Learn About Active Deterrent Security Cameras

What Are Active Deterrent Security Cameras?

Active deterrent security cameras aren’t your typical security devices. They integrate advanced technology to proactively prevent criminal activities. Key features include built-in lights, sirens, sounds, and two-way audio.

The Importance of Active Deterrent Security Cameras

You might be wondering, why go the extra mile with these advanced features? Well, the answer is simple: prevention is better than cure. These cameras are designed not just to record incidents but to prevent them altogether.

Crime Prevention

A well-placed security camera can make all the difference. Thieves and intruders are less likely to target a property laden with visible deterrents.

Enhanced Safety

Knowing that your premises are being actively monitored can make you feel safer. Immediate alerts and real-time communication add an extra layer of safety.

Peace of Mind

There’s nothing like the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones and valuables are secure. Active deterrent cameras provide a constant layer of security, ensuring you sleep a little easier at night.

Key Components of Active Deterrent Security Cameras

SIREN AND SPOTLIGHT

Active Deterrence security cameras can activate a loud siren with flashing light or spotlight when motion is activated to deter any potential threats. The light and sound features can be easily customized to meet your specific needs. These cameras are equipped with both traditional infrared night vision and LED spotlight mode for full color images at night when desired. Further, you can set the motion detection to trigger only when humans and/or vehicles are detected to produce the most accurate motion alerts.

Lights

These cameras often come with powerful LED lights that can illuminate large areas. Imagine being able to light up your entire driveway or backyard!

Siren

An ear-piercing siren can scare off even the most determined criminals. As soon as suspicious activity is detected, the siren can be activated to alert both you and the intruder.

Two-Way Audio: A Game-Changer

Two-way audio allows you to communicate in real-time through your security camera system. This feature enhances the effectiveness of the camera by enabling you to interact directly with whoever is on your property.

All our active deterrence security cameras have a built-in microphone and speaker for 2-way audio functionality from your smartphone using our mobile app. The 2-way audio feature provides an extra layer of security by enabling real-time, remote communication with individuals near the security camera. The 2-way audio feature can be used in many different scenarios.

Benefits of Having Two-Way Audio

Advantages of Lights in Security Cameras

Deterrence Effect

A bright light shining in the face of a potential intruder can be incredibly disorienting and threatening. It’s a simple but effective means of deterring unwanted visitors.

Visibility in Low-Light Conditions

If criminals think they can hide under the cover of darkness, security lights will make them think twice. These lights ensure your cameras capture clear footage, no matter the time of day.

Advantages of Sirens in Security Cameras

Immediate Alert

Imagine hearing a siren blaring in the middle of the night because someone tried to break into your home. That’s an alert you can’t ignore!

Deterrence to Intruders

The sound of a siren is universally understood as a signal to leave immediately. It’s a powerful tool that can send intruders running before they do any damage.

Advantages of Sound in Security Cameras

How Two-Way Audio Enhances Security

Real-Time Communication

Two-way audio adds a dynamic layer to home security. You’re not just watching; you’re interacting.

Interactive Deterrence

Being able to speak directly to someone on your property – whether friend or foe – provides a significant deterrent effect. Just imagine telling a suspicious individual that the police are on their way!

Installation and Setup

Easy Installation Tips

Setting up these cameras is straightforward. Most models come with comprehensive guides, and you can have them up and running in no time.

Choosing Strategic Locations

Placement is key. You want to cover all entry points and any other areas that could be potential targets.

Best Practices for Using Active Deterrent Security Cameras

Regular Maintenance

Keep your cameras clean and check for any updates to the software. Regular maintenance ensures your system remains effective.

Updating Software

Cybersecurity can’t be overlooked. Ensure your cameras are running the latest firmware to protect against hacking and other cyber threats.

Popular Brands and Models

Overview of Leading Brands

We at CCTV Security Pros offer a variety of active deterrent security cameras

Comparison of Top Models

Learn more about our top active secuity cameras and systems here!

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis

Initial Investment

Active deterrent cameras can require an upfront investment. However, what you spend now can save you thousands in potential theft or damage costs.

Long-Term Savings

Consider the long-term benefits: lower insurance premiums, reduced risk of theft, and peace of mind. Over time, these cameras pay for themselves.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Real-Life User Experiences

There’s no better way to gauge effectiveness than by hearing from those who’ve used these systems. Real user reviews often provide insights you won’t find in product descriptions.

Effectiveness in Various Scenarios

From deterring package thieves to keeping an eye on nighttime activity, these cameras have proven effective in a myriad of situations.

Conclusion

In today’s unpredictable world, security can’t be taken lightly. Active deterrent security cameras with lights, sirens, sound, and two-way audio offer a comprehensive solution to protect your home or business. From deterring intruders to providing you with peace of mind, these advanced systems are worth the investment.

To purchase, learn more, or view our full line of security cameras and systems.

FAQs

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<p>The post ​Active Deterrent Security Cameras first appeared on NVR IPCAMERA SECURITY.</p>

These setup discrepancies often translate into unreliable readings and missed opportunities, rendering the system less effective in its primary task of accurate number plate recognition. The good news is that with proper optimization, these systems can be significantly improved. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore practical methods to enhance ANPR accuracy with best practices for camera setup.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic beginner, these techniques will enable you to maximize the potential of your ANPR system, ensuring precise and reliable results. 

The Basics of ANPR Technology

ANPR technology is a sophisticated system designed to automatically capture and interpret license plates on vehicles. By leveraging advanced algorithms and optical character recognition (OCR) technology, ANPR systems can rapidly analyze images or video frames, extract license plate information, and convert it into readable digital data. 

In other countries, ANPR is also referred to as Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) and, simply, License Plate Recognition (LPR). 

Here’s a breakdown of the key components of ANPR technology:

Components of an ANPR System

Understanding these fundamental components is essential for users aiming to optimize their ANPR systems. With a clear grasp of the technology’s basic principles, individuals can proceed to implement the necessary adjustments and enhancements for improved accuracy and reliability.

Best ANPR Camera System Setup

Read More : How To Install Synology Surveillance Station

Factors Impacting Your ANPR Camera Setup

There are a number of fundamental components that make any ANPR Camera setup successful. These include:

Of these three, we see that camera setup holds the most potential for improvement for businesses and consumers to significantly bolster their ANPR results. We draw this conclusion because we know that our Plate Recognizer ANPR engine has been thoroughly tested and optimized to handle blurry, low-resolution, and dark images as well as other aspects of the real-world environment.  Feel free to reference the results of our ALPR benchmarking exercise. 

Further, counter to claims from camera manufacturers, we see that a modest, mid-range or even low-end IP camera performs just as well as a high-end, expensive camera.  Of course, no LPR camera vendor is going to admit this because they need a way to justify their existence.  As a side note, we even have customers running our software with existing CCTV cameras.

From our years of experience supporting and helping clients troubleshoot their license plate recognition systems, we have observed how the proper camera setup along with a strong ANPR engine can be an effective solution to detect and decode vehicle license plates.  This article offers specific tips and suggestions on how to best set up your camera to maximize your ANPR.

Before You Begin, an Important Note

With your ANPR Camera Setup, please keep in mind that if your eyes can easily read a license plate through the camera, our ANPR engine can too. However, if you’re squinting and struggling to see the license plates, our engine might find it challenging as well. Visual clarity is the key. A clear view means accurate reads.

Camera Zoom For The Best ANPR Systems

When it comes to zooming the camera for best ANPR, it is important to avoid having a high-level view of the overall parking lot or site.  This is called under-zooming, where the camera is capturing an overall wide-angle view of the landscape.  So the above two images are not set up correctly for best ANPR results.

For beginners handling license plate recognition, there is a common misconception that a wide-angle shot is the best.  Cameras will seek to aim wide across parking lots rather than towards entrance or exit points which allow them to truly pick up plates and get a good read. 

To address this, adjust the camera positioning and zoom in on the ingress and egress areas of the parking lot.  Rather than have a wide-angle view of the street with all the homes around it, it is better to focus on just the street itself where cars are driving by.

In the photo below, the left image shows a wider angle of the gate entrance. For best practices ANPR, it is important to zoom the camera closer to the gate.  Again, if the camera can see the vehicle plate well, then our ANPR engine ought to do a very good job of reading the plate.

If you are in an area using CCTV cameras, Plate Recognizer’s software may still work. While CCTV cameras are typically on the lower end of the quality spectrum, they may still be suitable to capture vehicles moving at low speeds.

ANPR Camera Setup: Ideal Camera Distance 

The maximum advisable distance between the camera and the vehicle is 35 meters.  Actually, whenever possible, it is preferred to minimize that distance.  Why? Minimizing the distance between the camera and the vehicle helps ensure that the camera can easily focus without the need to zoom in on the target vehicle.  This helps reduce image blurriness.

