Does the Tapo C310 connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No, only on 2.4 GHz, in 802.11b/g/n (up to 150 Mbps) with 2T2R antennas. Check that your router or repeater does broadcast a 2.4 GHz band before installation. The Tapo app, required for setup, needs iOS 10 or Android 5.0 at minimum.
Can it be connected via Ethernet if the Wi-Fi signal is poor at the bottom of the garden?
Yes, it has an RJ45 Ethernet port: you can connect it to the network by cable rather than over Wi-Fi, for a more reliable installation at a distance. A waterproof seal and waterproof cable fittings are supplied to protect connections exposed to rain.
Is the microSD card included, and what maximum capacity does it accept?
The card is not included; it must be bought separately. The slot accepts a microSD card of up to 128 GB: 3 MP footage is recorded directly in the camera and can be viewed from the Tapo app.
Is the video as smooth as on a standard camera?
The frame rate is 15 frames per second at 2304 × 1296, with H.264 compression: the image is sharp and perfectly legible for surveillance, but fast movement will look less smooth than at 25 or 30 frames/s.
What can you actually see at night, and up to what distance?
Night vision relies on 850 nm infrared LEDs and reaches up to 30 metres, even in total darkness. Enough to cover a path, a courtyard or an entire façade without having to install additional lighting.
How wide a scene does it cover from a single mounting point?
Its lens opens to 104° (3.89 mm focal length, F/2.2) on a 1/2.7-inch sensor: a wide field that takes in an entrance, a path or an entire shopfront. The 3 MP resolution gives enough detail to help with identification and recognition at a distance.
How is it powered, and how far from a socket can it be placed?
Through a 100-240 V AC adapter with a 9 V / 0.6 A output, connected to a 3-metre power cable: this length determines the maximum distance from the socket. Plan for a protected outdoor socket if the mounting point is far away.
Can it be connected to an NVR or to video surveillance software?
Yes: it supports the ONVIF and RTSP protocols, in addition to the usual network protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, NTP, HTTP, HTTPS). You can therefore use it from a compatible third-party recorder or software. The initial setup, however, is done through the Tapo app.
Does it really withstand rain and temperature swings?
Yes: it has an IP66 protection rating against water and dust, operates from -20 to 45 °C and tolerates humidity of 10 to 90% non-condensing. It is designed to stay installed outdoors all year round. Storage is permitted from -20 to 70 °C.
What actually happens when the camera detects someone?
You receive a push notification on your smartphone and can open the live feed straight away. At the same time, the automatic siren triggers light and sound to scare off an unwanted visitor, and two-way audio lets you talk through the built-in microphone and speaker.
Are my recordings protected when I view them remotely?
The stream is protected by 128-bit AES encryption with SSL/TLS, and the Wi-Fi link uses WPA/WPA2-PSK. The videos themselves are stored locally on the microSD card inside the camera, and are played back from the Tapo app.
Is the camera new, complete and under warranty?
Yes, new in its original packaging, with a
2-year warranty on presentation of the invoice. The box contains the camera, its AC adapter, the mounting template, wall plugs and screws, the seal and waterproof fittings, and the getting started guide. See the
Tapo datasheet (PDF).
