Understanding Doorbird's Storage Options: Local vs. Cloud
When choosing a video doorbell, a common question is how and where video footage is stored. Many consumer-grade doorbells use a micro SD card for local storage. However, if you've been looking for an SD card slot on your Doorbird device, you won't find one.
This guide explains Doorbird's storage philosophy and details the powerful local storage alternatives available for users who prefer to keep their data on-premises.
Why There's No SD Card Slot
Doorbird devices are engineered as high-end, IP-based intercom systems rather than simple cameras. The design philosophy prioritises integration with professional security and home automation systems. There are several reasons for omitting an SD card:
- Reliability: SD cards, especially in outdoor devices subject to temperature fluctuations, have a limited lifespan and are a common point of failure.
- Security: If the doorbell unit is stolen or vandalised, the onboard storage (and all your evidence) is lost with it.
- Flexibility: By focusing on network-based storage, Doorbird allows for much more powerful and scalable solutions, such as recording to a central server with terabytes of space.
The Primary Storage Method: Doorbird Cloud
The simplest way to store your Doorbird's history is with the official Cloud Recording subscription. This service automatically saves a history of motion events and doorbell presses to Doorbird's secure servers. You can access this history for a set number of days (e.g., 7 days) via the app from anywhere. This is the recommended solution for most users due to its ease of use.
The Alternative: True Local Storage via NAS or NVR
For users who want complete control over their data without monthly fees, Doorbird offers excellent support for recording to a local network device. This is achieved by treating the Doorbird as a standard IP camera.
You can send the Doorbird's video stream to:
- A Network Attached Storage (NAS): Brands like Synology and QNAP have powerful surveillance software (Surveillance Station and QVR Pro, respectively) that is fully compatible with Doorbird. You can add the Doorbird as a camera source and manage recordings, retention policies, and continuous recording on your own hardware.
- A Network Video Recorder (NVR): Dedicated NVR systems or software like Blue Iris running on a PC can also connect to the Doorbird's video stream and handle all recording tasks.
How to Set Up Local Storage (General Steps)
Setting up local NAS/NVR recording is a more advanced process than using the cloud. While the exact steps vary depending on your specific NAS/NVR software, the general workflow is as follows:
- Find the Doorbird's IP Address: Locate your Doorbird's local IP address from your router's device list.
- Access Camera Feeds: Doorbird provides specific URLs to access its live video and audio streams. These are available in the Doorbird API documentation.
- Add Camera to NAS/NVR: In your surveillance software (e.g., Synology Surveillance Station), choose to add a new IP camera.
- Configure the Camera: Manually enter the Doorbird's IP address, username, password, and the specific URL for the video stream. Select the correct brand and model or use the ONVIF standard if available.
- Set Recording Schedule: Configure your NVR software to record based on motion, continuously, or on a schedule, just as you would with any other security camera.
This method provides a robust, private, and highly customisable storage solution for your Doorbird, giving you full ownership of your video footage.