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Onboard Recording (SD card) with Smart View for video devices

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Feature requirements

The following are required for Onboard Recording (SD card) with Smart View for video devices:

Service package that supports Onboard Recording
  • The following supports Onboard Recording for a maximum of one camera:
    • Single Doorbell with Video Analytics
  • The following supports Onboard Recording for a maximum of two cameras:
    • Pro Video with Analytics 3000 with Onboard Recording with Smart View
  • The following supports Onboard Recording for all cameras:
    • Any Commercial Video service package with Onboard Recording with Smart View
Compatible video devices

Note: The firmware for the camera is updated automatically when an Onboard Recording schedule is created for it.

Camera model Minimum firmware version to use feature Maximum SD card size and required firmware version
ADC-V515 0.0.5.096+ 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.0.5.728+
ADC-V516 - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.0.3.104+
ADC-V523/523X 0.6.1.151+ 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V723/723X 0.6.1.151+ 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V724/724X - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V730 - 1.5 TB on firmware version 05009+
ADC-VC727P - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC827P - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC847PF - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC838PF - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC728PF - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V729/V729AC/VC729P - 1.5 TB on firmware version 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VDB775 - 1.5 TB on firmware version 04016+
ADC-VDB770* 02234+ 512 GB on firmware version 02234+
*Note: The ADC-VDB770 is not compatible with audio recording and playback for 24/7 Onboard Recording. Live View and Cloud Recordings still work with audio as expected.
High-quality microSD card designed for surveillance
  • Maximum of 1.5 TB storage for supported models
  • For 4 MP recording schedules, a minimum of 128 GB storage
    • For recording schedules using 2 MP and lower resolutions, the minimum supported size is 32 GB
    Supported microSD cards:
    • Western Digital Purple microSD cards (64 GB to 1 TB)
    • Micron Industrial Memory cards (32 GB to 256 GB)
    • Samsung Pro Endurance (128 GB and 256 GB)
    • SanDisk High Endurance
    • SanDisk Max Endurance (32 GB to 256 GB)
    • SanDisk Video microSD cards (32 GB to 1.5 TB cards are available to order from the Partner Portal)
    • Transcend 460T (64 GB, to 256 GB)

Note: For information about the amount of Onboard Recording footage that can be stored on a microSD card, see How much Onboard Recording footage can be stored on a microSD card?.

Onboard Recording Schedule created

An Onboard Recording Schedule must be created for the camera in order for it to start recording. For more information, see Configure Onboard Recording.

Onboard Recording features

Multiple viewing options

 View recorded video on the local network (i.e., the same network as the camera) or remotely using a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
Activity timeline System events, such as Video Analytic-triggered clips, are noted in the playback timeline on the Alarm.com customer website.
Rolling recordings The oldest video content on the card is automatically deleted to make room for new recordings.
Data encryption

Recorded video is encrypted and can only be viewed when the SD card is in the camera that recorded the video.

When a brand new Onboard Recording rule is created for a camera, the camera formats the microSD card. This deletes all data stored on the card including any video recordings from a camera that may have been previously used with the card.
Localized recordings

Each microSD card records the video footage from the camera it is inserted into.

The card can be removed from a camera and placed back in that same camera at a later date. The original data will be retained until the card is full and the oldest data is deleted to make room for the new recordings provided the card does not have data from other devices after being removed from the camera.
Audio recording and playback for 24/7 Onboard Recording

With compatible Alarm.com cameras, audio recording is included in playback as part of their 24/7 Onboard Recording video system. For more information about 24/7 audio and playback included in Onboard Recording, see Audio recording and playback for 24/7 Onboard Recording.

Note: The ADC-VDB770 is not compatible with audio recording and playback for 24/7 Onboard Recording.  Live View and Cloud Recordings still work with audio as expected.

Configure Onboard Recording

SD card slot locations

Important: Verify the camera is upgraded to the latest firmware.

When looking at the doorbell from the front, the SD card slot is located on the left side of the doorbell under the SD card slot cover.

  1. Turn off power to the doorbell circuit (transformer).
  2. Separate the ADC-VDB775 from the backplate.
  3. Locate and slide off the SD card slot cover.
  4. Insert the microSD card into the slot until it clicks, then re-attach the SD card slot cover.
  5. Re-attach the ADC-VDB775 to its backplate.
  6. Restore power to the doorbell circuit (transformer).
Create an Onboard Recording rule

Note: This rule may automatically be created during camera installation if an SD card is detected in the camera.

  1. Verify that the SD card is inserted into the camera.
  2. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  3. Click Video.
  4. Click Recording Rules.
  5. Click Local Recordings.
  6. Click Add New Schedule.
  7. Click Onboard.
  8. Using the Record from this camera dropdown menu, select the desired device.
  9. Using the Recording quality slider, select the desired quality.
  10. In Time Frame, click to select either At all times or Only during the following times.
    • If Only during the following times is selected:
      1. Click to select the desired days to record.
      2. Using the Starting at and Ending at dropdown menus, select the time period to record in hours.
  11. For additional configuration options, click to expand Advanced Options.
    • To limit the number of days that recordings are kept:
      1. Click the Retention Time toggle switch to enable a limit.
      2. Using the dropdown menu, select the desired number of days to limit the recordings to.
  12. Click Save.
  1. Verify that the SD card is inserted into the camera.
  2. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  3. Tap Video .
  4. Tap Configure.
  5. Tap Recording Rules.
  6. Tap Local.
  7. Tap Add.
  8. Ta Onboard if there are multiple options to choose from.
  9. Using the Record from this camera dropdown menu, select the desired device.
  10. Using the Recording quality slider, select the desired quality.
  11. In Time Frame, click to select either At all times or Only during the following times.
    • If Only during the following times is selected:
      1. Tap to select the desired days to record.
      2. Using the Starting at and Ending at dropdown menus, select the time period to record in hours.
  12. For additional configuration options, click to expand Advanced Options.
    • To limit the number of days that recordings are kept:
      1. Tap the Retention Time toggle switch to enable a limit.
      2. Using the dropdown menu, select the desired number of days to limit the recordings to.
  13. Tap Save.

