Watchdog enhancements (#20237)

* refactor get_video_properties and use json output from ffprobe

* add zmq topic

* publish valid segment data in recording maintainer

* check for valid video data

- restart separate record ffmpeg process if no video data has been received in 120s
- refactor datetime import

* listen to correct topic in embeddings maintainer

* refactor to move get_latest_segment_datetime logic to recordings maintainer

* debug logging

* cleanup

frigate/api/media.py

@@ -822,9 +822,9 @@ async def vod_ts(camera_name: str, start_ts: float, end_ts: float):
     dependencies=[Depends(require_camera_access)],
     description="Returns an HLS playlist for the specified date-time on the specified camera. Append /master.m3u8 or /index.m3u8 for HLS playback.",
 )
-def vod_hour_no_timezone(year_month: str, day: int, hour: int, camera_name: str):
+async def vod_hour_no_timezone(year_month: str, day: int, hour: int, camera_name: str):
     """VOD for specific hour. Uses the default timezone (UTC)."""
-    return vod_hour(
+    return await vod_hour(
         year_month, day, hour, camera_name, get_localzone_name().replace("/", ",")
     )
 
@@ -834,7 +834,9 @@ def vod_hour_no_timezone(year_month: str, day: int, hour: int, camera_name: str)
     dependencies=[Depends(require_camera_access)],
     description="Returns an HLS playlist for the specified date-time (with timezone) on the specified camera. Append /master.m3u8 or /index.m3u8 for HLS playback.",
 )
-def vod_hour(year_month: str, day: int, hour: int, camera_name: str, tz_name: str):
+async def vod_hour(
+    year_month: str, day: int, hour: int, camera_name: str, tz_name: str
+):
     parts = year_month.split("-")
     start_date = (
         datetime(int(parts[0]), int(parts[1]), day, hour, tzinfo=timezone.utc)
@@ -844,7 +846,7 @@ def vod_hour(year_month: str, day: int, hour: int, camera_name: str, tz_name: st
     start_ts = start_date.timestamp()
     end_ts = end_date.timestamp()
 
-    return vod_ts(camera_name, start_ts, end_ts)
+    return await vod_ts(camera_name, start_ts, end_ts)
 
 
 @router.get(
@@ -875,7 +877,7 @@ async def vod_event(
         if event.end_time is None
         else (event.end_time + padding)
     )
-    vod_response = vod_ts(event.camera, event.start_time - padding, end_ts)
+    vod_response = await vod_ts(event.camera, event.start_time - padding, end_ts)
 
     # If the recordings are not found and the event started more than 5 minutes ago, set has_clip to false
     if (
@@ -1248,7 +1250,7 @@ def event_snapshot_clean(request: Request, event_id: str, download: bool = False
 
 
 @router.get("/events/{event_id}/clip.mp4")
-def event_clip(
+async def event_clip(
     request: Request,
     event_id: str,
     padding: int = Query(0, description="Padding to apply to clip."),
@@ -1270,7 +1272,9 @@ def event_clip(
         if event.end_time is None
         else event.end_time + padding
     )
-    return recording_clip(request, event.camera, event.start_time - padding, end_ts)
+    return await recording_clip(
+        request, event.camera, event.start_time - padding, end_ts
+    )
 
 
 @router.get("/events/{event_id}/preview.gif")
@@ -1698,7 +1702,7 @@ def preview_thumbnail(file_name: str):
     "/{camera_name}/{label}/thumbnail.jpg",
     dependencies=[Depends(require_camera_access)],
 )
-def label_thumbnail(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
+async def label_thumbnail(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
     label = unquote(label)
     event_query = Event.select(fn.MAX(Event.id)).where(Event.camera == camera_name)
     if label != "any":
@@ -1707,7 +1711,7 @@ def label_thumbnail(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
     try:
         event_id = event_query.scalar()
 
