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Smart home security system questions

Smart home security system questions

Smart home security system questions
Smart home security system questions
2025-06-24 20:56:58

Hi there TP-link community. I'm looking to get a home security system without the need for a subscription. And Tapo is in the lead, but I do have a few questions to hear what is possible and what is not.

 

Considering This:

Smart HomeBase | Tapo H500 (With 2TB SSD)

Tapo C560WS (As front main camera)

Tapo C520WS (Inside our mini-pigs home)

Tapo C425 (Side of House)

Tapo C425 (Garden/Mini-pigs outer enclosure)

Tapo D235 Doorbell Camera

10x Tapo T110 Contact Sensor

 

1. Can each camera be set to different modes?

Tapo C560WS regular recordings + notifcations when there is movement.

Tapo C520WS 24/7 continuous recording + no notifications.

One C425 regular recordings + no notifcations.

One C425 No recording + no notifcations.

 

2. Is it possible for the one camera to 24/7 continuous record but only store 48 hours at a time to make sure there is lots of room for the event-triggered recordings?

 

3. So I do not wish for the H500 to use alarm, as this device will be hidden away. Is it possible to just use the D235 + C560WS speakers as alert alarms?

 

4. If using the H500 as local storage, is there a need for SD Cards in the cameras?

 

5. Anything missing on the list of devices to make the system function properly?

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#1
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7 Reply
Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-06-25 07:20:43

  @Roneye 

Hi,
Please see the replies to your questions.
1. Each camera can be set to different modes. However, please note that:
   1) The battery-powered camera does not support continuous recording.
   2) Currently, the Tapo C560WS does not support storing video recordings in a hub. It may support this feature via future firmware updates, and we do not know when the firmware will be released.

 

2. The Tapo cameras do not support the feature to only store 48 hours of recordings at a time.

 

3. When the Tapo C560WS detects events, its alarms sound when its Alarm feature is enabled. When someone presses the Ring button of the Tapo D235, you can hear a paired chime(a Tapo Chime comes with the doorbell camera in the package) ringing, but the chime won't ring when the camera detects events, such as motion, person, etc. 

 

4. If using the H500 as local storage, there is no need to insert an SD card into the camera. However, the Tapo C560WS does not support the feature to store video recordings in a hub now.

 

5. Please describe your usage scenario, and I'll check if the listed devices can meet your requirements.

 

Best Regards

>>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance. >>What to do if the Detection feature is not working on the TP-Link Camera? >>Encrypt microSD Card: Protecting Video Recordings Stored on the SD Card.
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#2
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Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-06-26 19:35:38 - last edited 2025-06-26 19:39:46

  @Solla-topee Thanky very much for the reply.

 

1.

2) I would imagine it's because the product will be released the 5th of July, so the compablity should be added quickly?

2. Does that mean the 24/7 recording will start overwritting the event-triggered recording on the H500?

3. That makes sense. But I'm thinking the alarm should only sound when one of the T110 contact sensors has dedected breach.
Would I need a whole different device for the alert to sound?

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Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-06-27 08:34:49

  @Roneye 

Hi, 
1. I checked the Tapo C560WS V1 firmware release notes page on the official website, and the new firmware currently supports storing video recordings in the hub.
 

2. Nope.

If your cameras are set to store video recordings in the hub, with the Loop Recording feature enabled on the hub, the new recordings will overwrite the oldest recordings when the hub's storage is full.
If your camera is configured to store video recordings on the inserted SD card and the Loop Recording feature is enabled, the new recordings will overwrite the oldest recordings when the SD card is full.

 

3. With the Tapo app > Smart Action > Automation feature, you can set the entry:
1) When the T110 open
2) Pan & Tilt the camera to a specific position.
If you pan & tilt the camera to the position where the T110 is, the camera may detect the event, and then alarm sound.

 

If this is not the usage scenario you want to achieve, you can purchase a hub, such as the Tapo H100 or H200, as an alarm. You can achieve the following usage scenario with the Automation entry.
1) When a T110 open
2) Then the H100/H200 ring.

 

Best Regards

>>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance. >>What to do if the Detection feature is not working on the TP-Link Camera? >>Encrypt microSD Card: Protecting Video Recordings Stored on the SD Card.
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Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-07-11 21:25:48 - last edited 2025-07-11 21:26:29

  @Solla-topee 

Hi again. I got the system now.

But for some reason the C560ws it seems like the H500 is not supported?

 

Firmware on the H500 and C560 here

 

 

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Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-07-14 02:38:18 - last edited 2025-07-14 02:38:41

  @Roneye 

Hi,
There are some things that need to be improved on the Tapo H500 to work with the Tapo C560WS. Please send me (@Solla-topee) the hub's MAC address via a private message if you are willing to try the new firmware.

Best Regards

>>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance. >>What to do if the Detection feature is not working on the TP-Link Camera? >>Encrypt microSD Card: Protecting Video Recordings Stored on the SD Card.
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#6
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Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-07-15 04:39:34 - last edited 2025-07-15 04:46:39

Hi, I have the same issue with both my new C560, cameras, the H500 says I need to Upgrade firmware, but everything is on latest, so Is there any Beta/Test firmware i Could try to see if it fixes anything 

Regards Svein-Egil Oslo, Norway
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#7
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Re:Smart home security system questions
2025-07-16 02:13:32

  @Roneye   @SvPett  

Hi,
For the reported phenomenon between the Tapo C560 and H500, we recommend sending an email to support.forum@tp-link.com with the following information for further assistance.


Subject: [Forum Escalation] [ID 827996] fail to store Tapo C560's video on the H500
Forum Nickname:
Thread URL:  Tap the Options on the top right corner of your post, then tap Copy Link to copy the thread URL.


Model&Version: camera's model number, HW, and FW
Description: 
Any Other Relevant Information (such as your camera's and the hub's MAC addresses(Don't post the information publicly)). 

 

Once sent, a ticket will be created in our support system, and a member of the team will follow up to help you.

 

Best Regards

>>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance. >>What to do if the Detection feature is not working on the TP-Link Camera? >>Encrypt microSD Card: Protecting Video Recordings Stored on the SD Card.
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#8
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