Device Capabilities

Device capabilities provide information about the hardware features and supported functionality of Ring devices. This information helps partners understand what operations are available for each device.

Accessing Capabilities

Capabilities can be retrieved in two ways:

1. During device discovery using the include parameter:

   GET https://api.amazonvision.com/v1/devices?include=capabilities
   Authorization: Bearer <access_token>
   

2. Individual device capabilities:

   GET https://api.amazonvision.com/v1/devices/{device_id}/capabilities
   Authorization: Bearer <access_token>
   

Response Structure

{
  "meta": {
    "time": "2025-07-07T10:30:00Z"
  },
  "data": {
    "id": "xxxyyy.capabilities",
    "type": "device-capabilities",
    "attributes": {
      "video": {
        "configurations": ["resolution_mode"],
        "codecs": ["HEVC"],
        "ratio": "16:9",
        "max_resolution": 2160,
        "supported_resolutions": [2160]
      },
      "motion_detection": {
        "configurations": ["enabled", "motion_zones"]
      },
      "image_enhancements": {
        "configurations": [
          "color_night_vision",
          "hdr",
          "ir_led_night_vision",
          "auto_zoom_track",
          "privacy_zones"
        ]
      }
    },
    "relationships": {
      "configurations": {
        "links": {
          "related": "/v1/devices/xxxyyy/configurations"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Capability Types

Video Capabilities

• codecs: Supported video codecs (HEVC, AVC)
• ratio: Video aspect ratio
• max_resolution: Maximum supported resolution
• supported_resolutions: Array of available resolutions
• configurations: Related configuration options

Motion Detection

• configurations: Available motion detection settings
• Typically includes motion zones and enable/disable options

Image Enhancements

• color_night_vision: Color night vision support
• hdr: High Dynamic Range support
• ir_led_night_vision: Infrared LED night vision
• auto_zoom_track: Automatic zoom and tracking
• privacy_zones: Privacy zone configuration

Important Notes

• Optional capabilities: Not all devices support all capabilities
• Device variation: Capabilities vary significantly between Ring device models
• Configuration relationship: Each capability lists its related configuration options
• Future extensibility: Additional capabilities may be added over time

Using Capability Information

Partners should:

1. Check for capability existence before attempting related operations
2. Use the configurations array to understand available settings
3. Handle missing capabilities gracefully
4. Cache capability information as it rarely changes

Example Usage

def check_video_capabilities(device_capabilities):
    video_caps = device_capabilities.get('attributes', {}).get('video')
    if video_caps:
        max_res = video_caps.get('max_resolution', 1080)
        codecs = video_caps.get('codecs', ['AVC'])
        return {
            'supports_4k': max_res >= 2160,
            'supports_hevc': 'HEVC' in codecs
        }
    return {'supports_4k': False, 'supports_hevc': False}