HOW TO USE CONTINUOUS RECORDING WITH A WYZE CAN AND A MICROSD CARD
In this informative video by Wyze, we will explore how to utilize continuous recording with a microSD card on the Wyze Cam. To begin, it is important to first insert a microSD card into the designated slot underneath the Wyze Cam, while ensuring it is unplugged during the process. It is recommended to use a class 10 32-gigabyte microSD card formatted in fat32, although some users have found success with other options. Once the microSD card is properly installed, plug the Wyze Cam back in and listen for a sound indicating that the card has been correctly recognized. By accessing the advanced settings through the gear icon on the Wyze app, you can enable local recording to the microSD card, choosing between record alerts only or continuous recording. While record alerts only saves one-minute video clips to the microSD card, capturing events until motion or sound is no longer detected, continuous recording will constantly record 24/7, ensuring that everything in front of the Wyze Cam is captured. Keep in mind that continuous recording may result in more footage, causing the microSD card to fill up faster. With either option, the Wyze Cam will automatically replace the oldest files with the newest ones. Stay tuned for the next video where we will discuss how to review the footage recorded on your microSD card.
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1. Inserting the microSD card
1.1 Ensure the Wyze Cam is unplugged
Before inserting the microSD card into your Wyze Cam, make sure that it is unplugged. This will prevent any potential damage to the device or the card.
1.2 Insert the microSD card into the slot
Locate the small slot underneath your Wyze Cam. With the device unplugged, carefully insert the microSD card into the slot. Take note of the correct orientation, ensuring that the card is properly aligned.
1.3 Plug the Wyze Cam back in
After securely inserting the microSD card, plug the Wyze Cam back in and wait for it to power on. You should hear a sound indicating that the microSD card has been correctly installed.
2. Choosing the right microSD card
2.1 Recommended specifications
For optimal performance, it is highly recommended to use a Class 10 32GB microSD card. This ensures fast data transfer speeds and sufficient storage capacity for your recordings. It is also important to format the microSD card in FAT32 file system for compatibility with the Wyze Cam.
2.2 Alternative options
Although the recommended specifications are the most reliable, some community members have reported success with other microSD card options. If you choose to explore alternatives, be sure to consider compatibility and performance to ensure a smooth recording experience.
3. Accessing advanced settings in the Wyze app
3.1 Open the Wyze app
To access the advanced settings for your Wyze Cam, start by opening the Wyze app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure that you are logged in to your Wyze account.
3.2 Go to the individual Wyze Cam
Once you are in the Wyze app, navigate to the individual Wyze Cam that you have installed the microSD card in. This can be done by selecting the appropriate camera from the list of devices in the app.
3.3 Click on the gear icon
In the top right corner of the screen, you will find a gear icon. Tap on this icon to access the settings for the chosen Wyze Cam.
3.4 Select ‘Advanced Settings’
Within the settings menu, scroll down until you see the option labeled ‘Advanced Settings’. Tap on this option to access the advanced settings specifically for the chosen Wyze Cam.
4. Enabling local recording
4.1 Ensure a microSD card is installed
Before attempting to enable local recording, make sure that a microSD card is properly installed in your Wyze Cam. Without a microSD card, the camera will not be able to save recordings locally.
4.2 Troubleshooting the microSD card detection
If you have inserted a microSD card but your Wyze Cam is still not detecting it, try unplugging the camera and plugging it back in. This simple step can often resolve any detection issues and ensure that the microSD card is recognized by the device.
4.3 Choosing between record alerts only and continuous recording
Once your microSD card is correctly recognized, you will be presented with two options for local recording: record alerts only and continuous recording.
Record alerts only is similar to the alert videos that are saved to the cloud, but they are saved to your microSD card instead. These recordings are saved in 1-minute increments, providing a longer duration of coverage compared to cloud alerts that are saved in 15-second increments. There is no cool-down period for these recordings, meaning if an event lasts longer than one minute, the Wyze Cam will continue saving consecutive one-minute video clips until the motion or sound is no longer detected.
Cosntinuous recording instructs your Wyze Cam to constantly record video to the microSD card 24/7. This mode captures anything that happens in front of the camera, but keep in mind that this may include plenty of footage where nothing significant happens. Continuous recording also fills up the microSD card faster, so with a 32GB card, expect videos to be saved for just a few days before being overwritten by new recordings.
