Review: Piper NV all-in-one security system

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

All-in-one security systems are ideal for homes, apartments or offices needing remote security and surveillance and often bundle a camera, an alarm, various sensors for temperature and air quality as well as motion detection which sets off recording. Piper's all-in-one solution is hinged on a small and easy to install wired or wireless unit which uses the power of the cloud to interact with a smartphone and even Apple Watch app to send alerts about what's going on back at base.

Setting up the Piper NV is very straighforward. You need to download the companion app, either plug it into your router or assign it to your Wi-Fi network and then you can update the software as well as configure the settings.

Since my router is besieged by various PCs, streaming boxes, consoles, printers and scanners, I opted to go the Wi-Fi route with the understanding that latency and quality issues might be expected since wired connections for anything related to video or audio are definitely more stable.

The Piper all-in-one security system is designed to blend in and it does a great job of fitting into a desk, drawer, bookshelf or almost anywhere you'd like to mount it or set it down.Piper's Apple Watch app alerts user with a slight tap, buzz and audible alarm

The Piper system uses both motion and sound detection and various levels of customizeable security modes to adjust the device to various needs. Piper's all-in-one unit offers live or on demand video which is immersive featuring a 180 degree field of vision and which has pan, tilt, zoom and split screen capabilities. Being able to zoom right in on the image makes a big difference if you're trying to check on pets or small objects in the room since the wide shot makes these easy to miss.

The NV version I tested has improved night vision which ensures details are clear even in extremely low light conditions which is when many break ins happen.

Piper also features two-way audio which turns it into a cloud-powered intercon and allows you to speak to people on the other end of the video feed. The built-in siren, designed to scare off intruders or thieves is surprisingly loud and will jolt anyone within hearing distance.

Another great feature is the built-in battery which ensures that Piper can continue to work should the power go out thanks to the back-up battery.

Video quality ranges depending on the light conditions but is generally good to above average on good connections with bright light.

The Piper all-in-one security system is also a smart hub for various home security and automation devices. This is really a difference maker for anyone looking to explore Internet of Things or Smart Home Solutions.

The list of compatible IoT devices is growing and range from smart lightbulbs (which can be remotely dimmed or scheduled to turn on or off), Smart Dimmer switches and door sensors just to name a few. I also like the fact that Piper makes use of the iPhone and the Apple Watch notification systems and was surprised to get a nudge on my Apple Watch to let me know the Piper back at home picked up motion.

I found the Piper to be responsive, tracking both audio and video. I have two cats at home so as expected, they triggered the system more than once but it is quite easy to calibrate the settings to teach it pet movement or other false positives.

Conclusion

Rooted in simplicity of setup, ease of use and surprising functionality, the Piper NV all-in-one security system is ideal for apartments or large rooms, it does a great job for remote monitoring, has a lot of potential as a hub for remote control and Internet of Things applications, plus a top shelf iPhone app that seamlessly works with an Apple Watch. 

Rating: 4 out of 5