Does Cove Offer 24/7 Recording? Understanding Your System
If you're a new Cove user, you might be wondering how your cameras record and store video footage. A common question that arises is whether Cove provides 24/7 continuous video recording (CVR). The short answer is no, Cove's system is not designed for 24/7 recording. Instead, it operates on a more efficient and targeted model known as event-based recording.
This guide will explain why Cove uses this model, what its benefits are, and how it works to keep your home secure without needing to record every single second of the day.
Understanding Cove's Event-Based Recording Model
Unlike some security systems that continuously record video to a hard drive or the cloud, Cove's cameras are designed to activate and record only when something important happens. This is what's known as event-based recording.
An "event" can be triggered by several things:
- A security sensor is tripped: If a door or window sensor is opened, or a motion detector is triggered while the system is armed, the cameras will begin to record.
- The camera's built-in motion detection: You can configure your Cove cameras to record a clip whenever they detect motion in their field of view, even when the system is disarmed.
- Manual recording: You can initiate a recording yourself by starting a live video stream from your Cove app.
When one of these events occurs, the camera records a video clip of a predetermined length. This clip is then uploaded to your cloud storage, and you receive a notification on your smartphone, allowing you to immediately see what happened.
The Benefits of Not Having 24/7 Recording
While the idea of recording everything might sound appealing, it comes with significant drawbacks. Cove's event-based model offers several practical advantages.
1. Reduced Internet Bandwidth Usage
Continuously streaming high-definition video from multiple cameras, 24 hours a day, consumes an enormous amount of internet upload bandwidth. This can slow down all the other devices in your home, such as computers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. By only recording during key events, Cove ensures your home network remains fast and responsive.
2. Longer Battery Life
For wire-free, battery-powered cameras, 24/7 recording is simply not feasible. The constant recording would drain the batteries in a matter of hours or days, rather than weeks or months. The event-based model is far more power-efficient, allowing your cameras to be ready to record when it matters most, without requiring constant recharging.
3. More Efficient Video Review
Sifting through 24 hours of footage to find a specific incident can be a tedious and time-consuming task. With event-based recording, your timeline in the Cove app is automatically populated with short, relevant clips. You can quickly see when motion was detected or when a sensor was triggered and view the associated footage instantly, without having to scrub through hours of inactivity.
4. Lower Cloud Storage Costs
Storing 24/7 footage from even a single camera requires a massive amount of cloud storage space, which can be very expensive. By only storing clips of important events, Cove can offer affordable cloud storage plans while still ensuring you have access to all the crucial moments.
Maximising Your Cove System's Effectiveness
While Cove doesn't offer 24/7 recording, you can still ensure your system is optimised to capture everything you need.
- Strategic Camera Placement: Position your cameras to overlook key entry points, high-traffic areas, and vulnerable spots like back doors or ground-floor windows.
- Adjust Motion Sensitivity: Fine-tune the motion sensitivity settings for each camera to find the right balance. You want it to be sensitive enough to detect a person, but not so sensitive that it's triggered by rustling leaves or passing shadows.
- Utilise All Your Sensors: Your door, window, and motion sensors are the primary triggers for your system when it's armed. Ensure they are all installed correctly and working properly to provide a comprehensive security net that activates your cameras when a genuine event occurs.