Guide to Enabling 24/7 Recording on Anran Cameras
While Anran cameras are excellent for motion-triggered alerts, many users want the peace of mind that comes with continuous 24/7 recording. If you've found that your camera is only recording short clips when movement is detected, it's likely a matter of settings or hardware limitations. This guide will explain how to enable and troubleshoot 24/7 recording.
## Step 1: Check Camera Model and Power Source
The first step is to understand your specific camera's capabilities.
- Power Source is Key: Battery-powered Anran cameras do not support 24/7 recording. This feature would drain the battery in a matter of hours. These models are designed exclusively for event-based (motion) recording to conserve power. To get 24/7 recording, you need a wired, mains-powered Anran camera.
- Check Model Specifications: Always refer to the user manual or product page for your specific camera model to confirm that it supports continuous recording.
## Step 2: Install and Format a MicroSD Card
Continuous recording requires local storage. For standalone cameras, this means a microSD card.
- Choose the Right Card: You must use a high-quality microSD card from a reputable brand. More importantly, it should be a 'High Endurance' card. These are specifically designed to handle the constant read/write cycles of a security camera. A standard SD card will fail quickly.
- Sufficient Capacity: 24/7 recording consumes a lot of space. A 32GB card might only hold a day or two of footage. For longer recording history, use a larger card, such as 128GB or 256GB (ensure you check the maximum capacity your camera model supports).
- Format the Card in the Camera: This is a critical step. Do not format the card on a computer. You must format it using the Anran app. Go to the camera's Settings > Storage Settings, select the SD card, and tap 'Format'. This ensures the card uses the correct file system for the camera.
## Step 3: Configure the Recording Schedule in the App
Once you have a suitable and properly formatted SD card installed, you need to tell the camera to record continuously.
- Open the Anran app and select the camera you wish to configure.
- Go to its Settings.
- Look for a menu item named 'Recording Schedule', 'Record Plan', or similar.
- Inside this menu, you will likely see options for 'Event Recording' and 'Continuous Recording' (or '24/7 Recording').
- Select 'Continuous Recording'.
- Save your new settings. The camera should now begin recording everything, not just motion events.
## Troubleshooting: Why Is It Still Not Working?
If you've followed the steps above and still don't have 24/7 recording, consider these points:
- Is the SD Card Full? Check the storage status in the app. If 'Overwrite' or 'Loop Recording' is turned off, the camera will stop recording when the card is full. Ensure this feature is enabled so that the oldest footage is automatically overwritten when space is needed.
- Is the SD Card Faulty? If the camera reports a storage error or fails to format the card, the card itself may be faulty or counterfeit. Try a different, known-good card.
- Firmware Update: Check if there is a firmware update available for your camera within the app. Updates can sometimes fix bugs related to recording functions.
For users needing weeks or months of continuous recording, an Anran Network Video Recorder (NVR) with a large internal hard drive is the most reliable solution.