Want to get the most out of your Blink Camera? We’ll share our favorite Blink Camera settings and some overlooked ones.
By applying these tips and tricks, you will be well on your way to getting the most out of your Blink camera.
Table of Contents
Best Blink Camera Settings
In this section, we will cover our picks for the best settings to optimize your Blink Camera’s performance.
Video Quality
Adjusting the video quality on your Blink camera can improve the picture quality, but higher quality settings may reduce battery life.
You can modify video settings in your app:
- Low: Lower picture quality, but longer battery life
- Medium: Balanced picture quality and battery life
- High: Best picture quality, reduced battery life
Clip Length
Choosing the appropriate clip length for your Blink Camera will help you manage storage and battery life efficiently.
To adjust the clip length:
- Open the Blink app
- Tap on the Camera Settings icon
- Select the Clip Length tab
- Adjust the slider to the desired length (1-60 seconds)
Sensitivity Settings
Adjusting motion detection sensitivity can help reduce false alarms.
To change the sensitivity of your Blink Camera:
- Open the Blink app
- Tap on the Camera Settings icon
- Select the Motion Settings tab
- Adjust the Sensitivity slider to your preferences
Retrigger Time
Retrigger time is the period between motion events. Shorter retrigger times might lead to more frequent alerts, while longer ones may miss important events.
To modify the retrigger time:
- Open the Blink app
- Tap on the Camera Settings icon
- Select the Motion Settings tab
- Adjust the Retrigger Time slider based on your needs
Night Vision
Blink cameras come equipped with an infrared (IR) sensor to enable night vision.
To enable the IR sensor:
- Open the Blink app
- Tap on the Camera Settings icon
- Select the Night Vision tab
- Toggle the Night Vision switch ON or OFF
You can also adjust the IR intensity to optimize the clarity of night vision images. Remember that adjusting the camera settings according to your preferences will help you effectively utilize your Blink Camera’s features.
Motion Detection Features
Activity Zones
Blink cameras offer the ability to customize specific Activity Zones within the camera’s view. This feature helps you to focus on key areas and minimizes false motion alerts from irrelevant or high-traffic areas.
To set up Activity Zones:
- Open the Blink app and tap on the camera settings icon
- Select the Motion Settings tab
- Enable Motion Detection if it’s not already enabled
- Adjust the highlighted areas to define your desired Activity Zones
Motion Sensitivity
Adjusting the Motion Sensitivity setting ensures your Blink camera detects activity at an appropriate level for your needs. Higher sensitivity means the camera will detect motion more easily, while lower sensitivity means the camera will only detect motion from larger or closer objects.
To adjust the sensitivity:
- Open the Blink app and tap on the camera settings icon
- Select the Motion Settings tab
- Ensure that Motion Detection is enabled
- Adjust the Sensitivity slider to your desired level
Pet-Friendly Settings
For pet owners, Blink cameras can be adjusted to reduce false motion alerts caused by pets moving within the camera’s view. By setting a lower motion sensitivity and customizing activity zones, you can focus on specific areas where pets are less likely to trigger motion alerts.
False Alarm Reduction
To reduce false alarms, consider the following measures:
- Customize the Activity Zones to focus on important areas and avoid high-traffic or irrelevant zones
- Adjust the Motion Sensitivity to a lower setting if you find the camera is triggering too often from non-essential motion
- Position the camera in a location that avoids direct sunlight, as sudden changes in light levels can trigger false alerts
By taking these steps, you can optimize your Blink camera’s motion detection settings to fit your needs and reduce false alarms.
Managing Notifications and Power
When it comes to Blink security cameras, managing notifications and power options is crucial for optimal performance. This section will discuss notification settings, battery life, and power options.
Notification Settings
To manage your notification settings for Blink cameras:
- Open the Blink app on your compatible smartphone or tablet.
- Make sure you are logged in to your Blink account.
- Select the camera you want to adjust notifications for.
- Tap on the Camera Settings icon.
- Select the Motion Settings tab.
- Ensure that Motion Detection is enabled.
You can change the Sensitivity of your Blink Camera by adjusting the Sensitivity slider according to your preferences.
Battery Life
Blink camera battery life is influenced by several factors, including:
- Usage: More frequent use decreases battery life.
- Weather: Battery life is often shorter in extreme temperature conditions.
- Retrigger time: Shorter retrigger times can lead to faster battery consumption.
- Video clip length: Longer video clips take more power to record.
To conserve battery life, adjust retrigger time and video clip length to the minimum acceptable settings for your needs.
Power Options
Blink cameras offer different power options depending on the model:
- Blink Outdoor and XT2 cameras: Both models use two AA lithium batteries, which last up to two years under regular use.
- Blink Indoor (gen 2) and Mini cameras: These cameras are powered via a USB cable and an AC power adapter, allowing for continuous power.
For battery-powered cameras, it is essential to use high-quality batteries and replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Types of Blink Cameras
Blink Mini
The Blink Mini is a compact indoor security camera that provides affordable monitoring capabilities. This camera features 1080p HD video, a 110-degree field of view, two-way audio, motion detection, night vision, and cloud storage.
It is easy to install and an excellent option for monitoring small rooms or entryways inside your home.
Blink Outdoor Camera
Blink Outdoor Camera is a weather-resistant security camera designed for outdoor use. It offers 1080p HD video quality, infrared night vision, motion detection, two-way audio, and a wide viewing angle for capturing more of your property.