When you place the camera far away from the vehicles it needs to read, you will need a camera with very strong zoom capabilities. The more the camera uses the zoom, the harder it is for the images to come out clear and crisp. 

Another cause for blurry images can be if the camera is mounted improperly, or becomes loose. Typically, ANPR cameras are outdoors and exposed to the elements so this is going to happen at some point if the cameras aren’t installed securely. This can cause the camera to move, shake or vibrate.  These small vibrations can result in image blurriness when the zoom level is high.  For example, you can test this yourself by using your smartphone camera and zooming in all the way to view a car in the distance.  Apply a small amount of movement to the camera and you can easily observe how the camera view totally changes!

We have actually tuned our algorithms and even added a new parameter called Merge Buffer to help accommodate camera vibrations.

PRO TIP: Use Your Mobile Phone to Do a Test

Before you set up the camera, use a mobile phone as a test subject. Place the phone in the position where you intend to install your ANPR camera. Set the smartphone to the number of pixels and settings of the camera you plan to purchase.  Then, just record 10 minutes of footage and use Stream to analyze the recorded video for license plate recognition.

Camera Angle To Improve ANPR

While Plate Recognizer ANPR has been tuned to support a wide variety of license plate angles, it’s always ideal to have the camera set up appropriately. In terms of angle, the setup of the ANPR camera can be positioned in two ways: slope, vertically, and horizontally.  For both cases, it is advisable to have a maximum of 45 degrees for a proper read of the license plate. 

Remember, just because you set up your camera for 45 degrees, your customers/drivers don’t always drive in a straight line!  

ALPR vendors can make outrageous claims that their software can do anything, but at Plate Recognizer, we’re not going to lie to you. There are things our software can do, and things it can’t!  Not every angle is going to be possible, and no camera is going to be a super machine that can see a license plate while bending over backward in the middle of a blizzard. 

So for example, Plate Recognizer’s ALPR engine can support up to a 53-degree tilt, and a 70-degree side angle. What it can’t do is catch a plate number at 75 degrees.

In fact, we’ve compiled real-world ALPR results.  Take a look.

Minimum Resolution For Best ANPR

We see a lot of unsuccessful LPR due to very fuzzy images of the license plate.  This is by and large due to the fact that the camera does not have the resolution required to capture a good plate image.

While Plate Recognizer works with any IP camera, we recommend that the license plate itself must have roughly 100 pixels in width.  Otherwise, our ANPR engine may not be able to effectively read the license plate.

Since every LPR camera setup will be different, you’ll need to figure out the correct amount of megapixels (MPs) needed.  Basically, the number of megapixels required will ultimately depend on the distance of the camera to the license plate.

The width of the license plate will depend on the country you’re in.  Here are some examples:

Once you have an idea of the width of plates for your ANPR camera setup, you’ll need to figure out the MPs needed. There’s a bit of math here to calculate, so we’ll save you the headache and go straight to the answer.  

The table below summarizes the maximum distance in feet from the camera to the vehicle plate for each of the 3 major regions/countries.  You’ll note that we used 80 pixels of width for the plate, even though our ALPR benchmarking indicates that our engine can read a plate even at 30 pixels width.  We chose 80 pixels width to add some cushion–just to be on the safe side.

So net net, if you have to set the camera up at over 30 feet from the vehicle plate in the USA, then you’ll need to get a 4 MP camera or better.

PRO TIP: If the above topic on camera resolution is confusing, no worries.  Just use your eyes!  Basically, if you can see the license plate number in the camera footage with your own eyes, then Plate Recognizer’s engine should be able to read the plates, too. But if you’re having a really hard time seeing the plate–even after squinting and zooming in–then please don’t expert Plate Recognizer to do magic.

ANPR Camera Setup for Night-Time: Sufficient Infrared

If you have a great ANPR system, but no infrared (IR) light capabilities, you will have a tough time capturing plate numbers at night. This is because when it’s dark, there’ll be glare on the plate from the headlights.  If you’re using ANPR to detect crime, which often happens at night, you’d need to make sure you have good IR.

Infrared cameras utilize LED lights to illuminate the plate area with infrared light, which is invisible to humans.  Cameras with an IR cut filter automatically adjust IR light levels so that you can get consistent colored images in the daytime and black/white images at night.

Depending on the exterior lighting, you may be able to get a license plate read at night without IR, but it won’t have the same accuracy. Using IR may also help you pick up images in different weather conditions. For example, if you are in a location that gets a lot of rain, an ANPR system that relies on white and natural light will have a hard time getting accurate images. 

For optimal IR use, you’ll want to place the camera on an angle so it isn’t pointing directly at headlights. This will avoid unnecessary glare risks and ensure you’re getting a good shot of the license plate. 

If your current LPR camera doesn’t have IR, you can always buy an inexpensive external IR unit instead of upgrading your entire system. It costs around $20-25 on Amazon.  The IR technology built into a camera may also not be enough, so adding another external device can increase accuracy.

Lighting Tips for ANPR Camera Setup

Adjusting the lighting for your ANPR camera setup is essential to ensure optimal performance and accurate license plate recognition. Proper lighting helps to minimize shadows, glare, and overexposure, which can obscure or distort license plate images, leading to recognition errors. 

By providing even lighting and strategically positioning lighting sources, you can enhance visibility and clarity, particularly in challenging environments such as parking lots, highways, or private properties.

Here are a few lighting tips based on how you’re going to utilize your ANPR setup:

ANPR Camera Lighting for Parking Lots

For parked cars going in and out of a parking lot, the ideal lighting setup would typically involve evenly distributed and consistent lighting throughout the parking area. This helps ensure that license plates are clearly visible to ANPR cameras regardless of the vehicle’s position.

Other tips for optimal lighting in parking lots:

How does IR Lighting help with illumination?

IR lighting emits infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye but can be detected by camera sensors. By supplementing existing lighting sources with IR illumination, ANPR cameras can capture clear and accurate images of license plates even in challenging lighting environments where visible light may be insufficient. This enhances the overall visibility and image quality, allowing the ANPR system to reliably read and process license plate information regardless of lighting conditions.

Additionally, IR lighting helps minimize disturbances to nearby residents or drivers, as it is invisible and does not produce glare or excessive brightness. Overall, IR lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance and effectiveness of ANPR camera setups, particularly in low-light or nighttime scenarios.

Many cameras come equipped with built-in IR capabilities. It’s important to ensure that the camera’s IR distance parameter is well-suited to the distance between the camera and the vehicle being monitored. This ensures that the IR illumination adequately covers the area where license plates are captured, enabling clear image capture for ANPR systems. 

However, in some cases, the built-in IR may not be sufficient to provide optimal illumination, particularly in larger or more challenging environments. In such situations, you may opt to purchase external IR units to supplement the camera’s built-in IR capabilities.

These external IR units can provide additional illumination, extending the effective range of the ANPR system and ensuring clear and accurate image capture, especially in low-light or nighttime conditions where visibility may be limited.

ANPR Camera Lighting for Highways

Highways, on the other hand, need different light requirements since cars are moving at high speeds. The lighting needs to provide sufficient illumination to capture clear and accurate images of license plates despite the fast-paced movement of vehicles. You can try doing the following:

The lighting setup for highways prioritizes high-intensity, uniform illumination to facilitate clear image capture of license plates, enabling ANPR systems to operate effectively in fast-moving traffic environments.

<p>The post Best ANPR Camera System Setup first appeared on NVR IPCAMERA SECURITY.</p>

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Are the Cync Indoor and Outdoor Cameras wire-free?

The indoor camera uses a USB power adapter that must be plugged into an outlet, so it’s always on and ready to detect what’s happening. It uses Wi-Fi to connect to the cloud and enable live-streaming, real-time alerts, and clip recording.

The outdoor camera has two versions, a battery-powered outdoor camera and a wired outdoor camera. The wired outdoor camera must be plugged into an outlet. The battery-powered outdoor camera requires it’s battery to be charged.

What is the length of the electrical cord? 

How does the camera save user videos?

Data privacy is extremely important to us. We are giving our users two options based on their personal preferences. You can use a microSD card (sold separately) which allows you to store video locally on the camera and retrieve it securely via the Cync app. Alternatively, the Cam Cync subscription allows video to be backed up and accessed from anywhere via secure cloud storage. For an extra layer of security, two-factor authentication is always required when using the Cync app to view live streams or stored clips.

Does the camera require a subscription or a monthly fee? 

No. Users without a Cam Cync subscription can still view live video, use two-way talk, filter alerts by sound, motion, or people detection, and other great features. Adding a Cam Cync subscription or an optional microSD card for local storage (sold separately) enables clip recording so you never miss a moment.

Can I buy one subscription for multiple cameras, or do I need a subscription for each Cync camera? 

Each camera requires its own subscription at this time.

Cync Smart Cameras User Guide

Read More : 4K Smart Deterrence IP Camera Installation Guide

Do the Cync Indoor and Outdoor Cameras work with voice assistants? 

