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Dual Band Network Troubleshooting
Some router configurations broadcast both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz network frequencies on a single SSID (Wi-Fi Name), and your device when connected to the network will assign the frequency based on a few factors like distance to the router and network congestion. If you are unsure if your router operates as described, you can contact your Internet Service Provider or support for your router to get more information. Our devices can only connect to a 2.4, and if you have this type of dual-band router, you may encounter a pairing failure because it can’t connect to the 2.4 network. If you have cameras and would like to pair those cameras to your network, they too must be connected to a 2.4GHz network frequency. Please see the troubleshooting suggestions below to help address this issue. There are 3 suggestions to address this condition and have your cameras connect to the network: Work with Your Router’s Support Each router comes with a certain default configuration, and it can vary based on model and manufacturer. The way it’s currently configured may not match what you need for the cameras to operate properly. If you check your packaging with your router or do a quick Google search, you should be able to find a contact number or email for support. Pair at a Distance While in the pairing process when the pairing step on the application asks for the wifi name and password, move far enough away so that your phone barely remains on the wifi network. This distance should be more than 50 feet. However, it can vary depending on a few environmental factors. This distance should switch your phone over to the 2.4GHz frequency. Once you have moved far enough away, generate the QR code for the 2.4GHz frequency by clicking “Connect to Wi-Fi”. Go back to the camera and proceed with the remaining pairing process. Change Routers The last option would require you to purchase a separate router that only broadcasts a 2.4 network that you can plug into your original router.…Read More -
Camera Storage Devices
Cove offers several different cameras that come with cloud storage. In addition to cloud storage, some Cove cameras have extendable storage, meaning you can insert SD cards to extend the camera's ability to store footage. These cameras have extendable storage through SD cards: Cove Indoor Camera Cove Outdoor Camera Eufy Indoor Camera Eufy Doorbell Camera If you have one of these cameras and are looking for SD cards to extend their storage, here are a few links to recommended SD cards. Walmart Best Buy Amazon…Read More -
Pairing the Outdoor Camera Through the Cove Connect App
Instructions on installing and pairing process of your Cove Outdoor camera. We currently cannot pair the Eufy Outdoor Camera but we plan to have that available soon. Before You Get Started: Ensure that the camera’s batteries have been fully charged. You can do this after pairing, but you will have to do so before you mount the camera. The camera runs off of a 2.4GHz Network, so if your router is dual-band, please make sure your phone is connected to the 2.4GHz network before starting. If you are unsure what network your router is broadcasting, we suggest contacting your Internet Service Provider and they can let you know which one it is on and how to switch it to the 2.4 GHz. The cameras communicate using the Cove Connect app, so if you do not see the camera section on your app, and are on the Plus plan, please call us at 855-268-3669 and we can help you get that added. The Pairing Process Once the battery is fully charged, you can start the pairing process. If you are stuck and cannot proceed further, please contact us, and we would be happy to help you get the camera set up. Insert the battery into the camera by removing the outer shell of the camera. Inside, you will see a slot for a battery pack as well as the QR code on the side (v2) of the camera's interior. Insert the battery. Ensure the positive end of the battery is facing the back of the camera. Wait for the camera to say, “Waiting to Connect.” Do not screw the outer shell back onto the camera yet. Pull up the Cove app and go to the "Cameras" section. Once you are there, click on the little (+) icon to add a new camera. At this point, you may be prompted with a request to access your phone’s camera. If so, click "allow." This will pull up a QR code scanner. Align the QR code on the back of the camera with that square. If the scan is successful, a page with, “Set up the Camera.” Click on “I heard Waiting to Connect.” Next, you'll provide your WiFi information. If your phone is connected to a 2.…Read More -
Outdoor Camera Motion Detection Best Practices
The Outdoor Camera is designed to capture video of motion-triggered events. It does not record everything 24/7, since this would require more storage than a cloud-based camera can handle. Instead, the camera begins recording once it registers motion, and records for a set period of time (typically 6-60 seconds) after the motion event occurs. Additional storage option: The camera has a port to insert a MicroSD card and also includes 7 days of free cloud storage, which you can download to your device. What is the automatic recording duration? The default recording duration is set to 6 seconds, but it can be adjusted to up to 60 seconds. You can adjust this via your camera’s settings in the Cove app. Just pull up the live feed, click on the gear icon, click on “Recording Duration” and toggle the slider to the desired length. Please note: the longer the duration setting is, the longer the camera takes to render and notify you when it’s triggered. How to receive notifications on your phone/device? In order for you to receive notifications when your camera completes a recording, you will need to have the following notifications enabled: Videos and Photos—In order for your device to receive a notification through the Cove app, you’ll need to enable video and photo notifications for that camera.If you are currently viewing a live feed, you will not receive notifications. User Notifications—Please make sure to have push notifications enabled within the Cove App. Please see this article to set that up. Smart Detection Settings These are the settings that allow the camera to notify you when it detects motion. The parameters can be adjusted based on your preference and the environment. How does it work? The camera uses an infrared sensor (PIR), which is triggered by heat signatures rather than simple motion. Filters and Detection We recommend setting your camera filters based on your individual goals.…Read More -
Outdoor Camera Frequently Asked Questions
This article is a general overview or list of commonly asked questions specific to our outdoor cameras. FAQ's How long does the battery last? How long does it take to charge? The average battery life of the cameras is 2 months on average, depending on usage. If the night vision or LED lights are on, the amount of time you spend viewing the camera feed and recordings may deplete that battery life. When the battery gets low, the indicator on the app will prompt you to change them. If the battery is completely dead, the app will report that the camera is offline and will suggest to you that the battery needs to be charged. The battery needs to be charged before pairing. It takes roughly 8 hours for the battery to charge fully. If the indicator light is red, it means the battery is charging. If it is green, the battery is fully charged. The camera's video quality is very blurry. Check the camera to make sure there are no obstructions or residual moisture on the camera lens. Clean the lens with a microfiber cloth. Check the video quality in your Cove app. When you pull up the camera's live feed, make sure at the bottom right, the resolution is either set to "HD" or "Auto." (If the camera is set to auto, set it to HD). This will cause the quality of the camera to increase, although the high-resolution video will require the camera to upload more data. Check your upload and download speed on www.speedtest.net. The cameras require a .5mpbs (500kbps) upload and download speed per camera. Also, consider how many devices you have connected to the network. As more devices connect, it will increase the data congestion flowing to and from the devices connected. If you are willing, have a few devices turned off for a few hours to see if that helps increase the quality when set to auto. If it does, you may need to consider contacting your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to boost the speed of your network. The camera image is upside down.…Read More
