How to Install Blink Outdoor Camera?
If you are looking for a simple and affordable way to monitor your home’s exterior, you might want to consider the Blink Outdoor camera. This wireless security camera offers 1080p HD video, two-way audio, infrared night vision, motion detection, and cloud or local storage options. It also works with Alexa and has a long-lasting battery life of up to two years.
But before you can enjoy all these features, you need to know how to install Blink Outdoor camera properly. In this guide, we will show you how to install Blink Outdoor camera in 7 easy steps for maximum security. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Download the Blink app and create an account
The first step to install Blink Outdoor camera is to download the Blink Home Monitor app on your smartphone or tablet. You can find it on the App Store for iOS devices or on Google Play for Android devices. Once you have downloaded the app, open it and tap on “Create Account”.
You will need to enter your email address and create a password. Then, you will receive a verification code in your email inbox. Enter the code in the app and tap on “Verify”. You have now created your Blink account.
Step 2: Add a Sync Module and create a system
The next step is to add a Sync Module to your Blink account. The Sync Module is a small device that connects to your Wi-Fi network and acts as a hub for your Blink cameras. It allows you to control and view your cameras from anywhere using the app. To add a Sync Module, tap on the “+” icon at the bottom right corner of the app’s home screen. Then, select “Add Sync Module” and follow the instructions on the screen.
You will need to scan the QR code on the back of the Sync Module, plug it into a power outlet, and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Once the Sync Module is online, you will be prompted to create a system name for your cameras. You can choose any name you like, such as “Home” or “Backyard”.
Step 3: Add one or more cameras
After you have added a Sync Module and created a system name, you can start adding cameras to your system. To add a camera, tap on the “+” icon again and select “Add Camera”. Then, choose “Blink Outdoor” as the camera type and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to scan the QR code on the back of the camera, remove the back cover and install two AA lithium batteries (included in the box), and wait for the camera to connect to the Sync Module. You can repeat this process for as many cameras as you want to add.
Step 4: Mount the camera
Once you have added all the cameras you want, you can mount them in your desired locations. The Blink Outdoor camera comes with a mounting bracket and screws that allow you to attach it to any flat surface, such as a wall or a fence. To mount the camera, follow these steps:
- Choose a location with a clear view of the area you want to monitor.
- Make sure the camera is protected from the elements and placed in a secure location.
- Mount the camera at a height of 6-10 feet for optimal viewing angles.
- Ensure that the camera is within range of your Wi-Fi network.
- Consider installing multiple cameras to cover a larger area.
To attach the mounting bracket, use a drill or a screwdriver to make two holes in the surface where you want to place the camera. Then, insert the screws through the holes and tighten them with a screwdriver. Next, align the ball joint on the back of the camera with the socket on the mounting bracket and snap them together. Finally, adjust the angle of the camera by loosening or tightening the nut on the ball joint.
Step 5: Name your camera and set the thumbnail
After you have mounted your camera, you can give it a name and set a thumbnail image for easy identification in the app. To do this, open the app and tap on your system name at the top of the home screen. Then, tap on each camera icon and select “Camera Settings”.
Here, you can enter a name for your camera, such as “Front Door” or “Garage”. You can also tap on “Update Thumbnail” to take a snapshot of your camera’s view and use it as an icon.
Step 6: Adjust your camera settings
The next step is to adjust your camera settings according to your preferences and needs. You can access these settings by tapping on each camera icon and selecting “Camera Settings”. Here are some of the settings you can customize:
- Motion Detection: You can enable or disable motion detection for each camera, as well as adjust its sensitivity level from low to high.
- Motion Zones: You can create up to two motion zones for each camera, which are areas where motion will trigger an alert or recording. You can also exclude areas from motion detection by creating privacy zones.
- Video Quality: You can choose the video quality for each camera, from saver to best. Higher quality will consume more battery and bandwidth, while lower quality will save battery and bandwidth.
- Clip Length: You can choose the length of the video clips that are recorded when motion is detected, from 5 to 60 seconds. Longer clips will consume more battery and storage, while shorter clips will save battery and storage.
- Retrigger Time: You can choose the time interval between each motion-triggered recording, from 10 to 60 seconds. Shorter intervals will capture more events, while longer intervals will reduce false alerts.
- End Clip Early: You can enable or disable this option to end the recording early if no motion is detected for a certain period of time. This will save battery and storage, but may miss some events.
- IR Intensity: You can adjust the intensity of the infrared LED that provides night vision for each camera, from low to high. Higher intensity will improve visibility in dark conditions, while lower intensity will reduce glare and reflections.
- Recording LED: You can enable or disable the blue LED that indicates when the camera is recording. This will affect the visibility and stealth of the camera.
- Microphone: You can enable or disable the microphone that captures audio for each camera. This will affect the sound quality and privacy of the recordings.
- Speaker Volume: You can adjust the volume of the speaker that allows you to talk through the camera using the app’s two-way audio feature. Higher volume will improve audibility, while lower volume will reduce noise and feedback.
Step 7: View and manage your recordings
The last step is to view and manage your recordings in the app. You can access your recordings by tapping on each camera icon and selecting “View Live Video”. Here, you can see a live stream of your camera’s view, as well as a list of recent clips that are stored in the cloud or on a local USB drive (if you have a Sync Module 2). You can also use the app’s features to:
- Watch: You can watch any clip by tapping on it. You can also pause, rewind, fast-forward, or delete the clip.
- Share: You can share any clip with others by tapping on the share icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. You can choose to share via email, text message, social media, or other apps.