The cameras work with Alexa and Google. First, pair the camera to the Cync app. Then, enable Alexa or Google through the Alexa or Google Home apps.

Can I view the livestream through the Alexa app and its voice assistant? 

You can view your camera’s livestream through the Alexa app and the Alexa voice assistants that have a screen, like the Alexa Show. You can also enable two-way talk via compatible Alexa devices.

Can the camera be used at night? 

Yes, our camera has automatic night vision included so you can capture videos at nighttime. Note that placing the camera looking through a window will cause issues when using night vision. If using the camera in this way, we suggest turning off the night vision feature in settings.

Why is there a light ring halo when using night vision? 

This happens when you don’t remove the protective cover on the front camera shutter. Remove this cover and the light ring halo will go away.  

Does the camera record and send notifications when motion is detected? 

Yes, when motion is detected the camera will begin recording and send a notification to Cync users who share access to the camera within the Cync app.

Will the camera only notify me if a person is detected, or does it notify me for all motion activity?

You can choose to be notified of sound and/or motion events. You can additionally enable person detection, which filters motion alerts so that they are only triggered when a person is detected (as opposed to a tree branch moving or a dog walking in front of the camera).

Can I view multiple live feeds at the same time? 

Yes! On the home screen of your Cync app, you can see live preview videos of multiple cameras at once.

Who can view my camera feeds? 

Only the Admin can view the camera live feeds. Guests are unable to view or access cameras.

Can I use the Cync Cameras without Wi-Fi? 

No, a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network connected to the internet is required to use the camera. Note that very slow internet speeds will likely impact the functionality of the camera, such as issues loading live streams or recording clips with the Cam Cync subscription.

Can I manually record video or take pictures?

Yes, there are buttons to both take a screenshot as well as record a video when viewing the live stream. These images and videos are stored to your phone’s camera roll.

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Will my Indoor or Outdoor Camera continue to record locally from my SD Card after losing Wi-Fi?

As long as your device was commissioned prior to losing WiFi connection, your camera will continue to record clips locally to the SD card.

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Why can’t I view my Cync camera’s live feed in the Google Home application?

In order to view live feed from your Cync Camera on the Home app, Google requires a Chromecast or Smart Display to access the camera’s feed.

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Indoor Camera FAQs

Can I use this camera outdoors? 

No, the Cync Indoor Camera is rated for indoor use only. 

Can I control the privacy shutter from my phone? 

The physical privacy shutter on the camera can only be controlled from the physical camera. However, you can enable and disable privacy mode from the Cync app when the physical privacy shutter is not pushed up and blocking the camera lens.

Can the Cync Indoor Camera be placed facing out a window to capture outside activity? 

Yes, but automatic night vision will cause image distortion when the camera is facing out of a window due to reflection. If placing the camera in this way, we suggest turning off night vision in settings.

Can I mount the camera on a ceiling? 

Yes! You can mount the camera on a ceiling, and you can enable a 180-degree image flip in the settings menu to show the image right-side up in the app.

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Outdoor Camera FAQs

What is the Wi-Fi range for this Outdoor Camera? 

Keep the camera in a strong Wi-Fi signal strength. Check your Wi-Fi signal strength at the camera’s location. You can do this by looking at the Wi-Fi signal strength on your phone. 1 or 2 bars indicates that the signal may not be strong enough for the camera to connect, or remain connected consistently.

What is the maximum and minimum temperature the plug can be in? 

Operating temp: -20 ~ 50C

Storage temp： -20~70C

Can I plug it into an outdoor extension cord? 

The Outdoor Wired Camera comes with a 24ft wire, but an outdoor extension cord can be used.

How long does the battery on the Outdoor Battery Camera last? 

Battery Life is estimated to last about 90 days per charge under normal circumstances. Number of detections, live streaming, Wi-Fi strength and connectivity as well as temperature can impact the battery life. To conserve your battery life, review the information below:

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Ways to Save Battery Life

Cync battery camera is designed to go months for full charge. However, the real battery life is dependent on camera settings, app settings, and the user’s home environment. For issues with battery performance, check for the following factors.

Recording Duration

The default Recording Duration is 30s. You can reduce the value to save battery life.

Detection Settings

The more events captured/recorded by your battery camera, the more battery is used. To prevent excessive activity, you can:

What to do:

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Poor Wi-Fi connection will cause the battery to drain too fast.

Symptoms of Poor Wi-Fi Connection:

What to do:

Avoid Cold Weather

Cold weather can reduce battery performance as well. The Cync outdoor battery camera use Lithium-ion batteries.

Cold weather has a big impact on battery performance.

What to do:

Installing Outdoor Cameras

The Cync Outdoor Camera can be mounted to wall and adjusted for the best view. Proper steps for mounting depend on the outdoor camera type.

Quickly navigate to a specific section by selecting a link below.

Outdoor Wired Camera Mounting
Outdoor Battery Camera Mounting
 

IMPORTANT: Set the Outdoor Camera up in the Cync app before installation.

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Outdoor Wired Camera Mounting

As the Outdoor Wired Camera will be mounted roughly 7-8ft off of the ground, the camera should be plugged in inside and setup in the Cync app then moved to its permanent outside location.

Install Mounting Bracket

1.After completing setup in the Cync app, choose your mounting location. Use the Cync app’s Wi-Fi signal strength indicator to ensure you’re within Wi-Fi range.

2.Hold mounting bracket in position and mark the hole locations with a pencil.

3.Drill holes with 1/8″ drill bit.

4.Insert screws and mount to wall or soffit, being sure that the arrow on the mount is facing up as shown below.

Attach the Camera to the Mounted Base

5.Identify the two notches at the bottom of the mounting plate.

6.Route the cord through the notches so that the cord going to the outlet is flush with the wall.

7.Align the red notch on the base of your camera with the red notch on the mounting plate.

8.Slide the camera base onto the mounting plate until it clicks into place.

Plug in Camera and Finish Setup

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Outdoor Battery Powered Camera Mounting

Before installation and app setup, assure your camera’s battery is fully charged.

Install Mounting Bracket

1.After completing setup in the Cync app, choose your mounting location. Use the Cync app’s Wi-Fi signal strength indicator to ensure you’re within Wi-Fi range.

2.Hold mounting bracket in position and mark the hole locations with a pencil.

3.Drill holes with 1/8″ drill bit.

4.Insert screws and mount to wall or soffit, being sure that the arrow on the mount is facing up as shown below.

Attach the Camera and Adjust the Position

5.Align the red notch on the base of your camera with the red notch on the mounting plate.

6.Slide the base of the camera onto the mounting plate.

7.Turn the camera base counterclockwise to loosen the ball joint.

8.Adjust the camera to your desired angle (use the camera view in the Cync app to verify your view before locking the ball joint).

9.Turn the neck of the camera clockwise to tighten the ball joint and lock your camera in place.

Recharging and Replacing the Battery

• Recharging

1.Gently pull the camera to detach the magnet from the mounting bracket.

2.Insert one end of the charging cord into the USB port on bottom of the battery. Plug the opposite end of the charging cord into an outlet.

3.For faster charging, remove the battery from the camera and insert the charging cord directly into the battery and an outlet.
NOTE: A full recharge will take an estimated 6 – 8 hours. Charging the battery inside of the camera housing may take longer. The battery LED will change from red to green when charging is complete.

• Battery Replacement

1.Gently pull off the camera to detach the magnet from the mounting bracket.

2.Squeeze the buttons on both side of the camera to release the camera face.

3.Slide up the battery pack to remove it from the camera.

4.Insert one end of the charging cord into the USB port on bottom of the battery. Plug the opposite end of the charging cord into an outlet.

• Wired Cameras Only

◦ Plug the camera into a covered outlet and secure the power cord tightly to avoid water penetration.

◦ Mount within 24′ of an outlet.

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Helpful Hints

Setting Up Outdoor Cameras

How to Set Up your Cync Outdoor Camera in the Cync App

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Connecting Outdoor Cameras to the Cync app

Review, save and share clips with Cam Cync, and/or to a microSD card (sold separately).

Helpful Hints

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Ways To Save Battery Life

The Cync Battery Outdoor Camera is designed to last several months on a full charge. However, camera settings, app settings, and the user’s home environment can all affect the battery’s life. For tips on improving battery performance, see the factors below.

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Troubleshooting Tips

Unable to scan the QR code in Cync app

The Cync App is Unable to Locate My Wi-Fi Network

The Cync App is Unable to Connect to My Wi-Fi Network

Unable to connect to Outdoor Camera Live Stream

Note: Live streams will not appear on the Cync app until you select the video.

Videos are not recording

Note: Recorded clips can only be viewed via the Cync app. You will not be able to view clips saved onto the SD card on other devices.

