topic Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why? in Cameras and Doorbells

Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 23:22:54 GMT

Hello

I am using two Nest Cam (Indoor) cameras. Instead of using outdoor cameras, I am using these two cameras from the inside of the house, looking outside. Both cameras are giving fantastic video and audio during the day. When it gets dark, the Nest Cam on the first floor continues to give great quality video, even without night vision.

However, the Nest Cam I got downstairs to watch the front entrance is going dark. All it is showing is the reflection of the Nest Cam on the window! (Please see the attached screenshot).

What could be the solution? Is it to do with the level of lighting outside the front entrance?

I will continue to use the Indoor Nest Cam in this manner as I could still study any intruders or movements in to our house. The device is still good at detecting motion and vehicles. It is the video quality that is awful.

Any tips from those Nest users would be a big help.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

qapnguyen — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 00:20:57 GMT

IR emitter is reflecting from the window when indoors.

2 solutions if you want to keep camera indoors facing through a window.

1. Fit a PIR floodlight externally. Means complete darkness until floodlight activates and motion detection will work fine through glass. 4000 lumens is enough brightness for most gardens.

2. Fit an IR illuminator externally, which is more discrete as it provides invisible ambient light for camera. Will work better than IR on camera itself.

Both cases you would disable night vision on camera and rely on one of the above (or maybe both)

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

EmptyNester — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 02:43:52 GMT

What you are seeing is common among all of these type of security cams not just nest. Your best bet (as the other user here said) is to turn off the "nightvision" in the setting and make sure your outside area is well lit.

Of course the best solution would be to get an outdoor camera. That being said, I have put the nest 'indoor' cameras outside and as long as they are under cover and protected from rain the work just fine.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

Onbran — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 04:08:35 GMT

I have turned off the nightvision and my camera still has this issue along with an orange colored video feed.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

qapnguyen — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:10:52 GMT

The photo does show some sort of visible light reflecting. Will assume you have the latest Google Nest Cam Indoor 2nd Gen. It turns on red lights either side of lens for IR you'll see only at night. Might want to double check IR is really off. Also lower the top green LED brightness to lowest level from Google Home app (You won't be able to turn this off completely)

Place the camera lens right into the window so it is touching.

I've had good results from placing an indoor camera right up against a double glaze patio glass door, then have external PIR floodlight and external IR emitter. Then turning off nightvision, as the outside IR emitter is much better than IR on camera.

If I had to do it all again though I would probably fit a outdoor camera instead, so it's more visible as deterrent. I want burglars to see I have a camera high up and not hide it as this will imply I have internal security to put them off.

Orange colour in feed - Sounds like amber outside lighting i.e. public street lights. During day is it still orange.

But yeah I have existing electrical wiring outside, but if you have no electrical wiring outside then you'll want to get an electrician fit outdoor wired one high up and they may need to drill hole through PVC/Aluminium/Wooden frame of window/door to pass it through outside then weather proof it. You will get best results this way.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

qapnguyen — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:22:34 GMT

Just a PIR motion floodlight that can pick up movement at most far end of fence is enough.

Here is video from my indoor camera that faces through patio double glazed glass, which causes loss of quality as result.

https://www.veed.io/view/428c1331-6f5f-4e79-a872-8497d7d02806/showcase?sharingWidget=true

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

Brad — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 18:17:20 GMT

Hi there,

Just checking in to see how the conversation is going, as there's been a lapse in activity on this thread. Thanks for your help on this one, @EmptyNester! I sincerely appreciate it!

Best regards,
Brad

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

janthadeus — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 03:48:03 GMT

Hi folks,

I appreciate the help here, @EmptyNester, @qapnguyen and @Brad.

Checking in to see if you have further concerns about your Nest Indoor camera? Feel free to update this thread, and we're happy to assist you further.

Thanks,

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

janthadeus — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 05:21:30 GMT

Hey there,

We haven't heard any updates from you. I'll go ahead and lock this thread in 24 hours. If you happen to have the same concern feel free to reach us out here or start a new thread.

Best,

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:01:11 GMT

@qapnguyen

Thank you for suggesting these solutions. I have to try and come back to it.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:05:31 GMT

@qapnguyen

I am using the latest Google Nest 2nd Gen Indoor Camera. I bought it only three weeks ago.

I will try putting the camera so it is touching the window.

Thanks for this advice.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:12:04 GMT

@qapnguyen

You wrote:

"Might want to double check IR is really off. Also lower the top green LED brightness to lowest level from Google Home app."

How do I do these two things? Check to see if "IR is really off"?

And, how do I "lower the top green LED brightness to lowest level from Google Home app"?

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:14:35 GMT

@janthadeus

Please don't lock this thread. I am having serious issues with my Nest Cam and the responses so far have been valuable. Please leave this thread open for a few weeks as I try the suggested solutions. Many other Nest users could learn from my experience.

Thank you.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:16:27 GMT

@Onbran

I tried your solution. So far, I am able to see better than before during darkness. Let's wait a few weeks and see. I will report back.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

qapnguyen — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 21:33:25 GMT

Open Google Home app

Tap on one camera to open it full view

Tap cogwheel icon top right corner

Select Video

It's called "Status Light Brightness". You can lower it to reduce reflective when it is facing against window.

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

janthadeus — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 23:24:45 GMT

Hey folks,

@MangoCake, got it. No worries, we'll leave this thread open. Keep us posted.

@qapnguyen, thanks for sharing additional troubleshooting steps.

Cheers,

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:20:07 GMT

Quick update: I turned off the night vision. And I have been good video streams even through the dark nights.

Let's see how it goes in the next few days and weeks.

Thank you for all the contributions and advice. (Let's keep this thread open to monitor this issue and I will be reporting back next week.)

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

JenniferV — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 17:57:46 GMT

Hi MangoCake,

Sure thing! we'll wait for your update — no rush.

Onbran, how's it going? Have you tried the suggested steps provided in this thread? Still need help?

Thanks for the help here, qapnguyen, EmptyNester, Brad, and JT.

Regards,

Jennifer

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

MangoCake — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 15:37:17 GMT

Thanks everyone for your contributions.

After turning off 'Night Vision,' all my Nest Cams (Indoor, 2nd Gen) are working well. I am getting good quality videos when it is dark outside.

(However, I got a new problem with all my Nest Cams. And I am going to post a separate question about it.)

Re: Nest Cam (Indoor): inconsistent during darkness. Why?

JenniferV — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 16:27:03 GMT

Hey MangoCake,

Thanks for keeping us in the loop and glad to hear that this has been sorted out. Yes, if you have another issue with your Nest Camera, please create a new thread and we'll be more than happy to assist you.

Onbran, it's me again. I don't want to be a nudge but I'd like to check if you still need help. Feel free to let me know if you do.

Thanks,

Jennifer