2N Intercom Not Recording 24/7? Troubleshooting Steps
A key security feature of many 2N IP intercoms is the ability to record video footage continuously, 24/7. This ensures that you have a complete record of all activity, not just events triggered by motion or calls. If you've noticed gaps in your timeline or that your system isn't recording at all, this guide will help you diagnose and solve the problem. We'll cover the essential settings, storage requirements, and network configurations needed for uninterrupted surveillance.
## Prerequisite Checks: Licence and Storage
Before adjusting any settings, it's crucial to confirm that your system is equipped for continuous recording.
- Verify Your Licence: 24/7 recording on 2N devices is often a feature tied to a specific licence level (e.g., Gold or an enhanced video licence). Log into the 2N OS administration interface, navigate to 'System > Licence', and check that your current licence includes the necessary video recording capabilities. If not, you may need to upgrade.
- Inspect Your Storage Medium: Continuous high-definition video recording requires a reliable and sufficiently large storage solution.
- MicroSD Card: If you are using a local microSD card, ensure it is an industrial-grade card designed for high-endurance and continuous read/write operations. Standard consumer-grade cards can fail quickly under these conditions.
- Network-Attached Storage (NAS): If recording to a NAS, verify that the intercom has stable network access to it and the correct permissions to write data.
- Check Storage Capacity: In the 2N OS, go to 'System > Storage'. Check the available capacity. If the storage is full, recording will stop unless it is configured to overwrite old footage. Ensure the option "Overwrite Oldest Records" is enabled to maintain continuous recording.
## Configuring 24/7 Recording in the 2N OS
The primary cause of recording issues often lies within the configuration of the video stream itself. You must explicitly tell the system to record continuously.
### Step 1: Enable the RTSP Stream
The Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) is necessary for the video stream to be available for recording.
- Navigate to 'Services > Streaming > RTSP'.
- Ensure that the "RTSP Server Enabled" box is ticked.
- Check that a video stream (e.g., Stream1) is configured with the desired resolution and frame rate.
### Step 2: Set the Recording Mode to 'Always'
This is the most critical step. You need to create a recording task that is set to run continuously.
- Go to 'Services > Video > Recording'.
- You may see an existing recording stream or you might need to create a new one by clicking "Add".
- Select the video stream you want to record (e.g., from the internal camera).
- In the recording settings, find the "Recording Mode" parameter.
- Change this setting from the default (which may be 'On Motion' or 'Disabled') to "Always".
- Ensure the "Storage Target" is correctly set to your microSD card or configured NAS.
- Click "Save" to apply the changes.
## Advanced Troubleshooting
If you've confirmed your licence, storage, and settings are all correct, but recording is still intermittent or failing, consider these points:
- Network Stability: For NAS recording, any network interruption between the 2N intercom and the storage device will result in lost footage. Ensure both devices are on a stable, wired network connection. Ping the NAS from the intercom (using the diagnostic tools in the 2N OS) to check for packet loss.
- Firmware Updates: 2N regularly releases firmware updates that can resolve bugs and improve performance. Check the 'System > Maintenance' section and update your device to the latest available firmware version.
- Reboot the Device: A simple reboot of the 2N intercom can sometimes resolve temporary software glitches that may be affecting the recording service.
By methodically checking these key areas, you can ensure your 2N intercom is reliably recording 24/7, providing you with a complete and unbroken security record.