It is powered by AA lithium batteries, which should typically last for up to two years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Blink XT2
The Blink XT2 is an advanced outdoor camera that comes with additional features like customizable activity zones, improved battery life, and integration with Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa. It also features 1080p HD video, night vision, motion detection, and two-way audio.
The XT2 is known for its durability and long battery life, making it a good choice for those looking for prolonged, robust outdoor surveillance.
Blink Video Doorbell
Blink Video Doorbell is a smart doorbell offering advanced capabilities such as two-way communication, 1080p HD live video, customizable activity zones, and night vision.
The device is easy to install, wire-free, and its built-in motion detection trigger alerts you when visitors arrive or when motion is detected, ensuring your front door is always monitored.
Indoor (Gen 2)
Indoor (Gen 2) is the upgraded version of the original Blink Indoor Camera. This camera comes with improved features such as customizable activity zones, better image quality, and the addition of privacy features.
It allows users to capture video in 1080p HD quality, provides motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio, allowing users to stay connected with their loved ones or pets while away.
Setting Up Blink Cameras
Blink App Setup
To set up your Blink cameras, you’ll need to first download and install the Blink app on your smartphone. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Once installed, you can follow these steps:
- Create an account: Open the app and sign up for a new account if you don’t already have one. You’ll be prompted to verify your email address.
- Add the Sync Module: After logging in, tap on the “+” icon to add a new device. Select “Sync Module” from the list of devices. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the Sync Module to your Wi-Fi network.
- Add a camera: Once the Sync Module is connected, tap on the “+” icon again to add a camera. Select your Blink camera model from the list, and follow the on-screen instructions to pair it with the Sync Module.
- Adjust camera settings: After adding the camera, you can tap on its icon to access its settings. Here, you can customize motion sensitivity, clip length, video quality, and other advanced settings.
Sync Module
The Sync Module acts as the central hub for all your Blink cameras, connecting them to your Wi-Fi network and managing their settings. It is required for the Blink Indoor (3rd Gen) and Blink Outdoor cameras (sold separately or as part of a bundle).
To set up the Sync Module, follow these steps:
- Plug the Sync Module into a power outlet using the provided USB cable and adapter.
- Locate the Sync Module’s serial number, which can be found on the back of the device or on its packaging.
- Connect the Sync Module to your Wi-Fi network by following the on-screen instructions in the Blink app.
- Optional: Local Storage – With Sync Module 2, you can also save your clips on a USB drive. Simply insert a USB drive into the Sync Module and configure the local storage settings in the Blink app.
When setting up your Blink cameras, it’s important to consider optimal placement, taking into account factors such as lighting, angle, and distance from the area you wish to monitor.
Additionally, ensure that your Sync Module is within the range of your Wi-Fi network and cameras to maintain a stable connection.
Optimizing Camera Placement
Outdoor Cameras
When placing outdoor Blink cameras, such as the Blink XT2 or Blink Outdoor Camera, consider the following factors:
- Range: Position the camera within 5 to 20 feet (1.5 to 6m) from the area you want to monitor for optimal detection.
- Height: Mount the camera higher off the ground to avoid smaller animals triggering motion alerts.
- Lighting: Ensure the camera has a clear line of sight and avoid direct sunlight or glare, which can negatively impact the video quality.
- Power source: If using a non-battery-powered camera, ensure there’s a nearby wall outlet for easy connection.
Indoor Cameras
When positioning indoor Blink cameras, take into consideration the following tips:
- Room coverage: Ensure the camera is placed at an angle that provides the maximum coverage of the room or area you want to monitor.
- Height: Place the camera at an appropriate height, such as a shelf or a high corner, to get the best view and avoid easy tampering.
- Avoid obstructions: Make sure no objects or furniture block the camera view or cause shadows that might hinder video quality.
- Power source: If using a non-battery-powered camera, ensure there’s a nearby wall outlet for easy connection.
Remember to always test the video quality after placing the camera to make adjustments if necessary.
Troubleshooting Tips
In this section, we will discuss some common troubleshooting tips for Blink Camera, covering WiFi Connectivity, Camera Image Quality, and Speaker Volume.
WiFi Connectivity
A stable internet connection is important for your Blink camera to function properly. Fortunately your Blink device will notify you of poor internet by blinking red.
To ensure WiFi connectivity, follow these steps:
- Check your camera’s signal strength in the Blink App (Device Settings > General Settings > Camera to Wi-Fi).
- Aim for at least ‘three bars’ of signal strength on the Sync Module and camera.
- Keep the Sync Module near your wireless router for the best signal strength.
Camera Image Quality
Follow these suggestions to improve image quality:
- Clean the camera lens regularly.
- Position the camera in a well-lit area.
- Adjust video quality settings in the Blink App.
- Ensure good WiFi connectivity for smoother video streaming.
Speaker Volume
To troubleshoot issues with speaker volume:
- Check the volume settings in the Blink App.
- Ensure your camera is not placed in a noisy environment.
- Test with different audio sources to rule out device-related problems.
- If the issue persists, perform a hard reset:
- Hold the setup button on the camera for 10-20 seconds.
- Release the button after hearing an audio prompt.
- Allow around 1 minute for the device to restart in factory mode.