the live feed

Avaak VueZone System : Settings

You can set up alerts that will send you an email every time the camera turns on and records, and you can quickly check in and see recorded video (the paid accounts get you free storage on the VueZone website), or check in with the live feed

Avaak VueZone System : Vue Zone

The VueZone is never just passively running and recording; it's always either on-demand viewing, or because something makes it turn on.

Avaak VueZone System : Video Capture

The biggest problem I ran into while testing the VueZone system was the frame rate, which ranges from mediocre to downright unusable.