Curious about how your camera captures events before they even happen? This article explains pre-motion recording and how it works across various Reolink devices and storage methods.
Table of Content
- What Is Pre-motion Recording?
- Which Recording Methods Support Pre-motion Record?
- How to Configure Pre-motion Recording on SD Card / HDD
What Is Pre-motion Recording?
Pre-motion Record helps capture those important first moments by including a few seconds of video before the motion event. Depending on the device model and firmware version, Pre-motion Record may be enabled by default or configurable in the settings. This allows you to see how a person, vehicle, or other object first entered the camera's view.
Which Recording Methods Support Pre-motion Record?
Pre-motion recording is supported when using these storage methods — SD Card, Reolink NVR, Reolink Home Hub, FTP. These methods allow the camera to save footage from a few seconds before the actual motion event occurs, helping to capture a more complete picture.
Notes:
Battery-powered cameras (excluding the Reolink Altas series) only support pre-motion recording when the live view is active.
FTP pre-motion recording depends on network conditions. If the network is stable and fast enough, the camera may successfully include pre-recorded footage in the uploaded files. Otherwise, pre-motion frames may be lost.
Which Devices Support Pre-motion Recording?
The table below outlines whether different camera models support pre-motion recording to local storage (SD card or HDD), and whether this feature can be configured.
| Device Type | Default Pre-Record Status | App Supports Pre-Record Setting | Client/Web Supports Pre-Record Setting | Notes |
| Reolink Altas Series (Battery-powered cameras) | Disabled by default but user-configurable. | √ | × | The only battery-powered cameras that support pre-record configuration. |
| Other Battery-powered cameras | / | × | × | Only support pre-recording when you are live-viewing the camera at the same time. |
| Plug-in cameras (PoE & WiFi) | Enabled by default. | x | √ | / |
| NVR (New UI) | Enabled by default. | x | x | Pre-record always on; no setting available even on monitor. |
| Home Hub Series |
Battery-powered cameras: Follow the camera’s own settings/behavior. Plug-in cameras (PoE & WiFi): The pre-recording feature is enabled by default and cannot be manually configured. |
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How to Configure Pre-motion Recording on SD Card / HDD
If the Pre-motion Recording option is available on your device, see the following section for setup guidance:
Reolink Altas Series cameras
Refer to this article: Introduction to pre-recording of Reolink Battery-powered Cameras.
Plug-in cameras
Click below to expand the setup instructions for the software:
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Via Reolink Client
Step 1. Launch Reolink Client and log in to the camera, then click on the gear icon of the camera.
Step 2. Click Surveillance > Record > enable Pre-Motion Record.
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Via Reolink Web browser
Step 1. Input the IP Address of your camera on a web browser and log in to your camera. Then click the Device Settings gear icon on the top right corner.
See how to find the IP address of your camera.
Note: Make sure your PC is connected to the same router as your camera.
Step 2. Go to the Surveillance > Record page. Click the button to enable Pre-Motion Record(turn it blue).
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Via Reolink NVR (Old UI)
Applies to: RLN4-410 (hardware version H3MB17), RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB02), RLN8-410-E, RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB06)
Go to Menu > Recording > Option page, then tick Pre-record option, and click Apply to save the settings.
Understanding pre-motion recording helps you maximize footage coverage. Check your device's compatibility and settings to ensure you're making the most of this useful feature. If you're interested in post-motion recording, refer to How to Set up Post-Motion Recording for Reolink Cameras.
If you have any questions, click “Submit a request” below to contact the Reolink Support Team.