First of all, what do we need?
- The camera itself is Xiaomi Yi home camera 1080p;
- Additional device (tablet or smartphone) running Android or iOS operating system;
- Home network for camera and additional device operation;
- Branded application;
- Valid Xiaomi account (you can register in the application).
In this case, let's look at initial settings and smartphone-based installations under the operating room Android system and the Mi Home program, which was translated by folk “craftsmen”. For iOS app completed on English, however, there are practically no differences in the interface. There are two apps for setting up the camera: Mi Camera and Mi Home. The differences between them are minimal; it’s not difficult to understand what’s what on your own.
It is worth remembering that since version 2.6.13 the Mi Home application uses external plugins loaded into automatic mode, when syncing smart devices. After they are loaded, Russian localization in the interface is almost completely replaced by Chinese characters. We still recommend using version 2.6.11 of the program (the latest version of the application that works stably is version 1.1.3, it is also localized into Russian).
Download instructions for Xiaomi Yi Home camera 1080p from the link
First, let's connect the Xiaomi Yi home camera 1080p to charger, via MicroUSB connector. You can use either the original charger or any other that supports a 2 ampere current output.
After connecting the power cable, the camera will start blinking the indicator located under the optical eyepiece in yellow or orange, after which you can launch the application. You need to log into your Xiaomi account in advance, or register a new one if you don’t have one yet. It must be taken into account that the smartphone or tablet must work on the network in which the camera will subsequently operate.
There will most likely be empty space on the screen after opening the app. It will contain different levels configured and activated devices from the company. At the top in the corner there is a “+” symbol; by clicking on it, we go to the “New Connection Wizard”. Here you need to select your camera.
The program will ask about the operation of the device and whether the LED is lit. Click “next”. Upon request, enter your password and login Wi-Fi networks, in which the device and smartphone will be used.
The yellow light on the camera will start flashing blue. Before this, the Xiaomi Yi dome home camera 1080p will “speak” in Chinese (for example, a spell in better job devices. Joke). After synchronization is complete, the camera will be recognized by the application and will be associated with your account in order to see it on other devices with the proprietary application. Going forward, it’s worth saying that you can reset all settings by pressing the “reset” button for a few seconds, which is slightly hidden on the case. And also, to fully work with all camera settings, it is not necessary to be connected to home network, since communication between devices occurs through the company’s servers.
On this step, the connection between the camera and the smartphone ends. Next, we’ll look at all the operating features and software interface. Set of functions and appearance almost the same for iOS and Android, there are only minor differences in the design of the software.
After clicking on the camera, in the list of devices, go to the menu for managing it. In the upper right corner there is a transition to the main device settings. In them you can switch video recording to a memory card, enable stealth mode when LED indicator stops burning. You can also change the camera name and description, for example, to understand where and in what room the Xiaomi Yi home camera 1080p is located. You can also view serial number devices.
Zooming the picture occurs with the usual movement of your fingers. By swiping across the screen you move around the picture, you can see the whole room. Using the “photo” key you can record what is happening in the room. “Camera” - turns on and off video recording from the camera. If you hold down the microphone key, you can send voice message to the device. You can also turn on the sound from the camera. If you have a memory card, you can view already recorded videos. Using the timeline under the video, you can navigate through the recording time. Depending on the quality of the network, you can choose the picture quality of 640x360 pixels or 1280x720, that is, HD.
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A couple of months ago I started thinking about purchasing an inexpensive IP camera for video surveillance. Nothing supernatural was required from the device; you just needed to monitor the child when he was sleeping.
The number of offers in this segment is now just off the charts, even if you choose a manufacturer, you can get lost in model range.
I wanted a simple one inexpensive camera with decent resolution and LED backlighting for shooting in the dark. Working with the device through an application on a smartphone or tablet was implied.
I have a fairly positive attitude towards Xiaomi gadgets and have. I decided to try a camera from this manufacturer.
