Security cameras have become a societal norm and necessary at this point. Every home, business, and public space needs to have some form of security camera to scare away thieves or vandals, or collect evidence when a crime happens against your family, staff, or property. With cameras possibly everywhere around us, it’s normal to wonder if security cameras record all the time?
Past security cameras recorded all the time as long as they didn’t run out of storage or power. They would then review loads of footage to trace back to a specific event and hope to find evidence. However, with technological advancements like motion detection, this method has become outdated and inefficient.
That said, some homes and commercial areas still prefer 24/7 recording for various reasons. Let’s examine how security cameras operate and when they record to better understand whether they record all the time.
In this Article:
Types of Security Cameras
Before diving into if security cameras record all the time, let’s first understand the types of security cameras available in the market.
1. Always-On Security Cameras
Nanny cams, baby monitors, and outdoor cameras are examples of cameras that continuously record. These cameras will record at all times as long as they have power and storage space.
They usually come with continuous recording features where the footage is recorded 24/7 without any breaks. The perks of always-on cameras are that they capture every event, even the ones you didn’t anticipate.
However, it means going through a lot of footage and storage space to find specific events.
2. Motion-Activated Security Cameras
Motion-triggered security cameras are popular because they save storage space and make it easier to find specific events. They remain idle and only record when their sensors detect motion, saving you hours of sifting through footage.
You can also set up the camera’s sensitivity level to avoid false alarms from pets or tree branches swaying in the wind. AI-powered cameras can distinguish between humans and animals, even telling apart familiar faces from strangers.
This type of security camera is ideal for those who want to conserve storage space and prefer targeted recordings.
3. Scheduled Recording Security Cameras
Scheduled recording cameras are a hybrid of cameras that record all the time and motion-activated cameras. As the name suggests, they record based on your schedule.
For example, baby monitors are only relevant when you’re away or distracted, so you can schedule the camera to record during those times. You don’t need it when spending quality time with your little one.
You can also schedule outdoor cameras to record at night or when you’re away from home. This way, you have footage of any suspicious activities during those specific times.
Otherwise, the camera remains idle when you’re mowing the lawn or lounging in the backyard. This type of camera is perfect for conserving storage space and capturing important events at specific times.
Factors That Determine Recording Behavior
Now that you know about the three main types of security cameras, you can decide which ones are suitable for your needs.
Budget, storage space, surveillance goals, etc., should also influence your choice. Let’s go over some of these factors:
1. Type of Camera Recording System
Security cameras vary drastically, and they’ve also evolved over time. Some cameras use physical storage mediums like SD cards, while others rely on cloud storage systems.
When choosing a camera, consider the type of recording system it uses and whether it aligns with your needs. For example, if you prefer remote access to your footage, a camera with cloud storage is the better option.
2. Storage Capacity and Data Management Options
The footage you can store will depend on your camera’s storage capacity. Here’s how long the average home security camera stores footage.
You can wire your security cameras to store all footage locally by investing in hard drives dedicated to storing footage. However, outdated security cameras may not even allow you to do that, so you’d have to manually cut and paste the footage onto external drives.
Fortunately, modern security cameras have advanced data management options to help you save and manage footage. You can even choose cloud storage options, which allow you to store footage remotely and automatically delete old footage to preserve storage space.
3. Power Source and Backup Options
Security cameras require constant power supply to function. Most wired security cameras come with a direct power source, either through an outlet or ethernet cable.
On the other hand, wireless cameras may rely on batteries or have a rechargeable battery option. For coverage during power outages, consider investing in cameras that have backup options like solar panels or uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units.
4. Surveillance Goals and Coverage Area
Your surveillance goals are crucial in determining the type of security camera you choose. If your goal is to monitor specific areas in real time, then live streaming capabilities should be a priority.
For larger coverage areas, consider investing in multiple cameras integrated into a central monitoring system. You’ll gain a comprehensive view of the entire area and more efficiently track events and incidents.
Baby monitors require robust storage, as they should record all the time unless you’re bonding with your baby. They should also have low-light features for reliable monitoring in the dark.
Pros and Cons of Continuous Recording
Continuous recording is one of the most significant benefits of modern security cameras. It allows you to capture all events and incidents without missing any details.
Pros
- Provides a constant and accurate record of events.
- Allows for better tracking and monitoring of incidents.
- It can be used as evidence in legal cases or insurance claims.
Cons
- Requires more storage space compared to motion-triggered recording
- May capture mundane or irrelevant footage that must be manually filtered through
- Increases electricity consumption and may require frequent battery or power source changes.
Choosing the Right System for Your Needs
How do you know which security camera system is right for you? We already touched on considering your situation and security needs. How big is the area you want to cover? How many cameras do you need?
You also need to review the purposes of surveilling. Is it a commercial setup? How many entry points are being monitored? Do you need to monitor indoors or outdoors?
Continuous vs. Motion-Activated vs. Scheduled Recording
The top decision you’ll have to make is whether you want continuous, motion-activated, or scheduled recording. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, and we already discussed them.
Privacy laws and regulations
The laws that apply for home settings may vary slightly from commercial and public settings. Depending on your location, you may need to follow specific regulations for security cameras, such as informing visitors or employees about the presence of surveillance.
If you’re somewhere you expect privacy, here’s how to tell if a security camera is recording.
Additional Features to Consider
Some other features that you might want to consider when choosing a security camera system include:
- Remote viewing and access: Can you view the footage from your phone or computer?
- Cloud storage options: Do you have the option to store footage in the cloud, and is there an extra cost associated with it?
- Two-way audio: Can you communicate through the camera’s microphone and speaker?
- Mobile alerts: When the system detects suspicious motion, will you receive phone notifications?
- Pan/tilt/zoom capabilities: Can the camera move and zoom remotely?
- Night vision: Will the camera capture clear footage in low-light conditions?
- Weatherproof rating: If you plan to place cameras outdoors, ensure they have a weatherproof rating high enough for your climate.
Budget Considerations
You can’t buy it if you can’t afford it, so a budget should inform the kind of security system you install. Do you want to spend once and avoid paying periodic fees, or are you comfortable with a subscription-based service?
If you choose to store footage locally, you may also want to invest handsomely in SSDs and hard drives. Remember to factor in the cost of installation and any necessary wiring or additional equipment.
The initial investment may seem daunting, but remember that a good security camera system is an essential investment.
Wrap Up
While most security cameras have motion detection capabilities, some record footage all the time. We already discussed the perks of this feature, but it’s worth noting again that continuous recording can give you a more comprehensive view of events.
What works best depends on your specific needs. If you live in a high-crime area or have valuable assets to protect, it may be worth investing in security cameras that record continuously, but if you’re in a calmer, slow-paced area and aren’t protecting items that are likely to make you a target, continuous recording is likely to be unnecessary.
