Download clips when on same network

Download clips when on different network

Saving Live Video

Solar Panel Info

Introduction

This web page contains interesting titbits I have learned using the Tapo security system on an Android phone.

Downloading Video Clips

Note: you cannot download clips directly from the camera if you are not connected to the same network. You can, however, play the clips and record them to your phone, then process them from there.

Download clips when connected to the

same network

These instructions assume that the videos have been saved to the camera.

Find the videos

Navigate to Saved-videos from any of these screens: • Home>Tap on required camera>Playback and Download • Cameras> Tap on required camera>Playback and Download • Me>Playback and Download>Tap Camera The Playback tab will show all videos still on the camera.

Download a video

-Tap the video so it gets the blue border -Tap the three dots menu -Tap Download Playback tab: Video wanted: Three dots>Download Message: “Downloading to camera memory” This would make more sense if it said ““Downloading to phone memory”, because it was on the “camera” in the first place. On the Download tab, the video is shown (down the bottom “Download complete”) Video is now on the phone, in the DCIM/Tapo folder. If you tap the video shown on the Download tab, it will play. On that screen, if you tap “Download” you get a message “saved to album”, which in reality just saves another copy of the same video, into the same DCIM/Tapo folder but with a slightly different name.

Download clips when not connected to the

same network

Play the video and tap Record

Play the video, tap the screen to reveal the player controls. Tap the “record icon (looks like a movie camera). The video will be recorded onto your phone in the DCIM/Tapo folder and playable from the Download tab.

Do a Screen Recording

In some situations, you can’t hit the Record button quick enough, so you miss the first few seconds. In this case, the only solution is to do a screen recording. Start the screen recorder (Swipe down from top right to reveal the app shortcuts area, then swipe the middle down again to reveal more controls; the Screen Recorder icon is in there. Start screen recording, then play the video. Stop the screen recording when desired; the video will be in Main Storage>DCIM/Screen Recordings.

Saving Live Videos

If viewing a camera and you want to record it live, hit the Record button. When the recording and storage is set to Local Recording ie on the camera, the recording will be saved directly to your phone’s main storage (for Android, it will be in the DCIM/Tapo folder).

Solar Panels

Tapo cameras are quite “picky” when it comes to solar panels. They will only accept 5 - 5.2 volts. I’ve tried one after-market panel from Temu and it was outputting 7v and the camera (a C410) would not accept the charge. The Tapo solar panels work really well. The most annoying aspect of the Tapo panels is the lack of a ¼ inch screw mount, so you are restricted to using the Tapo mounts, which requires drilling holes. Fortunately, Temu sells a universal mount which has a detachable Tapo- style panel attachment: Detached clip that fits into the Tapo panel slot, providing 1/4inch socket functionality: Also, the swivel bracket is much sturdier than others I have used.