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Comment by MafellUser | Hacker News Reader

> "Extended Video Storage: You can store your Ring videos for up to 180 days. Video storage defaults to 30 days."

They NEVER delete ANY video, just hide your access away. I had some footages way back in 2019 that I could still access, so long as I have the video's uuid.

They also made several updates to reduce image quality (added fake motion blur). The goal I guess was to 'enhance' privacy of passer by but in reality it also means unless the person of interest stands still facing the camera, the footage is worthless as a CCTV device. It's jarring to see crystal clear videos from 2019 vs the blurry mess that is today. I replaced the front door one with an Eufy, it has its own problem but at least it's not a complete POS like the Ring products.

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I like the massive degradation of this service and the rise in cost. Hopefully this will slow down the adoption and normalization of mass surveillance in residential areas.

Cost increases combined with quality decreases is basically the story of Amazon at this point.

While I understand that Eufy had a security issue last year where a very small number of users were logged in the wrong accounts and saw other people's camera feeds, they quickly patched it and didn't beat around the bush about what was going on.

I have a Eufy Doorbell camera and their tilt-and-pan camera (to monitor my dog while I am at work). I've had no issues with saving videos from Eufy products. Everything is super clear because all of their new devices are 2k resolution cameras. My friends who have Ring or Nest say that the Eufy microphone and speaker sound so much better.

I also have an Eufy doorbell camera and am very happy with it. The image quality and people detection are great. The only quibble I have with it is that it won't use the original doorbell chime. It will only use the Eufy wireless chime even if wired to the original for power.

I have one also, it worked with my old door chime but I replaced my chime anyway as it would only ring 1 of the chimes.

I also like Eufy since the videos are stored onto SD cards. I guess that means that other than the still shots that are sent to your phone, an enterprising thief could smash the camera and steal the card and you would only have a single photo to go off of though.

Smashing and taking the doorbell isn't a concern of mine. I live in a very low crime area. The majority of crime that does happen is stealing from unlocked cars or open garages. The doorbell wouldn't help with either in my case since my door doesn't face my driveway or garage.

My townhouse is 4 stories. The 4th floor is where my pool table, dart board and home theater are located thus where I spend most of my time when I am home. I got the doorbell camera so I wouldn't have to navigate all the steps every time someone rang the doorbell.

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