Avoid Blink Subscription Fees - How to store Blink security camera videos locally
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- Опубликовано: 4 июн 2024
- The camera used in this video was a Canon G7X Mark II - amzn.to/3cyPDgb
Blink Outdoor Security Camera 3 camera kit - amzn.to/3lGncVn
Blink cameras (Outdoor and Mini) require a video cloud subscription plan. The good news is there is a simple way to avoid paying this fee. In this video, I show how to setup the Blink Sync Module 2 with local storage (USB flash drive) to avoid paying these monthly costs.
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UPDATE: Since the making of this video, Bling has revised local viewing options. With Local Storage, motion clips are saved to USB and can be viewed in the Blink app Clip List if it is not connected to a subscription service. Local Storage is not active when a system is attached to a Blink Subscription Plan or Free Trial. Instead, a once-daily Clip Backup is saved to the USB drive. Clip Backups are not viewable in the Blink app, they must be accessed directly from the USB drive using your computer.
Hi, I bought the blink indoor camera got the 30 days free, and have tried contacting blink and Amazon about the "Amazon cloud service" that I need for the subscription plan. One says to contact the other it's like a ping pong game back and forth "Contact them no contact them" Do you know how I can get The Amazon cloud service and which one for the blink mini indoor camera. And thanks for the video
Hi Mark, First time on Average Me. But long time viewer of Uber Hints. I'm the guy who tends to politely nag you about Covid stuff. Also the one who boasts making 2000 per week on weekends. Not easy to do now as Quest bonuses have dropped from highs of 800 down to 400 since we last chatted live. I have a Blink Mini. With this new feature in your update with the Sync 2 can I now have essentially the same features as I enjoyed during my free trial cloud service. In other words getting immediate notification of a trigger and ability to view them immediately after they happen?
My free subscription just expired and I canceled it anyways. But for the life of me I cannot get my USB local to work. It shows there is a local drive and there is a check mark next to it. I get updates that motion was detected but nothing shows up in my USB drive. It says nothing is on the drive. I can only do live view after the motion was detected. But I want to see what motion was recorded like when I had a subscription. What’s going on?
@@CranmanPhotoCinema same here. And im online looking to find out.
Let me know you find. My storage stopped a while back.
I got the cameras working.
I think my wifi extender was interfering.
But no local storage occurs
Attaching the doorbell to the mount is a little difficult but once it locks into place it seems extremely sturdy. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxxHZwMa8CsRjYhf9s4W8w0Dwm47uytWOp I replaced my regular doorbell with this and hard wired it in, using my existing wires and mechanical chime. It works perfect so far and integrates perfectly with my blink camera system. It also works seamlessly with Alexa
Yours is the clearest explanation I've seen or heard....
Well played sir. Just a all around great production video with concise info. Thank you.
Thank you for all the great info! I think I might go with the subscription plan as then I don't need to worry about manual storage when traveling. Plus I like the additional warranty benefit.
That's what I did
Hey Mark - Thanks for the great video. Just installed my BLINK device with the Sync Module and glad I did it! All the best.
Just installed 3 outdoor blink cameras today. How do you like them? Debating on not paying for a subscription 🤔
Hi Shane,
Consodering the affordable pricing and the convenience. I've taken the subscription option. I'd recommend it for sure. You can still save footage without the subscription but it's one of those things that seem like frugal option but it gets tough when you need your footage quick and easy. Hope this helps👍🏻
Great video Mark!
thank you for the information, it was very good, and very clear
Great video..thanks for the heads up!! 👌
I'm deciding what to do also and while it's less work we have to do and for $100 a year is what they're offering it now for I may hold off play a year and then see if I want to renew and if not just get the USB flash drive
Cheers Mark, my subs has just ended so I've gone the usb route which you explained perfectly, I don't believe in adding more dosh to Bezos's coffers 😉
Thanks for the video!
