@Toolegs Their software is a usability nightmare too, but that goes for most CCTV systems apparently.

@NightCatArts I only bought more stuff from them because my old CCTV (mains, analogue) has been sturdy and steady for almost 12 years. It’s needed fettling from time to time, but been great. Their WiFi cameras are built for obsolescence and it’s just not on.

@NightCatArts The WiFi gear links to a phone app. It’s great because you can log on anywhere and check it. They let themselves down by making the cameras themselves essentially disposable.

@Toolegs I got the same thing from a really cheap (non-smart connected) WiFi cam too though. It's fairly standard these days; what varies greatly is how good the software is, how reliable, & whether they paywall bits of it. This Swann system was good for 3 months & then started acting up, ending in it refusing to ever connect via the app. Even a full factory reset of everything didn't make it behave.

@NightCatArts Yeah. Mine took some persistence to get the cameras to link up. This whole thing came up because they updated the app and one camera fell off. Kinda hoping they replace them, but I doubt that’s going to happen.

@Toolegs Seems unlikely. You could try throwing it at the floor if it's being really stubborn; sometimes it works & if it's out of warranty then you have nothing to lose.

@NightCatArts See, I don’t think that would help. Also they’re really well made. I found this out when tried to pry one open to change the batteries. The buggers have glued the casings together so you just bugger them up.

@Toolegs Ugh that's not nice of them. I kind of get it if they're external but that's what O-rings are for.

@NightCatArts Exactly. Bear in mind when these things came on the market they were about £200. I didn’t pay anything like that, but some poor sod did. The least they can do is make the batteries removable.

@Toolegs That's progress. I'm still angry about not being able to remove the battery in my phone.

@NightCatArts Tell me about it. The iPhone 4 was really easy to do. Four screws, one solder tag, 30 minutes, done. Now you have crack them with a hairdryer and a pry. You’re guaranteed to crack the screen because it’s glass. Technology is great but it’s not repairable. Although the iPhone 12 is supposed to be. I’m not sure I believe them.

@Toolegs Yup. It wouldn't be difficult for them to include a panel that could be removed, & if they want me to pry that up with a hairdryer then fine, but disassembling the entire device is taking the piss, & they spend money on making it difficult to force people to buy a new phone. Should be illegal.

@NightCatArts The EU tried. Found Apple guilty of throttling older models and fined them a fortune. Also tried to force all phone companies to use a standard mini USB or provide an adapter cable, but Apple decided to run headphones through the same connector to stymie it. Ideally, if you can’t change the battery you should be able to return it for a direct replacement handset at a massive discount. But that Capitalism for you.