Doorbell Cameras with Local Storage: What are my options?

The best home security system is one that  provides plenty of peace of mind, and that includes access to your home’s security data. Many security systems today are starting to offer even more options than a homeowner might expect. One of those is a doorbell camera with local storage — so homeowners can see who’s there and record it in case the footage is needed later. In the past that was the job of a separate security camera, but most doorbell cameras nowadays will be able to do that on their own, saving you the hassle of installing two cameras.  

This is great news for homeowners —especially those who want to have more security in their lives and in their homes. They can focus their efforts on having top quality security for their location, and on making sure anyone who does cause a problem is caught on camera. That way they can be sure to have footage to show authorities if necessary. Without local storage that’s not possible, unless they have a security camera installed that will capture footage on its own. Having storage tied to the doorbell is one of the best ways to automatically access important footage. 

Storing Information in a Doorbell Camera 

Fortunately, there are  options for storing footage  in a doorbell camera. Most home security providers offer a video doorbell option. Brinks Home Security™ uses the SkyBell Video Doorbell. Some of your doorbell camera options have more storage than others, of course, but they can all store important information. They also allow for two-way audio, so a homeowner can talk to the person on the other side of their door and hear what they’re saying as well. 

Having both audio and video can be an excellent way for homeowners to get information about the person who has come to their door, just in case there’s a problem that occurs and has to be handled from a legal perspective. 

By keeping that in mind, homeowners will have a higher chance of making the right choice. Some homeowners may opt out of getting this kind of doorbell because of the additional cost, but price shouldn’t be the only factor worth considering. There are a few more issues to address where security and protection are concerned. 

How Many Options do I Have? 

With the  right home security system, you will have several options for the kind of doorbell you want. You can get cameras with local storage, those that don’t have it, and some that don’t have cameras at all. Audio is also not included with all cameras, along with two-way communication abilities. Whether you want these or not, they can provide a lot of additional security that’s very valuable and should be carefully considered. Otherwise, it’s possible that you will miss out on important footage that could make a big difference in your level of protection. 

The Amount of Local Storage May Matter 

How much  local storage  a doorbell camera has can be important. In some cases, a longer recording will provide more information that homeowners and authorities may need. In other cases, a shorter recording will be enough. Either way, it’s important to consider: 

• how much storage the doorbell camera has 

• whether there is audio that is stored 

• if the doorbell camera has two-way communication 

• the cost of the doorbell camera along with the value received 

When shopping around for doorbell cameras, it’s important to address everything you’re concerned about with a professional and to ask plenty of questions of your home security company. This way, you can get the perfect model for your needs, ultimately guaranteeing you peace of mind and a higher level of security. 

What Else to Consider 

What else do you need to consider when finding the best doorbell camera?  You’ve probably heard of cloud storage, so it’s important to know that some doorbell cameras use the cloud to file away your video footage. This type of storage system means you don’t have to use SD cards, card readers, or adapters to review important footage. Therefore, you might find accessing their video footage easier with the cloud than with local storage. There are some potential downsides to cloud storage however, as most companies charge a monthly fee to store your footage on their server. Other homeowners might worry about how secure their footage is on the cloud, so you should ask about encryption levels when you’re choosing a camera. 

Monitor Your Home’s Most Important Entryway With Brinks Home Security 

Brinks Home makes keeping track of who’s entering and leaving your home easy. We’ve got smart home security devices that can keep you connected and in control of your property even while you’re away. Yes, installing a doorbell camera is a great step toward efficiently monitoring your home, but it’s important you have the power to review the footage it records. Our SkyBell doorbell camera gives you the freedom to choose between storing your recordings locally or in the cloud. 

With Brinks Home, you’re protecting your home with 24/7 professionally monitored systems. As a company, we don’t believe families should pay for equipment they don’t want. That’s why our security packages are customizable and easy to tailor to your home’s needs. Want to learn more about how you can protect your home with monitored smart home security? Call us to find out more.  

Lauren Slade is a Dallas-based writer and editor.