Video stream is inverted

Camera recordings are not capturing audio

Factory Reset Indoor Camera 

Factory Reset Outdoor Camera 

Controlling Indoor Cameras

You can control your Cync Indoor Camera with the Cync app to monitor your home with ease.

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Cync Indoor Camera Controls and Buttons

Indoor Camera

Indoor Camera Privacy Shutter

Slide the Privacy Shutter up to turn on privacy mode. This will disable the camera and no longer record video or audio. Slide the Privacy Shutter back down to enable video and audio again.

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How to Control Indoor Cameras with the Cync app

When you’ve accessed the Indoor Camera screen you will have options to control the camera.

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Troubleshooting Tips

Unable to scan the QR code in Cync app

The Cync App is Unable to Locate My Wi-Fi Network

The Cync App is Unable to Connect to My Wi-Fi Network

Unable to connect to Indoor Camera Live Stream

Videos are not recording

Note: Recorded clips can only be viewed via the Cync app. You will not be able to view clips saved onto the SD card on other devices.

Video stream is inverted

Camera recordings are not capturing audio

Accessing and Sharing Camera Video Clips

Learn how to access your camera’s video clips from a local Micro SD card or your Cam Cync cloud subscription to share with others.

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Saving Video Clips

You can view and access your video clips by saving them on an SD card or through a Cloud Subscription.

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Cloud Subscriptions

A Cync Cloud Subscription is a paid service to view and store your video clips. For more information, visit Cloud Subscriptions.

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Micro SD Cards

A Micro SD Card is required to view and store video clips if there is no active Cloud Subscription.

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Accessing Video Clips

The location of your stored video clips may vary based on the type of storage the camera has. Review the locations below to learn how to access your video clips.

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Active Cam Cync Subscription or SD Card

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Inactive Cam Cync Subscription and No SD Card

Clips cannot be accessed without an active storage method. If you wish to purchase a Cam Cync Subscription for cloud storage, follow the link provided to learn more.

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Downloading and Sharing Video Clips (Cloud Subscription Only)

Downloading and sharing video clips vary between the operating system your phone has. This feature is only available if you are using the Cloud Subscription service. Locate your phone’s operating system below to learn how to download and share your video clips.

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Downloading and Sharing on iOS

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Downloading and Sharing on Android

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Camera Subscriptions

Easily and securely store clips from your Cync Camera to the cloud with a Cam Cync subscription.

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Free 30-Day Trial

Immediately after setting up your Indoor Camera, you will receive a free 30-day trial of backup video storage on Cam Cync. The free trial includes: 

NOTE: If you don’t subscribe before the 30-day trial period ends, you’ll no longer automatically record new clips and you’ll lose access to previously recorded footage after 14 days.

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Subscriptions

After your 30-day trial you have the option to sign up for a monthly or annual Cam Cync subscription.

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How to Subscribe

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Cancelling a Subscription

You can cancel a subscription at any time, which will stop your next automatic renewal from occurring. You can cancel your subscription in the Cync Web Portal. After cancelling your subscription, your service will remain active until the end of your currently paid period (the end of your monthly or annual term). At the end of that period, your subscription will end and video will no longer be recorded to the cloud. Your clips will remain viewable for the normal 14-day storage period.

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Troubleshooting

What should I do if I can’t log into the Web Portal?

My payment method is failing. What should I do?

Installing Indoor Cameras

Easily install the Cync Indoor Camera on a flat surface or mounted to a wall.

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Setting Indoor Camera on Flat Surface

If you are setting the camera on a shelf, or flat surface, remove the mounting bracket at the base of the camera.

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Mounting Indoor Camera to Wall

If you are mounting your Indoor Camera to a wall, follow the steps below.

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Helpful Hints

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<p>The post Cync Smart Cameras User Guide first appeared on NVR IPCAMERA SECURITY.</p>

AlfredCamera Setup Guide

What is AlfredCamera?

Our features have been developed for one reason—to help bring you peace of mind. “Simple security at your fingertips” is what we strive for. 

With over 15 million users worldwide, AlfredCamera is the world’s most popular home security camera. We all have someone and something we deeply care about. Whether it’s to keep your babies, pets, or other family members safe or keep an eye on your home, Alfred is here to help you. We believe that everyone deserves the peace of mind, so we made home security easy and free for everyone. 

AlfredCamera can run on different platforms and devices, such as Android and iOS, computers, or AlfredCam (Alfred’s own hardware camera). All you need to do is register an Alfred account, and you will be able to start using them as your security cameras. Once your camera device is all set, you can watch live sessions, Event videos, or Continuous Recording Footage at any time and anywhere. 

With our Motion Detection technology, you can detect any motions you might want to know, whether an alarming intruder at your door or simply your excited pet running through the house. In addition, you can also turn on the Continuous Recording to never miss anything. If you would like to check  Moments and Events videos, you can find all the videos triggered by the motions when you were gone. If you would like to check what happened in the past 8 hours, including all the Events, you can playback the Continuous Recording footage. 

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How do I set up AlfredCamera?

Our mission is to make home security simple and accessible to everyone. AlfredCamera helps to turn your device or computer into a security camera, and you only need at least two of them to set up your security systems. You may find our app on Google Play Store or App Store, or you can also use Alfred’s Web on your computer, or even use AlfredCam (Alfred’s own hardware camera) to set as your security camera. 

To know how to set up your AlfredCam, please see here. To set up AlfredCamera on your own devices, please scroll down for a step-by-step guide: 

Step 1 – Prepare 2 devices (mobile or tablet)

Requirements: 

You will use the 2 devices as a

Step 2 – Download Alfred app 

Download Alfred app on your 2 devices from

Step 3 – Log In to the Alfred App

There are three methods to log in to the Alfred app: Google/Email/Apple. If you choose to log in with your email, please enter your email address, then check your inbox to receive a verification email. Afterward, click the link inside the email to verify your account.

Step 4 – Connect two devices

There are 2 options to connect your devices:

Option A : Log in to the same account on two devices

Option B : Connect two devices via scanning the QR code

https://youtu.be/wEh6S9wcX6A

• Log in with your account 

• Tap the Camera Tab

• Tap  Add a Camera  to generate a QR code

• Tap  Scan to Link to Viewer Device to open an in-app scanner

• Scan the QR code on the first device

⚠️ Note: If you are unable to scan the QR code successfully, please check the following:

Step 5 – You’re all set

Now you can start watching live and recording videos now!

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⚠️ Note: Refrain from pressing the power button or home button on your Camera devices may cause your camera to go offline. 

Is AlfredCamera free?

AlfredCamera is available for free in the App Store and Google Play Store. As Alfred believes that everyone deserves a peace of mind, we offer many features for free to all users. You may use Alfred’s service on your mobile devices (Android and iOS) and computers, or our AlfredCam with free setup charge and subscription. 

If you’d like to access advanced features that offer more security, please subscribe to the monthly or yearly Alfred Premium plan. To help you know more details about Alfred Premium, this table will help you determine which of these meets your needs. 

Features and Subscription Plans

* = Only available on Android devices
** = Currently not supported on WebViewer

 👉🏼 To subscribe to Alfred Premium, simply tap the top of the home screen.

⚠️ Note:
A. Local currencies/taxes may apply, you may check and confirm the total cost before confirming your payment. 
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B. AlfredCamera only offers free software service with limited free features. You may use your own spare devices and computers, or purchase AlfredCam via the in-app purchase. 

What devices and systems does AlfredCamera support?

AlfredCamera works on Android devices, iOS devices, computers, and AlfredCam (AC101) (Alfred’s own hardware camera).

To make home security accessible to everyone, we try to make AlfredCamera available on as many smartphone/tablet devices and operating systems as possible. You can connect devices running across Android and iOS systems, use Alfred’s WebCamera / WebViewer, or AlfredCam.

As a rule of thumb, if you can find the AlfredCamera app on the Google Play Store or App Store on your device, it most likely means that the Alfred app can run on your device. However, we do not support any IP cameras or security systems on the market, but you may use AlfredCam, Alfred’s hardware camera. 

What are the recommended OS requirements for my device?

What if I don’t have two devices that run above iOS 11 or Android 5.0?

If you do not have at least two smartphone or tablet devices that run above iOS 11 or Android 5.0, you can use one of the alternatives given below:

What are some of the requirements to use AlfredCamera?

Alfred is all about seamlessly turning old and retired smartphones or tablets into home security cameras. AlfredCamera can run on different platforms and devices, such as Android and iOS, computers, and AlfredCam. 

As we stated that AlfredCamera allows you to build a “Simple Security at Your Fingertips”, it only requests certain minimum storage and internet requirements to set up. In this article, you will learn more about: 

Storage Requirements

Motion Detection

While Alfred keeps your Events and Moments in the Cloud, we still need some local storage to generate snapshots and perform other basic actions on your device.

