Watch your cameras from your phone, day or night

From All Wireless Security

What AWS sets up

All Wireless Security says you can monitor its surveillance systems from any computer or wireless device, day or night. The general guide below explains how recording and remote viewing work.

General guidance

Where the video is stored

On a recorder at your property (NVR)

A network video recorder keeps footage on its own hard drives. It keeps recording if the internet goes down, and you can look back through days or weeks of video depending on how many cameras there are, the picture quality and the drive size. The app connects to the recorder when you want to watch.

In the cloud

Cloud cameras upload clips to the maker's servers. If someone takes the camera, the clips are still online. Storage usually comes with a monthly plan. For example, the First Alert Pro VX1 doorbell requires a storage plan and Total Connect service.

Continuous or motion recording

• Continuous: records everything. Nothing is missed, but it uses the most storage.
• Motion or event: records when something moves inside the motion area you drew. This is easier to search and keeps video for longer.
• Scheduled: for example, continuous during business hours and motion-only overnight.

Getting good video on your phone

• Upload speed matters. Watching from away uses your internet upload, not your download.
• Use the app's secondary stream. Phones often show a lighter stream, then switch to full quality when you zoom in or play back.
• Keep the clock right. The recorder should set its time automatically (NTP), so the time stamps on recordings are correct.

Keep it private and secure

• Change every default password on the cameras, the recorder and the app, and make sure that is done before the installer leaves.
• Give each family member or employee their own login, and remove it when they leave.
• Keep the recorder's firmware up to date.
• Aim cameras at your own property. Don't record into a neighbour's windows or yard.