Understanding Why Your Cove Camera Doesn't Record Continuously
If you're a new Cove user, you might be wondering why you can't find an option for 24/7 continuous video recording (CVR). It's a common question, and the answer lies in the design philosophy of the Cove security system. Cove cameras are primarily designed for event-based recording.
This guide will explain what that means, why Cove uses this method, and how you can troubleshoot issues if your camera isn't recording events as you expect.
What is Event-Based Recording?
Instead of recording 24 hours a day, event-based cameras "sleep" in a low-power state until their sensors detect motion. When motion is triggered, the camera wakes up and records a short video clip of the event. Once the motion stops, the camera finishes the clip and goes back to sleep.
Benefits of Event-Based Recording:
- Efficiency: It saves a tremendous amount of data and cloud storage space.
- Easy Review: You can quickly review a timeline of specific motion events instead of scrubbing through hours of empty footage.
- Longer Battery Life: For battery-powered models, this method is essential for ensuring the battery lasts for months instead of hours.
- Reduced Network Load: It uses your home's Wi-Fi bandwidth only when necessary.
Because of these efficiencies, most DIY and professionally monitored security systems, including Cove, rely on event-based recording for their cameras.
Troubleshooting Cove Camera Recording Issues
If your camera isn't recording the motion events it should be, here are the steps to fix the problem.
1. Check Your System's Status
- Is the System Armed? Cove cameras often follow the system's armed status. Ensure your system is set to 'Home' or 'Away' mode for the cameras to be active. They may not record when the system is disarmed.
- Check Camera Power: Make sure the camera is powered on and has a stable internet connection. Check the device status in your Cove app.
2. Review Camera Settings in the App
The solution is often found in the camera's configuration.
- Enable Motion Detection: Navigate to the specific camera's settings in the Cove app. Ensure that the Motion Detection toggle is switched on.
- Adjust Motion Sensitivity: If the sensitivity is too low, the camera may not pick up subtle or distant movements. If it's too high, you'll get too many false alerts. Adjust this setting to a medium or high level and test it by walking in front of the camera.
- Check Recording Clip Length: While you can't set it to record continuously, you can often adjust the duration of the clips it records after detecting motion. Look for a 'Clip Length' or similar setting and choose a longer duration if available.
3. Verify Your Subscription Plan
Certain features and the ability to store recorded clips in the cloud are tied to your Cove monitoring plan. Ensure your plan is active and includes video support. If your subscription has lapsed, recording features may be disabled.
4. Rule Out Connectivity Issues
A poor Wi-Fi connection can prevent the camera from successfully uploading its recorded clips to the cloud. In your camera's settings, check the Wi-Fi signal strength. If it is weak, the camera may detect motion but fail to save the recording. Try moving your Wi-Fi router closer to the camera or using a Wi-Fi extender.
By understanding that Cove cameras are designed for event-based recording and ensuring your settings are correctly configured, you can have confidence that your system is capturing all the important moments.