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Since being founded in 2014, the San Jose, California company, YI has been involved in the development of Edge Computing and intelligent video technology.  Recently the company has added its product line-up with the release of its YI PRO 2K Home Security Camera.  I have had the opportunity to check out this device for home monitoring purposes.

Adopting a slim-line type of appearance, the YI PRO camera's stand is predominately white in colour with a black bulbous lens protruding from the front of the stand.  Supplied as part of the package are a USB lead and a three-pin plug for linking the YI PRO kit to a suitable power source.  The USB lead slots into the rear base of the lens unit and I found this task to be a little fiddly.  However with a length of 195cm, the USB lead gives reasonable scope for placing the YI PRO in a position suitable for unobtrusive monitoring of any unwanted action should the need arise.

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While this camera unit will provide the video output for its monitoring, the actual control driving the camera will come from an app which needs to be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play depending upon your chosen mobile handset.  Using the app you will be able to log into your account or create one with an email address and password if you do not already have one.  Then you will be able to pair the YI camera with your mobile guided by appropriate spoken announcements from the camera.

The pairing process will require the camera and mobile to be held in close proximity so that a QR code can be scanned.  Some adjustment regarding the space between the two items proved to be necessary before the scan could be successfully completed.  A further connection then needs to be completed as the YI camera is added to the same local Network as that used by your mobile.  A vocal announcement will confirm when the necessary connection is made.  The camera, via the app, can be set to operate in either Home or Away mode with the former suspending certain non-required actions due to the user's presence. 

Displayed on the connected mobile will be the current screen captured by the YI camera.  Using standard methods, you will be able to enlarge the depicted scene to enhance the view.  Other available options include recording capture audio output from the scene, recording a video clip and capture a still image of the scene. 

You can also turn off an indicator light on the front of the YI unit which could easily give away its presence to any intruders whose activity it is recording.  Although this security camera does not have its own storage capacity, other than a user supplied micro SD card, you can purchase a subscription covering different periods and a different number of camera units.  The basic Entry subscription is priced at £2.17 for one camera for a 7-day period, Standard subscription covering 5 cameras for 15 days and Plus subscription for 5 cameras for 30 days.

Originally priced at £19.99 on Amazon, the YI PRO 2K, delivering night vision, is currently available priced at £16.99.  Apart from the fiddly set-up routine, the YI can provide adequate home security protection.

At the time of publication the YI Pro 2K security camera is available from Amazon priced at £25.99