The doorbell camera is a great way to check who’s outside when you don’t have access to your home. They can also be an excellent security source, allowing you to monitor who has entered your property and when. Depending on your setup and the camera you have, you may also be able to see what’s happening inside your home. This article will explain how to get the most out of your Ring Doorbell Footage to be a useful tool and not just a novelty item.
Plan your setup before installing: Ring Doorbell Footage
Before installing the doorbell camera, you will want to decide on some key details. First, you’ll want to determine whether you want a standalone doorbell camera or part of a home security system. If you have an existing wireless system, you may be able to connect the doorbell camera to it. If not, you may need to add components like a hub to relay video and audio between the doorbell camera and your wireless system.
Next, decide if you want the doorbell camera to record video and audio. The former should allow you to watch and listen through your camera, while the latter will allow you to hear and talk through the camera. If you’re planning to use the doorbell camera solely for security, you may want to use a model that only records video.
If you’re interested in recording video and audio, you’ll need to ensure your system supports it. Most doorbell cameras will support both audio and video, but make sure to check before you begin to install.
Set up an account with your camera provider
Next, you’ll want to set up an account with your doorbell camera provider. Most camera apps will guide you through the process, but if you have any trouble, it is a good idea to contact the support team so they can walk you through it. Once you have an account, you can link it to your doorbell camera. This will allow you to view recordings from the camera through your app. If you have a security system, you can also link the doorbell camera to it so that it notifies you when someone presses the button on your doorbell.
Set the sensitivity so that you receive notifications from motion, but not from someone simply pushing the button. Next, you’ll want to decide on a name for your system and the doorbell camera. You can also set up a system password so only authorized users can access the doorbell camera. These are all optional, but it can be handy to have a system password so that you can grant some users access to the camera.
Choose a Recording Schedule
The next thing you’ll want to do is figure out how often you want the camera to record. Most doorbell cameras will record continuously. While this can be useful if you’re monitoring a property or a job site, it can also mean that you end up with a lot of footage you don’t need. Instead, you can set the recording schedule to only record when motion is detected. This means that the camera won’t record when nothing is happening, and you’ll be able to view only the footage from when motion was detected.
If you’d rather not constantly monitor the footage, you can set the recording schedule to only record for a certain time. This can be useful for monitoring something like a job site where you’re not concerned about someone seeing the doorbell camera, but you are concerned about someone vandalizing the site.
Don’t forget to turn on motion detection
This is simply a reminder that you’ll want to turn motion detection on. This will only record footage when motion is detected, allowing you to view all the footage and skip over the footage where nothing was happening. Also, turn on the microphone so you can hear and talk through the camera. This is often not enabled by default, but if you see it as an option, you want to ensure it is enabled.
Learn key features of your camera
As you set up the doorbell camera, make sure that you take a look at the key features to make sure they meet your needs. These will tell you what kind of camera you have, the resolution and clarity of the footage, the length of time it records, and whether it has any additional features. You’ll want to ensure the camera can record video and audio. It will also allow you to see and hear through the camera.
Ensure the camera works in HDR, FHD, or Full HD resolution. There are more features you’ll want to ensure that the camera has, like the ability to have motion detection, a built-in camera, and a built-in speaker. Depending on your needs, you may also want a night vision camera.
Know the warning signs of a bad video recording
The first thing you’ll want to look out for is whether or not the camera is recording. This can be a warning sign that the camera is not recording properly. That way, you can fix the issue and return to using the camera. If you’re unsure whether the camera is recording properly, you can look at the recordings from your phone. These will show you if the camera is recording properly and will also show you any abnormalities that may be happening.
The next thing you’ll want to look out for is any physical abnormalities such as dust on the camera’s lens or any other physical signs that the camera is malfunctioning. If you see any of these signs, you should try switching cameras or contacting your camera provider. The audio is the last thing you’ll want to look out for. If you hear any noises, whether the doorbell is ringing or someone knocking, you may want to try switching the camera or contact your camera provider.
The Bottom Line
The doorbell camera can be a fun way to check who’s outside when you don’t have access to your home. They can also be an excellent security source, allowing you to monitor who has entered your property when someone isn’t expected. The key is figuring out the best way to use it so that it is more than a novelty. The first step is to plan your setup before you begin installing the doorbell camera to ensure you get the most out of your new camera.
