Continuous recording allows your cameras to keep recording during the specific times you set, ensuring that nothing is missed within that timeframe. This article will guide you through setting up continuous recording for Reolink devices across different platforms.
Applies to: Which Reolink Cameras Support Continuous Recording
This article will be introduced to you in three parts:
1. When to Set up a Continuous Recording Schedule
2. Step-By-Step Instructions for Setting up Recording Schedule
3. Effect of Continuous Recording
1. When to Set up a Continuous Recording Schedule
Choose continuous recording to ensure that there is always a recording available, especially in locations that require 24/7 monitoring, such as stores, warehouses, and similar environments. This approach allows you to avoid relying solely on alarm-triggered recordings, ensuring that every event is fully documented. Then, you can replay the footage directly on the Reolink software without needing to rely on other software.
However, continuous recording also comes with some considerations. Since it continuously consumes storage space, the microSD card or HDD may fill up quickly. Therefore, if you wish to extend the number of days they can store recordings, you can consider the following options:
1. Upgrade to a larger capacity microSD card or HDD to provide more storage space.
2. Adjust the camera bitrate: How to Set up the Quality Settings via Reolink App to reduce the file size of the recordings, which can help extend the storage duration.
Refer to the article below for information on the storage duration for microSD cards/HDDs:
- How Long Can the Micro SD Card in Reolink Cameras Record
- How Long Can Reolink NVR Record for
- How Long Can the microSD Card/HDD of Reolink Home Hub Record for Battery-Powered Wi-Fi Cameras?
2. Step-By-Step Instructions for Setting up Recording Schedule
If you want your Reolink device to record continuously, you can enable camera recording and set up a timer recording schedule for it.
You can follow the steps below to set up a continuous recording for your camera via different platforms. Click the links below to jump to the relevant section.
*Via Reolink App
Step 1. Launch your Reolink App, log in to your camera, and go to Device Settings > Camera Recording.
Note: For cameras to Reolink NVR or Home Hub, please tap the camera settings that you need to set up camera recording.
Recording schedule settings may differ slightly for PoE/WiFi plug-in cameras without smart detection. Please scroll down to Part 2 for instructions on these cameras.
Part 1. For cameras with smart detection
Tap Continuous Recording Schedule. On the schedule page, tap the button in the bottom-left corner (Paint/Delete), then swipe over the time slots you want to schedule. When you're finished, tap Save to apply the settings.
Part 2. For cameras without smart detection
Tap the grid for one hour, then tap and drag to select a time period. To switch between Alarm and Timer modes, tap the alarm/clock icon in the lower-left corner , then tap it again to pop up the two options: Alarm and Timer. Once switched, you can apply the desired recording mode—Alarm for motion-triggered recording or Timer for continuous recording—by filling in the schedule grid.
A blue grid indicates motion recording for that time, a yellow grid signifies continuous recording, and a white grid means no recording is enabled for that time.
If you do not see the Timer option, it may be because the camera does not have a microSD card installed. Please ensure the microSD card is installed and then check the settings again.
Note: You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording. Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings take a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Reolink Client
Step 1. Launch Reolink Client, log in to your camera, and go to Camera Settings > Surveillance > Record, enable Record and click Schedule.Note: (1) For cameras to Reolink NVR or Home Hub, please click the camera settings that you need to set up camera recording.
(2) Regardless of your settings, the Client will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
Step 2. Click Timer, then select Enable/Disable. Click and drag to select grids (one for an hour) on the timetable. Blue means the camera will record non-stop at that hour, while grey means none. Click Save if you finish setting up.
For cameras with smart detection:
For example, the settings on this page will make the camera record from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
You can also use Enable All/Disable All to achieve a quick configuration.
Tap Enable all to enable all grids, meaning the camera will record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Tap Disable all to disable all grids, which means the camera will not record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
For cameras without smart detection.
If you have PoE/WiFi cameras without smart detection, the recording schedule will differ slightly from other cameras.
Step 1. Click the Motion (alarm recording)/Timer (continuous recording)/None (no recording) button, then click and drag on the grids to enable/disable different recordings for that hour. They are blue, yellow and grey respectively.
If you do not see the Timer option, it may be because the camera does not have a microSD card installed. Please ensure the microSD card is installed and then check the settings again.
Step 2. Click the Save button in the bottom right corner if you finish setting.Note: You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording. Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Reolink Web Browser
Applies to: All Reolink cameras with a microSD card slot (excluding battery-powered cameras, Reolink Lumus, Reolink E1, and Reolink E1 Pro).
