Critical issue: inconsistent motion recording and missing events (Tapo D210 / C113)
Hello,
I have been a TP-Link customer for over 20 years and currently use several Tapo devices:
• Doorbell D210
• 2 × C113 cameras
• Active cloud subscription (plan for up to 10 devices)
The hardware works correctly. The issue is clearly related to the software/firmware logic.
Problem summary
Motion-triggered recordings are inconsistent and frequently miss critical parts of events.
Observed behavior (occurs repeatedly):
1. Delayed recording start (trigger delay): Recording starts several seconds after motion begins. Example: a delivery person arrives, but only the moment when they are leaving is captured.
2. Events not recorded at all: Clear motion events sometimes generate no recording.
3. Premature event termination: Recording stops while the person or object is still present.
4. Missing post-event recording: The full exit is not captured (e.g., a vehicle leaving).
5. Inconsistent behavior: Performance varies significantly under similar conditions.
Important technical detail
This issue occurs in both Cloud recording and Local microSD recording. This completely rules out internet latency or cloud-related issues. The problem is strictly related to:
• Motion detection logic.
• Pre/post event buffering.
• Internal event handling in firmware.
Technical assessment
Based on the observed behavior, the issue appears to be caused by high trigger latency and an insufficient pre-event buffer. I have compared this behavior with other competitors' products under the same conditions, and the trigger latency in Tapo is significantly higher, especially on the D210.
Current configuration
• Motion sensitivity: Maximum.
• Detection zones: Configured and active.
• Recording duration: Set to maximum allowed.
• Network: 1Gb Cox connection, low latency, stable.
Request
Please confirm if there are planned firmware updates to improve pre/post event buffering and detection reliability. I am planning to expand my system with at least 4 additional cameras, but this recording reliability issue must be resolved first.
Best regards,
Yury
