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Nest Cam (Battery)...does not work when setup behind Window

Zeuzeu
Community Member

Why doesn't Nest Cam Battery work when setup behind a window and looking out to front of house??? Is there anyway to fix this?? Might have to return Camera! Thnx...

1 Recommended Answer

Zeuzeu
Community Member

Thanks to all who commented! I did go "Live" with the Camera (Battery)...it does give notification as to Movement..."Person", "Animal" etc. Ordered the All Weather Cable...will plug it in and see what Happens when on continuous Power! Thnx!

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12 REPLIES 12

MplsCustomer
Bronze
Bronze

Google Nest Help's "Tips for camera placement says this:

"Placing your camera so it looks out a window can negatively affect its performance. For instance, Night vision's quality and detection can also be impacted, and a battery powered camera's motion sensor may not turn on the camera."

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9208999?hl=en

darg
Community Member

It will not work behind a window.  I'm pretty sure it uses PIR Motion sensor which requires change in temperature to detect motion.  The camera will not be able to detect the motion through the window.  As the previous reply also said, the night vision will most likely not work either as the infrared LED used for the night vision will simply reflect off the window and you will just have a bright/white reflection back at the camera.  

If you really need a camera to work through a window you need what's called pixel based detection which the camera detects a change in the "scene" which it then decides if it's motion or not.  With that being said though, more and more cams seem to be going the PIR route as even a leaf or tree moving in the wind can potentially change the "scene" and set off the camera if it's pixel detection based.  Both detection methods have their merits I guess.  Keep in mind again with either detection method the night vision will most likely not work through glass as you will get a reflection.  

So, I just got a Google nest camera, and it uses infrared to trigger the camera to turn on, but if you place it behind a window, turn it to live mode, it does have the ability to detect motion from the image pixels. The facial recognition doesn't work, though. It does alert you when someone walks by it, but it has to be in live mode.

darg
Community Member

Well since the forum won't allow me to make another edit to my post or delete.  I just wanted to add I'm not 100% certain if the new Nest Cam Outdoor Battery are purely PIR Motion based, pixel based, or a combination of both.  It would make sense that it is PIR motion detection when strictly on battery power.  Pixel based detection generally requires a constant power source as the software needs to constantly analyze the "scene".  So maybe it's a combination of both when connected through wire power and just PIR motion detection when running on battery.  It doesn't say in any of the tech specs.  Maybe someone from Google can enlighten us.

Zeuzeu
Community Member

Thanks to all who commented! I did go "Live" with the Camera (Battery)...it does give notification as to Movement..."Person", "Animal" etc. Ordered the All Weather Cable...will plug it in and see what Happens when on continuous Power! Thnx!

Brad
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi there, 

 

Sorry for my late response. Thank you for all of your patience while waiting for a reply. I just wanted to make sure that your issue is addressed. I can definitely understand how frustrating your situation must be. I would love to help you find a solution to this issue. Do you still need assistance with this issue?

 

Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards, 

Brad.

Zeuzeu
Community Member

I'll let ya know as soon as I receive the All Weather Cable/Adapter! As I said...when running on Battery...the Camera does not wake for Motion (Set up Behind Window Looking out)! Would need it to wake if running with Power Cord! Let ya know!  

Brad
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi there,

 

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue. If so, please let me know and I would love to look into this further for you!

 

Best Regards,

Brad.

Zeuzeu
Community Member

As I said...the Camera is hooked up behind a Window and Screen looking out to front of House! When I hook up the Camera to AC Power Cord...the Camera does record and notices People...it is constantly Live and doesn't go into Idle Mode! When the Camera is running on Battery Power...it automatically goes into Idle Mode (Maybe to save Battery Power??)...does not wake from idle and record People! I would like the the Camera to Wake up as well when on Battery Power when it notices People! As I said it's behind a Window...looking out! Is there any way to alter the settings to fix this??? 

Zeuzeu
Community Member

Also...why is there no app for iMac Computers??...only for iPhone and iPads???

That's because the home.nest.com website (which is available to browsers on PCs and iMacs) only provides access to existing Google Nest cameras and doorbells, and not to Google Nest Cameras released in the fall of 2021.

Zeuzeu
Community Member

Not sure this applies here but...Anyone know...Is there a way to turn off screen on Samsung s21+ when casting camera to TV via Chromecast??? I notice when watching Youtube Video on phone while casting to TV...phone screen does shut off after a couple of minutes and casting continues to TV!