Some Reolink cameras support dual recording, which allows video to be saved simultaneously to the camera’s local SD card and an external storage device such as a Reolink NVR or Home Hub. This setup provides a backup of important footage in case one storage device becomes inaccessible.

Applies to: Reolink Cameras with a built-in SD card slot used together with Reolink NVR or Home Hub series.

Table of Content

1. Simultaneous Recording to SD Card and Reolink NVR

2. Simultaneous Recording to SD Card and Reolink Hub

3. Important Notes

This guide uses the Reolink App for demonstration.

1. Simultaneous Recording to SD Card and Reolink NVR

Once the camera is added to the NVR and a recording schedule is configured, the camera will automatically record to both the NVR and its SD card.

Configuration Steps

  1. Insert an SD card into the camera, ensure the NVR has an HDD installed.

  2. Add the camera to the NVR, go to NVR Settings > Recording > Camera.

  3. Configure the recording schedule as needed. 

  4. Reference: How to Set up Record Schedule of NVR System via Reolink App.

Playback Recordings

  • Method 1. Enable HyBridge Mode (Play via Reolink Software)

    Applicable to:

    • NVRs that support HyBridge Mode: RLN8-410 (HW N7MB01 / NVR_NNT3NA78P), RLN16-410 (HW N6MB01 / NVR_NNT4NA716P), NVS8, NVS16, RP-PN8, RP-PN16

    • PoE and WiFi (Plug-in) cameras (excluding battery-powered cameras)

    Step 1. Enable HyBridge Mode on the NVR

    • Once enabled, the camera will be managed by the router instead of the NVR, while keeping a direct data connection. See: Introduction to Reolink NVR HyBridge Mode.
    • The diagrams below show the network topology before and after enabling HyBridge Mode.
      camera under NVR under router camea and NVR under router

    Step 2. Add the Camera Separately to Reolink Software

    Add the camera by UID, IP address, or LAN discovery. See: How to Add Reolink Products to Reolink Software.

    Step 3. Play Back Recordings

    • In the Reolink App, you will see two identical devices, tap camera > Playback
      ① — Standalone camera; ② — NVR-managed camera

      • The standalone camera (left image) shows recordings stored on its SD card.

      • The NVR-managed camera (right image) shows recordings stored on the NVR.
         

  • Method 2. Connect the Camera Directly to the Router (Play via Reolink Software)

    Applicable to:

    • All NVR models

    • PoE and WiFi (Plug-in) cameras (excluding battery-powered cameras)

    Step 1. Connect the Camera to the Router

    Connect the camera to the router.
    For PoE cameras, use a PoE switch or DC adapter for power, since the PoE NVR will no longer supply it.method 1 switch and NVR under same routermethod 2 camera and NVR under same switch

    Step 2. Add the Camera to Reolink Software

    Add the camera by UID, IP address, or LAN discovery. See: How to Add Reolink Products to Reolink Software.

    Step 3. Play Back Recordings

    • In the Reolink App, two identical devices will appear, tap camera > Playback:
       ① Standalone camera; ② NVR-managed camera
    • The standalone camera (left image) shows SD card recordings.

    • The NVR-managed camera (right image) shows NVR recordings.
       

  • Method 3. Use an SD Card Reader (Play via Computer Media Software)

    Applicable to: All NVRs and cameras

    Step 1. Remove the SD Card

    Power off the camera and remove the SD card.

    Step 2. Insert and View on a Computer

    Insert the SD card into a card reader connected to your computer to view and manage the recordings directly.

2. Simultaneous Recording to SD Card and Reolink Hub

When the camera is added to a Reolink Home Hub, recordings can be stored on both the camera's local SD card and the Hub simultaneously.

Configuration Steps

  1. Insert a microSD card into the camera and ensure the Hub has an SD card or HDD installed.

  2. Add the camera to the Hub, go to the camera’s Recording Settings.

  3. Configure the recording schedule for the camera and Home Hub as needed with the reference How to Set up Record Schedule for Reolink Cameras via Reolink App. See Recording Schedule Synchronization below for details on how recording schedules are synchronized between the camera and Home Hub.

Recording Schedule Synchronization Between the Camera and Home Hub

The recording schedule synchronization between the camera and Home Hub depends on the recording type and camera model.

▶ For most cameras, except for Altas Series cameras,

  • Continuous recording: The camera's and the Home Hub's continuous recording schedules work independently of each other. Changes made to the Home Hub's schedule will not be synchronised with the camera's schedule.
  • Alarm recording: the Home Hub's alarm recording schedule is synchronized with the camera. Changes made to the Hub's alarm recording plan will also be applied to the camera.
  • Example — To record videos simultaneously to the camera's SD card and the Home Hub's SD card/HDD:
    • Before adding the camera to the Home Hub, set the Continuous recording separately on the camera.
    • After adding the camera to the Home Hub, set the Continuous recording separately on the Home Hub, and set the Alarm recording on the Home Hub.

▶ For Altas Series cameras, both the continuous recording schedule and alarm recording schedules are synchronized between the camera and Home Hub.

Playback Recordings

Currently, only the Reolink App supports playback of both the camera’s local SD card and Home Hub recordings, while the Reolink Client can only play back Home Hub recordings. The following example demonstrates playback via the Reolink App:

  1. Enter camera's live view page and tap Playback.
  2. Tap the tap icon.png icon and you can choose to replay from either the camera's local SD card or the Home Hub as the storage medium.

tap the icon storage medium

3. Important Notes

1. The SD card’s overwrite behavior depends on the camera’s own overwrite settings. By default, when the SD card becomes full, the camera will automatically overwrite the oldest recordings.

2. The SD card and NVR recording schedules work independently. If you wish to apply different recording schedules for the camera’s SD card and the NVR, configure the schedule separately on both the camera and the NVR.

3. The Reolink Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) supports continuous recording only when it is used as a standalone device and switched to Wired Power Mode. When this doorbell is added to an NVR or Home Hub, it cannot record continuously, even when Wired Power Mode is switched. In this setup, this doorbell supports event-triggered recording instead.

By enabling dual recording, you can keep your important footage safely stored in two locations—on the camera’s SD card and on your Reolink NVR or Home Hub. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please click Submit a request below to contact Reolink Support.