The video quality of the Blink Video Doorbell is moderate compared to other doorbells in the market. This model is budget-friendly and comes with limitations, including compression, daytime and nighttime performance, field of view, and resolution. The newer models of Blink video doorbells have provided with a number of improvements in video quality.
How Good Is the Video Quality of the Blink Doorbell?
The video quality of the doorbell varies with the model. Original models support 1080p HD quality, while the newer has upgraded to 1440 resolution with an aspect ratio of 1:1, designed for head-to-toe video coverage. The file size of the second-generation doorbells is 150° horizontally and vertically, which allows the user to see the packages on the ground. Blink Video doorbell comes with 30fps to support linear playback, entirely dependent on the wifi strength. Infrared LEDs provide clear monochromes in black and white at night. Just like the competitor doorbells, high compression is used in it, which makes the video less sharp.
How Does Blink Doorbell Motion Detection Work?
It uses multi-layered functions to provide an accurate result using software analysis and hardware sensors. PIR (passive infrared) is the primary trigger in this process. It detects the object with a heat change in its field of view. 7-19 feet is the optimized range for the doorbell to detect people, animals, or vehicles. The camera software confirms the motion after the PIR sensor, which can be adjusted to ignore motion in specific areas in the Blink app. A sensitivity control scale from 1 to 9 helps to set the trigger, as 6-9 detects small moments, including swaying trees, while 1-4 ignores them. An early notification setting in its app triggers the moment, even before saving the video clip.
What Are Best Practices for Motion Detection Accuracy?
Prevent pointing the camera toward a busy road or street to limit PIR alerts. A wedge mount is perfect for minimizing the angle of the video to the porch only. Movement of leaves or branches can trigger action, especially in the windy season. Trim the plants occasionally to exclude them or use the activity zones feature in the Blink app. Clean the lens of the doorbell monthly to wipe out spiderwebs, dust, or water spots to enhance the video quality. Prefer setting the sensitivity scale up to 5 or 6; increase it only if the target is not being detected. Retrigger time puts the doorbell on cool mode for 30+ seconds to minimize the video clips of the same people. Blink subscription allows the user to turn on the person detection feature, which excludes the animals or plants motion detection.
Does Blink Doorbell Support Night Vision?
Yes, Blink Video Doorbell supports night vision using IR technology. The 850nm infrared LED captures the black and white video in total darkness, which is less advanced compared to Nest or Ring doorbells(which captures colored video). Light sensors switch between day and night automatically. During the night, these doorbells can capture the area up to 20 feet to identify the visitor. Set the doorbell at the corner to prevent IR reflection, which can wash out images otherwise.
How to Optimize Night Vision Performance?
Keep the lens of the camera in the opposite direction from the street lights. The shine of these lights can confuse the camera into detecting it as day instead of night. Leave the porch light on at night to enhance the sharpness of the image, and turn the night vision off in the Blink app settings to get a color image. Use a corner mount or a blink wedge to direct the camera to the porch. Adjust the IR intensity in the settings according to the porch size. Keep it low in case the porch size is small, and high if the porch size is large. Place the camera at 48 inches from the feet to ensure the PIR sensor catches the heat perfectly, and the IR LEDs capture the face instead of the ceiling or chest.
What Are Common Issues with Video and Motion Detection?
Here are the five common issues with video and motion detection in Blink Video Doorbells:
- Delayed or missed alerts: Delays in alerts are commonly due to high latency and weak Wi-Fi signals. Check the signal strength in the Blink app, and if the bars are less than 3, then move near the doorbell.
- False motion detections: Any change in heat due to sunlight, trees, shadows, or moving cars can trigger the PIR sensor, which results in false detections. Turn the person detection on and minimize the activity zone to control it.
- Blurry or low-quality video: Reflection of infrared (IR) light from nearby objects, such as brick walls or decorative wreaths, can overexpose the camera image. Place it on the corner mount and set the intensity to medium to prevent blurry video.
- Night vision problems: IR LEDs can blur the video, and adjust the sensitivity at a medium level. Set the retrigger time to less than 60 seconds to record all the activities.
- Firmware or app glitches: Outdated software can alter the video and motion detection quality. Ensure the video quality is set to the best in the app to prevent pixelated and choppy videos.
How to Review and Improve Video Footage Quality?
Check signal strength in the Blink app and ensure it is at 3 bars. Place the Sync Module 2 about halfway between the Wi-Fi router and the doorbell for a stronger and more stable connection. Keep the app updated along with the doorbell firmware for high-quality videos. Tilt the camera at the perfect angle using the Wedge mount option to capture the entire activity.
