‎longer record time for outdoor camera | SimpliSafe Support Home
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RHB's profile
RHB

7 Messages

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 3:08 PM

Not In Development

14

longer record time for outdoor camera

I would like to see a longer record time on the outdoor camera. If someone triggers the camera then stays still, the video stops. Then starts up if they move again, sometimes not recording till out of sight.

Suggestion

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Updated 

24 days ago

2K

19

14

Official Solution

davey_d

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

1 year ago

Hi @RHB ,

This is sort of how the Outdoor Camera is intentionally designed to work. It's set up to keep recording until it no longer senses motion. That way, it saves battery life and bandwidth for when there's actual action in the scene. But it shouldn't be going back into deep sleep immediately, so it can stay ready for more motion events.

If you're seeing lag between recordings, it might help to troubleshoot the wireless connection between your Outdoor Camera and the Base Station, since it's the Base Station that tells the camera when to start recording.

5

rgpretz

7 Messages

That was a lame explanation.  Update your software so the user can decide whether battery life and band width is more important than getting a much needed extended record time.  If you can’t update your software with this option, what good are simpli safe cameras 

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1 year ago

jennlew78

1 Message

@davey_d​ ok I have a good example. My house camera is facing the front of my house. 2 cars pull up and a guy gets outs and walks up to my neighbors car that she's in. He opens her door the camera shuts off. Only to find out the next day he is her ex and he just beat her senselessly in the street. But instead of me having footage to hand over as evidence, I can only show that the guy walked up to the car because the 1 minute mark was up on the record time. Which I thought it would keep recording. But it doesn't. There was plenty of motion so why does it always stop at 1 minutes or 1.05 minutes?

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9 months ago

krys10michelle

1 Message

@davey_d​ but that doesn’t make sense because I think what everyone is saying, at least in my sense, is that it doesn’t record the entire time they’re here. I had a delivery the other day and my garage camera did g catch the actual package being left just arrival and such. So it needs to be longer because it isn’t recognizing every movement 

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5 months ago

davey_d

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

@krys10michelle​ the others are asking for camera to continue to recording for a longer period after the detected motion. Whereas I'm saying the camera will continue recording only if the it continues to detect motion. So the original poster is right - if the intruder decided to stay perfectly still for a few seconds, the camera recording will stop. But obviously it will start recording again if they move.

Sounds like for you, you're looking to catch the event from even before the motion trigger. We have a different feature that can help with that: Performance Mode. You can learn about it on our Help Center.

(edited)

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5 months ago

0

amol_7

2 Messages

@rgpretz​ I completely agree. This is not acceptable

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2 months ago

0

jackk8888

2 Messages

1 year ago

I agree. This camera is terrible. It is located 10 feet from Wi-Fi and only records up to a min but usually 10 seconds. Need to fix that

1

ms93

3 Messages

@jackk8888​ same, this is so weird that a 10 second 'feature' is real... 

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3 months ago

mecca32

1 Message

1 year ago

I am really not happy with the Outdoor SimpliCam either.  I have both the Outdoor SimpliCam and the older Ring Spotlight Cam and I was really hoping the Outdoor SimpliCam outperformed the Ring Cam, but for me it doesn't.  The SimpliCam only records for about 10 seconds, then stops and starts again.  I have great Wi-Fi and battery life is not an issue because I have the device hard wired to power.  I have much better recording times with the older Ring Spotlight Cam.  The cameras are just as important as the rest of the system in my opinion so you would at least expect a Home Security company to sell a product as least as good as the competition.  Please update the firmware of the Outdoor Cam to record at least as long as the 1st gen indoor cam.  That device records for about 1 minute and four seconds.  

4

honeybadger

8 Messages

I'm lucky if I get 1 minute and four seconds. 

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1 year ago

0

emily_s

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@mecca32​ and @honeybadger,

If you are experiencing a lag between your cameras' recordings, or recordings stop and start again when there is still motion, I would recommend using the Connection Check tool in the SimpliSafe mobile app. This tests your camera's connectivity, and provides you with a list of steps to improve your signal strength, if needed. 