I just purchased and installed five cameras around my house. The picture is clear, voice activation is good, night vision is fair, and it has about a 3 second delay. I was trying to decide if I wanted to pay for the subscription or use an USB? My thought is if my house is burglarized, the suspect(s) will locate our internet module, locate the Blink module/USB, and take it.
1. If I rely on USB, my evidence (video surveillance footage) can possibly end up in the hands of the suspect(s).
2. If I subscribe, my evidence would be available on the cloud.
I'm still kicking this one around.
What did you end up going with? I installed 3 Blink outdoor cameras today.
Same here.. Subscription is a no brainer , right. I wanna be able to see, when I'm not there.
Just install the module where it would be very difficult to find. Like the attic or ??
Burglars usually go for any electronics/jewelry/guns they can carry. Ones that enter at night are usually armed and/or high. Or they arm themselves with a large knife from your kitchen. That way they don’t get caught carrying one. They also might use your pillow cases to carry the loot. The first place they often go is right to the bedrooms and start yanking the drawers open from bottom to top. If they start at the top drawer, it takes an extra second to close it to get to the next one. They are in a hurry. I think the average burglary takes 7 minutes. Anyways, hide the module in a socket that’s out of view or plug it into an extension cord and hide it. If you have the money to spend, get a hard wired system and power it from an Uninterruptible Power Supply. Some burglars will cut any cable box and phone lines they see and turn off the power hoping to disable any security systems. Lock both boxes. I’ve got mine rigged with a really loud siren that’s powered by the UPS that goes off the instant the power box is forced open. Keep your cameras up high where they can’t be reached and not easily seen. Get an alarm system. I’d you can’t or don’t want to, just get an alarm security company sign and put it out front where it can easily be seen. That in itself reduces the chance of being burglarized by 2/3s or so.
Just thought I’d share to help another vet out. Home Security is kinda a hobby of mine. :)
I went with the 100$ plan. I was not able to video with out this plan. I wanted to see what’s up and record. Not happy about it. But it works for me.
Thanks for this, very good information here that I was unable to find on the app, website, or other YT videos.
Thanks Michael!
i would purchase the blink plus plan for sure
Great Vid, however, I'm thinking seriously about returning the outdoor floodlight. I was expecting to view the floodlight camera on my phone like I view the other 5 outdoor blink cameras. Even the setup is kinda screwed up. I want to post the floodlight about 10' high up under an overhang on the back porch. Without viewing capabilities on my phone, I have to climb the ladder ballpark the camera placement, remove the USB take it to my office computer view it for correct placement. If camera is off then its back up the ladder for another adjustment ect...wish this was clear before I bought it. In fact, I'm sending this back today.
Thank you for this.
I have the 1st generation and 3rd generation cameras and 2 different sink modules and a blink mini. I want to know can I save everything from the first generation and the 3rd generation cameras? I have my cameras and like them. I like the xt2 more than the 3rd generation and am told that videos are stored to a cloud or something free. I want to know if I can save everything on s flashdrive
Hello there I just bought blink doorbell 2 yesterday and it was on sale and it's my first time using it I just found out that I gotta buy sync Module 2 blink records and save and I ordered on Amazon today
If I get the blink module will I be able to few previous videos when I didn’t have a subscription
Thanks - good info
Hi, can I plug my ext. flash drive into another computer; such as, being out of town?
Thank you!
Great video, clear explanation, how many camera can be hooked up to one sync module?
Just one
if you use a usb with Synch 2 does it save videos as MP4?
Very informative. Just got an outdoor Blink camera. It stop showing anything. I was told: this camera is not recording because I do not have a Blink storage plan. Can you please explain? Like you I don't want to have a contract.
Look forward to hear from you.
Thank you.
I have the sync module 2 and I don't have the option to store locally on a USB. Thoughts anyone.
Excellent info thank you !
For $10 a month, heck just go with the subscription.
I find it's a practical option.