-        return event_thumbnail(request, event_id, Extension.jpg, 60)
+        return await event_thumbnail(request, event_id, Extension.jpg, 60)
     except DoesNotExist:
         frame = np.zeros((175, 175, 3), np.uint8)
         ret, jpg = cv2.imencode(".jpg", frame, [int(cv2.IMWRITE_JPEG_QUALITY), 70])
@@ -1722,7 +1726,7 @@ def label_thumbnail(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
 @router.get(
     "/{camera_name}/{label}/clip.mp4", dependencies=[Depends(require_camera_access)]
 )
-def label_clip(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
+async def label_clip(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
     label = unquote(label)
     event_query = Event.select(fn.MAX(Event.id)).where(
         Event.camera == camera_name, Event.has_clip == True
@@ -1733,7 +1737,7 @@ def label_clip(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
     try:
         event = event_query.get()
 
-        return event_clip(request, event.id)
+        return await event_clip(request, event.id)
     except DoesNotExist:
         return JSONResponse(
             content={"success": False, "message": "Event not found"}, status_code=404
@@ -1743,7 +1747,7 @@ def label_clip(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
 @router.get(
     "/{camera_name}/{label}/snapshot.jpg", dependencies=[Depends(require_camera_access)]
 )
-def label_snapshot(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
+async def label_snapshot(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
     """Returns the snapshot image from the latest event for the given camera and label combo"""
     label = unquote(label)
     if label == "any":
@@ -1764,7 +1768,7 @@ def label_snapshot(request: Request, camera_name: str, label: str):
 
     try:
         event: Event = event_query.get()
-        return event_snapshot(request, event.id, MediaEventsSnapshotQueryParams())
+        return await event_snapshot(request, event.id, MediaEventsSnapshotQueryParams())
     except DoesNotExist:
         frame = np.zeros((720, 1280, 3), np.uint8)
         _, jpg = cv2.imencode(".jpg", frame, [int(cv2.IMWRITE_JPEG_QUALITY), 70])

frigate/comms/recordings_updater.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 import logging
 from enum import Enum
+from typing import Any
 
 from .zmq_proxy import Publisher, Subscriber
 
@@ -10,18 +11,21 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 class RecordingsDataTypeEnum(str, Enum):
     all = ""
-    recordings_available_through = "recordings_available_through"
+    saved = "saved"  # segment has been saved to db
+    latest = "latest"  # segment is in cache
+    valid = "valid"  # segment is valid
+    invalid = "invalid"  # segment is invalid
 
 
-class RecordingsDataPublisher(Publisher[tuple[str, float]]):
+class RecordingsDataPublisher(Publisher[Any]):
     """Publishes latest recording data."""
 
     topic_base = "recordings/"
 
-    def __init__(self, topic: RecordingsDataTypeEnum) -> None:
-        super().__init__(topic.value)
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
 
-    def publish(self, payload: tuple[str, float], sub_topic: str = "") -> None:
+    def publish(self, payload: Any, sub_topic: str = "") -> None:
         super().publish(payload, sub_topic)
 
 
@@ -32,3 +36,11 @@ class RecordingsDataSubscriber(Subscriber):
 
     def __init__(self, topic: RecordingsDataTypeEnum) -> None:
         super().__init__(topic.value)
+
+    def _return_object(
+        self, topic: str, payload: tuple | None
+    ) -> tuple[str, Any] | tuple[None, None]:
+        if payload is None:
+            return (None, None)
+
+        return (topic, payload)

frigate/detectors/plugins/synaptics.py

@@ -2,10 +2,6 @@ import logging
 import os
 
 import numpy as np
-from synap import Network
-from synap.postprocessor import Detector
-from synap.preprocessor import Preprocessor
-from synap.types import Layout, Shape
 from typing_extensions import Literal
 
 from frigate.detectors.detection_api import DetectionApi
@@ -15,6 +11,16 @@ from frigate.detectors.detector_config import (
     ModelTypeEnum,
 )
 
+try:
+    from synap import Network
+    from synap.postprocessor import Detector
+    from synap.preprocessor import Preprocessor
+    from synap.types import Layout, Shape
+
+    SYNAP_SUPPORT = True
+except ImportError:
+    SYNAP_SUPPORT = False
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 DETECTOR_KEY = "synaptics"
@@ -28,15 +34,21 @@ class SynapDetector(DetectionApi):
     type_key = DETECTOR_KEY
 
     def __init__(self, detector_config: SynapDetectorConfig):
+        if not SYNAP_SUPPORT:
+            logger.error(
+                "Error importing Synaptics SDK modules. You must use the -synaptics Docker image variant for Synaptics detector support."
+            )
+            return
+
         try:
             _, ext = os.path.splitext(detector_config.model.path)
             if ext and ext != ".synap":
-                raise ValueError("Model path config for Synap1680 is wrong.")
+                raise ValueError("Model path config for Synap1680 is incorrect.")
 
