Synology BC500 Camera Review – Worth $250?

Synology BC500 Camera Review – Smart Choice?

When Synology first revealed that they were going to be releasing their own surveillance cameras, many users (myself included, arguably louder than many) that this was long, LONG overdue. But why exactly is the Synology BC500 Camera a big deal? Pretty much all of the premium NAS brands (not just Synology) provide turnkey products that are a combination hardware+software solutions. Although this software includes a lot of backend services and popular tools to maintain your data, they also include surveillance camera software that allows you to use your NAS as a NVR/CCTV central hub. Running parallel with the rest of the NAS services, these surveillance services that are included with most NAS have often been the main motivation for their purchase (or make up a decent % of the intended use and therefore result in a better ROI by the buyer), with Synology’s Surveillance Station software largely considered to be the very best of the bunch! However, till now, NAS brands would never directly recommend a singular camera brand/model.. they would recommend one of the 7000-8000 compatibility cameras (of varying price, quality, services, etc), but that was about it. Therefore when Synology took the big step in actually releasing their own single ecosystem cameras for Surveillance station, a lot of ‘all in one’ solution buyers were very happy indeed! Likewise, a 1st party camera largely ensures top-tier service and long-term support in the software too. It also means that you don’t need a camera license for the camera either, as support and staying onto of compatibility is integrated in the software itself. Plus, unlike a lot of budget cameras on the market predominantly coming out of China, the BC500 arrive TAA and NDAA compliant (so, must more appealing to IU.S Businesses and users with concerns of security and production conditions). So, what’s the catch? Well, when we saw that the Synology BC500 Camera was rolling out with a $250+ price tag, that was something of a surprise. Camera licenses, support, security, warranty’s and compatibility aside – that is more than double the cost of similar camera hardware from the likes of Reolink, Hikvision, Edimax and more. So, today we want to dig into the Synology BC500 Camera in our review and help you decide if they are safe enough for your data!

You can find our Synology BC500 Camera Review on YouTube HERE

Check Amazon for the Synology BC500 and TC500 Cameras

Synology BC500 Camera – HERE

Synology TC500 Camera – HERE

Synology BC500 and TC500 IP Camera Specification Highlights:

• BC500 = Compact Style IP Camera
• TC500 = Dome Style IP Camera
• Resolution: 5MP – 2880×1620 – 30FPS
• Horizontal angle: 110 degrees
• Weatherproof standard with IP67
• Nightvision  covers 30 Metres
• SRTP/HTTPS support for enhanced security of video streams
• Complies with US NDAA/TAA standards
• Intelligent vehicle and person detection
• Integrate seamlessly with Surveillance Station, enhancing the seamless surveillance management experience
• Encrypted recordings
• SD Card Slot

Synology BC500 Camera Review – Quick Conclusion

The edge-based AI recognition of cameras like the BC500 is designed to minimize unnecessary alerts from surveillance feeds, maximizing efficiency and time management. Despite Synology’s high pricing, its superior software and commitment to cybersecurity (with TAA and NDAA-compliant cameras) could justify the cost for many users. However, compared to some affordable models in the market, Synology’s cameras might lack in terms of hardware like resolution and sensor quality. These cameras seem primarily designed for business-class users, given their value for mass-deployed surveillance systems and edge AI recognition. Home users, who could find comparable hardware for less, might find less appeal, especially considering Synology’s current limited model range and the emphasis on security features more relevant to businesses. The Synology BC500 offers tangible benefits for businesses, but home users might want to wait for Synology to expand its range to cater more to their needs.

SOFTWARE - 10/10

HARDWARE - 7/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 7/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.2

PROS

👍🏻Unparalleled Synology Surveillance Station Integration
👍🏻Also, Surveillance station is 10/10 on its own
👍🏻NDAA/TAA Compliant, unlike many budget alternatives (HTTPS/SRTP Support Recording Options)
👍🏻Edge Recording Object Recognition is incredibly useful
👍🏻Person/Car Loitering and Crowd gathering monitoring does not get enough credit for how useful it is!
👍🏻No Additional Camera License Requirements
👍🏻Sturdy and Solid Build Quality
👍🏻EXCEPTIONALLY FAST and EASY first-time setup
👍🏻Sub 5W use over PoE typically
👍🏻3 Year Hardware Warranty and Effective Lifetime Software Warranty
👍🏻Edge Recording and C2 Surveillance Cloud Recording Support
👍🏻Smart Search is a gamechanger for precise retroactive searching
👍🏻Intrusion Mapping is intuitive and very customizable in it\'s design
👍🏻Noise Detection (custom threshold) is exceptionally useful and often overlooked