5. Understanding record alerts only
5.1 Similarities to cloud alert videos
Record alerts only function similarly to the alert videos that are saved to the cloud. The key difference is that these recordings are saved to your microSD card instead, allowing for longer coverage periods.
5.2 Saving 1-minute increments
When using record alerts only, the Wyze Cam saves recordings in 1-minute increments. This provides a more comprehensive view of events, as compared to the shorter 15-second increments typically saved to the cloud.
5.3 No cool-down period
Unlike cloud alert videos, there is no cool-down period when using record alerts only. This means that if an event exceeds one minute in duration, the Wyze Cam will automatically save the next minute of footage, and this process will continue until the motion or sound is no longer detected.
5.4 Overwriting old footage
To optimize storage space on your microSD card, the Wyze Cam automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the card becomes full. This ensures that the most recent recordings are always stored, while older files are replaced to make room for new videos. With record alerts only selected, your storage space will last much longer compared to continuous recording, as only the relevant event footage is saved.
6. Getting familiar with continuous recording
6.1 Constantly recording 24/7
When using continuous recording, your Wyze Cam will be set to constantly record video to the microSD card. This means that anything that happens in front of the camera at any given point will be captured in its entirety.
6.2 Capturing every front camera event
Continuous recording ensures that every event happening in front of the Wyze Cam is recorded. This can be highly beneficial in certain circumstances, such as when you require complete coverage or need to review an entire incident without any gaps in the footage.
6.3 Potential for idle footage
Since continuous recording captures footage 24/7, it also means that there will likely be a significant amount of idle footage where nothing of interest is happening. This can affect the storage capacity of your microSD card, as it fills up with continuous recordings.
6.4 Faster fill-up of the microSD card
Compared to using record alerts only, continuous recording will cause the microSD card to fill up faster. With a 32GB card, you can generally expect videos to be saved for just a few days before being overwritten by new recordings. If you choose continuous recording, be prepared for a more frequent need to manage and overwrite older files to make room for new footage.
7. Storage considerations
7.1 Space preservation with record alerts only
By using record alerts only, you can preserve more space on your microSD card compared to continuous recording. Since the Wyze Cam saves recordings in 1-minute increments instead of recording constantly, the storage space will last much longer.
7.2 Longer coverage period
With record alerts only, you can achieve a longer coverage period on your microSD card. This is because events are saved in 1-minute increments, allowing for a more comprehensive view of the recorded footage.
7.3 Automatic overwriting of old files
To ensure that your microSD card always has enough space for new recordings, the Wyze Cam automatically overwrites the oldest files when the card is full. This eliminates the need for manual intervention to free up storage space and guarantees that the most recent footage is always captured.
8. Playback and reviewing footage
8.1 Accessing playback
To review the recorded footage on your microSD card, navigate to the Wyze app and select the Wyze Cam with the installed microSD card. Within the app, locate the playback feature, which allows you to view the recordings at your convenience.
8.2 Reviewing the recorded footage
Once you have accessed the playback feature, you can select specific dates and times to review the recorded footage. The playback function provides control options such as play, pause, fast forward, and rewind, allowing you to easily navigate through the footage and find the desired event.
9. Tips for managing the microSD card storage
9.1 Regularly back up important footage
To ensure that your important recorded footage is not lost, it is recommended to regularly back up the files from your microSD card. This can be done by transferring the files to a computer or other storage devices.
9.2 Adjusting recording settings to optimize storage
If you find that your microSD card is filling up too quickly, you can adjust the recording settings in the Wyze app to optimize storage. Consider using the record alerts only option or reducing the duration of continuous recording to manage your storage capacity more effectively.
9.3 Periodically formatting the microSD card
Formatting the microSD card periodically can help maintain its performance and prevent potential issues. This process will erase all data on the card, so make sure to back up any important footage before formatting. Refer to the user manual or the Wyze support documentation for instructions on how to properly format the microSD card.
10. Conclusion
Using a microSD card with your Wyze Cam enables local recording and provides you with options for saving and reviewing footage. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can confidently insert and manage the microSD card, choose the appropriate recording settings, and understand the storage considerations involved. Remember to select the option that best suits your needs and regularly review and manage the footage to optimize your microSD card storage. Happy recording with your Wyze Cam!
Link to recommended microSD card: Recommended microSD card
If you are facing any difficulties or if you have any queries regarding Wyze Cam’s continuous recording feature, you can visit our helpful resources at Wyze Support to get assistance.
Additionally, feel free to reach out to us through our social media channels for further assistance or inquiries.