Continuous Recording

The Continuous Recording footage is saved on your Camera device instead of in the Cloud. Free users and Premium users have different storage requirements: 

Alfredcam (AC101)

AlfredCam is Alfred’s own hardware camera, which requires an SD card inserted if you want to enable Continuous Recording. On the other hand, there are no other storage requirements if you only use the AlfredCam for Motion Detection. Event (motions triggered) and Moment (manually recorded/saved) videos are stored on Alfred’s Clouds for 7 days or 14 days depending on your subscription status. 

Internet Requirements

1. Not only your Camera and Viewer devices, but AlfredCam also needs internet connections to function

Most of our users connect their Camera devices or AlfredCam to their WiFi at home and use their Viewer devices on mobile or office networks. However, the WiFi signal has a higher chance of being unevenly distributed or inconsistent, so we recommend checking Connection Report or WiFi Signal Strength (for AlfredCam) to see if your WiFi signal needs to be improved. You can also use the WiFi Analyzer app to help find an area with the strongest signal to place your Camera device or AlfredCam.

Additionally, you can try the following suggestions to improve your network stability (this does not apply to the AlfredCam): 

2.  How much data does Alfred use?

Data consumption may vary depending on lighting conditions, movement frequencies, and more. While it’s hard to be specific about Alfred’s data consumption, here are some guidelines that might help you:
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If you want to get a more accurate idea of how much data your Alfred needs, we recommend that you test Alfred out for a day or two. 

3. Does Alfred work when I’m abroad?

As long as all devices are connected to the internet, Alfred works regardless of the distance between the devices. Make sure your Camera devices have a stable connection and that your Viewer devices are connected to a WiFi network or can access international roaming.

When you’re away from home, don’t forget to keep your Camera devices plugged in.

⚠️ Note: Since Alfred relies heavily on Google’s technology, if the country you’re in doesn’t support Google, Alfred will not be able to function properly.

What permissions does Alfred need? How do I turn them on?

To ensure it runs smoothly, there are a few permissions to grant Alfred. Below are the permissions Alfred needs and why:

👇🏼 Please follow the instructions below to grant Alfred permissions: 

Grant microphone permission

📱 Android devices

1.Go to Settings on your Camera device

2.Tap “Apps“

3.Tap “AlfredCamera“

4.Tap “Permissions“

5.Tap “Microphone“

6.Choose “Allow only while using the app“

7.For Android 11+ devices, disable “Remove permissions and free up space” under the Unused apps

📱 iOS devices

1.Go to Settings on your Camera device

2.Swipe down to find the Alfred Camera app

3.Switch on the Microphone toggle

Grant camera permission  

📱 Android devices

1.Go to Settings on your Camera device

2.Tap “Apps“

3.Tap “AlfredCamera“

4.Tap “Permissions“

5.Tap “Camera“

6.Choose “Allow only while using the app“

📱 iOS devices

1.Go to Settings on your Camera device

2.Swipe down to find the Alfred Camera app

3.Switch on the Camera toggle

Grant Media and Photo permission 

📱Android devices

1.Go to Settings on your Camera device

2.Tap “Apps“

3.Tap “AlfredCamera“

4.Tap “Permissions“

5.Tap “Files and Media“

6.Choose “Allow access to media only“

📱iOS devices

1.Go to Settings on your Camera device

2.Swipe down to find the Alfred Camera app

3.Tap “Photos“

4.Choose “All Photos“

Grant permission to display over other apps (Android 10+ only)

1.Open “Settings” on your Camera phone

2.Tap “Apps“

3.Tap “AlfredCamera“

4.Tap “Display over other apps“

5.Switch on the “Allow display over other apps” toggle

How do I set up AlfredCam?

Our mission is to make home security simple and accessible to everyone. With AlfredCam, you only need one Viewer device to set up your security systems. You may download our app on Google Play Store or App Store on your Viewer device, and pair it up with AlfredCam (Alfred’s own hardware camera).

To set up your AlfredCam, please scroll down for a step-by-step guide: 

Download the AlfredCamera app on your Viewer device

Please download the AlfredCamera app on your Viewer device from one of the below platforms (see more information on the device and systems requirements here): 

Create or Log in to your account

If this is your first time using the AlfredCamera app, you will be asked to set up an account. You may sign up with your Google account, Apple ID, or email address to create a new Alfred account. You can see more information on how to set up your Alfred account here.

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Connect AlfredCam with your Viewer device

1.Make sure your AlfredCam is plugged into a power source, you should see the Status LED on your AlfredCam is in solid RED 🔴.

2.On your Viewer device, tap “Add a Camera” and select “AlfredCam“
   

3.AFTER the Status LED turns slowly blinking GREEN 🟢, tap “I see the green light blinking“
⚠️ Note: If you do not see the green light blinking, please tap “Not seeing the green light blinking?” and reset your camera with the paper clip by pushing the reset button in for 5 seconds. When you hear a beep from your AlfredCam, please tap “I heard a beep“. Then follow the instructions to retry again.

4.Select your 2.4GHz WiFi network > tap “OK” > enter your network password > tap “Next“
   ⚠️ Note: The Alfred app will only ask for location access during the pair-up process by searching for the WiFi nearby to help pair up devices. If you have privacy concerns, you may choose “Allow once”, and the location access will be automatically de-authorized after the pair-up process is complete.

5.Scan the QR code
A. Hold your camera up to your phone screen with the QR code displaying, and keep 6-12 inches of distance in between.
B. AFTER you hear “QR code scanned“, tap “I heard QR code scanned“. Then wait for a few seconds to complete the setup.⚠️ Note: To avoid glare causing unsuccessful scanning, please remove the transparent sticker on the AlfredCam and adjust the screen brightness.  

6.Once the Status LED turns solid Green 🟢, you’re all set! When prompted on the next screen, follow the instructions to turn on Motion Detection.

What type of SD cards are compatible with AlfredCam?

Choosing the right SD card for your AlfredCam is crucial to ensure reliable and efficient storage of video footage. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which ones are compatible with your device.

The following table provides a list of recommended SD cards that have been extensively tested and found to be the most compatible and reliable options for your AlfredCam.

⚠️ Note: Storage support ranges from 4GB to 256GB in FAT-32 format. Proper formatting is crucial for optimal performance, so it is recommended to ensure the SD card is correctly formatted before use

How to reboot or factory reset AlfredCam?

Reboot AlfredCam 

Reboot Remotely 

1.Tap the Camera’s settings wheel 

2.Scroll down and tap “Reboot Camera”

3.Confirm by tapping “Reboot”

4.Your camera will be temporarily disabled/offline and then reboot itself once the update is complete. It may take a few minutes to complete the process. 

⚠️ Note: While your AlfredCam is being rebooted, the app will automatically take you back to the camera list. Your AlfredCam will be offline for a few minutes  (you may see error code 7007) before it comes back online by itself.

Reboot Manually 

If you are not able to reboot remotely, you can manually unplug and plug it back in again to reboot your AlfredCam. 

Please make sure to check your LED indicator light before unplugging your AlfredCam. When the LED indicator light is flashing green, it indicates that it is in the middle of updating its firmware. Unplugging during the firmware update or video recording may cause fatal damage to hardware or even fail to save videos. 

Factory Reset AlfredCam 

Resetting your AlfredCam device may be necessary to troubleshoot any issues that you encounter while using it. This could include situations such as changing your current Wi-Fi name or password, moving your AlfredCam to a different location with a different Wi-Fi network, or other situations that require a network reset. 

⚠️Note: 

Night Vision (AlfredCam)

Night Vision can be switched Automatic, On, or Off

Automatic          On                   Off

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AlfredCam’s Night Vision functions based on six 850nm infrared LED lights on each camera to show you a clear black and white image even in a dark environment. It allows you to see objects up to 16ft (5m) to 22ft (7m) away, depending on the size of the objects and the light source around them. When Night Vision is set to Automatic, it will detect the light source around the environment and automatically switch to black-and-white vision when there’s insufficient light. 

Night Vision: Automatic (Recommended)

When Night Vision is set to automatic, it detects the light source around the camera and will either show the natural color or switch to a black-and-white vision when there is insufficient light. If your AlfredCam is in an environment that does not get consistent light, it is recommended to set Night Vision to Automatic. To turn on this mode, please follow the steps below: 

⚠️Night Vision will be set to Automatic by default for new users. 

Method 1. 

1.Enter your AlfredCam live session 

2.Find and tap the Moon icon TWICE (shows a letter “A” in the top right corner when it’s set to Automatic)

Method 2. 

1.Tap the Camera’s settings wheel

2.Turn on the Auto Night Vision toggle

Night Vision: On

Turning Night Vision on means the video image will stay black and white at all times, whether it’s daytime or nighttime. If your AlfredCam is in a dark or low-light environment, it is recommended to turn on the Night Vision to ensure that you can always see clear images. To turn on this mode, please follow the steps below: 

1.Enter your AlfredCam live session

2.Find and tap the Moon icon at the bottom menu (icon turns white when it’s on)

Night Vision: Off

When Night Vision is set to Off, the image will stay in natural color during daytime and nighttime. This means that when the light source in the camera’s view is insufficient, the image could be unclear or too dark for you to see. It is only recommended to set Night Vision to Off when there is a constant light source in the viewable area.