We don’t have a computer anymore. We both have iPads. I have 4 outside cameras, plus 1 indoor we set up just when gone( I’m not wanting to film inside) and the doorbell so I get the subscription.
Can you delete them on the app that stored on your thumbdrive? The speed is pretty good on the new thumb drive, see no need for the subscription
One camera and module is it enough to see live vision??
How big of a Flash Drive do you need to use?
On old blink systems storage is free and you can review video on the app
As of now (9/21) they give you 30 days for free
anyone know what is the maximum usb storage can be used? 256gb? 128 gb?
Has someone connected the sync module 2 to some sort of external HD that can be always connected to a pc for immediate viewing. I am trying to see if there is a reasonable way to skip the subscription and disconnecting a usb drive regularly. Is there not a 3rd party app that can help record motion capture to an external drive?
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Hey , I want to send a North America blink outdoor wireless to india , can I watch the blink session from here ?
Can I view live without using the USB and if so can I view it when traveling
Can you still use the audio, speech without the plan .
As soon as motion goes off i look at it live ..I do have a flash drive so i can look back if anything is wrong..
Very cool device. I’ve never seen there before now. 😃Jenn
Below is the system I have. Will the local storage work.
Blink XT2 (2nd Gen) | Outdoor/Indoor Smart Security Camera with Cloud Storage, 2-Way Audio, 2-Year Battery Life | 2-Camera System
Curious....once the thumb drive is full, are older files deleted automatically, or does the camera simply stop storing info until a different thumb drive is connected?
i believe you have to delete it manually from the pc. but a 125 gb stick can record 25,000 30 second high quality clips so...
For 12 hours recording how much gig u need in USB?
Thanks for the great info. I should have looked around before buying the 2 outdoor Link cameras. There is NO reason for Amazon to hijack the stream and force you to pay for cloud if you can store that on some local or remote computer yourself for FREE. Even if you don't have a subscription but have a USB you should be able to read that Online on your sync module directly without having to disconnect. Forcing you to disconnect the USB from Sync module is also a ripoff. Thanks again for info. Nicely done 👍
Yeah, I'm not real happy with the service on a lot of levels. When it's working, it works nicely. But when there's problems, customer service is not great.
Normal. The cameras are good quality, The bracket a bit flimsy, I am in Canada and will see if they survive the cold :) Update more than a year later: I must say that the batteries held up pretty well. At least a year in med quality and 5-10 notifications a day on front. more than 2 years on back camera. I use local storage on stick & almost satisfied. Still unhappy though with bouncing of data through Amazon servers. If you are not careful they will know how when you go in out of your home, and so hackers possibly ✌
I have 5 cameras. Four of the 5 didn’t work. I cannot see paying $100 a year this subscription. You can buy another system and not have a fee . In a couple of years you’ll have made your money back. Amazon is a racket.
That's what I thought until both cameras stopped recording motion, they both show live video if I request it, but nothing is saved, so the cameras do still work.
@sjb3594
Did you end up buying another system? Any recommendations? Thanks!
Can I also ‘screen record’ on my phone whilst viewing recordings on the app?
I suppose you can. hey are two separate functions.
What if u don't have a computer how do u put it on your phone
Can we use one module to record over multiple systems in multiple locations/wifi? Or every location/wifi requires a separate one? (As the Sync Module works like a router or a hub.)
I always was confused on this.
Can multiple cameras work for 1 sync module?
.right now 1 is blinking the other is solid
You just use one Module which comes with the outdoor camera and then if you buy other outdoor cameras they will be about $10-$15 less because they won't come with the module. The other option is just buying the outdoor camera pack that comes with 3 outdoor cameras and the one module that you need. If you are just using the doorbell then there is no need for the module as you can just connect it directly to your wifi network.
Hi:) Can I record 24/7???
Just received mine and did the installation and free 30 day trial. Do I need to subscribe now for the warranty? Or can I do that once the trial is over. So far I love this app and cameras. Set up was so user friendly.
