Ubiquiti UniFi Protect Ai Theta / Pro Lens / AI Audio

I wasn't able to find any reviews of the Ubiquiti UniFi Protect Ai Theta camera system that answered my questions around imaging performance. Specifically, how well it worked in low-light situations. So I picked one up, along with a Pro lens and the AI Audio speaker/microphone, to dig in and figure out how well it works; or in this case doesn't.
community.ui.c...
Intro: 00:02
Unboxing the kit: 02:24
Usage Overview: 06:48
A disappointing experience: 09:11
Making it work: 13:51
Audio thing: 17:00
Wrapping up: 18:13

[@andyforbes1279]

I can't tell you how many times I've thought or said "it blows my mind" in regards to the choices Ubiquiti makes on some of their products and systems. They make fantastic stuff that I absolutely love but they will also make it frustrate the hell out of you and their adoption process is definitely one of those frustrations.

[@paulzygmund]

Thank you so much for posting a video on Theta that actually has substance. I've been checking TH-cam for a year now and couldn't believe there has been nothing. I plan on installing one this year after some work is done on the house, but have had all of the same questions that you did. Pro wide lens is clearly the way to go, but I really did love the size of the regular lens. Good enough though. Hopefully an IR version gets made at some point, really hard to believe there isn't one.
I'm probably going to be buying the Connect Display as well. I just want it for camera feeds in the front yard, driveway, and doorbell, and don't need it as fully featured as the current one is. Hoping they release some additional models in the lineup.

[@brianvanmeeteren3105]

Very helpful. Thank you! I didn't even think to check if it had IR on the pro lens... Glad I know now. Unfortunately this camera won't work for my clients scenario. I originally thought it would.

[@KaarlisBaumanis]

It is actually easier to make a camera that supports IR, because you need to add a special IR filter in order to make the dark colors more natural. I am wondering, if it is possible to remove that IR filter from these cameras...

[@MissingRemote]

TIL. I haven't tried taking the lens apart, maybe I should do that with the "standard" one and see what's inside :).

[@KaarlisBaumanis]

@@MissingRemote I did it right after writing the comment and I have bad news - it is glued together, does not come off even with the heat gun.

[@KaarlisBaumanis]

But it might be different on the PRO version, since it is much larger. I do not have any PROs available.

[@woodandgears2865]

I've watched 10 videos on this product and nobody has said where the box is supposed to go. On the wall? So much for a small form factor. Inside the wall? You must cut a big hole and patch it? Every time you need access? Please tell me I'm missing something, because I like the small camera.

[@MissingRemote]

The body of the camera goes in the wall or ceiling. If you don't have easy access to that space, then yeah, you'd have to cut a hole every time you need to get to it. One approach is to install an access panel in reverse side of wall.

[@woodandgears2865]

@MissingRemote Thanks. Poor design imo. Otherwise great looking product.

[@MissingRemote]

@@woodandgears2865 I wouldn't characterize it as "poor design". That hardware has to go somewhere. It doesn't need to get installed in the wall if you are willing to pass the camera wire all the way through the wall. It's just a trade-off to get the lens only(ish) install.

[@midwestiowashooter]

I bought and installed the Theta and missed the IR detail. Soon as lights go off, pitch black. Instant and other cheaper models work perfect.