Understanding Blink's Recording System: No Continuous Recording
If you're a new Blink camera owner, you might be searching for a setting to enable continuous, 24/7 recording. It's a common question, but the simple answer is that Blink cameras do not offer continuous video recording (CVR). This isn't a flaw or a missing feature; it's a fundamental aspect of their design. This guide will explain why this is the case and show you how to get the most out of Blink's motion-activated recording system.
Blink's core design philosophy is centred on providing wire-free, battery-powered cameras that are easy to install and can last for up to two years on a single set of batteries. Continuous recording is extremely power-intensive and would drain the batteries in a matter of hours, making this design impossible.
Key Characteristics of Blink Recording
Instead of CVR, the Blink system is built around the following principles:
- Motion-Activated Clips: Blink cameras are in a low-power standby mode until their sensors detect motion. When motion is detected, the camera 'wakes up' and records a short video clip.
- Clip Length Limits: You can set the duration of these clips in the app, but they have a maximum length (typically up to 60 seconds).
- Retrigger Time: This is the waiting period after a clip is recorded before the camera will start recording a new one. This is also designed to conserve battery.
- Live View: You can view a live feed from your camera at any time, but this is also not continuous and will time out after a certain period.
How to Maximise Your Blink Camera's Coverage
While you can't get 24/7 recording, you can optimise your settings to ensure you capture as much important activity as possible.
1. Adjust Your Clip Length
The most direct way to capture more footage is to increase the length of each recorded clip.
- Open the Blink app and tap the settings icon for the camera you wish to adjust.
- Navigate to the 'Motion Settings'.
- Find the 'Clip Length' option.
- Set the slider to the maximum duration, which is typically 60 seconds. This ensures that when motion is detected, the camera records for the longest possible time.
2. Minimise the Retrigger Time
The retrigger time is the cooldown period after a recording ends. Setting this to a lower value means your camera can start recording a new clip more quickly if motion is still occurring.
- In the same 'Motion Settings' menu, find the 'Retrigger Time' option.
- Set this to the lowest possible value, which is 10 seconds.
- Be aware: A short retrigger time will use more battery life, as the camera will activate more frequently.
3. Optimise Motion Sensitivity and Activity Zones
Ensuring your camera records the right events is just as important as how long it records for.
- Sensitivity: In the motion settings, adjust the 'Sensitivity' slider. If your camera is missing events, increase the sensitivity. If you're getting too many false alerts (e.g., from leaves blowing), decrease it.
- Activity Zones: Use the 'Activity Zones' feature to block out areas in the camera's view that you don't want to trigger a recording, such as a busy street or a neighbour's property. This focuses the camera on the areas that matter and saves battery.
4. Understand the Role of a Blink Subscription
A Blink Subscription Plan (Basic or Plus) is essential for getting the most out of newer Blink cameras (like the Blink Outdoor 4, Indoor, and Mini). While it does not enable continuous recording, it provides crucial features:
- Cloud Storage: It allows you to save all your motion clips to the cloud automatically.
- Longer History: You can access your recorded clips for up to 60 days.
- Instant Access: View your clips as soon as they are recorded.
Without a subscription, you would rely on local storage via a Sync Module 2 (sold separately), which can be less convenient.
Conclusion: Working with the System
The key to being happy with your Blink system is to understand its strengths. It is an excellent, power-efficient motion-detection system, not a continuous surveillance solution. By optimising your clip length, retrigger time, and motion zones, you can create a robust and reliable security setup that alerts you to the events that matter most, all while enjoying the convenience of long battery life.