I always apply for the warranty immediately or I forget to do it, or I lose the purchased information.
@@AverageMe awsome thanks will reach out to blink customer support and do just that. Thanks again.
Yes, I would just use the flash drive!
Is there a security system that is interactive so that you get alerts and visibility immediately. Driving home or if you are in another state seems useless. Can blink be automatically loaded onto a Chromebook? And remotely accessed
This is pretty immediate, maybe a 4 second delay
Yes, you will get a notification that motion is detected and then you can click that notification which takes you straight to the live feed. If you want to go back later and look at other live video feeds from earlier that day or week while your on the other side of the country you can do that too.
How long are the video clips with the subscription?
You can set the time length in your settings.
Considering the update... electing to have local storage is a No-brainer.
Until someone breaks into your house and steals your stuff along with the USB drive that has all the recording data on it.
Try with sync module 2 doesn't work The control all by cloud inclusive the local storage. After I publish comments in youtube they kick my cameras from their cloud
I am not tech savvy and did everything with no problems. Do I leave the flash drive in the sync model until I want to review video?
Yes.
I have a question. Are the usb drive inserted into each camera or is it used in an device that will collect all of your camera’s activations?
It's on the sync module
It is used as a storage device to hold all of the motion sensor recordings. Think of it like a library but all the books are instead clips of what activated the motion sensors in the camera.
I haven’t tried it yet but the USB port is on the modal and supplies all the cameras with storage.
Unrelated question. What if your old amazon account is closed, so you need to register your blink to a newly created amazon account? How can i do that?
I lost my iPhone and it took MONTHS of repeated contacts to finally get my cameras re-assigned to me. I had my purchase info from from Amazon, my emails, my cameras with codes and pictures, etc. and it still was a major headache. So I would not be optimistic.
I’d like to know more about the USB. Does it have to be a certain capacity?
Will 5 GB suffice? 10? 50?
Does it keep overwriting existing files so you never have to replace the USB or does it store until it fills up?
I've got a 32 GB flash drive in mine.
Hi. How long is the delay/lag when the camera is activated ?
I might buy one now you can access the USB from your phone.
Thanks
It’s much longer than I like. Once activated, it sometimes takes up to 5 seconds to view in real time. By this time whomever or whatever activated it is often gone. Of course you still have the video.
@@AverageMe thank you
I just purchased this blink 5 outdoor camera kit but the friend I bought this for does not have a computer/ laptop!! She does have a apple tablet ??? What can she do ???
An iXpand drive can work
I am using flash drive, I can see all recording through app
I have a friend who does not have Internet access, but needs a battery powered, outdoor security camera that has local storage. I was thinking of gifting her with the Blink 3 system (with lightning attachment) and the storage module you described. She has only a smart phone, no computer, no Internet. Would what I described work for her? Thanks.
It requires WI-FI and Internet based on everything I have seen.
If you don't have Internet it won't save the videos, and you can't even watch the camera live, so it's pretty useless.
Weird question. Is there anyway to use Blink Subscription WITHOUT an Amazon acct?
According to Blink support, an Amazon.com account is required to purchase and activate Blink Subscription Plans.
I just wanted too knew if I could use any flash drives device
As far as I can tell, you can as long as you have a USB adapter for it.
@@AverageMe thank you so much it's coming on tuesday when I come home from work
But does the camera record all day or just when it sees movement?
Just when is senses movement, or when you choose to view the camera through the app. When motion activated, it’ll stay on for a predetermined length of time, such as 10 seconds
@@AverageMe 10 seconds is NOT long enough!!!
I would say that is the major drawback.
You can increase the time in settings. I think up to a minute long.
I have had two Blink outdoor cameras for a couple of years now, they have been fine until Blink pulled the trial subscription support a month ago, now I constantly get and error message saying " Manifest stale, please re-request" neither of the cameras will now record anything, I was saving recording on a flash drive via the sync module 2, it did begin to work again, but Blink sent me another cloud reminder notification and it all stopped working again, I'm getting paranoid, have Blink played with my app to make me subscribe.....