             synap_network = Network(detector_config.model.path)
             logger.info(f"Synap NPU loaded model: {detector_config.model.path}")
         except ValueError as ve:
-            logger.error(f"Config to Synap1680 was Failed: {ve}")
+            logger.error(f"Synap1680 setup has failed: {ve}")
             raise
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"Failed to init Synap NPU: {e}")

frigate/embeddings/maintainer.py

@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class EmbeddingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
             EventMetadataTypeEnum.regenerate_description
         )
         self.recordings_subscriber = RecordingsDataSubscriber(
-            RecordingsDataTypeEnum.recordings_available_through
+            RecordingsDataTypeEnum.saved
         )
         self.review_subscriber = ReviewDataSubscriber("")
         self.detection_subscriber = DetectionSubscriber(DetectionTypeEnum.video.value)
@@ -525,20 +525,28 @@ class EmbeddingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
     def _process_recordings_updates(self) -> None:
         """Process recordings updates."""
         while True:
-            recordings_data = self.recordings_subscriber.check_for_update()
+            update = self.recordings_subscriber.check_for_update()
 
-            if recordings_data == None:
+            if not update:
                 break
 
-            camera, recordings_available_through_timestamp = recordings_data
+            (raw_topic, payload) = update
 
-            self.recordings_available_through[camera] = (
-                recordings_available_through_timestamp
-            )
+            if not raw_topic or not payload:
+                break
 
-            logger.debug(
-                f"{camera} now has recordings available through {recordings_available_through_timestamp}"
-            )
+            topic = str(raw_topic)
+
+            if topic.endswith(RecordingsDataTypeEnum.saved.value):
+                camera, recordings_available_through_timestamp, _ = payload
+
+                self.recordings_available_through[camera] = (
+                    recordings_available_through_timestamp
+                )
+
+                logger.debug(
+                    f"{camera} now has recordings available through {recordings_available_through_timestamp}"
+                )
 
     def _process_review_updates(self) -> None:
         """Process review updates."""

frigate/record/maintainer.py

@@ -80,9 +80,7 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
             [CameraConfigUpdateEnum.add, CameraConfigUpdateEnum.record],
         )
         self.detection_subscriber = DetectionSubscriber(DetectionTypeEnum.all.value)
-        self.recordings_publisher = RecordingsDataPublisher(
-            RecordingsDataTypeEnum.recordings_available_through
-        )
+        self.recordings_publisher = RecordingsDataPublisher()
 
         self.stop_event = stop_event
         self.object_recordings_info: dict[str, list] = defaultdict(list)
@@ -98,6 +96,41 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
             and not d.startswith("preview_")
         ]
 
+        # publish newest cached segment per camera (including in use files)
+        newest_cache_segments: dict[str, dict[str, Any]] = {}
+        for cache in cache_files:
+            cache_path = os.path.join(CACHE_DIR, cache)
+            basename = os.path.splitext(cache)[0]
+            camera, date = basename.rsplit("@", maxsplit=1)
+            start_time = datetime.datetime.strptime(
+                date, CACHE_SEGMENT_FORMAT
+            ).astimezone(datetime.timezone.utc)
+            if (
+                camera not in newest_cache_segments
+                or start_time > newest_cache_segments[camera]["start_time"]
+            ):
+                newest_cache_segments[camera] = {
+                    "start_time": start_time,
+                    "cache_path": cache_path,
+                }
+
+        for camera, newest in newest_cache_segments.items():
+            self.recordings_publisher.publish(
+                (
+                    camera,
+                    newest["start_time"].timestamp(),
+                    newest["cache_path"],
+                ),
+                RecordingsDataTypeEnum.latest.value,
+            )
+        # publish None for cameras with no cache files (but only if we know the camera exists)
+        for camera_name in self.config.cameras:
+            if camera_name not in newest_cache_segments:
+                self.recordings_publisher.publish(
+                    (camera_name, None, None),
+                    RecordingsDataTypeEnum.latest.value,
+                )
+
         files_in_use = []
         for process in psutil.process_iter():
             try:
@@ -111,7 +144,7 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
             except psutil.Error:
                 continue
 