If you would like to turn Night Vision off, please follow the steps below:

What if I’m having trouble pairing my AlfredCam?

Navigating through the pairing process of AlfredCam can sometimes pose challenges. If you’re having trouble pairing the AlfredCam, you may refer to the LED status light as an indicator of your current situation.

The following paragraph will help you find more information and further pair up your AlfredCam:

If the Status LED is slowly blinking Green 🟢, but you’re unable to scan the QR code successfully, please check the suggestions below:

⚠️ AlfredCam only works with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, please make sure you choose a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi while pairing.

If you hear the following voice command and you see the Status LED fast blinking RED 🔴 and GREEN 🟢, please reset your camera with a paper clip or a pen, pushing the reset button for 5 seconds until you hear a beep, then follow the troubleshooting tips to pair the AlfredCam again.

⚠️Note: The error code and voice command only apply to Firmware version 1.5.0 and above, if your AlfredCam operates in a version lower than 1.5.0 and you’re having trouble, please contact us via the in-app channel.

How do I set up Alfred’s WebViewer?

In this article, you can find out steps to set up WebViewer:

Which browsers are compatible with WebViewer?

Alfred’s WebViewer currently supports the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Please make sure you have the most recent browser updates for the best user experience.

How to set up Alfred’s WebViewer 

To set up the WebViewer, please follow these steps:

1.Ensure that you have set up your phone/tablet as a camera before using the WebViewer

2.Open the Chrome or Safari browser and enter the URL for the WebViewer:
Alfred WebViewer | PC as Home Security Monitor

3.Make sure you use the same account in the WebViewer as you do on your phone/tablet

4.Once logged in successfully, you will be ready to use the WebViewer to view the camera

 

Enable Notifications

Are you looking to receive notifications for events while using WebViewer, just like how Alfred works on your phone? Now you can follow these simple steps to enable notifications:

1.Click on the bell icon and enable the toggle to turn on notifications

2.Select Allow to grant the necessary permissions

Quick Control

Once you have turned on and allowed notifications, you will see a doorbell icon in the status bar like this:

You can use it to control whether you want to get notified or not. This is how the icon looks when notifications are disabled:

Not getting any notification?

It is possible that you clicked on “Block” when the browser prompted. Depending on the browser you use, this is how to unlock:

• Chrome
Please find the lock icon next to the URL, and enable “Notifications” toggle

Record video

1. Click on the film icon to start recording. You will see a timer popping up. 

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2. Click on the film icon again when you are done. 

 
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3. Find the recording in the Moment section

We are in the process of adding more features to the WebViewer. Please continue to support Alfred and stay tuned!

If you have problems with WebViewer, please try the troubleshooting steps here to see if the issue could be solved. 

How do I set up Alfred’s WebCamera?

Our mission is to make home security simple and accessible to everyone. All you need are two devices—a Viewer and a Camera device—to set up your home security system. In this article you’ll find out how to use your PC as a Camera device. If you want to use your PC as a Viewer device, please refer to this article.

1.Go to https://alfred.webcam on Google Chrome (Chrome version must be newer than version 79)

2.Sign in with your account

3.Turn on the camera

4.Grant Alfred access to your camera and microphone

5.You must grant Alfred access to your camera in order to use WebCamera. If you blocked Alfred from accessing your camera or microphone, you may click on the camera icon next to the URL to reset your setting. For more detailed instructions, please refer to this troubleshooting article.

If you see the same PC showing up as multiple Camera devices on your Viewer device, please visit this troubleshooting page to find out why and how to eliminate the problem.

⚠️Note: Please make sure you have the up-to-date app version on your Viewer devices before starting to use WebCamera.

Recommended requirements for AlfredCamera

As technology advances and new operating systems and app versions are released, it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain support for older versions. However, at AlfredCamera, we value every user and want to ensure that you can continue to use our products. We understand that not all devices can meet the recommended requirements, so we have provided alternative options to ensure that everyone can continue to use AlfredCamera.

AlfredCamera app:

⚠️ Note: Any app/OS versions above these are fully supported by our team. However, if your device is running below these versions, we cannot guarantee bug fixes, as these older versions are still usable but no longer maintained by us.

To update to a higher app version or operating system, please see the links below to update them on your devices. 

Update the app version:

• Open the or  app

• Search AlfredCamera

• Tap the Update button

Update the operating system:

If your devices are not able to meet the recommended app and OS versions listed above, we recommend referring to the below-listed products as alternatives to continue using Alfred’s service.

Alfred’s Web product:

By refreshing the browser, you will get the most updated Web product version.

AlfredCam (Alfred’s own hardware camera):

To update the firmware of your AlfredCam, please refer to this link for more instructions.

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<p>The post AlfredCamera Setup Guide first appeared on NVR IPCAMERA SECURITY.</p>

  Note: We’ve enhanced the design of the Blink app. If the steps listed in this article do not match your current app version, you can view the updated design.

This article will show you how to change the order of your Blink cameras in the Blink app. 

1.First, tap App Settings  on the bottom left of your Home screen.

2.Then tap Device and System Settings.

3.On the Device and System Settings screen, select the system you want to change under Systems.

On the System Settings screen tap All Devices.

From the Manage Devices screen, you can change the order that your Blink cameras appear in the app. To change the order, press and drag the three bars on the camera that you want to move. Place it in your desired location.

Once you change the order of your cameras, that order will display until you change it.

Return to the Home screen to see the new order of your cameras.

If you have additional mobile devices logged into the same Blink account, you will not see the new camera order on them. This is a per mobile device setting, which gives you the flexibility to view different camera orders on different mobile devices.

Using Your Blink Camera

Read More : Troubleshooting for Blink Mini Camera

Blink and iOS VoiceOver Screen Reader

Hear what your Blink camera sees

The iOS VoiceOver Screen Reader feature allows you to hear descriptions of Live Views and Motion Notifications in the Blink app. Once you enable the VoiceOver and Audio Descriptions options in your iOS device, you can hear descriptions of Live Views, Motion Notifications, or motion clips by tapping on the image in the Blink app.

Note

To ensure the VoiceOver Screen Reader works with the Blink app (version 6.15.0 or later), the iOS must be R15 or later. 

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Examples of VoiceOver describing Motion Notifications in the Blink app

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How to hear a VoiceOver Audio Description in the Blink app

• For a Live View description, tap the camera thumbnail to enter Live View. When Live View opens, the scene description is spoken from your iOS device.

• To hear a description of a Motion Clip, tap Clips  on the Blink home screen. Select a clip and the scene description is spoken from your iOS device.

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iOS VoiceOver links

For instructions on enabling VoiceOver Recognition, visit Use VoiceOver Recognition on the web or in apps without accessibility information.

If you are not already familiar with using VoiceOver, learn about basic navigation and operation gestures.

What are Image Notifications?

Snapshot image from your Blink device

Image notifications send you a snapshot image of what’s happening in front of your Blink camera, so you can easily see activity without opening the Blink app. With a quick look at your notification, you can know immediately if you need to open up Live View to take a closer look, or wait and review your video later. Learn more about how to receive notifications of motion detection.

In order to view image notifications, your Early Notification camera setting must be disabled. Click to learn more about Early Notifications in the Blink app.

Note: Image notifications do not work with the Blink Video Doorbell. Since the Blink Video Doorbell always has Early Notification on by default, you will not be able to view image notifications on it.

If Local Storage is your only available method for saving clips, image notifications will not display since thumbnails are not generated in this case. Learn more about using Local Storage for saving clips.

iOS devices

Android devices

When you have motion alerts enabled on your iOS device, you will see a motion detection notification on your home screen. 

Tapping a notification on your home screen, will take you to the clip list in the Blink app with that saved clip.

When you “long press” on a notification, you will see a larger snapshot of your detected motion.

Image notifications also display when you are within the Blink app.

How to use Live View

  Note: We’ve enhanced the design of the Blink app. If the steps listed in this article do not match your current app version, you can view the updated design.

Use this article to understand how to access Live View from your Blink camera. Live View allows you to see your camera’s live video and hear sound directly from the Blink app and from certain Alexa enabled devices‍. 

Blink cameras use your Wi-Fi network to send Live View. The connection must have 2 MB per second or faster upload speed (from your camera to the Blink app). Live View can fail if the internet connection is too slow or external factors like signal strength and wireless interference.

How to access Live View

From the Blink app

To access Live View from the Blink app, tap the Live View play icon on the camera image you want to view.

From a motion notification

Available with certain cameras, Live Views can also be accessed by tapping the Motion Alert push notification sent to your mobile device. This setting must be enabled in the app in order for push notifications to be sent to your device. Learn more about Early Notifications.

