This is the EZVIZ CB3 smart home battery camera from a company called EZVIZ and this is the solar panel that can be used with this security camera, also from EZVIZ.
In this video, I am going to explain about these two products in detail and show you how to set them up for use.
Just to make it easier for you to find the right information needed, I have presented information in these sections. You can forward and rewind to save your time finding the information you need.
This is the EZVIZ camera product box. The model is CB3 and claims to have up to 120 days of battery life and to find out details of their claim, you will need to check their website as mentioned on the side.
EZVIZ CB3 records in Full-HD 1080P video resolution, has built-in rechargeable battery and color night vision recording.
On the other side of the box, the features of the camera are mentioned.
It is weatherproof, can be connected to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, two-way talking ability, smart human motion detection and more.
Now, let’s open this box and see the contents.
These are the items included in the box.
This is the CB3 camera, quick start guide, USB charging cable, drill template, screw kit and the screw base.
Power adapter is not included with CB3 and it is mentioned on the box itself.
This is the power adapter from another camera, the EZVIZ BC1C.
Quick start guide has a QR code to scan and access a detailed user guide for CB3 camera.
Use a QR scanner app to scan the QR code which will provide a link to the product user guide document. Once opened, I would advise you to download a copy for your own reference.
The CB3 camera feels quite light, unlike another model BC1C camera. The BC1C camera has a magnetic base and the CB3 camera does not have a magnetic base as can be seen in these magnetic discs test. Magnetic base allows you to instantly stick the camera to flat metal surfaces such as frames, pillars, roof borders or racks.
Let’s look at the EZVIZ CB3 camera. At the front, this is the LED indicator, the lens, two spotlights, photoresistor and PIR. Passive infrared sensors allow it to detect motion of people, animals and cars.
At the bottom, there is a cover for micro-USB charging via power adapter or solar panel.
This is the loudspeaker used for alarm or talk functions.
This is the cover for a MicroSD card for video footage storage and the camera reset button.
The camera does not come with a MicroSD card so you can get one separately and it supports up to 256GB.
This camera has two options of recording footage, one is to microSD card and another to EZVIZ CloudPlay Storage. The cloud storage option is a paid subscription plan available for certain countries. For this test, I am going for the microSD card option which means the camera footage is stored locally in the camera.
Using the USB cable and power adapter, I am leaving the CB3 camera to charge its batteries.
To use the CB3 camera, you will need to install the EZVIZ app from Google Play or Apple App Store. Once installed, launch the app and register an EZVIZ user account.
The slow-flashing green light indicates the camera is charging.
Press and hold the reset button for 4 seconds and when the LED indicator is fast-flashing blue light, it means it is ready for pairing. Now let’s add the camera to the EZVIZ app.
In the EZVIZ app, click on the + sign and select ‘Scan QR Code’ and then scan the QR code printed on the camera.
Proceed with the steps to connect to Wi-Fi and configure the camera.
Enter Wi-Fi connection details and then connect the device name to use with the EZVIZ app.
While connecting, you can rename the camera or you can do it later in the app.
Click next to proceed with configuring the device network. This process may take a while and once the connection configuration is done and the device is added successfully, you can see a live view from the security camera.
Next step is the working mode selection. By default, the ‘Power Saving’ mode is selected.
‘Power Plugged-in’ mode can be used when the camera is continuously plugged-in and powered using the USB cable and adapter.
There is also ‘High Performance’ mode and ‘Super Power Saving’ mode.
‘Configure Working Mode’ option allows you to customize the camera working modes.
Click ‘Next step’.
Detection Sensitivity level can be changed here. It is best changed once the camera is fixed at a place so that this setting can be configured based on the camera position.
Click ‘Next step’.
This is how the EZVIZ app home screen looks like on an Android phone.
At the top left is the Profile and the menu for settings and general functions.
The EZVIZ app that I’m showing you now is on version 5.13.3.0801 so the interface or functions may change in other versions.
This is the Layout Style button when you can choose the view option between Expanded, Condensed or List.
If you have multiple cameras or devices, you can also group them by Spaces or Device Type.
This + button allows you to add the device manually or by scanning the device QR code.
You can also create a new space or device grouping name here.
This option allows you to share device access to family and guests.
The ‘Devices’ tab is selected on the home screen and it is showing a preview shot of the CB3 security camera footage.
If there are multiple cameras, each of them will have a thumbnail preview on this screen.
The ‘Library’ tab lists all the detection video footage thumbnails based on date and time.
To play a video, select it and then click on the ‘Playback’ button.
On this screen, there are options to take a snapshot, record, download or delete the video.
The videos are currently being stored on EZVIZ CloudPlay.
When I click on the microSD card option, it says the card is unformatted.
It allows you to format it here.
Click on Format and it shows the current status of the microSD card.
Click on the Format button and let it finish the process.
Any new video recorded will be saved in the microSD card and CloudPlay. Locally saved files will appear here.
To view live playback from the camera, click on the ‘Live’ button and you can watch live video streaming.
The ‘Automation’ tab allows you to create automated processes to control smart devices. Here you can set the devices to perform actions when trigger criteria are met.
These are some of the automation recommendations by the app.
So far, we have seen details of the CB3 camera and the EZVIZ app.
Although the camera claims up to 120 days of battery life, the actual duration can be much less if there is a high rate of motion detection. In this case, you may need to take down the camera more frequently to charge using the power adapter.
This is where the EZVIZ solar panel comes in.
By connecting the solar panel to the CB3 camera, the camera gets charged when the sun is shining so you may never need to take down the camera again.
This is the EZVIZ solar panel box showing the picture in front.
The features are mentioned on the side.
It has an eco-friendly and high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon cell solution with up to 6.18W of charging power.
It is IP65 weatherproof and has a 4 meter long cable.
This solar panel model is CS-CMT-Solar Panel-C.
Lets see what’s inside the box.
This is the solar panel with 4 meter cable, quick start guide, adjustable mounting bracket, drill template and screw kit.
The solar panel is quite straightforward to use and the Quick Start Guide has all the instructions covered in 2 pages.
The other pages are the same information in different languages.
The solar panel feels solid and is textured on the surface.
At the back is the screw hole for the adjustable mounting bracket.
The charging cable seems to be permanently attached to the solar panel which can be a problem if the cable gets damaged.
I was hoping that it would come with a replaceable cable.
The mounting bracket is made of metal and it can be screwed to the back of the solar panel.
Once you place the solar panel to receive sunlight, all you need to do is to plug in the cable to the CB3 security camera.
The solar panel will keep the camera battery topped up so you no longer need to bring down the camera for charging.
This is a sample video footage that has been recorded by this EZVIZ CB3 camera.
The Full-HD 1080P resolution provides reasonably clear footage in daylight.
After fixing the camera to the wall, I have adjusted the detection sensitivity and detection zones to better capture movements.
The night detection activated the camera LED spotlight and provided night color footage.
The camera is positioned quite high around 3 meters so the footage is not bad for that distance.
However, fast motion detection at night can produce some blurry images especially on faces.
Overall, EZVIZ CB3 is an easy to set up and use camera with good video quality and detection capabilities.
If I get the chance, I will be testing other EZVIZ products and provide you with detailed testing and review in the future. So stay tuned.
I hope this wireless security camera review video has been useful for you.
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