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psmullen1's profile

Sunday, May 5th, 2024 3:58 AM

Outdoor camera recording in day but NOT at night

In the daytime, when my outdoor camera detects motion, it makes a recording and sends a notification. Perfect.

At night, this is what happens:

1) when I put it in spotlight mode, it detects motion and the spotlight comes on, but it doesn't make a recording or send a notification

2) when in night vision mode, the leds blinks to indicate motion detected, but it doesn't make a recording or send a notification

There is a security light about 60 feet away from the house. The light itself is not in view, but some of the area is partly lit. See attached image.

I don't have this problem with my 2 outdoor cameras on a different system at a different house. Idon't know what's wrong. Help please?!?!

 What do you suggest? 

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

5 months ago

Hi @psmullen1 ,


There are a couple of issues that come to mind.
It helps to know how the Outdoor Camera's motion detection works, which is a two-step process. First, the infrared motion sensor picks up heat signatures moving around within view. Then, if you have the People Only setting active, the camera analyzes the actual image and looks for anything that looks like it's shaped like a person.

For your particular setup, what might be happening is that the second condition isn't being met; that is, the camera isn't quite able to make out anything shaped like a human. It might help to lower the camera so that it has a more sideways view of anyone passing by. Lateral movement is better for the infrared cam to pick up as well.

I would suggest moving the camera down, even if temporarily, just to see if that helps.

4 Messages

Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it. I will try moving the camera to see how it affects things.

A couple of follow up questions that your explanation brings to mind.

1) If I changed it to "All Motion" instead of "People Only," would it just start recording without verifying a human shape? If so, changing that setting as well could help. I don't mind getting videos of dogs and deer that wonder by.

2) How does the "Night Vision" vs "Spotlight" setting affect this? I don't seem to be getting a recording after dark, even when I switch to spotlight mode - but I am wondering why the software identifies people and records in the day, but not at night? Is it because there is not enough light, even when the spotlight comes on? Could it help to add more lighting in the yard?

Thanks again for your help!!!

4 Messages

Followup question 3) So given what you said might be the problem, why would it successfully record almost without fail in the daytime? Is it easier for the software to ID people in daylight?

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