If you do not see the Live View play icon for you Video Doorbell, your camera may be in Event Response mode. When this occurs, Live View is only accessible from the notification sent to your mobile device in response to a motion event. Learn more about Event Response.

Note: Even though a motion notification may appear simultaneously on multiple devices, Live View access is limited to one user at a time.

Live View additional options

To conserve bandwidth, your Live View may dim and a Continue? button appears at certain intervals. The button appears a few times until your viewing limit of five minutes is reached. Tap this button to continue watching the Live View.

Portrait orientation

When viewing the Blink app in portrait orientation (tall, not wide), the camera view fills the screen width. You can use the ‘pinch to zoom’ gesture to view image details; however, the actual image size does not change.

Tap the  icon in the top right of your Live View to switch to from portrait to landscape view. You can also turn your mobile device 90° sideways to automatically switch to landscape view.

Landscape orientation

Generally, the Blink app is viewed in landscape orientation (wide, not tall) and the images appear in full screen (as shown below). 

Tap the icon in the top right to switch back to portrait view. You can also turn your mobile device 90° vertically to automatically switch back to portrait view.

Save

Saving Live View clips is an exclusive feature of a Blink Subscription plan. Learn more about how to save Live View clips.

Audio Options

Speaker Icon
While in Live View, tap the speaker icon  to enable or disable the camera’s audio.

Two Way Audio
Cameras with a microphone and speaker display a microphone button  at the bottom. Two-Way Audio‍ is supported on the Video Doorbell, Outdoor and Indoor (Gen 3), Mini, and XT2 cameras.

Learn more about how to use two way audio with your camera’s microphone.

Note: The audio button name depends on your camera.

More Options

While in Live View, tap More for other options. Settings vary between devices.

Extended Live View

Extended Live View is only available in through the Blink Basic, Blink Plus and free trial subscription plans. 

This feature provides images and sound directly from a camera to the Blink app, up to 90 minutes at a time without user intervention. In addition, you can view regular Live View sessions up to five minutes without tapping on Continue.

Learn more about Extended Live View.

Device Settings
Device Settings can be accessed in two ways. One way is from the Blink app’s home screen through . The other way is by tapping the More button in Live View and then tapping . Learn more about how to access your camera’s device settings.

Wired Floodlight Camera: Siren On/Off

The siren can be turned on and off remotely through the app. This plays a loud alert noise through your Wired Floodlight camera’s internal speaker.

Learn more about using the Floodlight Siren.

How to leave Live View

When you’re ready to stop Live View, tap Close in the top left corner on iOS devices and < on Android devices.

Alexa enabled screen devices do not provide the Continue button and remain in Live View until the limit is reached. If the Live View ends before you are finished, you can re-enter Live View by pressing the icon again.

How to record Live View clips

To save Live View clips, you must have a Blink Subscription Plan or a free trial. Visit How to Save Live View clips to learn how to save Live View clips.

Two-way audio

Talking and hearing through your camera

The Blink Outdoor 4, Wired Floodlight, Video Doorbell, Outdoor and Indoor (3rd Gen), Mini, and XT2 cameras have two-way audio. Accessing the Blink app through your mobile device, you can speak and hear through the camera’s speaker and microphone.

Note: Two-way audio is not available in the XT and Indoor (1st Gen).

Confirm microphone access

Enabling your mobile device’s microphone

Before using two-way audio, check your mobile device to ensure the Blink app has permission to use the microphone.

iOS – See the If the microphone doesn’t work in a specific app article for instructions on enabling your mobile device’s microphone.

Android – See the Use your camera & microphone article for instructions on how to enable your mobile device’s microphone.

What if I don’t see the Blink app listed on my mobile device Microphone Permissions list? 

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Two-way audio in the Blink app

Indoor and Outdoor (3rd Gen), Mini, and XT2

Note: Two-way audio is not available in the XT and Indoor (1st Gen).

1.Tap Live View for any of your eligible cameras.

2.At the bottom of Live View is the Hold To Talk button.

3.Press and hold this button while you speak. 

◦ A small animation appears above the button indicating your mobile device’s microphone is active and that your audio will be played through your camera’s speaker.

◦ Release the button when you are finished talking and the microphone will mute itself automatically. The audio can be heard through the camera’s speaker on the other end.

4.After 5 minutes, your Live View will stop and you must return to the Home screen to start another Live View session.

Note: With a Blink Subscription Plan or trial, you can use Extended Live View on the Mini camera. Extended Live View provides up to 90 continuous minutes of viewing.

Outdoor 4, Wired Floodlight Camera and Video Doorbell

1.Tap Live View for any of your eligible cameras.

2.While you’re in Live View, press the Tap to unmute button. The button will turn blue. 

◦ A small animation appears above the button indicating your mobile device’s microphone is active and that your audio will be played through your camera’s speaker.

3.When you’re finished talking, press Tap to mute.

4.After five minutes, your Live View will stop and you must return to the Home screen to start another Live View session. 

Note: With a Blink Subscription Plan or trial, you can use Extended Live View on the Wired Floodlight Camera. Extended Live View provides up to 90 continuous minutes of viewing.

Troubleshooting audio noise

Echo, feedback, or sudden repeated squeal noises

When the camera picks up sounds coming from the Blink app and transmits them back to the Blink app, “feedback” is created. Feedback is a repeating sound that increases in pitch and volume. It can occur when you have the Live View of a camera open in the Blink app and you are within hearing range of the camera.

• To avoid feedback, ensure that your mobile device accessing the Blink app is at least 10 feet away from your Blink camera. 

• To stop existing feedback or unwanted noise, tap the Mute  icon to silence the camera’s speaker. You can also stop the Live View session or switch out of the Blink app entirely.

Chirping, digital noise, or robotic sounds

Blink cameras convert audio into a digital stream so it can be heard for Live Views and recorded clips. During this conversion, extra sounds can sometimes be heard. These sounds may sound like a cluster of noises, scrambled distortion, chirps, or clicks when accessing a Live View or playing back a recorded clip.

The upload speed of your network plays an important part of your digital stream. When network speeds change quickly, your audio may be distorted. Blink devices require at least 2 Mb per second of available upload speed for each Blink device, even when multiple users are online.

Placement of your Blink devices

Device placement recommendations

Placing your camera near hard surfaces may produce unwanted sounds. Because a hard surface reflects sound, the camera microphone may pick up both the original sound and the reflected sound.

Placing the camera on an enclosed shelf or wall, or set back from a table’s edge near or between other objects may create a boxed-in environment that can affect the audio quality of the camera’s microphone and speaker.

For ideal placement, avoid placing your cameras near dense materials like brick, stone, concrete, or metals. Also, avoid placement near other electronic devices and confined spaces.

Setting your camera name and thumbnail

  Note: We’ve enhanced the design of the Blink app. If the steps listed in this article do not match your current app version, you can view the updated design.

When a camera is first installed, its serial number (DSN) is the default camera name, and the thumbnail image will be gray. If you want to change the name of your camera or add a thumbnail picture, follow the steps below.

Change the camera name

From the Home screen, tap the camera name to change it, enter the new name, then tap OK to save.

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Generate a thumbnail

From the Home Screen, tap the thumbnail button . The camera will take a screenshot of what is currently in view and replace the gray with this screenshot. 

The thumbnail remains the same until you refresh it with this button. Learn more about using the Blink app.
 

Device Settings

  Note: We’ve enhanced the design of the Blink app. If the steps listed in this article do not match your current app version, you can view the updated design.

Info

Please update your Blink app if your settings appear differently than shown below. To learn more about updating, visit Current Blink App Versions.

This article describes the Device Settings in the Blink app.

Device Settings is found by tapping the icon  in the top right corner of each thumbnail image on the home screen.

The following settings are accessible by tapping on each menu option.

 General Settings

Last Updated
Tap Pull to Refresh to manually update your camera status.

Name
Camera name that will be displayed on your Home screen. You can edit this name at any time from here or at the Home screen.

Battery Level
This will indicate if your batteries are OK or need to be replaced.

Firmware
Displays your current firmware version.

Status LED
You can set when the LED light displays either as Off or Recording.

Change Wi-Fi  
Use this option if you need to connect your Mini or Wired Floodlight camera to a different router or reconnect your camera to your existing router to troubleshoot an issue.

Connection to Wi-Fi
Displays the Signal Strength from the last time the camera connected. After moving your camera it is a good idea to return here and ensure you have good signal strength.

Connection to Sync Module
Displays the most recent Signal Strength measurement. After moving any part of your system, it is a good idea to visit this settings page to ensure you have good signal strength. If not, move the camera closer to the Sync Module or the Wi-Fi router.

Temperature
The current temperature of that camera. Tap on the temperature to enable temperature alerts or to calibrate the thermometer.

Delete Device
This option removes the camera from your Blink system and it will no longer appear on the home screen.

 Motion Settings

Motion Detection
This setting must be on for the camera to detect motion. If this setting is off, the camera will not detect motion. Note: Once you enable motion detection, arm your camera to receive Motion Detection notifications and to save motion clips.

Motion Recording Types
For Outdoor 4 and Wired Floodlight cameras, select whether you want to see video for all motion, people only, or have them suppressed so no recordings are saved. Note: The Person Detection feature is only available when you have a Blink Subscription plan.

Motion Sensitivity
Controls motion sensor sensitivity. Low sensitivity detects larger objects in motion. High sensitivity detects smaller objects. Adjust sensitivity then test by creating motion notifications to achieve the right balance for your needs.

Motion Zones
Disables motion detection for selected regions of the camera view to prevent unwanted motion clips or notifications.

Retrigger Time
The length of time from the completion of one motion clip to the start of another. This can be set from 10-60 seconds.

Early Notification
This option sends the notification as soon as motion is detected and before the clip is complete. In the Blink App, tap the notification to be immediately taken to the Live View of that camera.

 Video and Photo Settings

Motion Clip Length
The length of motion clips to be recorded and this can be set between 5 and 60 seconds. Mini and Doorbell cameras record clips up to 30 seconds.

Video Quality
This allows you to change the video quality of your Blink camera. More information about the different modes can be found here.

End Clip Early If Motion Stops
If the camera stops detecting motion, the clip will end before the full clip length is reached.

Flip Video
This should be enabled when mounting a Mini camera upside down on a ceiling so that the image is rotated right side up.

Night Vision
If set to Off, the illuminator will not turn on. If set to On, the illuminator will always turn on. If set to Auto, the illuminator will only turn on in low light conditions.

IR Intensity
This value controls brightness of the IR illuminator. This value can be set to Low, Medium, or High. Adjust to control glare or show more detail.

Illuminator Intensity
Adjusts the brightness of the LED on the Indoor (1st Gen) camera.

Photo Capture
If Photo Capture is enabled, a photo is taken once per hour. If motion notifications or other events happen (or not), the images are assembled at the end of the day into a photo-animation in the Clip Roll. 

Note: Photo Capture only works with Indoor and Outdoor (3rd Gen) and Blink Video Doorbell cameras when you have an active Blink Subscription Plan. Learn more about Photo Capture.

 Audio Settings

Speaker Volume
A slider sets the speaker audio level on the camera, as well as the chime loudness of your Video Doorbell.

Ringer Volume
Controls how loud the Blink chime sound plays when you press your Video Doorbell button when it’s wired.

 Floodlight Settings

Wired Floodlight Settings:

Light Brightness 
This slider sets the lights’ brightness from a scale of 1-10. The default setting is 5.

Dusk to Dawn
Turn on this setting to automatically switch your floodlights on at dusk and off at dawn, based on the amount of light the camera senses.

Timeout after Manual Activation
Select the amount of time the lights will stay on after they are manually turned on. The default is 5 minutes and you can set the lights to stay on for 30 seconds or up to 15 minutes. You also have an initial option Until I turn off, which requires you to manually turn off the lights.

Motion Activation
When enabled, the lights will turn on if motion is detected. The lights will turn on regardless of whether your system is armed or not.

Motion Activation when armed: When enabled, the lights will turn on if motion is detected and the camera will record a motion clip.
Motion Activation when disarmed: When enabled, the lights will turn on if motion is detected, even if your system is disarmed. No clips will be saved.

Learn more about arming and disarming your Blink system.

Timeout after Motion Activation
Select the amount of time the lights will stay on after motion is detected. The default is 30 seconds and you can set the lights to stay on for 30 seconds or up to 15 minutes.

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Floodlight Mount Settings:

Battery Level
Displays the battery charge percentage for the floodlight.

Light Brightness
This slider sets the LED brightness from a scale of 1-10. The default setting is 5.

Timeout after Motion Activation
This setting controls how long the LEDs remain lit after the detected motion stops. You can chose between 15 seconds or up to 5 minutes after activation. 15 seconds is the default.

Note: When battery powered floodlights are manually turned on they will stay lit up to one minute.

Daylight Mode
When enabled, the LEDs will activate when motion is detected during certain daylight hours, when the outside light is limited like at dusk and dawn. The LEDs will not activate when there is an abundance of outdoor light, often during midday hours.

Daylight Sensitivity
This setting only appears when “Daylight Mode” is enabled and controls the sensitivity of the lights during daylight hours. Lower setting values only activate the LEDs in darker conditions and higher values will activate the LEDs in brighter conditions.

Firmware
This displays your current firmware version which may be automatically updated at certain intervals.

Pan Tilt Settings

Firmware
View your current firmware version.

Calibrate Pan-Tilt Mount
Select this option to perform a manual calibration. Learn more about how to calibrate your Mini Pan-Tilt mount.

Doorbell and Chime Settings

Chime settings when Doorbell isn’t wired:

Use Blink Mini Camera as Chime
Opens the Mini camera selector. All Mini cameras on the system will be displayed. Learn more about using the Mini camera as a chime.

Mount with wiring
Full instructions for mounting with wiring.

Mount without wiring
Full instructions for mounting without wiring.

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Additional settings when Doorbell is wired:

Chime Type
Select the chime type you use such as Mechanical, Digital or Mini.

Chime Power
Allows you to adjust the power of your chime.

Learn more about setting up your Blink Video Doorbell.

Privacy Settings

Privacy Zones
Disables motion detection for selected regions of the camera view to prevent unwanted motion clips or notifications.

Video Recording
When this setting is off, the camera will only send motion notifications without recording clips; however, Live View is still available.

Audio Streaming
Turn this setting off to disable the audio features of your camera.

Can I Disable the Blue Recording LED on the Camera?

Blink cameras have an activity indicator in the form of a blue color LED light on the front of the camera.

For the Blink Indoor, Outdoor and Mini, the Status LED is controlled in camera settings.

Blink XT and XT2, have a physical hardware switch inside the camera to control whether the status light is on or off.

The Blink Video Doorbell and 1st generation Indoor cameras are not adjustable.
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Blink Indoor and Outdoor blue recording status LED setting

For the Blink Indoor and Outdoor cameras, there is a switch in the Blink app camera settings screen, named Status LED. The Status LED can be set to the following:

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Blink Mini blue recording status LED setting

For the Blink Mini camera there is a switch in the Blink app on the camera settings, General Settings screen named Status LED. The Status LED can be set to the following:

XT and XT2 blue recording status LED switch

The XT and XT2 cameras have a hardware switch inside the battery compartment  to control the blue recording light.  This feature is not available on the Blink indoor cameras.

This article will show you how to turn off the blue recording LED on Blink XT. This LED is enabled by default from the factory.

1. Remove the battery cover. To see how to do that, click here.
2. To the right of your camera’s serial number, you’ll see a switch that says “REC. LED” with two positions, “ON” and “OFF”.

3. Using tweezers or a similar tool, slide that switch to the off position (toward the top of the camera).

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Blink Video Doorbell blue recording status LED

The Blink Video Doorbell has a blue LED that flashes when the doorbell button is pressed. There is no setting to change this.

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Blink 1st generation Indoor camera blue recording status LED

The first generation of Blink indoor camera does not have a setting to control the blue LED.

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For more details, please visit the article New Device Layout Settings.

How Do I Use Scheduled Arming?

Set a schedule for automatically arming and disarming your Blink system

This article describes how to set an automatic schedule to Arm and Disarm your Blink system.

Create a schedule

1.To get started, open up the Blink app and tap Settings in the bottom right of the home screen and select Device and System Settings.

2.Next, select the system you want to schedule.
A system is a compilation of one or more cameras. When multiple cameras are added to the same system, they are linked together so that when you arm your system, all of the cameras in that system will arm at the same time.

3.To ensure that your system arms and disarms at the correct times, make sure your time zone is set correctly.

4.Next, tap Scheduling.

5.On the Weekly Schedule screen, create your schedule. Tap  in the top right of the screen.

6.By default, Arm will be enabled and the toggle on the right will be set to AM.

7.Schedule Arming: First, set the time and day you want to set your schedule arming. Drag the clock hands to your desired time. Time is changed in 15 minute increments. Select the desired days located at the bottom of the screen. When you’re done, tap Save to set the scheduled arming and you are taken back to the Weekly Schedule screen.

8.Schedule Disarming: Next, set the time and day you want to set your schedule disarming. In the example below, the week schedule is highlighted in blue because the the disarm time has not been set. Tap the  again to set disarm schedule.

9.Disarm scheduling is done in the same manner, but you will want to switch the toggle on the left to Disarm. Drag the clock’s hand to your desired disarm time and select the days of week again. Once you have your disarm schedule set to your desired time, tap the Save button again.

10.Your schedule is now set.