Applies to: PLACE Nursery (PL1N) and Garage (PL1G) models

Your PLACE camera is built into the front of the device housing. Getting the best coverage depends on whether you’re planning a new installation or working with an existing electrical box.

New Construction: Choose Your Location

If you’re installing in new construction before drywall goes up, you control where the electrical box gets placed. Mount the device on a flat ceiling near the center of the room for the widest field of view. Avoid locations blocked by ceiling fans, ductwork, or light fixtures - these obstruct the camera and interfere with other device functions. Refer to the manual for code requirements to ensure optimal positioning for safety functionality.

Position away from direct sunlight or bright windows. If the camera faces a bright window, the contrast makes it difficult to see details in the rest of the room. Consider the room layout - for nurseries, you want coverage of the crib and entry door. For garages, prioritize entry points and high-value equipment.

Don’t place the electrical box behind curtains, bookshelves, or other objects that will limit visibility. Plan for strong Wi-Fi signal at the installation location - weak signal causes video lag or connection failures.

Retrofit Installation: Work With What You Have

If you’re replacing an existing smoke detector, the electrical box location is fixed. The device mounts to the existing box, so placement isn’t negotiable. Your coverage depends on how much you can adjust the device’s orientation by rotating it on the mounting bracket.

After you install the device and power it on, use the PLACE app to check camera coverage. Open the app, select your device, and view the Live Video Feed. You can make small adjustments by rotating the device on the mounting bracket before locking it in place - the camera points straight out from the device housing, so rotating changes the viewing angle. The adjustment range is limited once the box location is set. You can also pinch to zoom in the live view to get a closer look at specific areas.

If you’d like better camera coverage than the current box location provides, a licensed electrician can retrofit a new electrical box in a more optimal location - this gives you full control over camera placement.

Using Live View Features

You can pinch to zoom in the live view within the app. This helps you verify detail quality in specific areas, though recorded alarm footage shows the full field of view without zoom. Use zoom during setup to confirm the camera can see critical areas clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What area does the camera cover? A: The camera has a 130-degree horizontal by 70-degree vertical field of view. At a typical 8-foot ceiling height, this covers approximately a 15-foot wide area directly below the device. At 10-foot ceilings (common in garages), coverage expands to roughly 18 feet wide. The wide horizontal view is ideal for monitoring entire nurseries or garage bays from a single device.

Q: Can the camera see in the dark? A: Yes. The camera includes infrared LED illumination for night vision, allowing it to record clear video in complete darkness. The infrared light is invisible to the human eye, so it won’t disturb sleeping babies in nurseries. Night vision automatically activates in low-light conditions.

Q: What is the video quality? A: The camera captures 2-megapixel (1080p) video, providing clear detail for monitoring purposes. This resolution is sufficient to identify people, see facial features at reasonable distances, and monitor activity throughout the room. Video quality depends on lighting conditions and Wi-Fi signal strength.

Q: How far away can the camera see clearly? A: The camera performs best within 15-20 feet for identifying faces and reading details. Within typical room dimensions (10-15 feet from ceiling to floor level), the camera provides clear visibility of cribs, entry doors, vehicles, and garage equipment. Use the live view zoom feature during setup to verify detail quality for your specific monitoring needs.

Q: Does the camera record all the time? A: No. The camera provides live viewing on demand through the app and records short video clips when specific alarm events occur (depending on model features). It does not continuously record or store 24/7 footage. Check your model’s features for specific recording triggers.

Q: Can I tilt or adjust the camera angle after installation? A: The camera is fixed within the device housing and points straight out from the front. You can rotate the entire device on its mounting bracket to adjust the horizontal viewing angle, but you cannot tilt the camera up or down independently. Plan your mounting location to ensure the device faces the area you want to monitor.

Need more help? Contact PLACE Support at 1-833-707-5223 or visit www.placehomesolutions.com