-        # group recordings by camera
+        # group recordings by camera (skip in-use for validation/moving)
         grouped_recordings: defaultdict[str, list[dict[str, Any]]] = defaultdict(list)
         for cache in cache_files:
             # Skip files currently in use
@@ -233,7 +266,9 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
                     recordings[0]["start_time"].timestamp()
                     if self.config.cameras[camera].record.enabled
                     else None,
-                )
+                    None,
+                ),
+                RecordingsDataTypeEnum.saved.value,
             )
 
         recordings_to_insert: list[Optional[Recordings]] = await asyncio.gather(*tasks)
@@ -250,7 +285,7 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
 
     async def validate_and_move_segment(
         self, camera: str, reviews: list[ReviewSegment], recording: dict[str, Any]
-    ) -> None:
+    ) -> Optional[Recordings]:
         cache_path: str = recording["cache_path"]
         start_time: datetime.datetime = recording["start_time"]
         record_config = self.config.cameras[camera].record
@@ -261,7 +296,7 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
             or not self.config.cameras[camera].record.enabled
         ):
             self.drop_segment(cache_path)
-            return
+            return None
 
         if cache_path in self.end_time_cache:
             end_time, duration = self.end_time_cache[cache_path]
@@ -270,10 +305,18 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
                 self.config.ffmpeg, cache_path, get_duration=True
             )
 
-            if segment_info["duration"]:
-                duration = float(segment_info["duration"])
-            else:
-                duration = -1
+            if not segment_info.get("has_valid_video", False):
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"Invalid or missing video stream in segment {cache_path}. Discarding."
+                )
+                self.recordings_publisher.publish(
+                    (camera, start_time.timestamp(), cache_path),
+                    RecordingsDataTypeEnum.invalid.value,
+                )
+                self.drop_segment(cache_path)
+                return None
+
+            duration = float(segment_info.get("duration", -1))
 
             # ensure duration is within expected length
             if 0 < duration < MAX_SEGMENT_DURATION:
@@ -284,8 +327,18 @@ class RecordingMaintainer(threading.Thread):
                     logger.warning(f"Failed to probe corrupt segment {cache_path}")
 
                 logger.warning(f"Discarding a corrupt recording segment: {cache_path}")
-                Path(cache_path).unlink(missing_ok=True)
-                return
+                self.recordings_publisher.publish(
+                    (camera, start_time.timestamp(), cache_path),
+                    RecordingsDataTypeEnum.invalid.value,
+                )
+                self.drop_segment(cache_path)
+                return None
+
+            # this segment has a valid duration and has video data, so publish an update
+            self.recordings_publisher.publish(
+                (camera, start_time.timestamp(), cache_path),
+                RecordingsDataTypeEnum.valid.value,
+            )
 
         record_config = self.config.cameras[camera].record
         highest = None

frigate/util/services.py

@@ -603,87 +603,87 @@ def auto_detect_hwaccel() -> str:
 async def get_video_properties(
     ffmpeg, url: str, get_duration: bool = False
 ) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    async def calculate_duration(video: Optional[Any]) -> float:
-        duration = None
-
-        if video is not None:
-            # Get the frames per second (fps) of the video stream
-            fps = video.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FPS)
-            total_frames = int(video.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_COUNT))
-
-            if fps and total_frames:
-                duration = total_frames / fps
-
-        # if cv2 failed need to use ffprobe
-        if duration is None:
-            p = await asyncio.create_subprocess_exec(
-                ffmpeg.ffprobe_path,
-                "-v",
-                "error",
-                "-show_entries",
-                "format=duration",
-                "-of",
-                "default=noprint_wrappers=1:nokey=1",
-                f"{url}",
-                stdout=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE,
-                stderr=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE,
+    async def probe_with_ffprobe(
+        url: str,
+    ) -> tuple[bool, int, int, Optional[str], float]:
+        """Fallback using ffprobe: returns (valid, width, height, codec, duration)."""
+        cmd = [
+            ffmpeg.ffprobe_path,
+            "-v",
+            "quiet",
+            "-print_format",
+            "json",
+            "-show_format",
+            "-show_streams",
+            url,
+        ]
+        try:
+            proc = await asyncio.create_subprocess_exec(
+                *cmd, stdout=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE, stderr=asyncio.subprocess.PIPE
             )
-            await p.wait()
+            stdout, _ = await proc.communicate()
+            if proc.returncode != 0:
+                return False, 0, 0, None, -1
 