How to choose a camera
Xiaomi and the company's sub-brands produce about a dozen different models cameras for home use. Here's what Xiaomi can please video surveillance lovers:
4. Xiaomi MiJia 1080p– from $35
These are the main models, each of which has several modifications. Most often, the first generation of the camera turns out to be a trial one, and later a sensor with high resolution, the ability to shoot at night and other useful features.
I immediately crossed out the first two models. These are 2017 cameras, they recently went on sale. Most likely, these models will have various jambs and bugs, you will have to wait for adapted plugins and fixes in the firmware. At first, prices for new products are higher than those stated by the manufacturer.
Of the remaining four devices, the choice fell on the cheapest. It has all the features I need, a nice appearance and a good price. On at the moment this is one of the most affordable IP cameras not only in the Xiaomi lineup, but also among competitors.
More sophisticated cameras differ only in the presence of rotating mechanisms with the ability remote control and various software features.
What else you should know before buying IP cameras
As you know, Xiaomi mainly focuses on domestic market China. If mass-produced models of smartphones and tablets are produced in international versions for sale in other countries, small, cheap devices are most often intended only “for our own people.”
Even if small gadgets are released with the US, EU or International mark, this often only indicates the presence of additional firmware languages.
Before purchasing any Xiaomi gadget, study thematic forums and websites. Pay attention to possible problems when working outside of China.We are doing great with Xiaomi gadgets, the well-known forum is simply overcrowded a huge amount instructions, localizations and additional hacks for every more or less worthwhile Chinese gadget.
Unfortunately, the camera I chose had one more limitation, which I learned about later: devices with a certain series of Mac addresses are blocked in some countries.
How Xiaomi blocks devices
The reason for this blocking is unknown; sometimes Xiaomi is known for such illogical actions. First, the device is released with a full set of capabilities, and then its functionality is programmatically reduced.
The same thing happened with this IP camera. Recently, after updating the firmware, the camera began to “ask to go home.”
I was the least fortunate. The camera was automatically updated to locked firmware upon first launch.
Fortunately, blocking does not occur on the company’s servers, but after updating the firmware and application for working with the device.
What can you do with the camera?
There are already instructions on the Internet that allow you to work with this camera even after blocking.
1. You don’t have to do anything at all; the device is perfectly configured in local access point mode. The smartphone connects directly to the camera and displays the image without any problems. Unfortunately, you can't use it on iPhone. home Wi-Fi and it turns exclusively into a screen for an IP camera.
2. It is possible to downgrade the firmware version on the camera (total 10 simple steps, manipulations with a memory card and a couple of applications on the computer) and install not the latest version of the utility for working with the device.
As you understand, it is possible to downgrade the firmware on the camera, but install Mi Home old version only possible on an Android smartphone or iPhone with jailbreak.
3. You can try to untie the camera for use in any country. This is done completely free of charge, instructions for unlocking are contained directly in the application:
I decided to unlock the camera so as not to bother with flashing and downgrading. During this process I used a direct connection to the camera to work with it.
Xiaomi representatives will happily unlock the camera for international use if you provide them with:
- photo of the barcode from the device box;
- a photo of a sticker from the gadget itself with service information;
- confirmation of the fact of purchase of this camera.
There were no problems with the first two points, but with the last one I had to suffer.
First, I took the two necessary photos and attached a screenshot of the completed transaction on AliExpress. I sent an email with the specified subject to the support service address. They replied the next day:
They asked to contact the seller and get an order invoice from the official supplier. As an example they called MI.com, JD.com and MI Tmall.
I asked the seller several times to provide an invoice through the form feedback on AliExpress. The answer is silence.
As soon as I opened a dispute regarding the transaction, the seller responded within a few hours. He asked me to close the dispute, and in return he would send me the necessary documents.
Over the next couple of weeks, I opened and closed the dispute twice more so that the seller would stop freezing and still send me an invoice. Here it is:
It wasn’t me who photographed the computer screen, this is how the seller sent the confirmation
Having collected a new package of documents (photo from the seller and two old photographs of the camera and box), I again sent them to e-mail services support.
There was no such quick response as last time, and the camera continued to swear at the blocking. Meanwhile, the dispute on AliExpress escalated and I demanded compensation from the seller for the cost of the camera. He agreed only when sending the device back.
