Understanding Guardzilla's Cloud-Only Storage
If you've just set up your Guardzilla camera, you might be looking for an SD card slot to store your video recordings locally. However, Guardzilla cameras are designed to work exclusively with cloud storage, meaning all your footage is uploaded and saved on remote servers. This guide explains why this is the case and how to manage your video without a local storage option.
The primary benefit of a cloud-only system is security. If a burglar were to steal or damage your camera, your recorded footage would remain safe and accessible from your account, providing crucial evidence.
Common Questions About No Local Storage
You may be wondering about the practicalities of a cloud-only system. Here are some common concerns:
- How can I record video without a subscription?
- What happens to my footage if the internet goes down?
- Is it possible to save important video clips permanently?
- Am I able to view recordings without paying a monthly fee?
- How do I manage my storage space to avoid running out?
Understanding the Guardzilla ecosystem is key to answering these questions.
How to Manage Your Recordings with Guardzilla Cloud Storage
Your camera is built to integrate seamlessly with a cloud subscription service. Here’s how you can effectively manage your video recordings.
1. Subscribing to a Cloud Plan
To enable recording, you almost always need to subscribe to a Guardzilla cloud storage plan.
- Choose a Plan: Visit the Guardzilla website or app to view the available subscription tiers. These typically vary based on the number of days of video history you want to keep (e.g., 7-day, 30-day history).
- Activate Subscription: Follow the instructions to link the plan to your camera. Once active, your camera will automatically begin recording motion-triggered events to the cloud.
2. Accessing and Reviewing Footage
All your recorded clips are accessible through the Guardzilla app.
- Event Timeline: The app will feature an event timeline or history tab. This is where you can scroll through all the motion-activated recordings.
- Playback: Simply tap on any event to play the video clip. You can see the date and time of the recording, allowing you to pinpoint specific moments.
3. Saving and Downloading Important Clips
While your footage is in the cloud, you can download permanent copies of important events to your phone.
- Find the Clip: Locate the specific recording you want to save from the event timeline.
- Look for the Download Icon: During playback, there is usually an icon for downloading or sharing. This is often represented by a downward-facing arrow or a standard share symbol.
- Save to Your Device: Tapping this icon will save the video file directly to your phone’s camera roll or gallery. From there, you can share it via email, messaging apps, or back it up to your personal computer.
4. Understanding Internet Dependency
It is critical to remember that this entire system relies on a stable internet connection.
- No Internet, No Recording: If your home Wi-Fi goes down, the camera cannot upload footage to the cloud, and therefore cannot record.
- Bandwidth Usage: Uploading video requires a decent amount of internet bandwidth. Ensure your internet plan has sufficient upload speed (typically at least 2 Mbps per camera) to avoid performance issues.
While the lack of an SD card slot might seem like a limitation, the cloud-based approach provides a secure and straightforward way to manage your home security footage.