-            if p.returncode == 0:
-                result = (await p.stdout.read()).decode()
-            else:
-                result = None
+            data = json.loads(stdout.decode())
+            video_streams = [
+                s for s in data.get("streams", []) if s.get("codec_type") == "video"
+            ]
+            if not video_streams:
+                return False, 0, 0, None, -1
 
-            if result:
-                try:
-                    duration = float(result.strip())
-                except ValueError:
-                    duration = -1
-            else:
-                duration = -1
+            v = video_streams[0]
+            width = int(v.get("width", 0))
+            height = int(v.get("height", 0))
+            codec = v.get("codec_name")
 
-        return duration
+            duration_str = data.get("format", {}).get("duration")
+            duration = float(duration_str) if duration_str else -1.0
 
-    width = height = 0
+            return True, width, height, codec, duration
+        except (json.JSONDecodeError, ValueError, KeyError, asyncio.SubprocessError):
+            return False, 0, 0, None, -1
 
-    try:
-        # Open the video stream using OpenCV
-        video = cv2.VideoCapture(url)
+    def probe_with_cv2(url: str) -> tuple[bool, int, int, Optional[str], float]:
+        """Primary attempt using cv2: returns (valid, width, height, fourcc, duration)."""
+        cap = cv2.VideoCapture(url)
+        if not cap.isOpened():
+            cap.release()
+            return False, 0, 0, None, -1
 
-        # Check if the video stream was opened successfully
-        if not video.isOpened():
-            video = None
-    except Exception:
-        video = None
+        width = int(cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_WIDTH))
+        height = int(cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_HEIGHT))
+        valid = width > 0 and height > 0
+        fourcc = None
+        duration = -1.0
 
-    result = {}
+        if valid:
+            fourcc_int = int(cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FOURCC))
+            fourcc = fourcc_int.to_bytes(4, "little").decode("latin-1").strip()
 
+            if get_duration:
+                fps = cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FPS)
+                total_frames = int(cap.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_COUNT))
+                if fps > 0 and total_frames > 0:
+                    duration = total_frames / fps
+
+        cap.release()
+        return valid, width, height, fourcc, duration
+
+    # try cv2 first
+    has_video, width, height, fourcc, duration = probe_with_cv2(url)
+
+    # fallback to ffprobe if needed
+    if not has_video or (get_duration and duration < 0):
+        has_video, width, height, fourcc, duration = await probe_with_ffprobe(url)
+
+    result: dict[str, Any] = {"has_valid_video": has_video}
+    if has_video:
+        result.update({"width": width, "height": height})
+        if fourcc:
+            result["fourcc"] = fourcc
     if get_duration:
-        result["duration"] = await calculate_duration(video)
-
-    if video is not None:
-        # Get the width of frames in the video stream
-        width = video.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_WIDTH)
-
-        # Get the height of frames in the video stream
-        height = video.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FRAME_HEIGHT)
-
-        # Get the stream encoding
-        fourcc_int = int(video.get(cv2.CAP_PROP_FOURCC))
-        fourcc = (
-            chr((fourcc_int >> 0) & 255)
-            + chr((fourcc_int >> 8) & 255)
-            + chr((fourcc_int >> 16) & 255)
-            + chr((fourcc_int >> 24) & 255)
-        )
-
-        # Release the video stream
-        video.release()
-
-        result["width"] = round(width)
-        result["height"] = round(height)
-        result["fourcc"] = fourcc
+        result["duration"] = duration
 
     return result
 

frigate/video.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
-import datetime
 import logging
-import os
 import queue
 import subprocess as sp
 import threading
 import time
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from multiprocessing import Queue, Value
 from multiprocessing.synchronize import Event as MpEvent
 from typing import Any
@@ -13,6 +12,10 @@ import cv2
 
