Do CCTV cameras record all the time?

Security cameras are a key facet of home security systems. Whether you’re protecting a domestic dwelling or have invested in a comprehensive commercial system , you should be aware of their function; that goes beyond the concern of merely filming a chosen area of your premises.

A question we’re often asked is about how often security cameras record. Is it constantly, or just some of the time? If the latter is the case, how does it know when exactly to record?

Alltronic Security are experts in all aspects of home security, and can certainly answer this question. In short, it depends; primarily, there is a choice of ways in which security cameras can operate.

Motion recording and continuous recording security cameras

The answer to the question is often dependent on the recording capacity your camera has, along with what and why you’re monitoring. For instance, if the camera is watching over an area prone to crime, it’d be preferable to have a recording take place for long durations.

In other areas, such as the kitchen of a domestic dwelling, the owner of the security system may opt for a camera that only detects motion.

The most common security camera varieties are continuous video recording (CVR) and motion recording.

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Continuous recording (CVR)

Continuous video recording is capable of catching all activities, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. When you’re constantly needing to keep a watchful eye over an area of your premises, CVR is the option to go for.

CVR camera footage can be saved to view at a later time and can be hosted both locally, and/or on the cloud. Though there’s a feeling of footage control that comes with local hosting, there are limitations on how much you can record, varying based on the storage space available on your attached card.

The option of motion recording

More easily installed and managed than their comprehensive CVR counterparts, motion detecting cameras are fantastic at capturing movements in their vicinity. This provides a simpler method of narrowing down the exact footage you want to view.

The sensors built in to systems recognise motion, instantly taking photos and videos, with the additional capability of sending alerts to your device; which negates the need for constant monitoring.

Not having to be concerned about storage space is another huge positive for motion sensor detectors.

With most models, it’s possible to choose specific time slots to detect, as well as adjusting the sensitivity at which it operates.

Do CCTV cameras record all the time?

Home security camera storage

Footage storage options for security camera can vary, are dependent on the system. The primary methods to which footage can be recorded to include:

  • Cloud, or internet-based storage
  • SD cards - have a range of storage space options available
  • Your home PC
  • Network video recorder (NVR) or digital video recorder (DVR)

Remember to ensure the compatibility of your storage system with your camera of purchase. Also, recall that the type of storage, and space thereof, that you will need revolves around what and when you want to record.

Your local experts in security

If you have any queries about the content discussed on this page, or would like to enquire about installing a security system on your system, get in touch with a friendly member of our staff to discuss your options. You can reach us by calling 07 3353 3248 , or filling in a contact form .

Do CCTV cameras record all the time?

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Nest Cam (battery)

(Image credit: Google)

Installing CCTV cameras at home used to be a rarity reserved for the wealthy. But now, a booming smart home industry has commoditized security and surveillance technology, putting cameras into the hands of almost everyone.

Whether it’s a set of home security cameras on the exterior of your property, one of the best video doorbells on the front door, or a simple indoor camera for keeping an eye on the dog while you’re out, smart security cameras are affordable and plentiful. In fact, one in five US homes has a home security camera installed, according to security site Safety.com’s recent home protection survey. 

However, not all home security cameras work in the same way. Some record constantly while others only store footage when motion is detected. Cameras that record constantly are ideal if you want peace of mind that ensures you can check what’s happened in your home at any point.  

Know that you want a home security camera regardless of whether it continuously records or not, then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market. 

 So, do security cameras record all the time? 

Some security cameras do have the ability to continuously record, but it comes at a price - in most cases this requires forking out for an extra subscription service while in others it means the camera will need to be mains-powered rather than used with a rechargeable battery, which may affect where you can install it. 

Arlo is one of the biggest names in home security cameras and offers continuous recording on some of its models; including its top-of-the-range Arlo Ultra 2 and Arlo Ultra, the Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Pro 3, and Arlo Pro 2 as well as its entry-level Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, Spotlight Cam, but it comes at a cost. 

You’ll need a Continuous Video Recording (CVR) subscription, which is priced at $9.99 / £6.99 / AU$12.99 per month for one camera for 14 days of recording, then $4.99/ £3.49 / AU$6.49 per month for each additional camera. This is a separate plan to Arlo Secure, which ensures footage captured when motion is detected is stored online so it can be reviewed at a later date, and costs from $2.99/ £2.79 / AU$4.49 a month for one camera or $9.99 / £8.99 / AU$14.99 for unlimited cameras. 

