Skip to main content

The Wisenet-SmartCam D1 not only sees who’s at the door but identifies them, too

Wisenet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Video doorbells may have been novel a few years ago, but in 2017, it is more surprising to see one of these devices without a camera than with one. So what’s an innovative company to do to stand out from the crowd? Don’t just offer video doorbells — offer video doorbells with facial recognition.

That is what Hanwha Techwin America (formerly Samsung Techwin America) is doing with the Thursday, September 21 launch of its Wisenet-SmartCam D1, heralded as the first such doorbell with face-recognition alerts. Because it’s not enough to simply be shown someone’s face anymore — you deserve to know who it is without even looking, too. 

Thanks to the Wisenet 5 chipset, this smart doorbell promises to detect, capture, and crop an image of a visitor’s face for you to observe. As you use the doorbell, you can assign certain individuals as an “interested face,” and give them a name. From there, anytime the doorbell sees someone you know, you receive a notification in your Wisenet SmartCam+ mobile app, alerting you that a familiar person is at the door. If the doorbell doesn’t recognize the face, you will be notified as to the visit of an unidentified visitor, perhaps urging you to exercise caution.

Moreover, the doorbell claims to be able to distinguish between human faces and other distractions, which means you won’t get a notification every time an animal is caught in the Wisenet’s field of vision or a car passes by your house. There is also an Abnormal Sound Detection feature that will send you an audio alert anytime the doorbell hears sirens, screaming, or glass breaking, adding an additional layer of security to the device.

“The D1 is the latest in Hanwha Techwin’s suite of home security products, providing another way for people to easily monitor and ensure the safety of their homes, children, and pets,” Richard Simone, Hanwha Techwin America vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement. “The advanced technology in our Wisenet 5 chipset enables the doorbell with face recognition, human detection, and Abnormal Sound Detection, giving people peace of mind when they’re away from their homes.”

Of course, the doorbell comes with all the now-standard features of such a smart device, including a built-in microphone and speaker for two-way talk, live-view on demand, a high-performance wide-dynamic range for color balance in backlit situations, and 2D/3D noise reduction to improve images taken in low-light conditions. The camera of the doorbell promises 1080p full HD streaming, 150-degree field of view, and dual Wi-Fi band.

You will be able to buy the Wisenet-SmartCam D1 from the Home Shopping Network on Sunday, September 24 for $249, and will also be made available on Amazon and Sam’s Club in October.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Get this Roomba robot vacuum for $160 instead of the usual $275
iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum cleaning a foyer.

Crutchfield is currently selling an iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum for a fantastic discount. Usually costing $275, it’s down to just $160 for a very limited time only. One of the best robot vacuum deals around, the sale is only on until March 16 so you haven’t got long to snap one up. If you’re keen to streamline the cleaning process at home, check it out now before the sale ends.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum
The Roomba range provides some of the best robot vacuums around meaning it’s the perfect brand to consider. With the iRobot Roomba 694, you get a 3-stage cleaning system with an edge-sweeping brush, dual roller brushes, and powerful suction. Alongside that, there are Dirt Detect sensors that inform it when it needs to give more attention to dirtier parts of your home.

Read more
The Blink Mini 2 features an updated design, support for outdoor use
The Blink Mini 2 placed on two books.

The original Blink Mini was one of the best indoor cameras thanks to its affordable price, 1080p resolution, and support for Alexa. Now, Amazon is making the gadget even more enticing with the new Blink Mini 2, which boasts a sleek new design and is capable of working both indoors and outside in the elements.

While it's still small and compact, the Blink Mini 2 looks slightly different from the old Blink Mini. Its corners are much softer, its entire chassis is white (instead of a white chassis and black faceplate), and its camera takes up a bit more space on the front of the device. The differences are apparent when the two gadgets are placed side by side -- and the minor changes add up to make the Blink Mini 2 look a bit more premium than its older sibling.

Read more
This 4-camera Lorex wireless video surveillence system is $200 off
A Lorex 2K Wireless camera mounted on an outside wall.

One of the best security camera deals today is over at Crutchfield with $200 off the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System. Usually priced at $550, it’s down to a fantastic $350 until March 17. That means you don’t have very long to enjoy the significant discount. If you need to know more, we’re here to help with some insight about the security system below. Remember to buy it before March 17 if it sounds like the right setup for you.

Why you should buy the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System
Sure to be one of the best home security camera systems for many people, the Lorex 2K Wireless NVR System is packed with features. It comes with an easy-to-use network video recorder along with four weather-resistant 2K cameras which are battery-powered and wireless. Any time the cameras notice motion, you’ll get a notification to your smartphone. You can then opt to view the live feed as well as talk to anyone on the other side. Its motion-based detection system does a great job of highlighting things only when there are people rather than objects, cutting down on false alarms.

Read more