Understanding and Troubleshooting D-Link's 24/7 Recording
When you install a security camera, you often expect it to be recording all the time. However, many modern smart cameras, including some D-Link models, are optimised for event-based recording rather than continuous 24/7 recording. This can cause confusion and concern if you notice gaps in your video timeline.
This guide will help you understand your D-Link camera's recording capabilities, troubleshoot why it might not be recording continuously, and configure it for the best possible coverage.
Common Symptoms and Questions About 24/7 Recording
If you're investigating your camera's recording behaviour, you've likely asked:
- Why are there gaps in my recording timeline?
- How do I turn on continuous recording?
- Does my D-Link camera even support 24/7 recording?
- The camera only saves short clips of motion.
- My SD card is not full, so why did it stop recording?
- Do I need a cloud subscription for continuous recording?
Event Recording vs. Continuous Recording
First, it's crucial to understand the difference:
- Event Recording: This is the default for most Wi-Fi cameras. The camera remains in a low-power, monitoring state until it detects motion or sound. It then "wakes up" and records a clip for the duration of the event. This saves storage space, reduces power consumption (for battery models), and makes it easy to find significant moments.
- Continuous (24/7) Recording: The camera records everything without interruption, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This provides a complete record but uses significantly more storage space and is a feature typically found on specific models, often those used with a Network Video Recorder (NVR).
How to Check and Enable Continuous Recording
Whether you can enable 24/7 recording depends entirely on your camera model.
1. Check Your Camera's Specifications
Before diving into settings, verify that your model supports this feature. Check the product page on the D-Link website or the user manual for terms like "continuous recording" or "24/7 recording." Many of the newer mydlink Wi-Fi cameras are designed primarily for event recording.
2. Configure Settings in the mydlink App
If your camera does support continuous recording, you will find the setting in the mydlink app.
- Open the mydlink App: Select the camera you want to configure.
- Go to Settings: Tap the gear icon.
- Find Storage Settings: Look for a menu called 'Storage' or 'SD Recording'.
- Select Recording Mode: Inside this menu, you should find an option to choose your recording type. You will likely see choices for 'Event recording' (motion-triggered) and 'Continuous recording'.
- Select 'Continuous recording' to enable 24/7 recording.
3. Troubleshoot SD Card Issues
If you have enabled continuous recording but it's still not working, the problem often lies with the microSD card.
- Use a High-Endurance Card: For continuous recording, a standard microSD card is not enough. You must use a "high-endurance" or "video monitoring" card. These are specifically designed to withstand the constant stress of being written to 24/7 and are far less likely to fail.
- Check Card Health: An old or failing SD card can cause recording to stop intermittently. Try testing the card in a computer or replacing it with a new, high-endurance one.
- Format the Card: Formatting erases all data and can fix file system errors. It's best to format the SD card directly within the mydlink app to ensure it's using the correct format (usually FAT32).
4. Set a Recording Schedule
Some D-Link models allow you to set a schedule for recording.
- Check the Schedule: In the app's settings, look for a 'Recording Schedule' option.
- Ensure It's Set to Always: If you want 24/7 recording, make sure the schedule is configured to be active all day, every day. An incorrect schedule might be telling the camera to stop recording at certain times.
5. Consider Alternatives
If your camera model does not support 24/7 recording to an SD card, your options are:
- Optimise Event Recording: Increase motion sensitivity and set up large activity zones to capture more events, reducing the gaps in your timeline.
- Use a D-Link NVR: For a true, robust 24/7 recording solution, you can connect compatible D-Link cameras to a D-Link Network Video Recorder (NVR). The NVR contains a large hard drive designed for continuous surveillance.
- Cloud Recording: Note that mydlink cloud plans are for storing event clips. They do not offer continuous 24/7 cloud recording.
By confirming your camera's capabilities and properly configuring its storage settings, you can ensure you're getting the most comprehensive recording coverage possible for your security needs.