Thanks for the info. I haven't heard anything about it.
Should I pay a subscription fee, or go with the flash drive?
I think you should have the subscription. I know I will continue with mine after the trial period. It just makes more sense to review it on my phone than wait until I get to a computer. What if I want to see who is doing what repeatedly? Or show a friend? Just easier to have readily available on my mobile devices
I was going to use the flash drive 100% but then just ended up sticking with the sub after the 30 day free trial ended because it's a lot more convenient and doesn't break the bank while giving me great piece of mind since I have unlimited storage.
10 cams = 30@month. That’s 5 gallons of gas!
I have 3 mini cameras . So do I need 3 sync modules?
No, they all use the same module. You connect them through the app. I’m also using 3.
@@AverageMe Do u need to by the sync module separately ? Or does it come with the outdoor unit ?
@@nomadcharter3691 No, all you have to do is connect all 3 cameras to 1 sync module
Blink used to give a free 30 day subscription for each camera. Do they not do that anymore?
I think I did get that, but not with each camera. I just bought a new one when one of mine failed and no subscription was offered.
OK....Opting for local storage because I'm too cheap to pay 3.00 for each of my 2 cameras a month. I'm worried as to what I might lose as far as functionality goes. Also confused as to the scheduled times for the back ups to the USB drive. The times are not very consistent. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the times.
the cloud option is really only needed if you don't have the control module and usb device, unless your worried i might get stolen then you don't have a back up if they don't get caught, so you could just hide the module, if the police don't arrive in time you still have footage.'
$3 seems cheap, until like me, 10 cams on my system. I use a flash drive and can view all the activity, live and recorded.
@@gordymorton15 I have 4, and a usb stick.
It all looks like a con to me. After you purchase the camera you should be able to use all the features on it on your home network.
It is and I regret buying it.
I left a negative review on Amazon and they flagged it for no reason, and I'm banned from reviewing Blink products now.
@@Flu_Tang_Clan Amazon banned you. It’s just another case of the truth hurt’s.
Being an Amazon product how could it not be a con? Big Tech is all about control. These cameras we plug into the grid are used for a lot more than our own security. Read the fine print.
So can’t I just screen record with my iPhone when viewing live stream ?
Yes you could do that.
I’ve had my door bell wireless right at a month and the batteries are dead in both. Have any of you had an issue with this?
In general, the more your camera is activated, and the longer you have the video option set, the faster batteries will drain. There is an option to hard-wire the cameras to a USB power source in order to save battery life.
Yeah that marketing there is a bit misleading for sure. It says the outdoor camera lasts for 2 years on 2 AA batteries. I have had mine for about 45 days and the batteries are already dying. Looks like it last 2 years on standby mode only lol.
I want a method that doesn't give Amazon more money.
Then you’d have to avoid Blink altogether because they’re an Amazon product
Lol
You buy usb to amazon too
Buy Amazon stock so you at least get a small slice of the pie when you buy this and subscribe.
You want the sync module then which i believe comes with the cameras today. When i purchased my cameras in 2021 a sync module was not needed and all of the indoor cameras were wired with wifi connections. When i purchased the outdoor camera last year i was a little pissed to find out i needed a sync module to operate it and it was sold separately.
You can view all recorded videos on your usb using the app without a subscription.
It’s not working for me. App cannot access the USB
@@AverageMe Once you open the app theres 5 icons/buttons on the very bottom of the screen. Tap the second from the left that looks like youtube icon.
You are great I listened to three videos and you explained it great for me to understand ..are you a teacher ? I will be watching you. I wouldn't subscribe .I'm grandfathered into the old contract free cloud..One camera is on free trial after that no subscription..I may have to buy a sink module 2 thank you.
