Where Does Ring Doorbell Record? Everything You Need to Know

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Gained early experience with automation technology in the private and industrial sector, can turn his living room into a movie theater with one voice command and is the owner of this website. He is happy to share his accumulated experience with every new article.

Legal framework for security cameras

In many countries, it is generally forbidden to photograph or film people without their consent. Exceptions exist only for authorities or for mounting in legitimate interest. For example, monitoring a checkout area or a retail store is legitimate.

What is allowed is filming on your own private property. It does not even have to be explained that an area on private property is being monitored with video. The only requirement is that the entire field of view of the camera exclusively covers the private space. Thus, filming a street is prohibited. This also applies to a Ring Video Doorbell.

Anyone who wants to use such a doorbell with video function should pay particular attention to this aspect during installation. It is also irrelevant whether the camera records or only sends a live image. One tip is to install the device on the side of a door frame.

Recordings are permitted, but commercial use of the films is prohibited until the persons filmed have given their written consent. Free publication on Facebook or Youtube is also not permitted until the OK has been given. The recordings are only permitted for private use. However, they can only be used as evidence to a limited extent.

Recording function of Ring Video Doorbell

The Ring Video Doorbell does not have a local memory on which it records videos. It also does not have a USB or Bluetooth connection. However, there are the following two options that allow recording with the surveillance camera:

Use of cloud storage
Recording of the live video stream.

Cloud storage happens automatically depending on the general conditions. Recordings on the smartphone, on the other hand, must always be started manually.

The cloud as a storage medium for the Ring Video Doorbell

Ring offers the recording of surveillance movies only as an option and for an additional charge. A 30-day trial version of the “Ring Protect Plan”, is available for trying out. After that, the management and storage of recordings costs only a small fee per month in the basic version.

The recordings are kept for 30 days, after which they are deleted without notice. During this time, however, they can be retrieved or downloaded as often as desired. Ring offers a “Protect Basic” and a “Protect Plus” variant. The range of functions of “Protect Plus” is much more extensive.

Thus, several end devices can be connected via this variant. In addition, the camera shoots photos during the day and keeps them for seven days. Thus, the user can control the basic functions of the device.

Using the smartphone as local storage

The advantage of using the smartphone as a storage for the door camera recordings is that it is free. The disadvantage is that you have to start the recording at the moment of the broadcast. Automatic recording of real-time notifications is not yet possible.

In smartphones, recording is optimal with a suitable app. A particularly popular application is AZ Screen Recorder. With over 50 million downloads and a score of 4.5, this app is highly recommended.

The app runs in the background. As soon as a real-time notification arrives from the doorbell, all you have to do is tap the camera icon. The recording starts automatically and continues until it is stopped manually. The video is saved as an MPEG file. It can be forwarded or edited as desired.

In an IPhone, video recording is available immediately. To do this, the “Record” function must be activated in the control center.

Basically, however, the cloud function is much more convenient and secure. The subscription ensures that no important recording is lost.

Sensible use of the recording function

The recording function of Ring Video Doorbell is useful for the following reasons:

Unwanted human or animal visitors
Control of behavior of service providers
Review of temporary tenants.

To get the most out of the recording function, the camera’s motion detection should be enabled. If it is deactivated, recording will only start when the bell button is pressed.

With motion detection enabled, the camera turns on within the set parameters. Ring Video Doorbell is controlled via its own app. In it, there is also a menu that controls the sensitivity and viewing radius of the motion detector. This makes it possible to detect nocturnal visitors.

Especially during bedtime, you don’t necessarily want to be woken up by your doorbell. This is especially true if you are not in the house at all. Nevertheless, it is interesting for the homeowner to know why the Ring Video Doorbell’s motion detector triggered the camera.

These do not even have to be potential burglars. Stray dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes or wild boars can also be identified in this way, depending on the setting of the camera. This can then necessitate the appropriate countermeasures.

