Ring adds color night vision to wired security devices and HDR to wireless ones

By Bruce Brown February 14, 2019

Amazon’s Ring just added color night vision to all of the brand’s wired smart home security devices. Ring’s battery-operated security devices will get color night vision later but will be the first with High Dynamic Range (HDR) control. The new features will be sent to users via software updates for Ring’s video doorbells and security spotlights and floodlights with motion-detection cameras.

All Ring devices with cameras support night vision. In the past, the infrared sensors used for Ring’s night vision captured monochromatic images and video. With the new color capability in Ring’s night vision, owners will be able to discern more detail for greater protection.

Ring’s battery-powered security devices are the first to gain HDR control, which adjusts luminosity for greater detail in bright and dark areas in an image. While HDR won’t give the wireless cameras in Ring’s security products color, the improved monochrome imagery should help users recognize people at their door. Ring said HDR would be added to the company’s wired security units later.

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ring video doorbell review version 1548377273 hero2 — Ring Video Doorbell Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

ring spotlight cam wired wall front — Ring Spotlight Cam Wired Terry Walsh/Digital Trends

Ring Stick Up Cam Wired review — Ring Stick Up Cam Wired Kim Wetzel/Digital Trends

Ring Video Doorbell 2 review — Ring Video Doorbell 2 Wired Terry Walsh/Digital Trends

Ring Video Doorbell Elite — Ring Video Doorbell Elite Image used with permission by copyright holder

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ring wired security products color night vision floodlight camera — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ring’s wired security products that gain color night vision include the Video Doorbell (if W\wired), Video Doorbell 2 Wired, Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell Elite, Spotlight Cam Wired, Spotlight Cam Mount, Floodlight Cam Wired, and Stick Up Cam Wired.

The battery-powered Ring security devices that get HDR control include the Video Doorbell, Video Doorbell 2, Spotlight Cam Battery, and Stick Up Cam Battery.

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ring wired security products color night vision spotlight cam battery — Ring Spotlight Cam Battery Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ring Video Doorbell 2 review — Ring Video Doorbell 2 Terry Walsh/Digital Trends

ring wired security products color night vision wi fi enabled video doorbell — Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell Image used with permission by copyright holder

When Digital Trends asked about the timeline for adding the second video enhancement features to the two power platforms, a Ring representative said, “They’ll be rolling out in the coming months.”

If consumers have to decide between wired and battery-powered devices with no other differences, the choice will hinge on several factors. Battery-powered devices are usually very easy to install in any location, although you’ll have to change or charge the batteries periodically. Wired devices can be fairly simple if you can connect them to existing doorbell wiring but more complicated if you have to use an electrician.

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Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…

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