CONS

👎🏻More than double the cost of 3rd party similar cameras
👎🏻Good, but not top-tier night vision
👎🏻Only 2 Models in the Synology Camera range limit the scope of deployment
👎🏻Can only be used with Synology NAS Systems
👎🏻No PoE Mains power Injector or SD Card included, which at this price seems poor
👎🏻Somewhat cancelled out by the Synology DVA1622 with Deep Video Analysis at $599

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Synology BC500 Camera Review – Packaging

Upon first look, the BC500 retail box is very ‘on brand’. True to the Synology house style, the packaging is almost completely recyclable, clearly labeled and very modern – an aesthetic that’s stylishly minimalist and straightforward.

The box’s sides are amply covered with detailed information specific to the BC500 camera. This presentation is impressively neat, particularly for a product traditionally not associated with such looking nice at the retail level.

The camera kit itself includes the BC500 camera, a quick-start setup guide, a wall guide for installation, screws, raw plugs, and a waterproof cable cover.

Unfortunately, the package lacks a Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector for mains power. Considering the camera’s price tag of $250-300, this omission is a bit disappointing.

Nonetheless, the BC500 camera comes with a 3-year hardware warranty and offers lifetime support in Synology Surveillance station, which is probably going to matter more to most users who plan on having this camera deployed for 5-10 years without thinking about it. All in all, the BC500 is packaged neatly and practically, setting the stage for the camera’s design and functionality.

Synology BC500 Camera Review – Design

The BC500 camera boasts a rugged, compact design. It’s noticeably shorter in the main barrel compared to other bullet-style cameras, which comes as a pleasant surprise. The Synology logo is imprinted on either side of the device, and it sports a slightly protruding top panel designed to shield the lens from rainfall during operation.

However, it’s worth noting that unlike its counterpart, the TC500 Turret-style camera, the BC500 isn’t rated IK10 vandal-proof. Although this won’t be an issue for some users, it’s something to remember when comparing these two for specific setups. Still, it is IP67 weatherproof, demonstrating Synology’s commitment to durability.

The BC500 has a robust rotating base joint/bracket that offers flexibility for different deployment scenarios. The base is constructed of metal and employs a three-screw design. Even though the kit doesn’t include an additional wall mounting bracket (only a paper wall sticker is provided), it does come with the necessary screws and raw plugs for outdoor deployment.

A removable panel at the bottom of the camera reveals an SD card slot supporting up to 128GB and a reset button. This SD card slot allows edge recording. In the event of a network error or an unreachable target surveillance NAS, it will record directly onto the SD card and then resync the recordings with the NAS when the connection is restored.

The BC500 features a considerably large lens surface area, with a status LED on the top right and a microphone on the top left. This microphone can be used to record audio alongside the video feed. Moreover, the BC500 supports Audio Detection, allowing the user to be alerted when noise exceeds a certain threshold.

The BC500 camera can record at 2880×1620 resolution at 30 FPS, or a substream at 1920×1080 @ 15 FPS or 1280×720 @ 30 FPS, using either H.264 or H.265 (also known as HEVC).

Unfortunately, given its price tag, the 5 Megapixel/5MP lens is slightly underwhelming when you consider that you can buy 4K cameras with optical zoom at a lower price point. That said, there is a large amount of adjustment possible in the Surveillance station software:

There is no denying that the Synology BC500 camera lens and recording quality maximum is a little underwhelming for the price point, however, the image clarity is nevertheless commendable and should satisfy the needs of most users.

Synology BC500 Camera Review – Surveillance Software and Services

The Synology BC500 camera is specifically engineered to provide optimal performance with Synology Surveillance Station, the current version being 9.1.1. The camera’s integration with Surveillance Station offers advanced functionality that outshines the features provided by third-party and non-edge-AI-recognition cameras.

The BC500 camera, when paired with Surveillance Station, supports a plethora of services that transform your security experience. It provides access to live camera feed (monitoring center), which can be scaled to accommodate several cameras on screen simultaneously. You can also view live feeds and previous recordings side-by-side on the software.

Additionally, the Surveillance Station allows for privacy mask and watermark applications on the feed.

It also supports the upload of eMaps and integrates with third-party mapping services like Google Maps and OpenMaps.

