Nest Cam Hack - Improve Night Vision and Wi-Fi Signal with IR Floodlight and External Antenna

𝗗𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀, 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄?

There are several reasons to the poor experience. First, security cameras have an inadequate number of built-in infrared (IR) LEDs because they are designed to be low-powered and fit into small enclosures.

Second, they are not designed to record through windows. The LEDs activate automatically upon low environment luminance. Windows reflect IR light back into the camera just like other light spectrums and therefore pollute the video stream.

A solution is to disable the embedded IR LEDs when night vision is activated. But, few manufactures offer that feature to simply disable the LEDs through a software application. In most cases, you will have to remove or completely cover the LEDs (like using an opaque tape).

Then, you install a high-power IR floodlight outside to illuminate the area you want to record. IR light can be picked up by camera sensors, but it is largely invisible to the human eye. You get the benefit of night vision without blinding your neighbors compared to traditional outdoor lighting.

Optional: You can also replace the internal Wi-Fi antenna and connect the cable to an external antenna to boost the Wi-Fi signal.

Checkout the video for the comparison.

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