Can You Timelapse With Kasa Cameras?

TP-Link’s Kasa smart security cameras have several great features and are generally very easy to use. However, I’ve seen several queries about users wanting to create ‘timelapse’ videos with Kasa cameras. Timelapse makes it easy to see a whole day’s worth of recordings in just a few minutes. 

Unfortunately, Kasa cameras don’t have any built-in timelapse feature at present. But I was frustrated by this too, so I’ve created this guide on how you can use some alternative ‘hacks’ to make timelapse videos with Kasa. 

Is Timelapse Available on Kasa Cameras?

No, Kasa Cameras currently do not support a native timelapse feature. So, making a timelapse video using the Kasa Smart app is impossible. However, you can use some workarounds and third-party apps to accomplish a similar result.

In the next section, I’ll explain what you can do despite the lack of timelapse. 

A Detailed Breakdown of Timelapse with Kasa Camera 

You won't get as good results since Kasa cameras don’t natively have a timelapse feature. But you can still use a few tricks to get a similar effect using third-party apps. 

1. Record the Kasa Camera’s Video in 24/7 Mode on an SD Card

First, set your Kasa camera to enable ‘24/7 Recording’ mode by going to Device Settings. For this, you need a local microSD card, or a Kasa Care plan subscription. If there’s an encryption option, do NOT enable it (as you’ll need to export this video to another app later). 

I recommend a microSD card of 128 GB or even 256 GB, so you can record long videos with ease. Some models only support 64 GB though, so check the specifications and go for the max size. Make sure the SD is properly formatted and working as expected. 

Export the Kasa Cam Video to Your Computer

Once 24/7 recording is enabled, check the recording through the Live View page and see if it’s working properly. Now, you’ll need to export your video to a computer or mobile so you can open it in a third-party app. 

For this:

• Open up the Kasa camera’s back panel where the microSD card is installed. 
• Remove the card and insert it in a card reader, then connect it to your computer. 
• You can then browse all the video files easily. Save the videos you need to a folder on your computer. 

If you’re using a Kasa Care plan, you can download each clip individually from the recordings page, and have it saved on your phone. You can then transfer this to your computer or even use an app on your phone to make a timelapse video. 

Use Hyperlapse to Create a Timelapse Video

Now, you have the recorded video files from your Kasa camera. These would likely be several hours long, which is too time-consuming to sit through. You can now use video editors to speed up the video, fast-forward to specific points, or make a time-lapse. 

That’s where third-party apps like Microsoft’s Hyperlapse come in. You can use this to quickly create a makeshift timelapse video from any video file, including those you downloaded. 

Just download and install the app, open it, select the video files you want to use, and select the speed of the timelapse. It’ll process the video and create one new time-lapse video. You could also use an open-source alternative like Shotcut. 

Now this won’t be as smooth as an actual timelapse video, but you can test the quality from multiple different apps if you’d like to see which one is the best. Either way, you’ll get a sped-up video that makes it easy to view large recordings in less time. You can also modify the render settings to adjust video resolution, file size, etc. 

Important Notes About Kasa Camera and Timelapse

1. Security and Privacy Concerns

As with any security camera, there are some privacy concerns when downloading and exporting the videos. So, you should make sure to follow precautions. 

For example, if the video you want to make a timelapse from has any sensitive information, consider trimming that part of the video. Make sure to use an app that does not collect your private data or upload it anywhere. As long as you’re editing local files, you’ll be more secure. 

You can also review the software’s privacy policy to ensure it won’t compromise your security and privacy. 

2. Explore Other Cameras with Timelapse

If the timelapse function is really important for you and you’d like to create such videos regularly, and automatically, without going through all this hassle, then it’s best to get a camera that supports this feature. 

For example, several Reolink and Brinno camera models have built-in timelapse feature, so it’s much easier to create these videos. They can take snapshots at your chosen frequency, and then they’ll merge that to create a smooth timelapse. 

3. App and Firmware Updates

Timelapse is a highly requested feature on TP-Link and Kasa communities, so it’s possible they may add this feature in future updates. So regularly check for and make sure all your Kasa cameras are on the latest firmware, and the app is updated too. Plus, this helps maintain a smooth performance of the camera with fewer hiccups. 

FAQs

Conclusion

The lack of a native timelapse feature in Kasa cameras is certainly a disappointment to many. But until they add one, you can use the workaround described above to create makeshift timelapse videos, whether for browsing through several hours of video quickly, or to save for future reference.