Understanding Verkada's Continuous Recording Capabilities
A common point of confusion for new Verkada users is the concept of continuous recording. While all Verkada cameras do record continuously 24/7 to their onboard solid-state drives, what you see in the cloud via the Verkada Command platform can look different by default. If your timeline seems to only show motion-based clips, it's not a fault, but a feature designed to optimise bandwidth.
This guide will clarify how Verkada's recording and cloud backup works, and show you how to configure and access your continuous footage.
Onboard Storage vs. Cloud Backup: The Key Difference
Understanding this distinction is crucial to solving your issue.
- Onboard Recording: Every Verkada camera has a built-in industrial-grade SSD. It records a continuous, unbroken stream of video 24/7. The amount of footage stored depends on the camera's storage capacity (e.g., 30, 60, 90 days). This is always on.
- Cloud Backup: This is the process of uploading footage from the camera's onboard drive to the cloud for long-term storage and easy access. To save internet bandwidth, the default setting for most cameras is "Motion-Based Cloud Backup." This means only video clips where motion was detected are automatically uploaded.
So, if you're only seeing clips, it's because the camera is only backing up the important moments, even though it has recorded everything locally.
How to Access and Configure Continuous Recording
You have full control over how your footage is stored and accessed. Here’s how to manage it.
1. Accessing Continuous Footage from Onboard Storage
Even if you're using the default motion-based backup, you can still retrieve any moment from the camera's timeline.
- Navigate to Camera History: Log in to Verkada Command and select the camera you want to view.
- Select a Time: Use the timeline at the bottom of the screen. You will see blue bars indicating when motion events were backed up. Click on any grey area in the timeline where there was no motion.
- Retrieve Footage: The system will connect directly to the camera and stream the footage from its onboard storage. This allows you to view any moment, whether motion was detected or not, as long as it's within the camera's onboard retention period (e.g., within the last 30 days).
2. Enabling Continuous (Full-Time) Cloud Backup
If you want an unbroken, continuous timeline to be stored in the cloud, you can enable full-time backup. Be aware that this will use significantly more internet bandwidth.
- Go to Camera Settings: In Verkada Command, select your camera and click on the settings cog icon.
- Find Storage & Retention: Navigate to the "Storage & Retention" or a similarly named tab.
- Configure Cloud Backup: You will see options for cloud backup. Change the setting from "Motion-Based" to "Full-Time." You will need to select a cloud retention period (e.g., 30, 60, 90 days), which is determined by your license.
- Save Changes: Once you save, the camera will begin continuously uploading its entire recorded history to the cloud, and your timeline in Command will start to fill in.
3. Check Your Licensing
Continuous cloud backup is a premium feature.
- Verify Your License: Ensure that your Verkada license for that specific camera includes the desired level of cloud retention (e.g., "30-Day Cloud Backup"). If your license only covers motion-based events, you will not be able to enable the full-time option. You may need to contact your Verkada sales representative to upgrade your license.
By understanding the difference between local recording and cloud backup, you can configure your Verkada system to meet your exact security and operational needs, ensuring you always have access to the footage you require.