A network video recorder (NVR) typically stores security camera footage on local hard drives, so recordings and available storage depend on the local recording system. NVR cloud storage adds an off-site option by sending video footage to the cloud for storage or backup. Depending on the setup, businesses can continue recording locally while keeping an additional copy of important footage in the cloud.
What Is NVR Cloud Storage?
NVR storage refers to the storage used by a network video recorder to keep footage captured by connected IP cameras. In a traditional setup, recordings are stored on hard drives installed in or connected to the NVR, with the available capacity determining how much footage can be retained before older recordings are overwritten.
NVR cloud storage extends this setup by storing surveillance footage off-site on cloud infrastructure. It can be used alongside local NVR storage, allowing the recorder to continue keeping footage on-site while selected recordings are also sent to the cloud. The exact setup depends on the cloud solution, the existing NVR and cameras, and whether the cloud is being used for backup, longer-term storage, or remote access.
An NVR with cloud storage does not necessarily require replacing the existing recorder. If the equipment is compatible, cloud storage can be added to the existing system while the NVR continues to handle local recording.
Why Back Up NVR Footage to the Cloud?
An NVR provides a practical way to record and store surveillance footage locally, but keeping the only copy of recordings on-site creates several limitations. Cloud backup keeps an additional copy of footage off-site while the existing NVR can continue handling local recording.
Protect Footage if the NVR Is Damaged or Stolen
Recordings stored only on an NVR depend on the recorder and its hard drives remaining available. If the NVR is damaged, stolen, or experiences a storage failure, some or all locally stored footage may become inaccessible.
Cloud backup keeps a separate copy of uploaded footage away from the monitored location. If the local recorder is no longer available, recordings that have already been backed up to the cloud can still be accessed through the cloud platform. For example, footage uploaded before an NVR was damaged or stolen may still be available for reviewing the incident.
Access Recordings Remotely
Cloud-stored footage can be accessed without connecting directly to the NVR at the monitored site. Authorized users can retrieve available recordings through the provider’s platform from another location with an internet connection.
For businesses with several sites, remote access also avoids having to connect separately to each local recorder when footage needs to be reviewed. The exact playback and management options depend on the cloud storage solution and system configuration.
Add Storage Without Expanding Local Hardware
An NVR has a limited amount of local storage determined by its installed hard drives and supported storage capacity. Increasing the amount of footage kept locally may therefore require larger drives, additional drives, or other changes to the recording hardware.
Cloud storage can expand available video storage without requiring additional on-site hard drives. Businesses can choose how much footage needs to be stored in the cloud and how long it should be retained, while continuing to use the NVR for local recording.
How to Back Up an NVR to the Cloud
The exact process for backing up an NVR to the cloud depends on the surveillance equipment and cloud storage solution being used. Before configuring cloud backup, check which devices are compatible, decide what footage needs to be backed up, and make sure the network can support video uploads.
1. Check Whether Your NVR and Cameras Are Compatible
Start by identifying the manufacturer and model of your NVR and connected IP cameras. Cloud platforms differ in the devices and connection methods they support, so an existing surveillance system cannot automatically be connected to every cloud service.
Check the provider’s compatibility requirements before making changes to the system. Footage may be uploaded through the NVR itself, directly from compatible cameras, or through additional software or hardware that connects the existing system to the cloud.
2. Choose How Footage Will Be Sent to the Cloud
Once compatibility is confirmed, determine how video will move from the surveillance system to cloud storage. The connection method depends on the existing equipment and the cloud platform.
In some configurations, compatible cameras can communicate with the cloud directly. In others, footage may pass through an NVR, gateway, or another component before being uploaded.
3. Choose Which Cameras and Footage to Back Up
Not every camera or recording necessarily needs the same cloud storage configuration. A business may want cloud backup for all cameras, only cameras covering higher-risk areas, or footage recorded during particular periods or events.
Deciding which footage needs cloud backup also makes it easier to estimate storage requirements. If only selected cameras or recordings need an off-site copy, there is no need to allocate cloud storage for the entire surveillance system.
4. Set Your Cloud Storage and Retention Period
Next, decide how long recordings should remain available in the cloud. The required retention period may be based on how the footage is used, internal business policies, or specific storage requirements.
Longer retention periods and higher video quality increase the amount of cloud storage required. The number of cameras and recording settings also affect storage needs, so these factors should be considered together rather than choosing storage capacity in isolation.