Surveillance Station isn’t limited to camera support. It also provides control for IP speakers, door controls, and I/O supported peripherals. Users can access the system swiftly and intuitively via a mobile app, and even use their mobile as another surveillance camera feed with Synology Live Cam. Alerts and push notifications can be scheduled for specific events, and the system generates downloadable analytical reports.

The Surveillance Station further extends its functionality with an array of additional add-ons. These range from YouTube Live Streaming and video integrity tools to transaction checking and IFTTT/Webhook services.

It also offers features like motion detection, missing object detection, idle zone monitoring, and foreign object area tagging. Access to the Surveillance Station is conveniently provided through web browsers, desktop clients, and mobile clients, either over the local network or remotely.

One of the key features is the Smart Lapse creation, which lets you truncate long periods of recording into speedy sequences. For example, you can turn a full day’s footage into a few minutes for quick scanning. It also supports cloud recording with Synology C2 Surveillance (available with a free trial, then on a subscription basis).

The Surveillance Station also offers a Home Mode, which allows automated camera schedules to kick in when a defined user exits or enters the premises using WiFi links. More details on these features can be found in our review of Synology Surveillance Station 9.1 on our YouTube channel:

The BC500 camera, paired with Surveillance Station, supports sophisticated AI detection techniques like people detection, vehicle detection, intrusion detection, crowd detection, and loitering detection. It also offers a Smart Search feature that lets you search a predefined area of a recorded feed for specific incidents.

Vehicle Detection – Similar to its capability for human detection, the BC500 camera extends its intelligent recognition to vehicles as well. This feature proves particularly useful in situations when the premises are closed, and an unexpected vehicle enters the vicinity. The surveillance system can be programmed to provide ‘out of hours’ alerts, notifying owners whenever vehicles approach their premises during closed or off hours. It’s an excellent way to ensure the security of your property when you’re not physically present.

Intrusion Detection – The BC500 camera takes intrusion detection a notch higher with its advanced features. Users can draw lines on the feed that can have multiple bend or break points, marking out specific areas as off-limits. This allows the system to monitor if people or vehicles cross into these forbidden zones. Thanks to edge AI recognition, you can customize this feature to fit your needs—for example, allowing an area to be entered by people but not vehicles or vice versa. This level of customization helps create ‘no go’ zones at specific times, further enhancing the security of your premises.

Crowd Detection – The BC500 camera’s recognition capabilities extend beyond just humans and vehicles. It also offers nuanced crowd detection. For instance, the system could be programmed to ignore one or two people in a predefined area. However, if that number increases to five or six, it could trigger an alert. This crowd detection feature enables you to set thresholds for alerts based on the number of people in a particular area, ensuring you’re notified only when necessary.

Loitering Detection – Similar to crowd detection, loitering detection is another impressive feature of the BC500 camera. This function enables the camera to alert you when an individual or vehicle remains within a predefined area for an unusually long period. People just passing by won’t trigger an alert, but if they loiter around for a while, the system will notify you. This helps you keep an eye on any potential suspicious activity around your premises.

Smart Search – This feature significantly enhances the surveillance process by allowing you to focus on a specific area within recorded feeds. For instance, you can set the system to alert you of any movement, person, or vehicle in a predetermined spot, such as a door, desk, or window. By combining Smart Search with Smart Time Lapse, you can sift through weeks of recordings in a fraction of the time, automatically identifying any noteworthy events in a particular spot. It allows you to retroactively apply advanced surveillance parameters, even if they weren’t set up at the time of recording.

While the BC500 camera is impressive, it’s important to note that it does not support database storage. It cannot store a reference of specific people or faces and vehicle registrations for future comparison when they appear in the feed, allowing alerts to be scaled accordingly. To access this kind of functionality, a DVA system such as the Synology DVA1622 2-Bay or DVA3221 4 Bay is necessary. Similarly, the BC500 camera cannot keep track of the number of people or objects crossing the set intrusion lines, making it impossible to maintain an accurate count—for instance, knowing who is in or out during a fire alarm. Thus, while the BC500 camera provides a range of advanced features, it has its limitations.

Recordings are sent via HTTPS/SRTP encryption to the NAS, are encrypted when recorded to the local memory card, and remain encrypted when backed up on the Surveillance C2 cloud service. Furthermore, the Synology BC500 camera is NDAA and TAA compliant, which gives it a distinct edge over lower-priced Chinese cameras. In conclusion, while the BC500 Camera does not match up to more expensive Deep Video Analysis systems like the DVA162/DVA3221, its exclusive features and exemption from surveillance licenses make it a compelling choice.

