Is Tapo Sub-GHz a generic term or an actual protocol developed by TP-Link or someone else (Texas Instruments, etc)?   It is not Zigbee, Z-wave, or Thread?  The Sub-G products are not matter enabled, correct?  So a Tapo hub is required (vs a 3rd party controller), correct?  Are there plans to implement Matter with these devices, or just the WiFi devices?

Hi, 
Sub-GHz also known as Sub-1 GHz is an innovative IoT solution to automate and control smart home devices through a lower than-1Ghz new wireless frequency characterized by Long Range, Less Susceptible to Interference, and Extremely Low Power.
Tapo Sub-GHz is a TP-Link private Sub-GHz protocol that operates on a frequency of 868 MHz in Europe and 922 MHz in America.

The Tapo Sub-GHz is not Zigbee, Z-wave, or Thread. And a Tapo hub is required for the Tapo Sub-G devices to work.
You can refer to the link to see the TP-Link’s Upcoming Matter-Certified Products. 

Best Regards

About TP-LINK Sub-GHz FREQUENCY, 
are there specific versions per region for tapo S200B?
which one is the one use in japan ? is it the same as the one in the US?

@JosM  Hi, the Tapo S200B sold in Japan uses 922MHz Sub-GHz frequency.  

Hello,

I just bought a C420S2 EU pack on Amazon, and these C420s are marked V1.2 on the box and on the camera sticker itself, but actually 1.0 in the Tapo app.

Now my question is, do the Tapo C420 V1 and V1.2 cameras really use Sub-1G with the H200 hub, or are they actually using WiFi? And is there a real difference between the two models?

I'm asking because:

1- When setting up the camera, the app suggests to test the "WiFi signal strenth" at the intended camera position. Why WiFi instead of just wireless?;

2- The spec. page for V1 only mentions WiFi for the camera network connectivity, unlike V1.2 page saying "Sub-1G, 868MHz or 922MHz (Used for local connection between camera and hub)";

3- I realized my PC picks a hidden WiFi network, which obviously is the H200. Probably not 900MHz 802.11ah, that laptop is from 2013 and should not detect anything lower than 2.4GHz;

4- I expected far better signal strengh through my thick walls, as the connection is lost at the intended camera position at 40m from the hub, when at -80 RSSI and lower. Connexion is also lost in some places just outside the house, less than 10m from the hub.
I checked out in the open, and I get -75 RSSI at 70m with degraded stream quality, where my phone still picks WiFi at 2Mbits/s, so same wireless behaviour there.

5- It is said on that page (https://community.tp-link.com/us/smart-home/stories/detail/501956) that "The Tapo C420S2 camera, which uses Sub-GHz, even offers a 180-day battery life thanks to its rechargeable battery pack. It can communicate motion detection events and receive commands through the included H200 Sub-GHz Hub."

My understanding is that only events and commands are meant to be be transmitted via Sub-1G, neither video streaming nor recording data on the hub's micro SD.
It also reads "You are free to put sub-devices like wire-free cameras, motion sensors, or Tapo Sub-G devices anywhere within range of the smart hub’s signal. The narrowband operation of Sub-GHz networking enables transmission ranges up to several hundreds of meters indoors.", which is far from being the case for C420.

All of that seems misleading...

To sum it up, when it comes to range and wall penetration, I am disappointed to say the least, and have no reason to believe the C420 is using Sub-1G. It shouldn't be that bad. I may be wrong of course but I think it just uses WiFi, because 868MHz at power levels that low probably cannot handle data rates needed for video, not even 720p at 15fps.

Sorry for having been so long!

Thanks

Sounds Great!!

@Frand0m hi, the Tapo C420 V1 and V1.2 connect to the Tapo H200 via Sub-G rather than Wi-Fi... If they support Wi-Fi, I think they can connect to the router directly without the hub.