While Arlo offers local storage through its base station, this is only for motion-triggered recordings and does not support CVR. Arlo’s home security cameras must be mains-powered for CVR to work too. 

Google’s Nest range of home security cameras, such as the Google Nest Cam (battery) also benefits from continuous recording for those who want it. Nest cameras and the Nest Doorbell will alert users when they detect motion, and the footage can be viewed for up to three hours after it was detected at no extra cost.

However, you’ll need a $12 /  £10 / AU$18 Nest Aware Plus subscription to enable continuous, 24/7 video recording, which is saved in the cloud for 10 days. In other words, you can view continuous footage that was recorded by your Nest cameras up to 10 days ago.

Eufy is another smart camera company that offers continuous recording. It isn’t a feature the company shouts about, and it’s one that is limited to wired cameras, like the Solo IndoorCam C24, but 24/7 video capture is possible when recording to an SD card. This means it’s one of the few home security camera brands that doesn’t require a subscription to enable continuous recording.

Finally, some security cameras from Reolink can also record continuously. This includes the Reolink C series and Reolink E series cameras, but does not include battery-powered cameras, as 24/7 recording would drain the battery far too quickly. Compatible Reolink cameras can be set to record continuously to an SD card.

PS: Checkout our list of the best DVR for CCTV

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  • We ask a former burglar: do smart security cameras really deter crime?

Ring Floodlight Cam on a wall illuminating an intruder

(Image credit: Ring)

 What about Ring?

Amazon-owned Ring is another big player in the home security camera market, but their products do not offer continuous recording. Instead, only a short video is recorded when motion is detected. The length of each recording can be set between 15 and 120 seconds, but longer recordings will reduce the battery life of Ring’s wireless products, like some of its video doorbells.

Ring, however, does offer a feature called Snapshot, which takes still images frequently throughout the day and adds them to motion-triggered video recordings to create a daily timeline. These can be snapped as often as every 10 seconds for wired cameras, or every 14 minutes for those that are battery-powered. The resolution is only 640 x 360, but this is a compromise as a higher resolution would use more battery life and quickly fill up a huge amount of storage.

Snapshot does requires a Ring Protect plan, which starts at £2.50 / $3 / AU$4 per camera per month. This also provides online storage for video recordings made by your Ring cameras and Video Doorbell range.ork.

Do I really need a camera that records all the time?

To conclude, while it isn’t a feature many companies make a big deal of, continuous recording is possible with a range of smart home security cameras, but is it one you need?

For most homeowners, continuous video recording isn’t necessary, and a home security camera that records when it detects motion (and, ideally, when it detects relevant motion, like an unknown person, not a cat or a bag blowing in the wind) will suffice. This makes iyt much easier to find what you are looking for in the camera’s timeline. 

However, if you want a home security camera that acts in the same way as CCTV, or you want true peace of mind, then continuous video recording could be a wise investment. 

  • Check out the best cheap home security camera deals

How do I know if my CCTV is recording?

How Do You Know If a CCTV Security Camera Is On.
Observe whether the security camera is moving to see if it is on. ... .
Check the status of the LEDs in the IP security cameras. ... .
Log in to your security camera software. ... .
Use electronic bug detectors. ... .
Know if a CCTV is recording from its power indicator..

How long can CCTV camera record?

Generally, most CCTV Footage gets stored for 90 days. However, every setup is different, and footage storage needs too. So, learn more about CCTV cameras, the storage part, or buying the right system with Western Digital. Call our experts to know more!

Does CCTV footage get deleted?

Most CCTV footage is deleted 30 days after it's recorded. The CCTV owner might not be allowed to share any footage if: other people can be seen in it. they're not able to edit out people to protect their identity.

How do I get my security camera to record all the time?

Recording Security Camera Video on NVR/DVR All the Time. The best way to record a security camera is to use an NVR (Network Video Recorder) or a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), and you can delete CCTV footage directly from an NVR. Most NVRs and DVRs come with a built-in HDD with large capacity, such as 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, etc ...