Parcel service providers are “usual suspects” for surveillance by video doorbells. Ring has its own models in its range specifically for this target group. These can monitor where a delivery has been left with a particularly wide field of vision.

Again, it is not always desired that the live video function informs the owner. This is especially true if he does not want to be disturbed or he is in a different time zone. The recording also makes the behavior of the parcel service provider traceable later.

The same applies to many other service providers who visit the home in the absence of the homeowner. These may be the following people:

Babysitter
Tutor
Gardener
Plumber
Garbage collection
Authorities

Video recording can thus give both parties a measure of legal certainty. In the event of inexplicable damage to the building, innocent people can be excluded in this way. But be careful – in many countries, there is basically no right to the image of other people without their consent.

Video surveillance and recording on private property are permitted, but on request of the filmed persons the material must be presented or deleted!

Which camera to use for recordings?

Ring offers video doorbells in a wide price range. They differ in convenience and performance. The recording function is given in all cameras. In any case, we recommend choosing a variant with a high-resolution camera and night vision function. This ensures that the device delivers sharp images that can be evaluated at any time of day.

The cheap variants are hardwired. For their installation requires a professional electrician. This variant is recommended to homeowners. Tenants need to get the OK from the landlord in advance because of the installation effort and the necessary drilling.

Ring’s high-priced models have a power supply with an exchangeable battery. The battery has a service life of several weeks. It is recharged via the included charger. We recommend always keeping two packs of batteries per camera on hand. This way, video surveillance is not interrupted during charging.

Install Ring Video Doorbell

The installation of the Ring Video Doorbell is kept as simple as possible. The battery models are especially simple to set up. Since they don’t require an electrician, they are practically ready to use right away. The app on the smartphone or I-Phone is required for the setup.

This can be downloaded free of charge from the corresponding stores. After installation, an intuitive menu guides the user through the camera setup. The viewing angle of the device can also be checked. We highly recommend making sure that no public areas are filmed by the device.

The sight of a camera should actually be a sufficient indication of video surveillance and potential recording. An additional information sign is nevertheless useful. This way, every potential visitor knows without a doubt that he will be filmed when approaching the video doorbell.

Can only be used as a bell with additional module

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Despite its name, the Ring Video Doorbell does not have a ring function. A signal is sent when the bell button is pressed. Without an additional module, however, the doorbell remains mute. Ring offers two models called “Chime” and “Chime Pro” for this purpose.

These are simply plugged into the socket. The modules are also set up via an app. This prevents the doorbell from going off when the neighbor’s button is pressed. The ringtones are freely configurable. In addition to a selection of sounds and melodies, you can also install your own media as a ringtone.

The “Pro” version differs from the basic version by one additional function. It can be used as a WLAN repeater. This means that a large house can be equipped with an equally strong WLAN signal over the entire area. In addition, the ringing signal can be heard throughout the entire building.

Practical but within legal limits

The recording function of Ring Video Doorbell is a convenient feature. It extends the functionality of the device to the maximum. The video function makes all movements in front of the doorbell traceable. However, the recording function can only be used comfortably with a subscription. In return, however, the user receives reliable management of his recordings.

Is any Ring Video Doorbell suitable for recording?

The recording function is applicable with any Ring Video Doorbell.

Which Ring Video Doorbell is the best for recording?

The ideal device should have a high-resolution camera, sensitive motion sensor and night vision function.

Is it legal to use Ring Video Doorbell as a recorder?

The camera must not point to public property, but only have private property in view. Then its use is perfectly legal.

Attention: When installing electronic equipment, please be sure to observe the manufacturer’s safety instructions. You have to take care of your own safety. The information on this site only helps you to learn.
Disclosure: This website is the property of Martin Lütkemeyer and is operated by Martin Lütkemeyer. Martin Lütkemeyer is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to enable Web sites to earn advertising revenue through advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links marked with * are affiliate links.