You can’t imagine your smart home’s high-level security without a video doorbell camera.
It records the events in front of your door and you can get a notification whenever someone comes ahead of the door.
So, even if no one is at home, there is no problem at all as you can observe what’s happening around your main door on your smartphone whenever you want.
But one question arises in our mind all the video doorbell cameras record all the time?
Truthfully, the answer to this question will be both yes and no, however, to know the details, read the whole article.
How Video Recording on Doorbell Cameras Work?
Video recording on doorbell cameras is captured in three ways; Event-based recording, Schedule-based recording, and Continuous recording.
But all the doorbell cameras don’t feature these three methods. However, here are given details about how video doorbell cameras work.
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Event-based recording (EBR)
Most of video doorbell cameras work on the Event-Based Recording principle which means the doorbells record video only when they detect any event (motion or movement).
These types of doorbells are designed with motion detector features that help the doorbell trigger instantly and record that exact event when any movement is detected.
This method is preferable and most of the video doorbell camera manufacturers produce doorbells on this EBR principle so that none needs to go through long recordings.
Even the Event-Based Recording capability system is relatively more energy efficient and you can easily locate the exact event that occurred.
Besides, most doorbells allow users to watch the live view and you can turn your doorbell’s camera on via your smartphone app to watch the real-time view when you need to.
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Schedule-Based Recording (SBR)
The Schedule-Based Recording system on the video doorbell is such a feature by which you can set a schedule of when you want to record the events on your doorbell camera.
When the set time arrives, the doorbell camera starts video recording, and when the schedule ends the camera stops recording.
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Continuous Video Recording (CVR)
This is such a mode that helps doorbell cameras to record all the time. That means the video doorbell cameras that come with the Continuous Video Recording feature remain always on and continuously (24/7) record all the events and store the recordings in the cloud storage or other storage options.
So, Do Doorbell Cameras Record All the Time?
No, doorbell cameras except a few ones don’t record all the time as most video doorbell cameras are designed for event-based recording.
In fact, home security cameras are designed to record all the time 24/7, but when it comes to video doorbells they don’t need to record all the time at all as doorbell cameras’ main purpose is to notify when someone comes.
But if you want to record all the events 24/7 then you should look for security cameras that are adjusted to do so.
What Triggers Them to Start Recording?
Doorbell cameras are triggered to start recording by a number of factors. The most common factor is when someone presses the doorbell or crosses the camera’s field of view. Other triggers can include sound, motion, and even ringing.
1. Motion Detection
Most doorbell cameras are equipped with motion detection, which is what triggers the camera to start recording. Motion detection can be fine-tuned in many doorbell cameras, so you can choose how sensitive you want the camera to be.
For example, some people might want the camera to start recording as soon as any movement is detected, while others might only want it to start recording when there is a person or animal in view.
When configuring motion detection, you will also usually have the option to set up specific “zones” that you want the camera to pay attention to. This can be useful if, for example, you only want the camera to start recording when someone enters your front door area.
2. Sound Detection
Some doorbell cameras also have sound detection capabilities. This means that they can be set to start recording when they detect a loud noise, such as a knock on the door or a window breaking. Sound detection can be a useful feature if you want to be sure that your camera is recording when someone is trying to break into your home.
Another thing that can trigger the camera to start recording is if someone rings the doorbell. This is usually the most common reason for the camera to start recording.
3. Live Viewing
Some doorbell cameras are equipped with live viewing features that allow them to start recording at any time. There are a few different reasons why someone might want to use the live viewing feature on their doorbell camera.
For example, if they are expecting a package to be delivered and they want to make sure that it arrives safely, they can activate the live view to keep an eye on the delivery person. Or, if there is suspicious activity in the neighborhood, they can use the live view to see what is going on and decide whether or not to call the police.
Whatever the reason may be, activating the live view on a doorbell camera is a simple process. Most cameras will have a dedicated button or switch that can be used to activate the feature. Once activated, the camera will begin streaming live video footage to the app or website associated with the camera. This footage can then be viewed in real-time or later on if needed.
Why Are Doorbell Cameras Not Always Recording?
There are some reasons behind doorbell cameras not always recording and among them, the main reason is doorbell cameras are not designed with enough capacity to store the recording files.
