Need advice on a ring camera

[TheBar]

So does that system record and store video like the Ring does or is it just live video?

There really aren't that many differences between Ring and Blink. They are both owned by Amazon. With a subscription Blink stores recordings in the cloud. Without a subscription it has the free option to store your recordings on a USB thumb drive plugged into the sync module.

The disadvantage of local only storage is if someone breaks in they can steal your Blink system and take the evidence with them. But many phones have a screen recording ability if you can capture the video before a burglar disables it.

 

[Boat Bum]

I never considered that @TheBar, that's huge! My understanding is that local storage has some latency in playback compared to cloud storage access as well as virtually unlimited storage. My latest Gen 4 3 camera pack does not have local storage on the sync module but I can add it. I think the subscription will be worth the cost, I wish we could turn it off and on easily to coincide with our needs.

 

[TheBar]

I think the subscription will be worth the cost, I wish we could turn it off and on easily to coincide with our needs.

I used to only worry about problems when we were away from home. When I was at home my S&W security system was all I needed

But as I get older I don't wake up as easily as I used to. My 4 outside cameras and 1 inside gives me peace of mind. Having my phone a foot above me on the headboard will wake me up if someone comes to the door at 3 AM. And if a loud noise outside wakes me up it's nice to see what is going on outside without getting out of bed. And tells me if my Smith&Wesson backup security system will be needed.

 

[Boat Bum]

I've never felt the need for a "backup security" but as I age and now travel to places unknown, I'm doing my homework now.

So, these cameras are function rich. I was going through the settings and learned that each camera has a thermometer that shows current temp and also allows you to set high and low temp alerts. I wanted one for my basement and the fact I can do this is significant.

I'll post more features as I learn them, very impressed for the price point so far.

 

[TheBar]

I've never felt the need for a "backup security" but as I age and now travel to places unknown, I'm doing my homework now.

So, these cameras are function rich. I was going through the settings and learned that each camera has a thermometer that shows current temp and also allows you to set high and low temp alerts. I wanted one for my basement and the fact I can do this is significant.

I'll post more features as I learn them, very impressed for the price point so far.

Now you're teaching me. I never knew about them but I just found the temperature alerts. Very handy for inside cameras to keep an eye on the HVAC system.

We camp a lot in December and January where the temps can be 70 in the daytime and below 30 at night. Nice to keep an eye on the inside temperatures at home.

 

[Larry N.]

I wish we could turn it off and on easily to coincide with our needs.

If you're talking about activating and deactivating the Blink cameras motion detection (arm/disarm) you can schedule the arm/disarm to run at specified times, even different for each day. In addition, I've found that it can be handy to, for example, arm the system when I'm expecting a delivery but to "snooze" all but the ones I care about (you can specify for how long) so that I don't get excess battery use on those when not needed.

So it's flexible. And, I'm not using the cloud, just the local USB stick for storage.

One problem I occasionally see (not all the time) is that there is a longer delay between an alarm and my notification than usual (normally 5-30 seconds), even for the doorbell ringing itself, such that there is a several minute delay. But even when disarmed, I can still connect to any camera and watch/hear in real time. I think the cloud eliminates this, but I only had it for the trial period, so I'm not certain.

 

[TheBar]

If you're talking about activating and deactivating the Blink cameras motion detection (arm/disarm) you can schedule the arm/disarm to run at specified times, even different for each day. In addition, I've found that it can be handy to, for example, arm the system when I'm expecting a delivery but to "snooze" all but the ones I care about (you can specify for how long) so that I don't get excess battery use on those when not needed.

So it's flexible. And, I'm not using the cloud, just the local USB stick for storage.

One problem I occasionally see (not all the time) is that there is a longer delay between an alarm and my notification than usual (normally 5-30 seconds), even for the doorbell ringing itself, such that there is a several minute delay. But even when disarmed, I can still connect to any camera and watch/hear in real time. I think the cloud eliminates this, but I only had it for the trial period, so I'm not certain.

I installed my cameras in March. In an earlier post I mentioned putting the sync module on an outside wall. That's because I first put it in a coat closet out of harm's way. But it was slowing my response time by several seconds. Being an IT guy I should have known better. After moving it to the upper part of the front wall it cut the response time down to 1 second for the 2 cameras in front and about 2 seconds for the 2 cameras at the rear of the house. But I have read a subscription for cloud recording decreases response time. Although being an IT guy this makes no sense to me. Local only should be the fastest unless Blink's software tries to write to the cloud and times out before writing to local. I suspect Ring cameras may be the same way. Since they are both Amazon products most likely the same Amazon computer programmers write both apps.

