Smart Home Cameras

A smart home camera is an excellent way to keep tabs on children and pets. They can also send alerts if they detect motion, sound or recognise faces. These cameras can be accessed via an app, smart display or a web portal.

Many manufacturers charge a monthly subscription for cloud storage and additional features like activity zones, two-way talk, and face recognition. However, some offer local storage without a subscription fee.

Motion detection

A smart home camera with motion detection can send you a notification when something unusual is happening. It can also detect whether the movement is caused by humans, pets or cars. This allows you to receive notifications only when it is a threat. You can use a smartphone app to view the footage or an Amazon Echo Show (Echo with a screen) to see the live stream. You can also create inclusion areas and exclusion zones to avoid false alarms.

Most smart cameras use PIR sensors to detect motion. They can turn on if they detect a human or animal in their field of view. If the object moves outside the sensor’s range, it will be ignored and you won’t get a notification. Using motion detection can save energy and money.

However, some motion detectors are prone to false triggers from light or heat sources. For example, a flash of white light can blind the camera, and because the sensor reacts to heat, this will set off the motion detector. The best solution is to use a camera with built-in face detection that can distinguish your family members from strangers.

Many smart security cameras are wireless and can be installed in three steps or less. They can be installed in any room of the house and are easy to move around. They connect to your Wi-Fi network and are compatible with smart home devices. You can also upgrade them with a monthly subscription for additional storage and monitoring.

Cloud storage

The most common smart home cameras are WiFi surveillance devices that use the internet to transmit footage. They typically work at the property owner’s command or through motion detectors and store images and videos on a server in the cloud. They smart home camera also connect to a smartphone or smart display for access and control.

A smart camera’s cloud storage feature allows authorized users to remotely access the images or video recordings from any computer, tablet or smartphone connected to the same Internet connection. This can reduce the need for additional monitoring devices and minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.

Some smart security cameras offer cloud storage that is free for a specific time period. For example, Ring offers 24 hours of free alerts and a 30-day subscription for more advanced features. The Blink camera, on the other hand, is more expensive because it stores images and video footage in the cloud for a long time.

Some smart cameras provide event-based cloud storage, which records short video clips based on the camera’s motion detection. This type of storage uses less data and helps battery-powered cameras go longer without recharging. Arlo cameras and the Ring Stick Up Cam are examples of this type of camera. They also feature end-to-end encryption, which makes it impossible for law enforcement to view the user’s video footage.

Battery backup

If you have a smart home security system with battery backup, this can help keep your devices working during a power outage. This feature will also prevent your device from losing a recorded event or video. However, the runtime for this backup will depend on the wattage consumption of your camera and the number of connected devices.

Some smart cameras have additional features that can help save energy, such as motion detection settings and local storage of the video data. These features can make a difference in your camera’s runtime, but you should always check the User Guide to ensure that you are using them properly.

Battery-powered smart cameras are a great way to monitor your home without spending a fortune on electricity bills. Many of them come with a rechargeable battery that can be swapped out when it runs out, and some are even capable of running on solar technology.

A good example is the Ring Stick Up Cam, which has a clear 1080p resolution and two-way audio functionality. It integrates with the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, has a durable weather-resistant design, and offers cloud or local video storage options. It also provides a temperature monitor and can automatically alert you when unusual activity is detected. The drawback is that the maximum battery life is only two years, but it still has plenty to offer.

Remote access

Having remote access to your smart camera allows you to monitor the security of your property while away. For example, if your kids are playing in the garden and you are at work, you can check on them with an app on your smartphone. It also lets you see if your dog or pet is home alone and keeps you informed about any unusual activity in your apartment or house.

Many smart cameras allow you to arm and disarm the system from your phone, and smart home camera some even have a two-way communication feature. If you choose to have the camera stored in the cloud, be sure to set a strong password and use two-factor authentication, if available. This will prevent hackers from accessing your camera and possibly stealing sensitive information, such as videos and photos.

Another feature that you can find in most smart cameras is the ability to recognize faces. This function lets you know who is at your home, so that you are not getting unnecessary notifications. This can be especially helpful if you have young children or pets and need to know who is at the door when they are visiting.

You can also change the settings of your smart camera from your computer. The way you do this depends on the brand of your router, but generally speaking, you have to use the online interface or a special app and enter an address that consists of the WAN IP and the port number.