Reolink’s new Altas PT Ultra is the company’s first battery-powered security camera capable of continuous recording throughout the day. It requires no power access so it can be installed almost anywhere, and because it captures 4K video to a microSD card instead of the cloud, there are fewer security risks and no subscription fees.
There are already many battery-powered security cameras that simplify installation, but they are limited by their small batteries and cannot record for more than a day before needing to be recharged. Reolink’s Altas PT Ultra solves this problem with a built-in 20,000mAh battery, which the company says is enough to hold up to 12 hours of recording per day for up to eight or four days when recording non-stop around the clock.
Having to charge the camera every week does take away some of the convenience of battery power, but through desktop and mobile apps, the Altas PT Ultra can be programmed to only capture video when its passive infrared sensor detects motion, or when specific schedule to extend its battery life. Reolink says that when set to “standard working mode,” the camera can run for up to 16 months on a single charge.
For consumers with more serious recording needs, Reolink does sell an optional six-watt solar panel accessory that can be mounted near the camera. The company says 10 minutes of charging the solar panel is enough to power the camera for 24 hours, while a full day of charging can extend battery life to 120 days, but this depends on the features used.
Video is shot in 4K at 15 fps through a wide-angle lens, but the Altas PT Ultra can pan the camera 355 degrees horizontally and tilt 90 degrees vertically, allowing it to track moving objects and keep them within the frame during recording. It also features full-color night vision, two-way audio with built-in speakers and microphones, and supports Wi-Fi 6, allowing footage from a 512GB microSD card to be transferred wirelessly from the camera.
Reolink also announced the company’s first battery-powered smart doorbell. Like the Altas PT Ultra security camera, it can capture footage natively to a microSD card up to 256GB, so there are no subscription fees to store footage in the cloud.
Installation does not require any wires, but the doorbell can be connected to wires for continuous power or used with an existing doorbell. The company estimates that the doorbell’s 7,000mAh battery can run for up to five months under “typical usage” when fully charged, but that may be less if you’re in a busy neighborhood that constantly triggers motion detection recordings. many.
The video is recorded in 2K, 15 fps, but in a perfectly square aspect ratio, allowing the doorbell’s wide-angle camera to capture visitors from head to toe, including packages being delivered on the front porch. It also features two-way audio communication with speakers and microphones as well as Wi-Fi to stream video to its desktop or mobile app.
Both the Reolink Altas PT Ultra and Battery Doorbell will go on sale on September 25, with pricing details to be announced at that time.