To run a connection check:

  1. Tap the “Cameras” icon at the bottom of the SimpliSafe® mobile app
  2. Choose the gear icon in the upper right corner
  3. Select your camera
  4. Under “Connection” select “Connection Check”
  5. Tap “Start Connection Check” to find your camera's connection strength

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1 year ago

0

rgpretz

7 Messages

I along with others have the same issue.  Why don’t you folks admit the issue and fix it.  So, every time I get an alert and a short video, I have to do a connection check to confirm what I already know?  Please SimpliSafe, don’t insult us suckers who succomed to your marketing gimmicks.

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1 year ago

onegoldqt

1 Message

@emily_s​ 

It is not the lag time that is the issue. Sometimes we want the entire event recorded without stopping at all and especially not at 1 min. If there are people there it should continue recording no matter what. Is it possible to make that happen?

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2 months ago

0

Adamgoldman

4 Messages

1 year ago

100% agree with this. Extend the record time. 
Delivery driver pulls up but doesn’t get out right away so recording stops. By the time the camera starts up again in response to his getting out it has missed his exit from the vehicle and his approach to the door. All you get is a recording of his back on his way back to the truck. Useless!

extend the record time - simple solution. 

0

jackk8888

2 Messages

1 year ago

This looks like it did not make the cut for development. This is a really important feature request. 

5

rr0198

1 Message

I agree, seriously starting to rethink my monthly subscription to this system if they can’t listen to the community with such a simple request. We need longer video times or this system is simply not safe to have. Most of the time it catches vehicles approaching then cuts off when the car parks. The camera doesn’t start recording again until the person has basically already approached my home and is walking back to the vehicle. Didn’t sign up for this to get a quick shot of a car and a persons back. Way cheaper systems have this option so the fact that this doesn’t at $190 a camera is ridiculous. 

(edited)

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1 year ago

emily_s

Community Admin

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3.4K Messages

@rr0198​ The Outdoor Camera was designed to record until it no longer detects motion, but if motion resumes shortly after, there shouldn't be a lag in the time it takes for the camera to begin recording again.

Since you are seeing this lag, it can help to bring the Base Station a little closer to the camera in question, as the Base Station tells the camera when it should begin to record.

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1 year ago

0

rgpretz

7 Messages

@emily_s​ 

Really Emily?  Move my base station closer to the camera?  How do I know when to move the base station in anticipation of the camera activating movement.  And what does that do for the other cameras then?  I would be running around the house like a chicken with my head cut off with the other 4 cameras I have.  Or are you suggesting I get a base station for every camera?  Seriously, that was the absolute most ignorant post I have ever read and an insult to your Simplisafe customers.

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1 year ago

RHB

7 Messages

@emily_s​  my base station is very close to the camera and for me all my cameras are plugged in and not on battery. I’m not sure why they are not taking us seriously and at least give the user the option of having a longer record time. 

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1 year ago

0

sciorra

2 Messages

@rr0198​ 

iI totally agree. I plan on returning my 3 outdoor cameras within the 60 day trial. It’s apparent that the developers do not listen to the community. Such a short recording time is inadequate and not safe.

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6 months ago

0

lance843

1K Messages

1 year ago

This should be done as my old 8 year old arlos even running on nothing but battery you can choose from 10 seconds to one minute of recording after movement has happened. 

0

Akrasia

5 Messages

1 year ago

This is essential. I only get up to about 10 seconds of recording before it cuts off and ALWAYS misses the most important part. We need the ability to set a minimum record time of 1 minute. 

0

Davidjamesi

2 Messages

11 months ago

It’s really pathetic. You pay so much for a camera and subscription and it records for 20 seconds at best when it sees motion. I’m plugged into power outside. I want longer record times!!!!  

0

Trapper

1 Message

11 months ago

I'm considering removing ALL Simplisafe just because of the limited recording time! I need more time and can decide what ratio I want for recording time vs battery time. I bought the electrical connect BECAUSE I need longer recording time!! I'm really sorry I bought this system. 