5. Check Your Internet Upload Bandwidth
Cloud backup requires video data to leave the monitored location, making upload bandwidth particularly important. Required upload bandwidth depends on the number of cameras uploading footage, video resolution, frame rate, compression, and recording configuration.
Before enabling cloud backup, check whether the site’s internet connection has enough upload capacity for the planned setup. Insufficient bandwidth can affect how reliably or quickly footage reaches cloud storage.
6. Test Cloud Recording and Access
After the system is configured, verify that footage is actually reaching the cloud and can be retrieved when needed. Check several cameras and different recording periods rather than assuming that a successful connection means every recording is being stored correctly.
Test remote access from outside the monitored network as well. Confirm that authorized users can find, play, and retrieve cloud-stored footage and that the configured retention settings are working as expected.
NVR Cloud Backup vs. Cloud Recording: What’s the Difference?
NVR cloud backup and cloud recording both store surveillance footage off-site, but they work differently.
With NVR cloud backup, the NVR continues to record and store footage locally, while a copy of selected recordings is also sent to cloud storage. The local recorder remains an important part of the system, and the cloud provides an additional copy of footage that has been successfully uploaded.
With cloud recording, footage is recorded to cloud storage as part of the primary recording process rather than simply being copied from local NVR storage. Cameras may connect to the cloud directly or through another component that manages the connection.
A hybrid setup can combine both approaches, with footage available locally and in the cloud. The right configuration depends on whether the goal is to add an off-site backup to an existing NVR system or make cloud storage a more central part of the surveillance setup.
Can You Use Cloud Storage With an Existing NVR?
Yes, in many cases cloud storage can be added to an existing NVR-based surveillance system without replacing the entire setup. The NVR can continue recording footage locally while compatible cameras or recording equipment are connected to a cloud platform for additional storage or backup.
In a hybrid setup, local and cloud storage serve different purposes. Local recordings remain available through the existing NVR, while footage sent to the cloud is stored separately off-site. Businesses can add cloud capabilities while continuing to use equipment that already meets their on-site recording needs.
Whether this is possible depends on the equipment and cloud platform being used. As covered in the backup process above, compatibility should be confirmed before choosing a solution.
What to Look for in an NVR Cloud Storage Solution
Choosing an NVR cloud storage solution involves more than comparing storage capacity. Start by checking how well each option fits your existing surveillance system and storage requirements.
When comparing providers, consider:
- NVR and camera compatibility: Check whether the platform supports your existing recorder and camera models, and whether additional hardware or software is required.
- Storage and retention options: Determine how much footage can be stored and whether retention periods can be configured according to your requirements.
- Upload requirements: Check how footage is transferred to the cloud and whether your internet connection has sufficient upload bandwidth for the planned number of cameras and recording settings.
- Remote access: Confirm how authorized users can view and retrieve cloud-stored recordings and whether multiple locations can be managed through the same platform if needed.
- Security: Review how footage is protected during transfer and storage, what access controls are available, and whether features such as multi-factor authentication are supported.
- Scalability: Check whether you can add cameras, locations, storage, or longer retention periods as your surveillance requirements grow.
- Pricing structure: Understand what determines the cost, such as the number of cameras, storage volume, retention period, or additional platform features.
The right solution should fit both the surveillance infrastructure already in place and the amount of footage that actually needs to be stored in the cloud. Define these requirements before comparing plans so you do not pay for storage you do not need.
Is NVR Cloud Storage Right for Your Surveillance System?
NVR cloud storage can complement an existing surveillance system when local storage alone no longer meets your requirements. It may be a good fit if you:
- Want an off-site copy of important footage: Cloud backup keeps uploaded recordings separate from the NVR at the monitored location.
- Need to access recordings from other locations: Cloud-stored footage can be retrieved remotely without relying solely on access to the local recorder.
- Need more storage than your NVR currently provides: Cloud storage can expand available capacity without simply adding more local hard drives.
- Manage several surveillance locations: A cloud platform can make footage from different sites easier to access through one system.
- Want to keep your existing NVR and cameras: If the equipment is compatible, cloud storage can be added without replacing the entire surveillance setup.
NVR cloud storage may be less suitable if the site has limited upload bandwidth, the existing equipment is not compatible with the chosen platform, or the cost of storing the required amount of footage in the cloud outweighs the benefits. In those situations, local storage or a hybrid setup with more limited use of cloud storage may be a better fit.
If you already have an NVR-based surveillance system, you may not need to replace it to add cloud capabilities. Check whether your existing cameras and recording setup can be connected to Camlocus for cloud storage and backup.