 

[Boat Bum]

@Larry N. I meant turning the subscription off and on, I am aware of arm/disarm through the app.

I can still connect to any camera and watch/hear in real time. I think the cloud eliminates this, but I only had it for the trial period, so I'm not certain.

This is unaffected by cloud subscription.

 

[workinonit]

Interesting. My Ring is instantaneous. Silencing alarms is just a selection of the pre-determined duration you pick. The only issue I have had is wifi signal to a far away camera and a wifi extender fixed that for the most part.

 

[Larry N.]

@Larry N. I meant turning the subscription off and on, I am aware of arm/disarm through the app.



This is unaffected by cloud subscription.

OK, I wasn't sure which on/off you meant. And I agree about being unaffected by cloud or not.

Interesting. My Ring is instantaneous. Silencing alarms is just a selection of the pre-determined duration you pick. The only issue I have had is wifi signal to a far away camera and a wifi extender fixed that for the most part.

Blink is also immediate when subscribed to the cloud (the trial period showed that), but I don't use that.

 

[Boat Bum]

Blink is cunning, it's $3 a month for one device subscription, that jumps to $10 for unlimited devices. I assume most folks need at least 2 devices, and after the $10 subscription you can have unlimited even if you only want 2.

I'll go for the single device at $3 a month when my trial runs out.

 

[_Rusty_]

I use "Blink" purchased in part at Lowes. There is a package with an in-house server that stored your videos and eliminates the need for cloud storage or anything else! (No monthly fees)

They can be set up for notifications via email and remotely accessed. Audio is available, but prohibited to record audio in most places (felony 3rd degree, wiretap regs.)

 

[workinonit]

All of mine have active audio as well as recorded audio. Never heard of that wire tap nonsense. I'm thinking it's not applicable but don't really care if it is.

 

[Boat Bum]

This got me curious, I found this helpful in understanding state and federal guidelines.

 

[Larry N.]

Audio is available, but prohibited to record audio

Your reference here isn't clear. Audio does, in fact, record to both the "cloud" files and the local USB stick files, and it's still there a year and more later on the USB stick unless you erase the files (I think the cloud files aren't retained that long).

 

[Boat Bum]

Blink cloud is 60 days.

 

[ButchW1]

We just bought an Eufy Door Bell Camera (E340), Home Base 3 (for extra features and storage) and one Floodlight Cam (E340)... So far we haven't installed the 120V powered Floodlight Cam, because I'm waiting for my Son to get home from a trip to do the extension ladder work... I'll be getting more battery/solar powered cams soon... I went with the Eufy system after seeing a neighbor's system... I like that there is no subscription fees and other than the Floodlight Cam (120V), the cameras are solar powered, so no batteries to change or charge)... No reviews yet, as I only installed the Door Bell Cam, and the Home Base, but the neighbor has had his for over a year and has had no issues or problems and loves it... The Home Base 3 comes with 16Gb of storage but expandable to 16TB by installing another internal HD...
Butch

Ok, we’ve had the doorbell camera for a little over a week and the 120v lighted camera installed since last Sunday.. I’m really impressed… Even though Eufy recommends installing the 120v lighted camera 8-12’ up, we mounted it close to 20’, in the 2nd floor eaves…It still has a great video and works great.. I was worried that it might not function or the lights would be too dim.. Not a problem.. As a matter of fact, we dimmed the lights to 50% and it was still pretty bright.. 100% would be too bright… I could post a video of the night time use, but my wife and I were in our jammies, and I don’t think my wife would appreciate me posting a video of her in her jammies. ….
Butch

 

[TheBar]

Audio is available, but prohibited to record audio in most places (felony 3rd degree, wiretap regs.)

Aren't those laws for private conversations inside a house or over phones, and not recording noise outside in public where there is no expectation of privacy?

 

[workinonit]

I can't imagine recording someone that is on your property can be against the law. Not that it matters to me. I also have a Ring sign posted in my yard so anyone that comes knows they are being recorded. If they are not supposed to be there the recording will be the least of their worries.

 

[Boat Bum]

The link I provided above answers all these questions.