D-Link DCS-2332L review

The DCS-2332L has a microSD slot to let you save images and video locally. You can also save snapshots taken using the mydlink app for iOS and Android to your mobile device. As with D-Link’s other IP cameras, the DCS-2332L can also integrate with D-Link’s free D-ViewCam software for desktops.

This application allows you to manage and control up to 32 IP cameras, as well as turn your system into a Network Video Recorder (NVR) in order to record footage automatically. It also allows more advanced functions beyond what are offered in the smartphone apps or browser configuration, such as Smart Events and scheduling. Smart Events are where the camera will play a warning sound, begin recording or send an email notification on recognising movement.

Using an NVR isn’t as convenient or simple as the cloud storage options offered by other IP cameras, and you’ll need to leave a computer on all the time to run it, but has the advantage of not needing a monthly subscription. If you only need basic monitoring functions, however, the mydlink app and browser control will be more than sufficient. The camera can also save video footage to a network device or an offsite FTP server.

We found the camera’s daytime footage suffered from a lot of compression, with noticeable artefacts and pixilation. This meant it was difficult to pick out detail. This camera’s footage might make it a struggle to easily identify people. Similarly, night-time footage suffered from compression artefacts, and the distance covered by the infrared night vision LEDs was disappointing. The camera’s coverage ability dropped off after only around 3m distance, beyond which it was too dark to see anything.

Overall the DCS-2332L is a decent network camera. It’s simple to set up and easy to use. However, its image quality left us a little disappointed, especially compared to the indoor D-Link DCS-5222L’S-video. Unless you absolutely have to mount your camera outdoors, instead of, for example, pointing it through a window, we would recommend the D-Link DCS-5222L or the Y-Cam HomeMonitor HD. Both offer better image quality and are cheaper.