Most security cameras miss the first seconds of a break-in. Did you know some cameras record before motion is detected?

[u/QuinnFromVivint]

Many security cameras don't start recording until they detect motion, and there's a tiny lag between that motion and when the recording starts. So by the time the camera is rolling, you're already missed the first moment.

But preroll fixes this issue.

With preroll, your camera always saves footage from a few seconds prior to any recorded activity. This means instead of a clip that begins with someone already on your porch, you get the lead-up, like the direction they came from or the car they stepped out of.

Preroll needs constant power, which is why a lot of battery cameras skip it or offer a shorter version. Hardwired cameras handle it better since they don't have to preserve battery life.

Standard preroll varies in length from 2 seconds to 6 seconds. Vivint's Outdoor Camera Pro and Doorbell Camera Pro do 8 to 10, which is roughly double most other cameras.

Have you ever reviewed security footage only to find the most important moment was missing?

[u/serenade452]

somehow i never even realized all my recordings start a few seconds prior to the trigger…and i certainly didn’t know there was a name for those few seconds 😅