Starlight sensor
Is it how starlight sensor works on c120 model or I'm making something wrong?
well, nevertheless it seems it's a bug of firmware update. At least before the update to the version 1.1.13 starlight worked.
and now there isi eigher to wait a new update, or send the cameras back, buy a new one and never update it.
I would like to thank tp-link team for their responsiveness and tech support. The question was resolved backstage. Unfortunately, I could not find time to share the conclusions made.
Well, the inconsistency in settings may lead to Auto mode that works differently (in colored or in IK mode).
It will create an illusion that something has been changed. Although, in fact, it's a sequence of settings that will affect Auto mode:
- You come to Auto mode from Day mode - And you end up with a nice colored picture
- You come to Auto mode from Night mode - And it's a black/white picture with IK activated.
As it happens in a specific range of brightness, it may provoke some more confusion.
If the brightness is lower or higher than some specific level, the camera behavior is consistent and it works smoothly in Auto mode.
So, there is no version problem. Moreover, my statement "And as you may see the Day Mode set automatically is different from Day Mode set intentionally." Is not quite accurate. It comes from excessive amount of testing ant it's hard to reproduce.
Overall, it's a good camera. To make it better you might consider the place of installation and double check how brightness could affect the picture. It's not difficult and it's what you have to consider anyway.
The technical support is amazing.
And finally, I even got an annual subscription 
Thanks!
Hi @Solla-topee ,
1. On Live View page Auto mode is selected
2. Night Boost feature is enabled with the White Light is off and Viewing distance set for Near View (Indoor )
sure, I did not take screenshot before firmware update, however i can say that the picture was much clear at night and colored. Now it's gone (
regards
Well, it took a while to get it right. I even ordered a new Tapo C120 camera with preinstalled version 1.1.12. And after certain tests and experiments, I would say it's not a version or update problem. However, there is certainly an inconsistency in how the cameras work that creates these false sentiments that it happens after a certain point of no return.
It may be an expected way of working, nevertheless, I mentioned inconsistency because, with the same settings, the camera would deal differently with a dark environment and it will depend on the order of the settings.
First, in Auto mode, the camera would prefer the IK mode, regardless of the quantity of light present.
You have to go to Settings -> Video & Display -> Night Mode Settings and set Night Boost from ON to OFF
It will make a difference even though it switches camera automatically in Day Mode
And as you may see the Day Mode set automatically is different from Day Mode set intentionally.
Second, you have to return manually to Auto Mode and the camera will miraculously stay with the Starlight sensor On. All settings will be restored to the first step (with IR Mode active) as setting the Camera to Auto Mode automatically turns Night Boost on.
Finally, all this dancing around with settings when Night Boost automatically affects DAY/NIGHT/AUTO modes and vice versa, eventually the camera will find itself with Night Boost set to OFF as it helps to activate Starlight Sensor and DAY Mode set automatically and the result will be not so pleasant (especially when it becomes darker).
Furthermore, once again changing manually back to Auto mode left you feeling that Starlight sensor has been lost as soon as you have either IR- or a Bad- picture (this statement is probably more accurate when it becomes too dark for Starlight sensor).
@Solla-topee thank you, Your descriptions are quite accurate. I've identified some of these simultaneus actions and looked through the instructions.
I will try my best to record these, only it may take some time between my actual jobs.
I would like to thank tp-link team for their responsiveness and tech support. The question was resolved backstage. Unfortunately, I could not find time to share the conclusions made.
Well, the inconsistency in settings may lead to Auto mode that works differently (in colored or in IK mode).
It will create an illusion that something has been changed. Although, in fact, it's a sequence of settings that will affect Auto mode:
- You come to Auto mode from Day mode - And you end up with a nice colored picture
- You come to Auto mode from Night mode - And it's a black/white picture with IK activated.
As it happens in a specific range of brightness, it may provoke some more confusion.
If the brightness is lower or higher than some specific level, the camera behavior is consistent and it works smoothly in Auto mode.
So, there is no version problem. Moreover, my statement "And as you may see the Day Mode set automatically is different from Day Mode set intentionally." Is not quite accurate. It comes from excessive amount of testing ant it's hard to reproduce.
Overall, it's a good camera. To make it better you might consider the place of installation and double check how brightness could affect the picture. It's not difficult and it's what you have to consider anyway.
The technical support is amazing.
And finally, I even got an annual subscription Thanks!