FTP postpone problem

[vigy_591093180735512]

Hi. I own RLC-542WA camera with motion detection and I'm not sure why such a thing like FTP postpone exists. Can anybody explain please?

I've set up FTP upload as a security measure against physical damage or camera theft. To my surprise, videos uploaded to FTP server were missing the beginning. It's important for me to see what triggered the motion recording and what was happening. If the camera was stolen I wouldn't have a chance to see the footage. Maybe it's just how I am used to competitor's system where after a video is recorded and finalized, it's uploaded to FTP server. That also may not be the best approach, but at least when I review videos from server, they are complete and not trimmed like from Reolink. What's the point of having incomplete footage on FTP server?

If users could define how many seconds of pre-motion video is recorded, that would probably solve the whole issue.

[Reolink Fiona]

@vigy_591093180735512 Check if your firmware version is v3.1.0.764_21121718 first.

If the motion is not recorded in a proper time, could you please contact our support team and our FTP tech will check this for you? Search Anything on Reolink - Reolink

[vigy_591093180735512]

@reolink-fiona I have the latest firmware. I will contact the support team.

[PG_675675905409149]

Hello,

It is peculiar as to why FTP Postpone exists and it's need is still not explained properly in any available resources.

I lose the first 5 seconds of recording using FTP from when the camera senses a movement to the start of the recorded file. I assume this is from a delay in turning on/setting up a recording before the camera starts to send it over FTP, but the lack of "Pre-Motion Record" in the FTP menu is also peculiar.

"Pre-Motion Record" is included in the Record menu (ie SD card recording) and seems to be a fixed setting providing around 8 seconds of pre-recorded footage. Also the SD card does not appear to supplement the FTP footage and they act as separate parallel entities.

Just to provide some info about my set up + eliminate some possibilities, I have done some testing:

• Tested on camera firmware: v3.0.0.1337_22091901 & v3.0.0.1889_23031701
• Duo 2 Wifi hardware version: IPC_529B17B8MP
• Client version: 8.8.5
• I am using a 1Gb ethernet.
• Camera is on a 1m ethernet cable and computer is on a 2m ethernet cable.
• SD card is Class 10 / U3 / V30.
• Windows 10 firewall On or Off makes no difference to the delay in recording.
• FTP Postpone has a "5Second(s)" minimum setting when accessing the camera through the browser as opposed to the "15Second(s)" in the client software - Still makes no difference.
• Clear or Fluent streams do not make a difference.
• "Transport Mode" does not make a difference.
• FTP or FTPS does not make a difference.
• Turning off "Pre-Motion Record" still provides around 3 seconds of pre-recording but only for the SD card.

I am guessing that since the "Pre-Motion Record" option is available for the SD card then it would not be too much trouble to implement for the FTP recordings. Even if the SD card was required to be installed to supplement the pre-recording for the FTP footage it would still be of benefit.

[Crimp On_62210811129]

I agree. The FTP file appears to be "shorter in length (time)" than the Download File.
The utility Media Info confirms that the files are consistently different. (see mediaArea(dot)net)

I see no valid reason for this to be the case.

[PG_675675905409149]

Interesting... Useful software too, thanks for the link.

[PG_675675905409149]

Just after my original message I ran into a problem with my FTP recordings. The files were being created but not completed, ie they were unplayable files of 0KB size.

After a few moments of trial and error, I set my FTP Postpone to "15Seconds" so there was no longer a mismatch between the browser setting and client setting (as per bullet point 8). I also rebooted the camera after changing the setting and the FTP recordings began to work again.

I then decided to test the Clear / Fluent settings again just to double check my findings above and now I get zero delay on FTP recordings when the stream (or should I say Video > Resolution setting) is set to "Fluent". I am not sure what has changed other than a firmware upgrade + a user-triggered reboot (rather than the automated reboot as part of the upgrade process).

Just to note, the latest firmware (v3.0.0.1889_23031701) is not automatically retrieved by the camera. I had to download it from the website.

I am not sure if the above helps anyone but it would be nice to have zero delay on the "Clear" setting for the highest resolution.

[joseph_1979]

@pg_675675905409149 Most probably this was corrected by the firmware upgrade. Is the ftp server on the same LAN as the cameras? Can you install Cerberus or Filezilla ftp server on your PC and connect it to the same LAN as the camera. Then try again with the Clear mode.

[user_696949782040758_696949782040758]

@pg_675675905409149 Yes, I think you're right. I noticed this too on my FTP recordings. They are starting later as if they aren't getting the pre-motion recording. Not sure if this happens on all of them though.

[user_696949782040758_696949782040758]

@joseph_1979 I have RLC-833a. I don't see any firmware updates on the downloads page because the camera isn't listed there.

https://reolink.com/us/download-center/

[joseph_1979]

@user_696949782040758_696949782040758 If not listed then email Reolink support. Please include your hw and firmware versions.