Step: Log in to the camera via a web browser. Click the gear icon on the top right to get to the device settings page. Click Surveillance > Record. Turn on Enable Record.
Note: For cameras to Reolink NVR, please click the camera settings that you need to set up camera recording. The Reolink Web Browser currently does not support the setup of the Reolink Home Hub; it only allows for live viewing and playback. It is recommended to use the Reolink App or Reolink Client for setup.
Part 1. For cameras with smart detection.
Click Timer, then select Enable/Disable. Click and drag to select grids (one for an hour) on the timetable. Blue means the camera will record non-stop at that hour, while grey means none. Click Save if you finish setting up.
Note: (1) Regardless of your settings, the web browser will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
(2) An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.
Enable all button: Tap Enable all to enable all grids, meaning the camera will record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Disable all button: Tap Disable all to disable all grids, which means the camera will not record continuously at all times. You can adjust the time schedule using the tools Enable or Disable.
Part 2. For cameras without smart detection.
If you have PoE/WiFi cameras without smart detection, such as RLC-511, the recording schedule will differ slightly from other cameras.
Step 1. Turn on Enable Record.
Step 2. Click the Motion(alarm recording)/Timer(continuous recording)/None(no recording) button, then click and drag on the grids to enable/disable different recordings for that hour. They are blue, yellow, and grey respectively.
If you do not see the Timer option, it may be because the camera does not have a microSD card installed. Please ensure the microSD card is installed and then check the settings again.
Step 3. Click the Save button in the bottom right corner if you finish setting.You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Select the date and click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the camera packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Monitor (for Reolink NVR Users with New UI)
Applies to: RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N2MB02/N3MB01/N7MB01/NVR_NNT3NA78P), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N6MB01/NVR_NNT4NA716P), RLN36, RLN12W, NVS8, NVS12W, NVS16, NVS36, RP-PN8, RP-PN16.
Step 1. Click the gear icon to get to the Settings page. (Depending on the NVR version, the Settings button may be located at either the top or the bottom of the interface.)
Click Surveillance, then enable Record and click Daily Schedule beneath it.
Note: This Record button controls all cameras connected to your NVR. If disabled (in grey), the cameras will stop recording, regardless of their schedule configurations.
Step 2. Select the camera that you want to set continuous recording, enable the button, click Timer, then click and drag to select grids to choose the time.
For example, the settings in the picture below mean that the camera will record continuously from 00:00 to 12:00 every day.
Notes:
1. Regardless of your settings, the NVR will always show the Alarm schedule first when you enter the Schedule page. This does not affect your schedule settings.
2. An Alarm schedule records only when triggered by motion, while a Timer schedule records continuously.Step 3. You can click Apply to other cameras and copy the settings to other channels, and click All to quickly select all cameras.
You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. Click Playback button, select the channel/camera and date, then click the time on the timeline to view the recording.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.
*Via Monitor (for Reolink NVR Users with Old UI)
Applies to: RLN4-410, RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB16), and RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB06).
Step 1. Log in to your Reolink NVR on a monitor and click the Menu icon to enter the main menu page.Step 2. Go to Recording > Schedule. Select a camera channel, tick Enable, then click Normal. Click and drag to select grids to customize the time frame you want for continuous recording. Click Apply to save your settings.
For example, the settings in the picture below mean that the camera will record continuously from 20:00 to 12:00 the next day, every day of the week, and only record motion events from 12:00 to 20:00 each day.Note: You may also click on Copy To to save the schedule settings for other cameras.
Step 3. You can check if the camera has started recording as configured on the Playback page. To playback the recorded videos stored in the PoE NVR HDD, go to the Menu > Search > Playback page.
Note: Wait a moment after configuring, as the NVR packaging recordings needs a while. You may not see the recording immediately after configuration.Step 4. Click Play to playback the recordings you choose.
3. Effect of Continuous Recording
The camera can record continuously. The duration of each recorded file may vary depending on the model and its specific packaging strategy. For example, the Reolink standalone camera uses a microSD card to store recordings, packaging each video into 5-minute segments during the day and 2-minute segments at night. As a result, you will see playback videos of approximately 5 minutes during the day and 2 minutes at night. The Reolink Home Hub follows the same packaging strategy as the standalone camera. For the NVR, which uses an HDD to store recordings, you can configure the pack duration settings through the NVR.
Related Articles
How to Set up Motion Recording Schedule for Reolink Cameras
What is Continuous Recording and Where to Save it
SD Card Can Not Detected on Reolink Device
If you have any questions, click “Submit a request” below to contact the Reolink Support Team.