 from frigate.camera import CameraMetrics, PTZMetrics
 from frigate.comms.inter_process import InterProcessRequestor
+from frigate.comms.recordings_updater import (
+    RecordingsDataSubscriber,
+    RecordingsDataTypeEnum,
+)
 from frigate.config import CameraConfig, DetectConfig, ModelConfig
 from frigate.config.camera.camera import CameraTypeEnum
 from frigate.config.camera.updater import (
@@ -20,8 +23,6 @@ from frigate.config.camera.updater import (
     CameraConfigUpdateSubscriber,
 )
 from frigate.const import (
-    CACHE_DIR,
-    CACHE_SEGMENT_FORMAT,
     PROCESS_PRIORITY_HIGH,
     REQUEST_REGION_GRID,
 )
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ def capture_frames(
 
         fps.value = frame_rate.eps()
         skipped_fps.value = skipped_eps.eps()
-        current_frame.value = datetime.datetime.now().timestamp()
+        current_frame.value = datetime.now().timestamp()
         frame_name = f"{config.name}_frame{frame_index}"
         frame_buffer = frame_manager.write(frame_name)
         try:
@@ -199,6 +200,11 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
         self.requestor = InterProcessRequestor()
         self.was_enabled = self.config.enabled
 
+        self.segment_subscriber = RecordingsDataSubscriber(RecordingsDataTypeEnum.all)
+        self.latest_valid_segment_time: float = 0
+        self.latest_invalid_segment_time: float = 0
+        self.latest_cache_segment_time: float = 0
+
     def _update_enabled_state(self) -> bool:
         """Fetch the latest config and update enabled state."""
         self.config_subscriber.check_for_updates()
@@ -243,6 +249,11 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
                 if enabled:
                     self.logger.debug(f"Enabling camera {self.config.name}")
                     self.start_all_ffmpeg()
+
+                    # reset all timestamps
+                    self.latest_valid_segment_time = 0
+                    self.latest_invalid_segment_time = 0
+                    self.latest_cache_segment_time = 0
                 else:
                     self.logger.debug(f"Disabling camera {self.config.name}")
                     self.stop_all_ffmpeg()
@@ -260,7 +271,37 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
             if not enabled:
                 continue
 
-            now = datetime.datetime.now().timestamp()
+            while True:
+                update = self.segment_subscriber.check_for_update(timeout=0)
+
+                if update == (None, None):
+                    break
+
+                raw_topic, payload = update
+                if raw_topic and payload:
+                    topic = str(raw_topic)
+                    camera, segment_time, _ = payload
+
+                    if camera != self.config.name:
+                        continue
+
+                    if topic.endswith(RecordingsDataTypeEnum.valid.value):
+                        self.logger.debug(
+                            f"Latest valid recording segment time on {camera}: {segment_time}"
+                        )
+                        self.latest_valid_segment_time = segment_time
+                    elif topic.endswith(RecordingsDataTypeEnum.invalid.value):
+                        self.logger.warning(
+                            f"Invalid recording segment detected for {camera} at {segment_time}"
+                        )
+                        self.latest_invalid_segment_time = segment_time
+                    elif topic.endswith(RecordingsDataTypeEnum.latest.value):
+                        if segment_time is not None:
+                            self.latest_cache_segment_time = segment_time
+                        else:
+                            self.latest_cache_segment_time = 0
+
+            now = datetime.now().timestamp()
 
             if not self.capture_thread.is_alive():
                 self.requestor.send_data(f"{self.config.name}/status/detect", "offline")
@@ -298,18 +339,55 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
                 poll = p["process"].poll()
 
                 if self.config.record.enabled and "record" in p["roles"]:
-                    latest_segment_time = self.get_latest_segment_datetime(
-                        p.get(
-                            "latest_segment_time",
-                            datetime.datetime.now().astimezone(datetime.timezone.utc),
+                    now_utc = datetime.now().astimezone(timezone.utc)
+
+                    latest_cache_dt = (
+                        datetime.fromtimestamp(
+                            self.latest_cache_segment_time, tz=timezone.utc
                         )
+                        if self.latest_cache_segment_time > 0
+                        else now_utc - timedelta(seconds=1)
                     )
 
