Blink’s outdoor camera became one of our top recommendations thanks to its affordability and ease of use. The camera is weatherproof, wireless, with a two-year battery life, and includes important smart features like motion detection with customizable zones and two-way audio from the Blink app.
But home security cameras these days come with a key caveat: Video storage is often dependent on subscription plans and can be very limited outside of live streaming unless you pay an extra fee. Blink plans (purchased through Amazon) start at $3 per month. It’s always a good idea to ask about the features included with any security camera and whether it can be used without a subscription to save money.
Is a subscription required to use the Blink outdoor camera?
Technically no. You still have access to the many features of the Blink Outdoor Camera without paying for a subscription. These include the ability to save motion alerts, two-way audio, and the ability to view live streams. That’s pretty good compared to other home security subscriptions, many of which turn off alerts without paying ongoing fees.
However, you will not be able to save any video clips, which is a key feature for security cameras. Saving video clips allows you to spot pirates on your porch that you may have missed, see who’s watching your yard, and in the worst case, show the footage to the police or a lawyer for further action. Video recording is a feature you need for serious home monitoring, so it’s hard to say goodbye.
How does video storage work with the Blink Outdoor Cam?
This is where things get a bit complicated. Let’s break it down by options based on two plans.
Blink Basic Plan: For $3 a month, the plan adds active video recording to the cloud for one device. If you only plan to have a Blink camera, that’s a pretty good price for cloud storage. Keep in mind, though, that some options, like the latest Nest Video Doorbell, are offered for free. Cloud videos will last for 60 days and will then be permanently deleted. The basic plan also adds a backup option using the Sync Module 2 hub, Blink’s backup data management add-on. Connect and set up a USB drive to the Sync Module 2, and it will back up eligible cloud-stored clips to the USB drive, so you can keep them permanently.
Blink Plus Plan – This plan costs $10 per month and basically works the same as the basic plan, except you can have unlimited devices, so you can use more than one external camera if you want. It also adds a discount for future Blink purchases and an extended warranty. Video storage still lasts 60 days, and you still have the option to automatically back up your clips to the cloud to a USB drive if you have the Sync Module 2.
Does the Blink outdoor camera have local storage?
For those who don’t want a subscription, many security cameras come with a local storage option where you can insert an SD card, USB drive, or the like to store footage. It requires a lot more manual work to track and clean than cloud storage, but you don’t have to pay any fees.
The Blink outdoor camera takes a slightly different approach. That Sync Module 2 hub we’ve been talking about? It can also support only local storage with the correct settings, allowing you to store videos without a subscription.
How can I use Blink Outdoor Cam with local storage?
First, buy the Blink Sync Module 2. They’re available for a one-time fee of $35. Connect it to the Blink app, along with your Blink outdoor camera.
Insert the configured USB drive into the module with enough space. If your USB drive is not recognized, the Blink app should prompt you to add it.
Camera clips should now be automatically added to your USB drive as soon as you download them. The very good news is that you can track all your recorded videos right from the Blink app, which makes management much easier. His You can not record live video while you watch it (not without a plan), but that’s the only major limitation.
And does that ensure that I don’t have to pay any ongoing fees?
That. Just be sure to update your external camera and Sync Module 2 via the Blink app when necessary. If you purchase security cameras from Blink in the future, you may also need to update your sync module to ensure this method continues to work.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn