Logitech Video Doorbell With HSV Makes a Surprise Entrance…

With all the news about the rather pricy AirPods Max from Apple, it seems to have largely gone unnoticed that Logitech’s latest offering has surfaced on Apple’s own US online store. The product in question, of course, is the Logitech Circle View Video Doorbell which has come as a surprise to pretty much everyone. This product is so compelling for a number of reasons, not least of all that this is only the fourth product in this class with HomeKit compatibility.

The other three are the Robin Proline Series, the Yobi B3, and the recently released Netatmo Video Doorbell. None of these come with HomeKit Secure Video, however, which really make the Logitech offering stand out all the more. Priced at $199.95 it’s cheaper than two of the three listed above, and comes with some impressive specs, including a 160º FoV, 1080p HDR video quality, as well as colour night vision. It’s also suitable for outdoor use as well, as are the others.

Many US consumers had been banking on the Netatmo making it’s way out of Europe, but it may seem they no longer have to, with what appears on paper to be a superior product. Here’s Logitech’s official press release below;

Today Logitech announced Circle View Doorbell, the first wired video doorbell developed exclusively for Apple HomeKit. Featuring Face Recognition and Logitech TrueView™ best-in-class video, Circle View Doorbell gives you crisp head-to-toe portrait video from just two feet away, true HDR to handle high-contrast scenes, and colour night vision up to six feet away. Circle View Doorbell, compatible with most existing wired doorbell systems and designed to complement homes of every style, also supports HomeKit Secure Video, giving you simple and secure ways to customize your video recordings, notifications, storage, and sharing options.

“We could not be more excited to launch the Circle View Doorbell, a very welcome addition to the Logitech home security family and sure to be an indispensable addition to your home,” said Michele Hermann, vice president of mobility at Logitech. “Circle View Doorbell has been thoughtfully designed from the ground up to work exclusively with HomeKit, featuring all of the security features you’d want in a smart doorbell and a striking design that will add the finishing touch to your home.”

With HomeKit Secure Video, a powerful and secure smart home platform available on more than a billion active iOS and iPadOS devices, intelligent detection is done securely and privately on your HomePod, the new HomePod mini, or Apple TV to determine when a person, animal, or vehicle is in the video. You can securely interact with Circle View Doorbell in the Home app or by asking Siri on supported Apple devices.

Face Recognition identifies people you tag in your Photos library or recent visitors captured by your camera or doorbell in the Home app. With Circle View Doorbell, you can use the Home app to be notified when people come to the door and receive smart notifications across your Apple devices — on your iPhone and Apple Watch while you’re away, or even an announcement on Apple TV and HomePod. You can even mute your home’s existing wired chime. Video streams and recordings using HomeKit Secure Video are processed on the home hub device, uploaded to iCloud, and are end-to-end encrypted securely to the Home app. These recordings do not count against your iCloud storage limit for photos, videos, and files.

To help consumers skip the hassle of installation, Logitech has partnered with HelloTech, the leading independent, on-demand installation provider with a nationwide network of thousands of hand-selected experts. Customers also have the option to self-install if comfortable handling power tools and working with electrical systems. Circle View Doorbell supports existing systems powered by 8-24 V AC transformers with 10 VA or higher power. To ensure your existing doorbell meets the electrical requirements, visit our compatibility checker.

Pricing and Availability
Logitech Circle View Doorbell is available for $199.99 for the self-installation option at logitech.com and apple.com in the United States, and for $299.99 with hassle-free professional installation included on logitech.com.