How do video doorbell cameras work?

June 24 2025

Gone are the days when you have to sneak to the door to check who's knocking. With a video doorbell camera, you can answer from anywhere; even if you’re miles away from your property.

ADT’s security experts are here to take you through how doorbell cameras work, and if you’re interested in getting one for your home, have a chat with our friendly team.

What are video doorbell cameras?

Video doorbells feature a built-in camera and are often the first line of home defence. Alongside enabling you to check who’s at the front door, they can act as a great deterrent for potential thieves who might feel discouraged to attempt a burglary if they see it.

How does a doorbell camera work?

ADT’s doorbell camera captures 160° horizontal, 90° vertical and 175° diagonal field-of-view in crisp 1080p. It works by using infrared LED sensors to detect movement and then notify the user via Wi-Fi to the ADT Smart Services app. Recorded footage is securely stored on the ADT cloud server for later viewing.

Our smart analytics feature helps ensure that your doorbell camera is only triggered by people; no accidental recordings of animals or cars going past.

Benefits of doorbell cameras

We live busy lives, so you can’t be at home all day to answer the door. There are many benefits to installing a doorbell camera:

Answering the door remotely: We’re not always home, so a video doorbell allows you to answer the door when you’re away
Avoid unwanted guests: With a video doorbell camera, you can check who’s at the door and make an informed decision on whether to answer; useful when scanning for unwanted guests
Wireless power: Because our video doorbells are battery-operated, they continue to work even if your mains power goes out
Flexibility: The wireless design of our doorbell camera also means it can be installed pretty much anywhere near your front door without any trailing wires
Smart video analytics: Unneeded notifications can become frustrating, which is why our video doorbells distinguish between people, vehicles and animals. Customisable notifications mean you'll only be updated on what matters most
Night vision: Most burglaries happen at night; with night vision functionality, doorbell cameras can monitor for intruders when visibility is limited
Parcel theft: Doorbell cameras are a great way to deter opportunistic thieves from stealing parcels that are left on your doorstep
Deterrence: They are also a great general deterrent. Thieves look for easy targets, empty homes, places to hide and properties with minimal security; a video doorbell adds an easy-to spot layer of security that burglars want to avoid

As we mentioned, doorbell cameras are a valuable tool for deterring potential porch thieves. If you want to learn more ways to protect your deliveries, take a look through our expert guide.

FAQs

Do doorbell cameras record all the time?

Doorbell cameras are typically triggered when movement is detected, but you can customise an ADT video doorbell so recording starts when rung, too.

Do doorbell cameras require Wi-Fi?

In order to store recorded footage on the cloud and notify you, a doorbell camera will often require a Wi-Fi connection.