Need to find the difference between blink standalone and the system
The Blink Outdoor camera requires the sync module to operate, as you saw in the video. The sync module comes with the Blink Systems/Kits. Once you have that, you can add other "standalone" cameras to the system.
@@AverageMe I paid for the standalone camera today after watching your video and I’ll have to buy the sync soon
So why do you show blink 1 on your thumb nail
The local storage option doesn't work if your miles away from the system! (summer home) Find a new XT2 system. don't buy the outdoor system
Great camera, only issue I have is there's no AI to determine between human and animals.
True. I've had lizards and frogs set it off.
Yup, my neighbor’s cat, every morning at 2 a.m. on my porch
New sub here
Welcome Nicole! And thank you!
You’re welcome 💙🙏🏽
No matter what I cannot connect correctly the blue light doesn’t flash and a yellow light underneath it! Seems I have the blink camera view good.. I do not have cancer at all.. please help I’m 74 and trying to be a help to a friend..
But you can't view it without taking the drive out and putting it into computer right? That hassle alone is worth paying the subscription fee.
I’m just gonna get the subscription
I did. For the $99 for 3 cams is worth it.
What if they come in and steal both your computer and your Blink camera ?
I guess you use your phone, lol!
@@AverageMe So when using as you describe the video is not stored in your house?
what if someone broke into your house and took your webcam?
I would subscribe to the service, because what if someone steals the camera, especially in an apartment, you can always look at the person who took it.
Your not very smart, go back to 4th grade and start over
Only good thing about blink is it uses batteries.
It dont stack up against wyze v3..i have 6 wyze cams and just got 3 blinks to try..i think they suck and there software.
Just my openion..
I’ve been pretty happy with it so far. But the battery issue, while it makes the camera easy to install and use, is also a drawback as they do need to be replaced pretty regularly depending upon how often they are activated.
A flash drive is another good option but subscription is a convenient way
For £3 u can rewatch it on the phone makes more sense
I just canceled my subscription. Using l
a USB drive is great because you can keep the footage for as long as you want.
Yes but the drawback is the limited options viewing remotely. But it's money saved!!
Lol, the title makes it sound like you're going to get away with being able to save your video feed for free. Free. This isn't a trick, this is something that blink clearly planned for people to have an option to do. I should make a video and show you guys how to use an old router as your storage so you can bypass even having to buy a blink storage capturing device
Sounds like I shouldn’t avoid subscription fees .
Not necessarily. There's something to be said for convenience. Having three cameras, I ended up paying the roughly $100/yr for the subscription
@@AverageMe how many other devices like phone ,laptops can connect to this and view security ??
definitely shouldn't subscribe as you can get the clips at no charge on your USB storage
just bought them 2 months ago on the box it says no monthly fees required what a crock of shit give me my money back defeats the purpose of live viewing
save your money. for 90 bucks you can get a cctv setup that'll do what blink does and more.
I’m sorry I wasted my money on this system. I will by another system before I waste $100 a year!
So you are saying I must pay 💰 3.00 per camera each month. 3x4 =$12.00 for 12 months $144.00. Educate me.
This is literally the worst piece of worthless crrp I have ever bought.
Probably the most obvious thing that shows that the developers never even tested their device in real world usage, is nowhere on it is written the words "doorbell"... nobody knows it's a doorbell... and the screws included to install it... literally a 2 cent item... aren't self tapping, meaning you're more likely to stab the screwdriver through your fingers trying to install it than actually ever get it installed.
It does not have the range to be installed out by your driveway gate. More often than not, you're going to be recording tons of useless footage of yourself, and nobody else.
As soon as you see thier plan break down you realize, yeah, you got bamboozled, this thing is grrbage.
This isn't a doorbell cam. I think you might be confusing this with another product or video.
You need to DELETE your video especially since you admitted in "UPDATE" that it cannot save clips when you have NO subscription.
I really doubt a "backup" is performed once a day either. I think that statement you made is also incorrect.