Foscam No 24/7 Recording? A Setup and Settings Guide
By default, many Foscam cameras are set to record only when they detect motion. This saves storage space but means you might miss important events that happen before or after the motion is triggered. For complete surveillance, 24/7 continuous recording is essential. This guide explains how to set up and troubleshoot this feature on your Foscam camera.
Understanding Recording Requirements
To record 24/7, your camera needs two things:
- A Suitable Storage Destination: The camera needs a place to save the constant stream of video data. This can be a Micro SD card, a Foscam Network Video Recorder (NVR), or Video Management Software (VMS) on a computer.
- The Correct Settings: You must specifically instruct the camera to record continuously, not just on motion.
Method 1: Recording 24/7 to a Micro SD Card
While possible, this method is best for short-term use as constant writing causes significant wear on SD cards.
- Use a High-Endurance Card: You must use a "High Endurance" Micro SD card. These are specifically designed for the constant rewriting that 24/7 recording demands. A standard SD card will fail quickly.
- Access the Web Interface: You cannot set this up from the mobile app. You need to access your camera's settings from a web browser on your computer. Find your camera's IP address and log in.
- Navigate to the Record Schedule: Look for a menu called "Recording" or "Storage". Inside, you will find a "Recording Schedule".
- Set the Schedule: You will see a grid for the days and hours. Select the "Continuous" or "General" recording type, and then drag your mouse across the entire grid to schedule it for 24/7 operation.
- Enable Overwrite: This is a critical step. In the storage management settings, find the option for "Overwrite" (or "Recycle Record") and enable it. This will automatically delete the oldest recordings to make space for new ones. If you don't enable this, recording will stop once the card is full.
Method 2: Recording 24/7 to a Foscam NVR (Recommended)
This is the most reliable and robust method for continuous recording.
- Install a Surveillance Hard Drive: Make sure your NVR is equipped with a surveillance-grade hard drive (e.g., WD Purple, Seagate SkyHawk) designed for 24/7 operation.
- Add Your Camera: Ensure your Foscam camera is properly added to and managed by the NVR.
- Configure the NVR's Record Schedule: The process is similar to the SD card method, but you will perform it in the NVR's interface. Log into your NVR, go to the Recording Setup > Schedule menu.
- Set to Continuous: For each camera (channel) you want to record continuously, select the "Continuous" option and apply it to the entire weekly schedule.
- Enable Overwrite on the NVR: In the NVR's storage or HDD management settings, ensure that the overwrite or recycle function is enabled for the hard drive.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Gaps in Playback: If you see breaks in the timeline, it means the camera is still set to "Motion" or "Alarm" recording. Double-check your schedule grid to ensure it is entirely set to "Continuous."
- Recording Stops After a Few Days: This is a classic symptom of the "Overwrite" function being disabled. Log in and ensure it is turned on.
- "No SD Card" or "HDD Error": Your storage medium may be failing or incompatible. For SD cards, try reformatting it inside the camera's web interface. If the error persists, the card likely needs replacing. For an NVR, check the health status of the hard drive.
By selecting the right hardware and configuring the schedule correctly, you can easily switch your Foscam camera from a motion-activated device to a true 24/7 surveillance solution.