Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera is launched in Singapore back in March 2018 at a recommended retail price (RRP) of S$69.

Aztech WIPC309HD is marketed as a budget wireless IP camera without any pan–tilt–zoom (PTZ) functionality.

Specifications

  • Lens: 1/2.7″ CMOS Sensor, 1920 × 1080, 110° Field Of View
  • Night Vision: 12 Infrared LEDs
  • Processor: HI3518E V200
  • RAM: 64MB DRAM
  • Internal Storage: 8MB
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
  • Storage: MicroSD (Up to 64GB)
  • Button: Reset Button
  • Audio: Two Way Audio with Internal Microphone and Speaker
  • Video: H.264, 1080p @ 15fps
  • Power: 5VDC 1A, Micro USB
  • Dimensions (L x W x H): 80 x 80 x 113.6 (mm)
  • Weight: 80g

Unboxing
The box contents are simple. Basically, it is just the camera, micro USB cable, and 1A power adapter.

It also comes with two screws and two plastic anchors for you to mount the camera on the wall.

The “Easy Start Guide” just basically tells you how to connect your camera to your power socket and ask you to refer to the app for the rest of the instructions.

Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Box
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Box
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Box Back
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Box Back
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Box Contents
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Box Contents
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Power Adapter with Micro USB Cable
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Power Adapter with Micro USB Cable

Design

Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Flat
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Flat
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Front
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Front
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Back
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Back
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Left
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Left
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera - Bottom
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera – Bottom

Setup
To start the setup, you need to install the companion app called AzCam on iOS or Android.

AzCam iOS App - Setup #1AzCam iOS App - Setup #2
AzCam iOS App – Setup
AzCam iOS App - Setup #3AzCam iOS App - Setup #4
AzCam iOS App – Setup
AzCam iOS App - Setup #5AzCam iOS App - Setup #6
AzCam iOS App – Setup
AzCam iOS App - Setup Timed Out
AzCam iOS App – Setup Timed Out

Using It
I was initially supposed to review the Aztech WIPC309HD but unfortunately, it is not compatible with my home and office networks as Aztech WIPC309HD doesn’t support 5.0 GHz band.

My Assumption On Why It Doesn’t Work
Most routers and mesh systems these days come with just one SSID for both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz (band steering). Your phone will just connect to one SSID and your router/mesh system will determine whether to connect it to the 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz band.

One flaw of the Aztech WIPC309HD is that it assumes that it will connect to the same wifi as your mobile phone and hence it will use the same BSSID. The BSSID is the MAC address of the wireless access point (WAP). In this case, both the 5.0 GHz and 2.4 GHz have different BSSID.

So if your mobile phone is in a close range within your router/mesh system, it will connect to the 5.0 GHz BSSID. As Aztech WIPC309HD doesn’t support 5.0 GHz, you will never be able to set up the camera.

Since I am using eero mesh system at home with four nodes in my house of 113 sqm, I am quite certain I will be connected to 5.0 GHz everywhere I go. In fact, I make sure I have good speed and coverage everywhere in my house and that explains the overkill of having four nodes in my house.

As far as I know, there is no way for me to force my iPhone or eero to use the 2.4 GHz band.

5.0 GHz band is very common these days. I think Aztech should follow what most security cameras, which is to allow the security camera to search for wi-fi networks to connect to rather than assuming it will be the same network as your mobile phone.

Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera
Aztech WIPC309HD Full HD Wireless IP Camera

I have since given the Aztech WIPC309HD to my uncle, to see if he can get it to work at his home.

In the meantime, if you need an actual review of the camera, check out Chester’s review on the Aztech WIPC309HD.

My Uncle’s Review

Aztech WIPC309HD - SettingsAztech WIPC309HD - Advanced Settings
Aztech WIPC309HD – Settings / Advanced Settings
Aztech WIPC309HD - Recording SettingsAztech WIPC309HD - Sensitivity Settings
Aztech WIPC309HD – Recording Settings / Sensitivity Settings
Aztech WIPC309HD - Storage SettingsAztech WIPC309HD - Camera Information
Aztech WIPC309HD – Storage Settings / Camera Information
Aztech WIPC309HD - Recorded Video FilesAztech WIPC309HD - App Crash
Aztech WIPC309HD – Recorded Video Files / App Crash
Aztech WIPC309HD - Day Mode
Aztech WIPC309HD – Day Mode
Aztech WIPC309HD - Night Mode
Aztech WIPC309HD – Night Mode

Pros:

  • Image very clear and has a good resolution
  • Night mode also good
  • Voice communication speaker is clear and the mic is good. Overall sound quality is good
  • Easy to setup
  • Small and light, very portable
  • Can support 128GB MicroSD card despite the specifications wrote up to 64GB

Cons:

  • Doesn’t support dual-band Wi-Fi, only 2.4 GHz. My router is dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. I use my mobile phone further away so that it only detects 2.4 GHz
  • Using the app to access media recorded on my memory card inside the camera, I can’t find any option to delete the recorded video files
  • When motion is detected, and I tried to open the detected video file, the app will crash

Overall I should say it’s a good cam. I will buy for a quick installation.