Reolink devices offer robust microSD card recording capabilities, allowing users to capture event videos or time-lapse sequences. However, managing storage space efficiently is crucial to ensure uninterrupted operation. This guide explains the overwrite strategies for both event video recording and the Reolink time lapse feature, helping you optimize storage and recording based on your specific needs.

Applies to: All Reolink devices that support microSD card and the time lapse feature.

Types of Recording

  • Video Recording of Events: This method captures footage in real-time, which can be either continuous or triggered by specific events. It provides clear documentation of occurrences as they unfold.
  • Time Lapse Recording: This technique captures frames at set intervals, condensing long durations into shorter videos. Time lapse is ideal for long-term monitoring of slow-moving activities such as construction projects, plant growth, or the passage of time in a scenic environment.

Overwrite Strategies

Scenario 1: Overwrite for Both Types of Recording Enabled
When the microSD card becomes full, the system will automatically overwrite the oldest files, ensuring that both event recording and time lapse recording continue to function without interruption.
Scenario 2: One Overwrite Feature Enabled, the Other Disabled
When the microSD card is full, the system will delete older files from the recording type that has overwrite enabled. If there are no more files to delete from the enabled recording type, and the microSD card remains full, both recording types will stop.

For example, if event recording overwrite is disabled while time-lapse overwrite is enabled:

    • The recording type that has overwrite disabled (i.e., event recordings) will not be overwritten.
    • The system will delete older files from the recording type that has overwrite enabled (i.e., the time-lapse) to make space for new recordings.
    • If the microSD card becomes full and there are no more time-lapse files to delete, the camera will stop both event recording and time-lapse recording. This occurs because the system cannot overwrite any more files, and there is no space left for new recordings.

Scenario 3: Overwrite for Both Types of Recording Disabled
When the microSD card becomes full, neither event nor time-lapse recordings will overwrite any files, causing both types to pause until space is available.

Notes of Image Recording:

  • Some Reolink models also support image recording, allowing the capture of individual still images instead of continuous video. This feature, available in models like the Reolink Keen and Go Ranger PT, is useful for capturing specific moments.
  • Similar to event and time-lapse recordings, image recording follows the same overwrite strategy.

timelapse sd card record overwrite

Best Practices

  • Monitor Storage Usage: Regularly check the storage usage on your microSD card to avoid unexpected interruptions in event recording or time lapse recording.
  • Enable Overwrite for Continuous Operation: If uninterrupted recording is critical, enable the overwrite feature to ensure that the device continues to function even when the microSD card is full.
  • Choose the Right Overwrite Strategy: Depending on your needs, you may want to enable or disable overwrite for either event recording or Reolink time lapse to balance storage usage and data retention. For example, if you frequently use Reolink time lapse to capture long-term activities, enabling overwrite for Reolink time lapse is essential to ensure continuous recording without running out of storage space.

Understanding and configuring the overwrite strategies for microSD card recording in Reolink devices can significantly enhance your user experience. By following the guidelines provided, you can ensure that your device operates smoothly and efficiently, meeting your specific storage and recording requirements.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please contact Reolink support for additional help.