Hi everyone, I recently decided to enhance my home security by adding a couple of Google Nest cameras. However, I wanted to ensure that I could access live and historical video feeds without being tied into any subscription services. After some research, I found that while the cameras themselves are subscription-free, certain features like cloud storage do require a Nest Aware subscription. For my needs, I decided to opt for local storage on an external drive, which works seamlessly with the Google Home app.
One thing I was particularly curious about was the video history retention period. I discovered that without a subscription, video history is only retained for a limited time, which is something to keep in mind if you rely on longer-term recordings. Additionally, I tested the motion detection alerts and found them to be reliable, sending timely notifications to my iPad and iPhone.
I also explored integrating these cameras with my existing smart home setup. While the process was straightforward, I recommend checking compatibility with other devices and services to ensure seamless integration. Overall, I’m happy with my decision to go with Google Nest cameras for their ease of use and flexibility in setup options. If anyone has questions or tips about their own experience with these cameras, I’d love to hear them!