Because if the doorbell cameras come with the Continuous Video Recording (CVR) feature, they must have much storage capacity to save the videos and their price also must be higher, which may create an imbalance between the features and cost.
For instance, a 1080 P 1-minute long video recording could be approximately 140+MB and a 1 720P 1-minute video recording could be 100MB+. So think about the 1 hour 1080P or 720P video recording that could consume how much storage?
Besides, the biggest thing is that smart doorbell cameras don’t require to have this feature essentially because people usually use doorbell cameras to see exactly who comes before the door.
So, it’s enough to have the movement recording feature (EBR, Event-Based Recording)on the doorbell cameras and if anyone wants to record all the time, then it’s better to look for security cameras as they are featured to record 24 hours.
Besides, most doorbell cameras are conducted with battery life power and that’s why always recording might be quite tough as it also requires a lot of energy consumption.
Are There Doorbell Cameras That Support Continuous Video Recording?
Unfortunately, the most renowned video doorbell cameras in the market, including Ring and Arlo, also don’t offer Continuous Recording yet.
Most smart doorbell cameras allow event-based recording as they are featured with motion sensors that only trigger the camera when any movement is detected.
Besides, You may check this article “How to Save Ring Doorbell Video Without Subscription“!
So far there is one doorbell camera that supports CVR (Continuous Video Recording) and that’s nothing but the Nest Hello Video Doorbell.
The Nest Cam Hello Doorbell allows 24/7 recordings and to watch the 24/7 record history, you must be the subscriber of an active Nest Aware Plus account.
Are Doorbell Cameras That Are Always Recording Worth It?
In fact, people use smart video doorbells to get notified when someone arrives in front of the door, so doorbell models don’t need to record 24-hour events.
Basically, typical doorbell cameras are designed with usual features like two-way talk, event-based recording, google home, real-time talk, and more features.
But if someone wants to view the 24 hours recording history, then the doorbell cameras like the Nest Doorbells that always record are indeed worth it for them.
But keep in mind that if you want to use doorbell cameras that can record all the 24-hour events, you have to be a subscriber of the available subscription plan.
FAQs
1. How long do doorbell cameras record for?
Most doorbell cameras will record for around 24 hours. This gives you plenty of time to review footage from the day before. If you want to save the footage for longer, you can always download it to your computer or another storage device.
2. How far do doorbell cameras detect motion?
Most doorbell cameras have a range of between 10 and 30 feet. However, some high-end models can detect motion up to 100 feet away.
So, if you’re looking for a doorbell camera to help improve your home security, make sure to choose one with a detection range that meets your needs.
3. Can doorbell cameras be hacked?
Yes, doorbell cameras can be hacked. While most doorbell cameras come with security features to prevent hacking, it is still possible for a determined hacker to gain access to your camera. There are a few ways that hackers can gain access to your doorbell camera, including:
- Exploiting vulnerabilities in the camera’s software
- Gaining physical access to the camera and connecting it to a computer
- Using a wireless signal to intercept the camera’s data
Once a hacker has gained access to your doorbell camera, they can then view the live feed from the camera or record footage. They may also be able to change the settings on the camera, such as the recording schedule or motion detection sensitivity.
4. Where are the recorded videos stored?
Most doorbell cameras come with a cloud storage subscription that saves your footage for a certain number of days or forever. You can also choose to save your videos locally on a microSD card or other storage device.
5. Do doorbell cameras record sound?
Yes, doorbell cameras record sound. Most doorbell cameras have a built-in microphone that allows them to record audio. This can be useful if you want to hear what’s going on outside your home, or if you want to listen to a conversation that was captured on camera.
Summary
So, the doorbell cameras except for the Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell record the main events (movements of someone) and that’s enough I think for the doorbell cameras.
Because the doorbell cameras are not designed like the security cameras that record all the events in 24 hours and that’s why if you look for a doorbell that can also record like the security camera you should choose the Nest Hello Doorbell.
In fact, to handle your smart doorbells you must require a good wifi connection in your home and so, before leaving, you can read our most popular articles:
Hopefully, these articles will help you most to get a better internet connection at your home.