Table of Content
:: Specifications
:: Packaging
:: Installation and hardware setup
:: Configuration with Surveillance Station
:: Features and test
:: Conclusion
If you happened to have been in India or Vietnam during Synology's Solution Day back in November of 2023, you probably spotted the elusive new, upcoming Synology surveillance camera, the CC400W.
While the model is yet to officially see the light of day, there are a few reviewers out there from people who got their hands on this new wifi-only camera.
Joining in the current and growing lineup of surveillance cameras under the Synology banner, the CC400W being a pure wifi model will be the 3rd device following the BT500 and TC500 PoE version back in May of last year.
What can this little camera do, and does it deserver your time and money will hopefully be answered in the following article. Let's start with specifications to get an idea of what can be expected from such a small and compact surveillance device.
AI-Powered Wi-Fi Camera for Flexible Installation
: Specifications
The CC400W provides 4MP 2560x1440 resolution at 30 FPS and includes a 125° wide field of view, wide dynamic range exposure functions, and high-power infrared LEDs with a 10-meter range. These features ensure effective monitoring in various lighting conditions, even in high-contrast environments. It emphasizes efficiency through H.265 codecs and intelligent bit rate control, which optimize bandwidth and storage without sacrificing image quality.
Optical technical specifications
- Lens: 2.12 mm (125° H, 72° V, 145° D)
- Aperture: F2.0
- Night vision: 10 meters
- Maximum AI detection distance: 7 meters
- Shutter speed: 1/16000 s~1/30 s
- DORI: D: 45m, O: 18m, R: 9m, I: 4.5m
Just like the BC and TC500 models, this camera features AI capabilities that will allow for accurate people and vehicles as well as intrusion detection, Instant Search (via Surveillance Station), and automatic tracking. If combined with Synology's dedicated DVA models we can utilize facial recognition, license place detection, and people counting.
On top of that, the compatibility with Surveillance Station offers regular firmware updates that ensure the camera is equipped with the latest security fixes. This being a wifi camera it comes in handy that the CC400W is equipped with an SD card slot (up to 128GB capacity) that will guarantee access to images and videos regardless of the network conditions.
One thing to note here is the camera body. Unlike the 500 models, the CC400W is made completely of plastic apart from the metal joint that connects the camera and the magnetic stand. This is not something that will be of any importance for indoor usage, but if there are plans to use this camera outside it would be best to provide cover from the elements (heat and water in particular). More details on that later.
Wireless technical specifications
- Wireless standard: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Wireless frequency: 2.4 GHz/5 GHz
- Wireless security: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK/WPA3-PSK
: Packaging
Due to the compact size of the camera, its box is nothing spectacular. Following the familiar recycled and minimalistic design, the CC400W comes in a very small card box with only several more pieces inside.
The camera, the USB-C power adapter along with a UK/US or EU power connector are the only things that we will find on the inside.
Considering there is nothing else to do once the camera is out of the box it is time to plug it in and configure it.
: Installation and hardware setup
One of the first things that we have to do is make sure there is a location where we can place the camera to bring power to it. This not being a PoE model, a fixed power cable has to be used.
Apart from drilling the wall or ceiling and securing it that way, the CC400W has a magnetic base, that will allow for easy ad-hoc installations without too much mess. Its 2-meter-long cable will provide for decent maneuver possibilities.
The CC400W being the wifi only camera has no other way to be set but using Synology's DSCam mobile app.
To configure the camera version DSCam 5.9.0 (iOS) has to be installed because it will offer a new select camera type window allowing us to choose between wired and wireless cameras.
Following a simple four-step wizard, we will be able to choose the wifi, configure username and password, and finally decide where the recordings will be stored.
Upon successful configuration, the camera will appear in the camera list with all the other already configured cameras in the default continuous recording.
If we want to change the behavior, time or recording, camera orientation, or any other setting, we will have to open up the Surveillance Station and do it from there.
: Configuration with Surveillance Station
In case you are unfamiliar with Synology's Surveillance Station product, be sure to read up on the following articles that cover the latest major version 9 in combination with their top NVR device, the DVA3221. Explore all the options including deep-learning and AI-driven features possible with the utilization of the on-board GPU.
Because the SVS needs to be configured in the first place before the camera can be even installed and configured via the wizard presented above, I will not go into any details, as all that has been covered within the linked articles.
What needs to be done now, is simply adjust the camera settings, resolution, type of recording, etc. All that can be configured using the SVS IP Camera module.
This being a "native" Synology camera, there is no shortage of options that can be configured. From video and audio formats, WIFI, image quality, recordings, as well as people, vehicle, and intrusion detection.
