Ring’s Battery Doorbell Now Captures 4K Video
▼ Summary
– Ring has announced new battery-powered doorbell cameras, including the Battery Doorbell Pro, which can record in 4K resolution.
– These new models feature improved AI capabilities, such as video descriptions and facial recognition, powered by a subscription service called Ring AI Pro.
– A new line of solar accessories, like a Solar Charger, is being introduced to help extend the battery life of these wireless doorbells.
– The company also updated its wired Video Doorbell 2nd Gen model to include 2K video resolution.
– All new doorbell cameras and accessories are available for pre-order and will be released on April 29th.
Ring has significantly upgraded its popular battery-powered video doorbell line, now offering 4K video resolution for the first time. This move brings the company’s wire-free products in line with the high-definition clarity already available on its wired models. The new Ring Battery Doorbell Pro represents a major leap forward for users who prefer the flexibility of battery operation without compromising on video detail. According to the company, a complete internal redesign was necessary to support the power demands of such high-resolution recording and advanced artificial intelligence processing.
This enhancement in video quality directly enables Ring’s suite of new AI-powered features. The sharper image provides more data for the system’s algorithms, improving the accuracy of smart detection. A key technology included is Ring Retinal Vision, which uses AI to dynamically optimize footage for clarity. Each new device comes with a trial of Ring AI Pro, the company’s premium subscription service priced at $19.99 per month. This plan unlocks the full array of intelligent capabilities, including recorded video history.
These advanced functions are designed to make security monitoring more intuitive and less intrusive. Video descriptions generate a text summary of detected events, while Familiar Faces adds a layer of facial recognition. An innovative AI video search allows users to query their footage using natural language, such as looking for “kids on bikes” or a “black cat on the porch.” To combat alert overload, Single Event Alerts consolidate notifications for sustained activities like lawn mowing into one summary. The overarching goal is to deliver relevant information quickly while minimizing notification fatigue.
However, this increased reliance on cloud-based AI has sparked privacy concerns among some consumers. Recent scrutiny over data handling in features like Search Party has led to user distrust regarding video processing in Ring’s servers. For those seeking alternatives, several security camera brands like Reolink and Eufy offer local video processing and storage, which keeps data on-premises and typically eliminates monthly subscription fees.
In a related announcement, Ring also upgraded its budget-friendly Wired Video Doorbell 2nd Gen to 2K video resolution, and all new models feature the modern, streamlined design introduced last year. To support the battery-powered models, Ring is launching new solar accessories aimed at extending operational time. The Ring Solar Charger ($49.99) integrates directly into the mount, and a standalone Ring Solar Panel is available for $59.99. The entire new lineup is available for pre-order now, with a full launch scheduled for April 29.
(Source: The Verge)
