In the competitive world of smart security cameras, Synology has developed an innovative offering to set itself apart from the competition. Its BC500 and TC500 smart cameras work with Synology NAS systems and network video recorders and are ready to maximize security and offer advanced image recognition. These cameras focus on storing data locally for maximum privacy while giving you complete control over the footage they record.
It also differs from other products in that it only works using an Ethernet connection and requires the use of a Synology network storage solution, such as a NAS or NVR.
Synology BC500 / TC500
The Synology BC500 and TC500 are some of the most advanced IP cameras on the market, offering a wealth of smart detection features, added convenience, and security and privacy options.
- Advanced Features
- No subscription required
- Secure storage
- price
- Synology NAS required
- Complex setup
- No wifi
Price and availability
Expensive cameras for high quality surveillance
Synology security cameras are available for sale on Amazon, Adorama, B&H, and Newegg. They range in price from $200 to $250, depending on the model and the retailer, making them more expensive than most of the competition.
to set
- Brand
- Synology
- Sensor size
- 5 megapixels
- Video resolution
- 2880 x 1620 pixels
- communication
- Ethernet
- Water resistance
- IP67
What are the good features of Synology BC500 and TC500?
Amazing AI features for advanced monitoring
Synology offers two smart cameras, which differ only in appearance: the TC500 has a tower design, while the BC500 has a bullet-proof design. Both cameras share the same specs, featuring a 5-megapixel sensor with a 110-degree field of view and night vision. Overall image quality is good, regardless of lighting conditions.
The overall resolution is 2880×1620 at 30fps, allowing you to see what’s happening clearly without being noticeably sharp compared to competitors. Even at night, the built-in infrared beam makes it easy to distinguish faces and objects. The cameras also come with HDR, providing realistic colors and exposure.
Surveillance Station is designed to view single or multiple camera feeds at once, making monitoring an entire camera network easier.
In terms of footage storage, the cameras work natively with Synology NAS and NVRs. They can be configured to record continuously as there are technically no data limits other than the capacity of the NAS. Additionally, they come with a microSD tray, which can handle cards up to 128GB. This allows the cameras to store footage locally in the event of a network or storage failure and automatically transfer it back once they are back online.
Each camera produces about 32GB per day when recording continuously. Finally, you can also sign up for an optional cloud storage subscription, which ranges from $11 per year per camera for seven days of 720p event storage to several hundred dollars more per year per camera for 5MP continuous recording with up to 180 days of retention.
Either way, the data is always encrypted, ensuring that only you can review your camera footage. Synology cameras are NDAA and TAA compliant for maximum security. In addition to recording schedules, the camera can automatically stop recording when your phone connects to Wi-Fi, making it easier to use without manually starting and stopping recording.
The main advantage of Synology’s BC500 and TC500 cameras is their ability to use native AI to identify objects and events. Unlike some competing products, the Surveillance Station can distinguish between animals, people, and vehicles, ensuring you only get notifications about intrusions or movements you want to know more about. During my testing, I didn’t receive false notifications, which is often the case with other cameras that tend to confuse leaves or shadows with actual movement.
A great feature is the ability to investigate past events, such as the theft of an item. You can highlight a specific area and see past events where motion was detected, helping you understand what happened to the missing item. Similarly, you can adjust crowd detection settings, which means the system will only trigger notifications when it senses more people.
Another impressive feature is the Loitering Detection feature, which only triggers a notification when a person or vehicle is in the motion detection zone, preventing unnecessary notifications to passersby.
While these features are impressive, the cameras can offer even more impressive functionality when paired with a Synology DVA Deep Learning NVR. In fact, this allows them to offer more advanced features, such as counting the number of people or vehicles passing by during a given day or even recognizing faces and license plates.
What’s bad about Synology BC500 and TC500?
Harder to install than most other cameras.
I have to admit that the Synology BC500 and TC500 offer some of the most impressive features I’ve seen without necessarily costing much more than the competition. However, they’re far from perfect, especially considering how they’re set up. In fact, unlike most consumer cameras, they’re not ready-to-use products and require Synology’s network storage, which offers a lot of features but adds significantly to the overall bill.
They’re also not easy to install, as they need to be wired and can’t be battery-powered. Worse, they require an Ethernet connection and don’t come with built-in Wi-Fi, meaning you’ll need to consider pre-wiring your home for an Ethernet connection before you can install the cameras. Fortunately, the cameras support Power over Ethernet (PoE), allowing you to avoid using power cables, provided your Ethernet network supports PoE. If you’re looking for something a little more portable, the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro might be just what you’re looking for.
Should you buy them?
With their innovative, reliable features and focus on security and privacy, the Synology BC500 and TC500 smart cameras stand out from other consumer and IP security cameras. They integrate seamlessly with Synology NAS and NVRs, but they also require one to work, which means you should probably consider them if you already have one, or plan to use one, as that pushes the overall price tag much higher.
These products boast the ability to distinguish between animals, people, and vehicles and provide detailed insights into recorded footage. However, these features are only compelling if they are truly relevant to you on a daily basis.
It also lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and requires a wired Ethernet connection, which limits where you can put it, at least without additional investment to expand your network infrastructure.
I think these cameras make sense if you’re already invested in the Synology ecosystem or are looking for smart security cameras with superior data privacy, local storage options, and advanced surveillance and AI features. Despite their high initial cost and setup complexity, they offer solid security solutions that provide significant long-term value in managing and securing your space. However, if you’re looking for a simpler, easier-to-use solution without committing to the Synology ecosystem, exploring other options, like Ring cameras, may be a better option.
Synology BC500 / TC500
The Synology BC500 and TC500 are some of the most advanced IP cameras on the market, offering a wealth of smart detection features, added convenience, and security and privacy options.
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