The actual configuration is no different than any other detected camera and can be optimized to satisfy any number of scenarios depending on the location, lightning, power options, and more.
Low power consumption, magnetic installation, seamless license-free integration with Surveillance Station, and 2y-warranty. That's CC400W!
This is an indoor camera and as such it will work fine under artificial light with the option to configure the exposure to eliminate LED flickering. On top of this if the camera is positioned outside but shielded from the elements it can work as an outside version as well.
Speaking of outdoor usage CC400W can provide a decent outside quality. Still, the image is not as crisp and sharp as the one provided by the BC500 or TC500 models, but those cameras have better specifications to start.
: Features and tests
The camera like many others, supports all of the Surveillance Station features. From basic to "AI" ones. Of course, the most advanced one will be possible when the CC400W is paired with the NVR system that can utilize them, such as Synology's DVA lineup.
With a normal NAS device face and plate recognition, as well as counting is not supported, but people and vehicles, as well as intrusion detection, are.
The clip shows how fast this compact camera is and the speed of the detection is impressive considering the van is coming from "out of nowhere" and it's being captured in under 1 second as well as "classified" as a vehicle.
People detection is equally impressive and fast regardless if the individual is an adult or a small child. Night vision and detection of slight light changes are also noticeable. The following clip shows a complete pitch-black situation with a slight light movement two rooms over.
The camera managed to detect the difference in the image using the default SVS settings without any issues. The distance is about right on the edge of the specifications for the night vision mode (about 8m from the camera).
The quality of the camera especially in night vision is not superb, but it does the job well. The overall visual side of things I would say is right on the money.
An interesting info while on the topic of night vision is that the "clicking" sound of IR sensors being turned on is barely noticeable. Something that other cameras of the same size do not try to hide, so it was a welcome surprise.
AI support on the CC400W works as expected with more options to unlock with Synology's NVR models such as face detection and plate recognition.
If time-lapse footage is your thing you will not be disappointed.
The camera can pick up sunbeam details passing through and keep up the quality of the footage with the change of lighting conditions. I do have to note that while the camera was in the shade for all outdoor footage with no direct sunlight hitting it, it got pretty hot very quickly.
In all fairness, the outside temperature was close to 35C so that didn't help, but this is another reason why this camera should not be used outside unless properly shielded from all the elements. As mentioned at the beginning, this is an all-plastic device, so if outside capture is expected, plan accordingly. Also, CC400W is not rated for vandalism, so that is another thing to consider.
Another AI-driven feature is also Auto-tracking. Just as it is fast while capturing people and cars, the CC400W does a decent job of auto-tracking as well. While this is not a PTZ camera, its 125-degree FOV will track a decent amount while the person is inside its view.
Granted the zoom option at close range is not as smooth considering how fast the camera is but you get what you pay for. The zoom-in/out will jump here and there depending on the sudden moves. However, the tracking results are much better with objects at a distance.
Finally, one more feature that is present with all Synology models is edge recording.
The idea behind this is if the camera loses connectivity with the Surveillance station, it will continue to record on the micro SD card that has been installed.
While the Surveillance Station does this job fine, it will take some time to transfer the recordings and sync them with the timeline. Also, the log is not registering the connection lost status in perfect sync with the actual recordings.
A few times the logs registered the connection being lost several minutes after it happened, but the recording started the second the camera lost the Wi-Fi connection. On occasion, if the reconnect is fast enough the Surveillance Station would not even register the drop in the logs. This has nothing to do with the camera, but the SVS itself, so there is nothing to worry about in that regard.
: Conclusion
With all that was said, personally, I would say the CC400W is a decent camera that delivers above-average image quality, very good results with the AI features, and a super easy setup. For the average user, this will be more than enough. With low power consumption, magnetic installation, and seamless integration with Surveillance Station, this compact indoor camera will offer a lot.
Once again, the camera is targeted as an indoor model, but it can be used as an outdoor one as well. Installation should include shielding from elements due to IP65 and no anti-vandalism protection. The quality of the image from an optics standpoint is crisp, especially with good lighting, and as a result, object detection will be very fast and precise.
Night vision could do some more work but even in that department anything up to about 8m will be very visible.
A small issue some might have is the limited 2y-warranty (unlike the 3y on the PoE models), but for 140€ (MSRP+VAT) that this camera will be selling for it is acceptable.
So who should get this camera? Well, any type of indoor usage will benefit from such a small yet well-built camera that can elevate the security of any home or small business. It can be used as a baby cam, surveillance for any around-the-house needs, and can be used as part of some automation with outside services via Surveillance Station features. The number of usable scenarios is high and it will depend on several elements, but one thing is for sure, for a small wifi camera, the CC400W brings a lot to the table.