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Which AI Services Are Included with the Synology BC500 and TC500 Cameras (and which ones are not)?

Now, despite the Synology BC500 and TC500 Surveillance Cameras arriving with onboard hardware for AI-powered recognition tasks, it is worth highlighting that using them is NOT the same as using the Deep Video Analysis (DVA) series of NAS servers in Synology’s portfolio. These operations are managed from inside the camera and the alerts are handled and actioned by the NAS after the camera sends the appropriate alert – and these cameras so NOT have the same level of hardware as the DVA1622 and DVA3221 inside each of them! Additionally, whereas the DVA series manages multiple tasks internally from multiple cameras, only using the camera hardware as a life ‘feed’, these cameras cannot run deeper AI tasks that involve counting, internal database management and keeping records of AI referral data internally – they do not have the storage or processing power for that. So more complex people counting and specific facial recognition will not be immediately available to your PLUS series Diskstation, just because you are using the BC500 and/or TC500. Here is a breakdown of the services available to users with either Synology Cameras or a Synology DVA NAS:

If you are unaware of the Synology Deep Video Analysis NAS system, you can find out more about it in the video reviews of the hardware and software below from our YouTube channel:

Synology BC500 Camera Review – Conclusion & Verdict

Ultimately, the edge-based AI recognition that cameras, like the BC500 provide, is designed to minimize redundant or unsuitable alerts from your surveillance feeds. This optimization allows you to spend fewer man-hours checking on your surveillance setup unnecessarily and instead focus on genuinely useful alerts. This same efficiency applies when you leverage camera feed management in older recordings. If you find evidence of a security concern now, you can use that information to retroactively check old recordings, saving time by pinpointing relevant evidence and tailoring alerts accordingly. While Synology has set the pricing relatively high, they do so knowing that their software is among the best in the industry. The cameras are likely to be considered as part of a larger, single-ecosystem surveillance solution. Additionally, with cybersecurity concerns and debates over the sourcing of integral hardware at the forefront (for instance, the US-China Trade war), having cameras made outside of China (that is, TAA and NDAA compliant) works in Synology’s favor. Some users may also be swayed by the absence of an additional camera license fee when deploying a Synology BC500, although the savings here are modest, around $50 or so.

That said, the hardware inside these cameras is arguably lower-end compared to some of the more affordable Chinese models on the market, which offer higher resolution, sensor quality, pixel recording depth, and complexity. At present, Synology’s limited range of two models could constrain the scope of their deployment, but it’s clear that these are just the first of many cameras being introduced into this range. There is a distinct sense that these cameras are primarily aimed at business-class users. This focus makes sense considering the type of users who want to mass-deploy cameras and will realize the time savings from edge AI recognition (and DVA systems too). At this time, it’s hard to see many home users opting for these cameras at $250+ when they can find similar hardware for more than half that price from other IP camera brands. The emphasis on encryption/NDAA/TAA features also seems more relevant to businesses and home users with specific concerns about surveillance security footage being intercepted on the fly. In conclusion, the Synology BC500 is undoubtedly a good camera, and businesses of all sizes will quickly realize the benefits of its features and the accompanying Surveillance Station 9. However, home users might want to wait a bit longer to see if Synology expands the range to better serve their needs, much like their J, Play, Value, and Plus series have done.

Synology BC500 PROS	Synology BC500 CONS
Unparalleled Synology Surveillance Station Integration Also, Surveillance station is 10/10 on its own NDAA/TAA Compliant, unlike many budget alternatives (HTTPS/SRTP Support Recording Options) Edge Recording Object Recognition is incredibly useful Person/Car Loitering and Crowd gathering monitoring does not get enough credit for how useful it is! No Additional Camera License Requirements Sturdy and Solid Build Quality EXCEPTIONALLY FAST and EASY first-time setup Sub 5W use over PoE typically 3 Year Hardware Warranty and Effective Lifetime Software Warranty Edge Recording and C2 Surveillance Cloud Recording Support Smart Search is a gamechanger for precise retroactive searching Intrusion Mapping is intuitive and very customizable in it’s design Noise Detection (custom threshold) is exceptionally useful and often overlooked	More than double the cost of 3rd party similar cameras Good, but not top-tier night vision Only 2 Models in the Synology Camera range limit the scope of deployment Can only be used with Synology NAS Systems No PoE Mains power Injector or SD Card included, which at this price seems poor Somewhat cancelled out by the Synology DVA1622 with Deep Video Analysis at $599

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