0

Mrosenberg007

2 Messages

11 months ago

Not allowing us to have longer recording times is not acceptable.  Nest cameras do an excellent job on this and are less money than the $30 plus a month we are spending now with Simplisafe.  This needs to be added or you will see many people going to other cameras or maybe new whole security systems.  Give the customer what they want.  I am not asking for it free, but you have to be competitive with the market out there.

2

eburdin

1 Message

I would at least like for the recording time to be longer than one minute when I manually make a recording. It’s one thing for the motion to set it off, but if I turn on the camera to record something it’s on purpose and it might be longer than one minute.

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8 months ago

beebaybee22

4 Messages

@eburdin​

This!! 
it’s quite annoying to record something for one minute at a time. My log is not only full of one minute recordings, but it takes a little for the video to pop up asking if you want to watch/save/delete it and then the camera has to reset so you can attempt to continue recording. A whole 15 seconds lost of what you are trying to capture in between each minute.

I also feel this drains the battery faster as the camera is working more than just recording for as long as I’d like.

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7 months ago

mtimney

1 Message

6 months ago

Please enable longer recording times once movement is detected.  My recording average 13-17 seconds each.  Someone can be moving within the camera range and it stops recording and starts recording a new clip.  It does not keep recording while there is motion.

The camera connection is great and very near to the base station so don’t use that for an excuse.  The firmware needs updating to keep up with your competition, otherwise the outdoor cameras are useless!

0

Adamgoldman

4 Messages

6 months ago

It’s time for a long overdue firmware upgrade on the outdoor camera. This issue has been pending resolution for too long. 
Need longer and continuous recording for beginning of activation to the end of movement activity. 
Example - Delivery driver pulls up but doesn’t get out right away so recording stops. By the time the camera starts up again in response to his getting out of truck it has missed his exit from the vehicle and his approach to the door. All you get is a recording of his back on his way back to the truck. Useless!
Unless the camera records continuously during activity, it is useless.  
This is not a connectivity or wifi issue.  It's a SimpliSafe issue.  
Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Outdoor Camera does not record long enough

2

dgilliam14

2 Messages

Today I installed two Simplisafe outdoor cameras. Sadly the barely 20 second videos I get are not adequate.  They barely capture a short piece of the actual activity.   If I cannot extend the record time I will be forced to return the cameras. This is sad!

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6 months ago

0

dgilliam14

2 Messages

I am not sure if it made the difference but I reduced the resolution to 720 and retested both cameras.  In both cases the recording continued until I went back in the house - close to a minute each. I am much happier now.

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6 months ago

0

btay

2 Messages

5 months ago

I second the opinion. It does not have to be a forced software update, but at least allow people to select if they'd prefer the recording to be longer, like a shutoff delay. Detects movement, stays active 10,20, or 40 seconds longer etc.

Almost all other prime, motion detection camera devices allow this. Dashcams even more so letting you change insane amounts of settings for a simple $50 camera, this entire service I pay monthly for ontop of the expensive cameras should be way more.. It's horrifically rudimentary.
We know a camera being active longer, drains more battery.. Obviously
That is why it should be an option. I would literally much prefer to change my battery a week earlier and have that necessary film than to not have to change my battery as early and literally miss out on the purpose a camera is meant to fulfill.
(And no, i do not want to plug it in for performance mode because it is not located in a position to do so. Again, options.)

this, along with the fact they still haven't made the fix where a camera fully dying completely bricks the camera and wont let you reconnect with a full battery are reasons I think i'll be ending the service soon..

(edited)

0

honeybadger

8 Messages

5 months ago

Do any developers ever look at these posts? I'm really sick of non-answers from what appears to be an AI robot.

0

dowlingcorey

1 Message

4 months ago

I agree. I have 100/1000 in speeds and I'm definitely close to hub. Full singal strength. Record time stink, not long enough,  and even on high sensitivity they delay on triggering motion. 

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