Automatically created Onboard Recording schedules

Onboard Recording schedules will be automatically created if the camera was installed within the last 12 hours and has a new SD card inserted. When the 24/7 Onboard Recording schedule is created, the primary account holder will be notified by email.

If the schedule is not created on the first attempt, make sure to:

  1. Verify the SD card is a supported model.
  2. Verify the SD card is brand new.
  3. Remove and reinsert the card within 12 hours of the camera installation to reinitiate the process.

Note: If the Onboard Recording schedule is not created automatically after these steps, you must manually create the rule.

Automatic video clip recording of SD card removal

When an SD card is removed from its video device, a clip will automatically be recorded and uploaded to the cloud regardless of whether or not an Onboard Recording schedule has been configured for the device. This clip appears on the Saved Clips page, and is clearly labeled as an SD Card Removed event for easy identification and review.

Important: The recorded clip counts toward the customer account's monthly clip quota. If the account has already reached its quota, no clip is generated for the event.

Compatibility requirements
  • This feature is automatically included on accounts with the Onboard Recording with Smart View service package add-on
  • The following video devices are compatible with this feature as long as they meet the listed firmware version requirements:
Device model Firmware version
ADC-V515 0.0.5.754+
ADC-V516 0.0.3.104+
ADC-V523/523X 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V723/723X 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V724/724X 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V730 05024+
ADC-VC727P 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC827P 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC847PF 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC838PF 0.8.6.060+
ADC-VC728PF 0.8.6.060+
ADC-V729/V729AC/VC729P 0.8.6.060+
How it works
  1. When an SD card is physically removed from the camera, the system detects the removal and triggers an SD Card Removed event. The camera triggers a recording with or without an Onboard schedule.
  2. At the moment the SD card is removed, the camera automatically records a short video clip. The clip length follows the camera’s standard recording duration.
  3. The recorded footage is uploaded and stored securely in the cloud, ensuring it remains available even if the SD card is taken.
  4. The clip appears on the Saved Clips page and is clearly labeled as an SD card removal event for easy identification and review.
  5. Event and notifications are generated:
    • An SD Card Removed event is created and links directly to the recorded clip.
    • Users receive an email notification with a link to view the clip.
    • Push notifications can be enabled for immediate alerts.
    • Both primary and secondary users may receive notifications.
  6. If multiple SD card removal events occur within a 30-second window, they are all linked to the same recorded clip.
Configure an SD Card Removed recording rule

Users can create and edit SD Card Removed recording rules using the Alarm.com customer website.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Recording Rules.
  4. Click Add New Rule, or click Edit to edit an existing SD Card Removed rule.
  5. Click SD Card Removed Recording Rule.
  6. Using the Select a camera dropdown menu, select the desired camera to create the rule for.
  7. In During this time frame, click to select At all times or Only during the following times to determine when the rule will be active.
    • If Only during the following times is selected, fill out the days of the week and times of the day for the rule to be active.
       
      SD card removed recording rule schedule selection
       
  8. Using the Minimum delay between camera-triggered clip uploads dropdown menu, select the desired delay between camera-triggered clip uploads for this rule.
  9. In Video Clip Recipients, click Add to select recipients for the saved clip.
    • Use the dropdown menu to select the notification style for each recipient.
  10. Click Save Rule.

View SD card recorded video

For a detailed list of all available Smart View timeline features, see View onboard recordings from a camera using Smart View.

For an additional option to search recorded video, see Thumbnail Search for SVR and Onboard Timeline.

Note: By default, the Smart View timeline will automatically display footage starting from 30 minutes prior to when it is accessed.

Smart View web.png

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Onboard Timeline.
  4. Using the video device dropdown menu, select the desired device to play back.
  5. Click icn-circle-play.svg to stream the device's recorded video.
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video.
  3. Tap Live.
  4. Tap to select the desired camera.
  5. Tap video-camera.svg on the desired camera to view SVR/CSVR/Onboard Recording footage.

    SVR and Onboard recording timeline

View SD card information

To verify the SD card was properly inserted, the SD card information can be reviewed using the Alarm.com app and Alarm.com customer website.

Alarm.com app
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Video .
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. Tap to select the desired device.
  5. Tap Video.
  6. Tap SD Card Info.
  7. In Status, review the information to verify the SD card was inserted properly and the card was detected by the device.
Alarm.com customer website
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com customer website.
  2. Click Video.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Select the desired video device.
  5. Click Video.
  6. Click SD Card Info.
  7. In Status, review the information to verify the SD card was inserted properly and the card was detected by the device.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A camera can record continuously to an Onboard Recording schedule and SVR recording schedule at the same time.

Yes. The microSD card is automatically formatted and encrypted when inserted into a compatible camera.

No. A 24/7 Onboard Recording rule is automatically created upon successful installation and can be edited by the customer at any time.

Yes, a microSD card can be used in a different camera, but would need to be reformatted. This would remove all of the recorded footage on the microSD card. The microSD card encryption keeps video recordings private, so the video footage can't be viewed on other devices once the card is removed from the camera. 

 

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