-                    if datetime.datetime.now().astimezone(datetime.timezone.utc) > (
-                        latest_segment_time + datetime.timedelta(seconds=120)
-                    ):
+                    latest_valid_dt = (
+                        datetime.fromtimestamp(
+                            self.latest_valid_segment_time, tz=timezone.utc
+                        )
+                        if self.latest_valid_segment_time > 0
+                        else now_utc - timedelta(seconds=1)
+                    )
+
+                    latest_invalid_dt = (
+                        datetime.fromtimestamp(
+                            self.latest_invalid_segment_time, tz=timezone.utc
+                        )
+                        if self.latest_invalid_segment_time > 0
+                        else now_utc - timedelta(seconds=1)
+                    )
+
+                    # ensure segments are still being created and that they have valid video data
+                    cache_stale = now_utc > (latest_cache_dt + timedelta(seconds=120))
+                    valid_stale = now_utc > (latest_valid_dt + timedelta(seconds=120))
+                    invalid_stale_condition = (
+                        self.latest_invalid_segment_time > 0
+                        and now_utc > (latest_invalid_dt + timedelta(seconds=120))
+                        and self.latest_valid_segment_time
+                        <= self.latest_invalid_segment_time
+                    )
+                    invalid_stale = invalid_stale_condition
+
+                    if cache_stale or valid_stale or invalid_stale:
+                        if cache_stale:
+                            reason = "No new recording segments were created"
+                        elif valid_stale:
+                            reason = "No new valid recording segments were created"
+                        else:  # invalid_stale
+                            reason = (
+                                "No valid segments created since last invalid segment"
+                            )
+
                         self.logger.error(
-                            f"No new recording segments were created for {self.config.name} in the last 120s. restarting the ffmpeg record process..."
+                            f"{reason} for {self.config.name} in the last 120s. Restarting the ffmpeg record process..."
                         )
                         p["process"] = start_or_restart_ffmpeg(
                             p["cmd"],
@@ -328,7 +406,7 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
                         self.requestor.send_data(
                             f"{self.config.name}/status/record", "online"
                         )
-                        p["latest_segment_time"] = latest_segment_time
+                        p["latest_segment_time"] = self.latest_cache_segment_time
 
                 if poll is None:
                     continue
@@ -346,6 +424,7 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
         self.stop_all_ffmpeg()
         self.logpipe.close()
         self.config_subscriber.stop()
+        self.segment_subscriber.stop()
 
     def start_ffmpeg_detect(self):
         ffmpeg_cmd = [
@@ -405,33 +484,6 @@ class CameraWatchdog(threading.Thread):
             p["logpipe"].close()
         self.ffmpeg_other_processes.clear()
 
-    def get_latest_segment_datetime(
-        self, latest_segment: datetime.datetime
-    ) -> datetime.datetime:
-        """Checks if ffmpeg is still writing recording segments to cache."""
-        cache_files = sorted(
-            [
-                d
-                for d in os.listdir(CACHE_DIR)
-                if os.path.isfile(os.path.join(CACHE_DIR, d))
-                and d.endswith(".mp4")
-                and not d.startswith("preview_")
-            ]
-        )
-        newest_segment_time = latest_segment
-
-        for file in cache_files:
-            if self.config.name in file:
-                basename = os.path.splitext(file)[0]
-                _, date = basename.rsplit("@", maxsplit=1)
-                segment_time = datetime.datetime.strptime(
-                    date, CACHE_SEGMENT_FORMAT
-                ).astimezone(datetime.timezone.utc)
-                if segment_time > newest_segment_time:
-                    newest_segment_time = segment_time
-
-        return newest_segment_time
-
 
 class CameraCaptureRunner(threading.Thread):
     def __init__(
@@ -727,10 +779,7 @@ def process_frames(
             time.sleep(0.1)
             continue
 
-        if (
-            datetime.datetime.now().astimezone(datetime.timezone.utc)
-            > next_region_update
-        ):
+        if datetime.now().astimezone(timezone.utc) > next_region_update:
             region_grid = requestor.send_data(REQUEST_REGION_GRID, camera_config.name)
             next_region_update = get_tomorrow_at_time(2)