I didn’t want to do this, because in this case I would have to pay the cost of return shipping and wait several more months for an answer and money.
Hands are not for boredom
While I was waiting for a response from Xiaomi support and a resolution to the dispute on AliExpress, I decided to bother with downgrading the camera firmware. To do this, I even got hold of an Android smartphone.
Just a couple of hours of experimentation and in the end I got a fully functional application + camera combination. The program and firmware were not the best latest version(this was necessary to solve the problem), but with complete Russification, this is Android.
I’ll say right away that not everyone wants to bother with downgrading the firmware. Yes, and I myself received dubious pleasure. On the one hand, I felt pleasant nostalgia for the good old days, when it was necessary to reflash smartphones, routers, etc. an infinite number of times, and on the other hand, I felt sorry for the time spent on the procedure.
How everything was decided
*Please note that the camera does not recognize the QR code from devices with a screen smaller than 5 inches (the QR code is required to connect and activate the camera)
Functional, big and beautiful: Red Dot Design Award
- Intelligent detection system
- Dual high definition PTZ camera rotating at 110° per second
- Wide view 360°x93°
- Support USB flash drive and microSD card
- Night vision system recognizes 18 shades of gray
- Microphone that picks up sound within a radius of 10 meters
"Green Frame" - advanced motion capture
We have improved not only the motion detection sensor and push notification function, but also the intelligent detection system: a moving object is captured in a green frame, and the camera automatically follows it. You can easily look after your home, children or pets.
The camera recognizes 18 shades of gray, making all the details visible in dark areas. With a sensitive microphone that picks up sound within 10 meters, you can communicate with your family in real time. Reproduce volume up to 87 dB.
- Data transfer rate – 120 Kb/s
- Frame rate – 15 FPS
- Resolution – 1920x1080
- 6 infrared sensors 940 nm
Multifunctional USB port
SD card support You can use a microSD card and a USB flash drive to store video recordings. Besides, backup copy records can be uploaded to hard drive Xiaomi router. Download the Mi Home app - combine mobile games and house monitoring. A special picture-in-picture image format (PIP function) will allow you to monitor your home without interruption from viewing social networks. *Feature only available on Android platform
Triple data encryption technology to protect your information.
- Message encryption
- Encryption of data transmission
- MiCloud Service
Enjoy the technology of the future
The camera base is equipped with a universal connector that fits a variety of brackets and tripods. Can be installed upside down on the ceiling or vertically on the wall surface. The camera will be firmly fixed in any position to provide you with the desired shooting angle.
Use the app to control your camera and update components
- Control the speed and number of camera rotations
- Connect directly to your phone even without a network
- Connect the camera to external battery for food
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To date " Smart home“no longer seems like something fantastic, especially if we are talking about advanced ecosystems built by world leaders in this field. Xiaomi has so far managed to release more than a hundred smart home elements and is not going to stop there. Literally every month something new appears, expanding the already decent list of accessories, even to such seemingly completely unrelated things for this area as smart ones.
In terms of automation there is one interesting feature useful to owners fitness bracelets, etc. When the bracelet is in the camera’s reception area, you can configure it to go into sleep mode, i.e. While you are at home, no recording is being made; as soon as you leave the threshold, a cyclic recording scenario is activated, or by a motion sensor. When motion is detected, there is a sending function PUSH notifications, quite convenient if you really decide to use Xiaomi MiJia 1080P Smart IP Camera as a security element of your smart home.
Overall, the Xiaomi MiJia 1080P Smart IP Camera exceeded all expectations; to be honest, we didn’t even think that we could buy something like that for such a price. This is probably one of those rare cases when you want to find cons, but they simply aren’t there.
Perhaps lovers of greater freedom in terms of settings and integration into their video surveillance systems will be upset by the lack of RTSP, but thanks to enthusiasts, this issue was resolved with another hack, but why, when everything and even more is simply perfectly implemented in the native Mi Home application. However, those who vitally need RTSP can enable it using simple manipulations such as rolling back the firmware and uploading a hack in literally 5 minutes.
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