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Nest Doorbell (Battery) Issues

Jonathan
Community Member

Here is a list of my issues so far. Overall I am very disappointed compared to my original Nest doorbell.

Screen is too dark. Exposure is on the street not the front door. I did a screenshot when it flashes sometimes. In the flash the screen image is much better and bright.

Can't adjust event recording time when plugged in. Event recording is too short. Would prefer 24/7 anyway. Only option up to three mins when on battery. No option when using hard wired power. Some clips only 10 seconds. Update: Just had a person detected at my front door. The clip is only 3 seconds! Can't even see the whole approach to the door or anything! Please make the videos longer. It is plugged in!

Can't scrub the timeline smoothly.

Video events not available immediately. Takes a long time to process. "This video isn't available yet. Check back later."

Resolution seems low. No difference between High and Max setting. Looks better after downloading.

Volume too low on camera.

Can't use Nest app. All the cameras are not together anymore. That really stinks. Please let me use the Nest app.

Camera flashes bright white sometimes. I did a screenshot when it flashes sometimes. In the flash the screen image is much better and bright.

Lip sync is off. (Downloaded video in sync but not in the app)

Can't save video events. (Update: Found download option under Event Details. Why so hidden?

Keeps switching between color and night vision at night.

Streaming doorbell on Google Home Hub pauses YouTube video streaming on Chromecast linked but playing from phone. This just started after the new Doorbell.

Battery is not charging hardwired to the 24v transformer connected. Now down to 66%. It says plugged in but I turned off the power to check and the battery keeps going down. Now went back up to 70%. Battery management?

Weak wi-fi connection even though very close to the Google access point and the old Nest doorbell was in the same spot with a great connection.

17 REPLIES 17

Keith625
Community Member

I'm particularly disappointed that the doorbell/cam doesn't work with my Nest app. I thought I was going to get real-time monitoring of events (people, packages) from my new doorbell, just I have done with my Nest Hello doorbells. Now, I can still have real-time monitoring on two of my three doorbell/cameras, but can only use the new one through Google Home. That really sucks. If Google is intending to consolidate all of these devices in one app, that's fine with me. But I need for all of these devices to work in one platform. If Google can't do this for me, I guess I'll need to find another company that can because I'll be damned if I'm going to give you any more of my money if all you can promise me is less efficiency.

Jonathan
Community Member

My biggest issue keeping me from hanging onto it is the image being too dark and missed events. I have not received anything from Google saying they know about our plan to fix. I will pack it up to return on Friday.

It's on its way back now. Hopefully they fix the issues but I didn't want to wait past the return period.

ez12a
Community Member

I noticed the "flashing/flicker" issue on my doorbell camera and according to MadeByGoogle on Twitter, it's a known issue that will be addressed in a future patch. A workaround in the meantime is to force Night Mode to Always On or Off. 

Jonathan
Community Member

During the flickers was the only time the exposure was correct. I fixed it by packing it in a box and shipping it back. I don't mind to be a beta tester if I got a discount or free but I didn't want to wait and see what happens. Anyway the field of vision was too narrow which is something no firmware upgrades can fix.

ez12a
Community Member

Yep, I dont blame you. Clearly the doorbell has bugs that should have been worked out before release. FOV is definitely a drawback if the doorbell is mounted anywhere that isn't right next to the door. 

Grades
Community Member

Could you please share the link to this tweet?

ez12a
Community Member
It was over DM. Feel free to DM them yourself and report the issue. Would only add more to the existing reports and hopefully increase the urgency.

You've been great in doing some troubleshooting steps. Our team is aware of this and we're working on resolving it in a future software version. We'll keep you posted once we have an update about this.

In the meantime, I am also in the process of returning the battery version and picking up the wired version as well. Here's why:
  • doorbell is too slow to react when placed in a hallway, where people are walking across the frame instead of towards the camera. This morning i have a clip of someone's back foot.
  • Narrow FOV that just exacerbates issue #1
  • Flashing issue with unknown fix date
  • Wireless N is the fastest wifi connection type available. Downgrade from the wired version.
  • Playback through Google App is unreliable, sometimes it will try to play from a time before the actual event. I have to manually move the timeline to the event. There's also a noticeable stutter in event recordings.
  • No indicator of internal battery life/charge level if on wired. It was still around 71% remaining when switching off the mains. Should have backup battery level indicator.

If the return window wasn't so short (15 days) i would keep it longer to see if the issues were ironed out. But alas, i have to make a decision now and the wired doorbell is a more mature product.

Jonathan
Community Member

Mine is next to the door but if someone is standing right in front of the door you can't see their face. The Nest Hello spoiled me showing the whole front porch. Anyway Google still got my money because I ordered a new "Hello" (Wired) right after I submitted the RMA.

Brad
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey folks,

 

Wondering if you still needed assistance with this issue? Please let me know!

 

Best Regards,

Brad.

Jonathan
Community Member

No, I returned it.

Thanks

GK
Community Member

I have issues with the nest battery camera and I'm ready to return it. 

It has deleted all of my event clips randomly. It has done the same today and I have no history. I don't know if this is linked to turning off the camera but I wouldn't expect this to be the case.

If an event occurs like someone walking near the camera but not pressing the doorbell, I get a notification but when I want to view it, I get the message that the video isn't available yet and to check back later. That is ridiculous. A doorbell press and a live stream is okay but viewing an immediate event requires waiting. That is a deal breaker.

Camera resolution is poor if you are more than a few feet away.

I'm so disappointed and this will have to go back. 

mdr2
Community Member

Hi GK,  it sounds like your NEST AWARE Subscription is not active.   Without the subscription you only have 3 hours past the event before it is deleted.    There is a 30 day free trial of the subscription but you have to make sure it is on.  

To check this go into the GOOGLE HOME app and get to the page top page where you see all  your devices but do not select any device.  Next hit the SETTINGS GEAR icon and under features click on NEST AWARE.  If it is not activated you need to turn it on.  

Let me know if this helps.

GK
Community Member

I was told it was 3 hours worth of events that were stored without a subscription not three hours after an event. Not sure if three hours after an event is useful as you could be asleep and the event would be deleted before you get up.

mdr2
Community Member

I think it means 3 hours since any given event occurs.  Not 3 hours worth of 1000's of 10 second clips.

ez12a
Community Member

It only retains events within the past 3 hours. So if something happens at 2 AM in the morning you won't see it after 5 AM, well before you wake up. 

GK
Community Member

If you have a newer camera like Nest Cam (battery) or Nest Doorbell (battery), you can get up to 3 hours of event video history without a subscription.

I read that as 3 hours of event history. But it won't matter as at any rate I'm returning it.