Security cameras are a common sight in many homes and businesses these days. They serve as a deterrent to crime and provide peace of mind. But how can you actually tell if a security camera is on and recording? There are some easy ways to determine if a surveillance camera system is actively recording video and capturing footage.
Check For Indicator Lights Around The Camera Lens
Many security cameras have small LED status lights located around the camera lens. These lights allow you to easily see whether the camera is powered on. The common colors of status lights include:
- Red – A solid or blinking red light typically indicates the camera is actively recording. If the light blinks, it usually means motion was detected and video capture started.
- Green – A solid green light usually means the camera is powered on but may not be recording video continuously. It is in standby mode waiting for motion triggers.
- Blue – Some cameras emit a solid or pulsing blue light when active but not necessarily recording. The blue light usually shows the camera is on and ready for motion activation.
- No light – If no light is present, the security camera could still be on but recording without any visible status indicators. Or the lights are set to turn off to avoid drawing attention to the camera. Lack of external lights does not definitively mean a camera isn’t working.
So if you notice a solid or flickering red light around the camera lens, that’s a reliable sign it is powered on and capturing video. The behavior of the lights alone may not reveal every working detail though. Configuration settings could make the camera record video without red lights glowing at night for discreet monitoring. But during daylight, check for small visible red LEDs to determine recording functionality.
Listen For Mechanical Noises To Signal Camera Movement
Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) security cameras that pivot and zoom make audible mechanical sounds when in motion. If you suddenly hear faint whirring noises coming from the position of the PTZ camera, it indicates the camera is likely adjusting its viewing angle or zooming in and out. The sounds of mechanical movement confirm that the security camera is on, active, and possibly recording after detecting activity. Most PTZ cameras record video when manually moved or triggered by motion sensors to start tracking activity. As soon as you hear those mechanical noises, it means the camera is on and active.
Check For Infrared Night Vision Light Glow
The built-in infrared (IR) illuminators on many security cameras emit a faint red glow that’s visible to the naked eye at night. If your camera has night vision capabilities, check for this subtle red glow being emitted from around the camera lens after dark. Most IR illuminators activate automatically when ambient lighting becomes insufficient for capturing video at an acceptable quality. The IR light enables color night vision video in low light. If you do notice a persistent glow at night, it confirms that the camera’s night vision system switched on and it is recording clear video even in very dim conditions.
Confirm Connectivity With Your NVR Or DVR
One definitive way to verify a security camera’s recording status is by checking your network video recorder (NVR) or digital video recorder (DVR). These devices manage multiple cameras and provide centralized control. Access your recorder’s user interface and open the camera feeds. If you see clear live or recorded video streams from your cameras, it reliably confirms that they are functioning, connected to the recorder, and capturing footage as intended to storage. You may also see the recording indicator icons next to each camera stream showing an “R” for recording in progress. If all your connected cameras show active video feeds on the NVR or DVR, they are indeed on and recording to the system’s hard drives.
Detect Audio Sound If Camera Has A Microphone
Surveillance cameras equipped with built-in microphones for capturing audio along with video will transmit ambient sounds back to your DVR or NVR. If your recorder has speakers connected, listen closely to hear the live audio coming directly from the microphones of working cameras. You may pick up background noises indicating functional cameras actively sending both video and audio signals from their installed locations back to your security system. Detection of clear audio sounds is a reliable verification that the cameras with microphone capabilities are powered on, transmitting signals, and recording both video and audio footage.
Conclusion: Ensuring Your Security System is Working Effectively
Knowing how to tell if a security camera is on and recording is essential for the effectiveness of your home or business security system. By understanding the various indicators and techniques to check a camera’s status, you can ensure that your surveillance system is functioning properly and providing the security you need.
For professional security camera installation, contact Callaway Security today!
