Most people’s first reaction to an indoor security camera is, “I don’t want someone watching me in my own house,” even if it’s only you watching. Indoor cameras are cheaper than their outdoor equivalents, and they have their advantages.
I explore some of these advantages by looking at the Ring Indoor Cam Plus from Amazon.
Table of contents
- Why an indoor security camera is a good idea
- Features
- Specifications and price
- Using the Ring Indoor Cam Plus
- Who is the Ring Indoor Cam Plus for?
Why an indoor security camera is a good idea
One of the biggest issues with installing an outdoor Wi-Fi security camera is whether there will be enough Wi-Fi coverage at the mounting location for the camera to work. This situation is far less likely with an indoor camera where Wi-Fi coverage is much stronger.
An indoor camera can also be used to look outside through a window, so it becomes a cheap outdoor view camera.
Indoor cameras can be used to monitor safety, such as a sleeping baby, a gas stove accidentally left on, or an older adult living alone.
An indoor camera like the Cam Plus has a manual lens cover that completely blocks the view and blurs sound for privacy.
Precious pets can not only be checked up on but also communicated with using two-way talk from the camera.
Features
The Amazon Ring Indoor Cam Plus is a wired 2K Wi-Fi indoor security camera with adaptive light recording and a privacy shield.
Inside the box, you will find the camera, a two-metre USB cable, a power supply, a security sticker, and some mounting hardware. Cameras are available in black or white and come in one, two, three, or four-packs.
You will need a power outlet near where you wish to place the camera, although you could also run the camera off a third-party USB power bank. The camera can sit on a horizontal surface or be screwed onto a wall or ceiling. Connectivity is via the 2.4GHz network band on Wi-Fi 4, which will do the job but misses many of the benefits of newer Wi-Fi standards, such as security and congestion handling (Wi-Fi 7 is the latest publicly available standard).
Ring’s camera captures 2K video, which is ample for indoor filming, and supports 4x digital zoom within the app. The camera has a 115-degree horizontal field of view (60 degrees vertical) and can capture images in the dark.
To protect privacy, you can slide a physical manual lens cover over the lens, either fully or partially, to block some of the view. In addition, within the app, certain parts of the vision can be blurred, such as a bedroom door.
The Cam Plus has a two-way talk function for remote conversations, and an audible siren can be triggered manually or in response to an event, such as an intruder. Note that the siren is set to off by default.
Ring Indoor Cam Plus specifications and price
| Resolution | 2K |
| Field of view | 115° horizontal 60° vertical |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 4 (2.4GHz) |
| Dimensions | 5 x 5 x 10 cm |
| Price (RRP) | $99 |
| Website | Ring Australia |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Using the Ring Indoor Cam Plus
If this is your first security camera, you can rest assured that the setup process is as good as it gets. That same philosophy applies to Amazon’s other hardware products, such as eero routers and Echo smart speakers. In addition, the Ring setup procedure helps you customise the setup at installation, rather than making it a second task like other brands. For example, it asks whether the camera will face indoors or outdoors, which helps set up the lighting.
The nighttime recording is quite good, producing a clear black-and-white image in total darkness. In low light, this image changes to colour. If filming through a window, the camera works well, but make sure your windows are kept clean. You will also see a blue LED reflection on the front of the camera in your recorded images. I was pleased that when the camera was pointed through a window at the driveway and road, cars did not trigger an alert, only people walking on the footpath next to the road.
The Ring app is easy to use, and reviewing footage is a breeze: either tap a smartphone alert, check the event history, or use the calendar function to select a date and time. Event recordings are kept for six months and can be downloaded for permanent storage.
A 24/7 recording function is available for a $300 annual subscription, with footage available for two weeks. Your first month’s subscription is included, and if you are unhappy, you can return the camera within 30 days for a full refund.
With Ring cameras, you need a subscription to save footage. Without one, you only get live view and motion detection alerts. Subscriptions start from $50 a year. When you add extra cameras (like doorbells, outdoor, and floodlight cameras), it’s best to stick with the same brand and app for simplicity. A subscription for multiple cameras costs $150 a year.
With Ring, when you have multiple cameras, you can do clever things. For example, if one security camera is triggered, all cameras will record the event, giving you a better chance of capturing an intruder.
They also have a “Modes” feature that lets you set “Home” and “Away” modes on your smartphone. If you are again concerned about privacy, the Away mode is used when no one is home and records on all cameras. In home mode, the default setting is that indoor cameras do not record, while outdoor cameras do. This is, of course, all customisable.
If you have a smart home, you can use your Ring indoor camera as a motion detector to initiate another action. For example, they can turn on the light bulbs when someone walks into a room. You can still use your camera as a motion alarm even if you don’t have a smart home with an optional Ring chime. An Indoor Plus Cam pointed through a window at your driveway can trigger a sound from your chime if someone walks up your driveway.
Who is the Ring Indoor Cam Plus for?
The Ring Indoor Cam Plus is for people looking for an extra layer of security in their home or a more affordable outdoor view from a window. There are real benefits of being able to monitor a loved pet or an older adult when you can’t be there.
People who don’t want to be watched but still see the benefits can rest assured that images can be blocked, blurred, or not recorded to provide both senses of security.
Amazon makes great products that are easy to set up and maintain, ideal for those who want something that works well and are comfortable with a monthly subscription fee.
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