- Download: You can download any clip to your device’s gallery by tapping on the download icon at the bottom left corner of the screen. This will allow you to save and access your clips offline.
- Talk: You can talk through your camera by tapping on the microphone icon at the bottom center of the screen. This will activate the two-way audio feature and allow you to communicate with anyone near your camera.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed your Blink Outdoor camera and learned how to use it. Now you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home is protected by a reliable and easy-to-use security system. If you have any questions or issues, you can contact Blink Support for help.
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What is the range of Blink Outdoor camera?
According to sources, the range of Blink Outdoor camera depends on the type of detection you are interested in. For motion detection, the best range is within 5 to 20 feet (about 1.5 to 6m) from the camera. For video recording, the camera can capture up to 1080p resolution and has a field of view of 110 degrees.
The camera also has a wireless range of about 100 feet (30m) from the Sync Module, which is the device that connects it to your Wi-Fi network. However, these ranges may vary depending on the environmental factors and device settings.
How do I extend the range of Blink Outdoor camera?
To extend the range of Blink Outdoor camera, you have several options depending on your situation and needs. Here are some of the possible solutions:
- Optimize motion detection settings: You can adjust the motion detection sensitivity and zones for each camera to reduce false alerts and save battery life. This will also help you focus on the areas that matter most to you. You can access these settings by tapping on each camera icon and selecting “Camera Settings” in the app.
- Place the camera strategically: You can mount the camera in a location that has a clear view of the area you want to monitor, is protected from the elements, and is within range of your Wi-Fi network. You can also consider installing multiple cameras to cover a larger area. The best range for motion detection is within 5 to 20 feet (about 1.5 to 6m) from the camera, while the wireless range from the Sync Module is about 100 feet (30m). However, these ranges may vary depending on environmental factors and device settings.
- Add extra lighting or infrared illuminators for night vision: You can improve the visibility and range of your camera at night by adding some external lighting or infrared illuminators to the area you want to monitor. This will help the camera capture clearer images and videos in low-light conditions. You can also adjust the IR intensity for each camera in the app.
- Move the camera closer to the base station: You can improve the signal strength and reliability of your camera by moving it closer to the Sync Module, which is the device that connects it to your Wi-Fi network. You can also try changing the location or orientation of the Sync Module to avoid potential interference from walls and other objects.
- Invest in a range extender or Wi-Fi repeater to boost your signal strength: You can use a range extender or Wi-Fi repeater to amplify your Wi-Fi signal and extend its coverage to areas where your camera may have a weak or unstable connection. However, you will need to plug these devices into a power outlet and configure them to have the same Wi-Fi SSID and password as your main network. You can also use a power-line Wi-Fi extender if you have a power supply running from your house to an out-building where you want to place your camera.
- Connect your cameras to your router and install Wi-Fi range extenders to help bridge the gap between them: If you have a Sync Module 2, you can connect your cameras directly to your router instead of using the Sync Module as a hub. This will allow you to use multiple Wi-Fi networks for different cameras and increase their range. However, you will need to have a strong Wi-Fi signal for each camera and install Wi-Fi range extenders if necessary.
These are some of the ways you can extend the range of Blink Outdoor camera and enhance its performance. For more information, you can visit Blink Support or contact them for help. 😊
How do I reset my Blink Outdoor camera?
To reset your Blink Outdoor camera, you need to press and hold the reset button on the back of the camera until the LED light starts flashing rapidly. This should take about 20 seconds. This will restore the camera to its factory settings and erase all your data and settings. You will need to set up the camera again using the Blink app.
You can also try removing the batteries from the camera and waiting for 10 seconds before putting them back in. This will power cycle the camera and may resolve some issues.
If you have a Sync Module, you can also reset it by pressing and holding the reset button on the bottom of the device for 10 seconds. This will reboot the Sync Module and reconnect it to your Wi-Fi network.
For more information, you can watch this videos on how to reset Blink Outdoor camera:
How do I update my Blink Outdoor camera firmware?
To update your Blink Outdoor camera firmware, you need to follow these steps:
- Make sure your camera is connected to the Sync Module, which is the device that connects it to your Wi-Fi network. You can check the connection status by opening the Blink app and tapping on each camera icon. If the camera is offline, try moving it closer to the Sync Module or rebooting the device.
- Update the Blink app to the latest available version on your smartphone or tablet. You can find it on the App Store for iOS devices or on Google Play for Android devices. The app will notify you if there is a new version available and prompt you to update it.
- Open the Blink app and tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner. Then, tap on “Settings” and select your Sync Module from the list. You should see the firmware version currently installed on the Sync Module, as well as a notification if there is a new version available. Tap on “Update Firmware” and follow the instructions on the screen. The update process may take a few minutes and will require your Sync Module to restart.
- After updating the Sync Module firmware, you can check for updates for each camera by tapping on each camera icon and selecting “Camera Settings”. Then, tap on “Firmware Version” and see if there is a new version available. If there is, tap on “Update Firmware” and follow the instructions on the screen. The update process may take a few seconds and will not affect your camera’s functionality.
- Repeat this process for all the cameras you want to update. You can also check for updates manually by opening the Blink app and tapping on the sync module thumbnail. If there is a new firmware version available for any of your cameras, it will show a notification on the thumbnail.
You have now updated your Blink Outdoor camera firmware and ensured that your device has the latest features, bug fixes, and security updates. For more information, you can visit Blink Support or contact them for help. 😊