I’m looking for an outdoor camera system that says something like ‘you are being recorded.’ I’d prefer it to record continuously and would need it to be wireless since we don’t have wired connections. Ideally, I’d want a mix of floodlights, regular spotlights, and a doorbell cam. Also, any info on fees/subscriptions would be helpful!
We currently have Blink cameras, but they don’t announce anything. Any suggestions?
The latest Wyze cam actually says, ‘Hello, you are being recorded.’
Tate said:
The latest Wyze cam actually says, ‘Hello, you are being recorded.’
Do they record all the time or just when there’s motion?
Tate said:
The latest Wyze cam actually says, ‘Hello, you are being recorded.’
Do they record all the time or just when there’s motion?
Recording all the time sounds great, but it can be a hassle. If it’s motion-only, you might get more useful clips. Constant recording can be too much footage to sort through, and some cameras might miss details with motion-only.
@Zeek
Is there one that can do both, like motion-triggered but also records continuously?
Colby said:
@Zeek
Is there one that can do both, like motion-triggered but also records continuously?
If you want wireless and continuous recording, you’ll be changing batteries or recharging constantly. Wired is more practical for what you’re describing. I had Blink and Wyze cams too, but they missed a lot of key moments. Now I use a wired system that records 24/7, and if something happens, I can easily scroll back to find it. Look into Lorex or similar options—they’re affordable and cover a lot of needs.
@Florence
So does your system alert for motion AND record all the time?
Colby said:
@Florence
So does your system alert for motion AND record all the time?
Also, just checking—this isn’t for a business, right? If it is, you’ll need way better setups than plastic mounts. For personal use, a solid system can work, but it’s best to have some support with cameras or backup if you’re keeping track of a lot of footage.
@Zeek
Nope, it’s for personal use. Tired of missing important parts of clips. Last night, someone stole something right from our front door. If it had been recording all the time, I might’ve seen the car too.
@Colby
Sorry to hear about the theft. Lighting can make a big difference too. Regular outdoor lighting (like plug-in spotlights) helps, plus it’s more affordable than high-end cameras. Good lighting makes your camera footage clearer and is a deterrent for anyone thinking about snooping around. If that doesn’t do the job, then look into upgrading cameras.
Colby said:
@Florence
So does your system alert for motion AND record all the time?
Yep, it records 24/7 and alerts for motion. It’s got person and vehicle detection too, which cuts down on random alerts from things like pets or trees blowing. Mine came with a DVR, so it’s more like a standard CCTV setup.
Colby said:
@Zeek
Is there one that can do both, like motion-triggered but also records continuously?
I think the Wyze Spotlight Cam Pro does this. It records to a flash card (if you add one) and can send motion clips to the cloud (there’s a subscription for that part). It does need AC power though.
@Merlin
Not ideal to rely on SD cards for constant recording. They wear out quickly if you’re recording all the time. And savvy intruders know to mess with cameras or NVRs if they don’t see cloud backups.
Colby said:
@Zeek
Is there one that can do both, like motion-triggered but also records continuously?
Most cameras are set to record with motion to save battery and data. Imagine you have 8,760 hours of hallway footage—you’d be scrolling forever to find any action. Cameras that only record motion are designed that way to keep things manageable.
@Zeek
That’s pretty bad advice. Go to the Ring forum and see how many people wish they had 24/7 recording because their camera missed something important. If you have full-time recording, you can still jump to the parts with motion.
@Zeke
Ring is a bit different. With a higher-end CCTV system, you can adjust settings so it doesn’t catch stuff like leaves blowing or a squirrel running by. A good system lets you fine-tune that, not like those plug-and-play setups from Best Buy.