Format SD Card

[Crimp On_62210811129]

When the Windows Client v8.15.6 Storage Menu is used to Format the SD Card of an RLC camera:

• Does the Client lose connection to the camera for a short period?
• Does the storage menu show the SD Card as being mostly "unused"?

Thanks

[joseph_1979]

@crimp-on_62210811129 After formatting the SD, the camera reboots. The only indication when the last write operation was performed is the timestamp of the last recorded video. Basically one needs a SMART MicroSD and the Linux monitoring tool package. I am not aware of any cam supplier who provides this.

[Crimp On_62210811129]

@joseph_1979 Thanks. I had not realized that the camera automatically rebooted when the SD card was formatted.

Still puzzled that after formatting the SD card, the camera reports it as nearly "full".(29.61GB of 30GB used)

[joseph_1979]

@crimp-on_62210811129 It might be that there is an issue with the SD. If the camera is reachable, I suggest you to extract the SD and insert it in the SD card reader of the PC. Then perform a health check using chkdsk with the switch /f to fix any errors.

[Crimp On_62210811129]

@joseph_1979 A useful suggestion, except for the effort to access the cameras, remove the SD cards, do the test, and replace the SD cards. Before attempting that, I attempted to format the SD card on my cameras, with these results:

• Argus Pro 3 - worked fine with 64GB SD card
• RLC-410-5MP - failed with 32GB SD card
• RLC-410-5MP - failed with 32GB SD card
• RLC-420-5MP - failed with 32 GB SD card
• RLC-420-5MP - failed with 32 GB SD card
• RLC-510WA - worked with 64GB SD card
• RLC-1212A - worked with 64GB SD card

One possibility is that I have 4 bad 32GB SD cards. (sigh) Any recommendation on which SD card "works" in Reolink cameras?
(If I'm going to the trouble to pull the SD cards in four cameras, might as well replace them and be done with it.)

[joseph_1979]

@crimp-on_62210811129 Opt for a high endurance SD. I have the Samsung Pro Endurance SDs for a few years and never had any failure. There is also the SanDisk high and max endurance. Check some reviews on both brands before you decide. As you stated some cams are placed in an awkward place and taking them down is a bit painful.