None of this distorted details in the picture, but it’s not the quality we expect from an HD camera. The whole image had a peculiar purple color cast in my tests. Details are clear, but colors appear washed out, like an old and faded photograph. The VM981 delivers solid, but not spectacular, video quality. Tapping the camera preview takes you its live feed. Should you have more than two cameras-you can add up to nine-you would swipe left to scroll though each unit’s preview. Actually, the camera displays two previews, but if you only have one camera online, the second one will be blank.
Once everything is connected, you’ll see the camera preview displayed on the monitor.
Up to nine addtional cameras can be added to the VM981 system.
REVIEW CLOUD BABY MONITOR INSTALL
You’ll likely also need to download and install a software update on the monitor. Next, you select your camera model in the VTech Baby App and follow the on-screen instructions to pair the camera with the monitor and connect it to your network. Turn on the parent unit-mine came out of the box fully charged-select your network, and enter your password to connect. Setting up the VM981 was remarkably easy. The monitor has 4GB of internal memory for storing these media, but it also has a microSD card slot for expanding storage capacity. In addition to watching streaming video of your child, you can take snapshots and record video of the camera’s feed on demand. The My VTech Baby App, available for iOS and Android (the latter version comes pre-loaded on the monitor), allows you to keep tabs on your baby while you’re out and about. The parent unit is designed for home use. But you can also prop it on a tabletop using an extendable stand on the back to monitor your child hands free while cooking or watching TV. You view the camera’s feed on a 5-inch HD touchscreen monitor called the “parent unit.” It’s fairly light and not much bigger than a smartphone, which makes it easy to tote around with you from room to room. The VM981 baby monitor comes with a 5-inch monitor for peeking in on your child. Since the camera will likely spend all its time in one spot-aimed at your baby’s bed-that might not be much of an issue. The whole unit is made of lightweight plastic that doesn’t feel too durable. Ten infrared LEDs ring the lens for night vision, allowing you to see your baby clearly with the nursery lights off. The tombstone-shaped body houses an adjustable lens you can manipulate manually for the best angle.
REVIEW CLOUD BABY MONITOR 720P
The crux of the VM981 system is a fixed-position camera that delivers 720p high-definition video.