Understanding August and Continuous Video Recording
If you've just installed an August security camera or doorbell, you might be looking for a setting to enable continuous 24/7 recording. It's a common feature on many wired security systems, so it's natural to look for it. However, it's important to understand the design philosophy behind August products.
This professional and helpful guide will clarify why August cameras do not offer continuous video recording (CVR) and show you how to get the most out of their event-based recording system for effective and efficient home security.
## Why August Focuses on Event-Based Recording
August cameras are engineered to capture the moments that matter. Instead of recording everything, they use motion detection to trigger short video clip recordings. There are several key reasons for this approach:
- Battery Conservation: For battery-powered models like the August View, continuous recording would drain the battery in a matter of hours. Event-based recording allows these devices to operate for months on a single charge.
- Reduced Data Usage: Constantly uploading high-definition video to the cloud consumes a significant amount of internet bandwidth. Motion-based clips use a fraction of the data.
- Relevant Notifications: This system ensures that you are only alerted when there is actual activity, rather than receiving constant notifications or having to search through hours of empty footage to find a specific event.
- Faster Access to Clips: It's much quicker to review a 30-second clip of a person at your door than to scrub through a 24-hour timeline.
## How to Optimise Your August Camera's Recording
While you can't enable CVR, you can fine-tune your camera's settings to ensure it captures all the important activity around your home.
### Adjusting Motion Sensitivity
The most critical setting is Motion Sensitivity.
- Open the August app and navigate to the settings for your specific camera or doorbell.
- Find the "Motion Detection" or similar menu.
- Here, you can adjust the sensitivity level. If you feel the camera is missing events, increase the sensitivity. If you are getting too many alerts from minor movements, decrease the sensitivity.
### Understanding Your Subscription
To store and review your recorded video clips, you need an August subscription. These plans provide access to your video history in the cloud. Without a subscription, you may only get live viewing capabilities, so ensure your plan is active to make the most of your device.
## Best Practices for Camera Placement
To ensure your August camera captures events effectively, placement is crucial.
- Field of View: Position the camera so that its field of view covers the key areas you want to monitor, such as walkways, entrances, or driveways.
- Avoid False Triggers: Try to minimise the amount of "background noise" in the frame. This includes busy streets with constant traffic or trees that sway heavily in the wind, as these can cause unwanted recordings.
- Optimal Height: Place the camera at a height of around 7-10 feet (2-3 metres) and angle it slightly downwards. This provides a clear view of visitors' faces while covering a wide area.
By understanding that August cameras are powerful event-based devices, you can configure them to provide excellent, actionable security insights without the need for continuous recording. Focus on tuning your motion settings and camera placement to build a responsive and reliable security setup.