tinyCam Monitor is a powerful app that transforms your Android device into a feature-rich security system. Imagine being able to monitor your home, business, or office from anywhere! One of the core functions of tinyCam Monitor is its ability to record footage. This guide focuses specifically on how to set up tinyCam Monitor for local recording, allowing you to store video directly on your device or an attached storage medium.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, outlining the settings you need to configure and the storage options available. We’ll also touch on alternative recording methods and important considerations for different camera types. Getting started is easier than you think!

Why Choose Local Recording with tinyCam Monitor?

Local recording offers several advantages. It gives you complete control over your video data, eliminating reliance on internet connectivity or cloud storage subscriptions. Your recordings are stored securely on your own devices, and you can access them quickly and easily without bandwidth limitations. Local recording is often the preferred method for users who prioritize privacy and reliability.

Setting Up Local Recording: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s dive into the specifics of setting up local recording in tinyCam Monitor. Remember, we’re talking about storing recordings directly on your Android device’s internal storage, an SD card, or a connected USB drive.

  • Access Recording Settings: Navigate to Settings - Recording Settings within the tinyCam Monitor app. This is where you’ll configure all the parameters for local recording.
  • Choose Your Destination: This is perhaps the most important step. Select your desired local storage drive and directory. You can choose between your device’s internal flash storage, an SD card, or a USB drive if connected. Make sure you have sufficient storage space available!
  • Frame Rate Considerations: The recording frame rate setting becomes significant when you’re using timestamps or recording in JPEG/H.265 formats. However, here’s a key detail: if the video stream from your camera is already in the H.264 format, tinyCam Monitor will save the video in its original format at the camera’s maximum frame rate. In this case, the recording frame rate parameter in the app is ignored.
  • Time-Lapse Feature: Want to condense hours of footage into a short, engaging video? tinyCam Monitor lets you create time-lapse videos at 10x speed. Explore this option in the recording settings if you’re interested in this feature.
  • Storage Quota Management: To prevent local storage from filling up completely, tinyCam Monitor has a built-in quota system. By default, the quota is set to 500MB, designed for 24/7 recording. When the quota is reached, the oldest recordings are automatically deleted to make room for new ones. You can adjust this quota to suit your needs.
  • Clearing Local Recordings: If you want to erase all locally stored recordings for a particular camera, tinyCam Monitor provides an “Archive Deletion” feature. This quickly empties all recorded content for that camera from your specified storage location.

Alternative Recording Options: Cloud and FTP

While local recording is a great option, tinyCam Monitor offers flexibility with alternative recording methods as well. You can choose to record to cloud services or an FTP server, depending on your needs and preferences.

  • Cloud Recording: tinyCam Monitor supports recording video directly to cloud services like Amazon Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. To use this, you’ll need to link the app to your chosen cloud provider in App Settings - Cloud Account.
    • Currently, cloud recording only supports the JPEG format. However, MP4 support for cloud recording is planned for a future update.
    • A configurable frame rate is available, with a default setting of 0.2 FPS.
    • As with local recording, a quota applies (default 500MB), and the oldest recordings are deleted when the quota is exceeded.
    • Keep in mind that cloud providers may impose bandwidth limits or block uploads if they detect excessive traffic. This could lead to video loss. It’s generally recommended to have a premium cloud account for reliable 24/7 cloud recording.
  • FTP Server Recording: This option allows you to record JPEGs directly to an FTP server. You’ll need to configure your FTP server parameters in App Settings - FTP Account. A configurable frame rate is also available for FTP recording, with a default of 0.2 FPS.

Integrating With Different Camera Brands

tinyCam Monitor is designed to work with a wide variety of camera brands. While the core recording setup remains the same, there are some nuances to be aware of depending on the camera you’re using.

  • Ring Camera Compatibility: For those wondering about Ring camera integration, tinyCam Monitor does work with Ring cameras. This allows you to remotely monitor your Ring cameras, view live feeds, set up motion detection, record video, and adjust camera settings, all within the tinyCam Monitor app.

Remote Viewing and Wireless Setup: Expanding Your Monitoring Capabilities

While this guide primarily focuses on local recording, it’s worth mentioning the remote viewing capabilities of tinyCam Monitor. Remote viewing allows you to access your camera feeds from anywhere in the world.

  • Remote Viewing Configuration: Setting up remote viewing involves several steps, including configuring your IP camera, setting up port forwarding on your router, establishing a Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS), and configuring the camera’s software.
  • Wireless IP Camera Setup: Setting up a wireless IP camera typically involves connecting the camera to power and your router via Ethernet, installing any necessary camera software, entering your router’s IP address, port numbers, and admin credentials. Then, you’ll configure the camera for wireless use by entering its IP address, Wi-Fi SSID, and password.

Considerations for Other Camera Types (WYZE)

Different camera brands may have specific limitations or features that affect recording options.

  • WYZE Cameras and Subscriptions: WYZE cameras can be used without a subscription for basic streaming, motion detection, and two-way audio. However, motion detection recording to the cloud is limited without a subscription.
  • WYZE Recording Behaviors: WYZE cameras can record motion events, and these clips are typically viewable within the WYZE Cam app. However, note that these clips often disappear after 12-24 hours.

Final Thoughts: Getting the Most Out of Local Recording

Setting up local recording with tinyCam Monitor is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your video footage is securely stored and readily accessible. Experiment with the different recording options and settings to find the configuration that best meets your specific needs and preferences. With its flexibility and ease of use, tinyCam Monitor is a valuable tool for anyone looking to enhance their security and monitoring capabilities.