A new sync module that enables Mini and Blink Indoor (2nd Generation) and Outdoor cameras to store local video on a USB drive inserted into the Sync Module 2 USB port.
The Sync Module 2 with a USB drive provides local storage for up to 10 Mini or Blink Indoor (2nd Generation) and Outdoor cameras. While the USB drive is inserted, motion clips and saved live views are backed up to the drive once every 24 hours. The drive can be removed from the Sync Module 2, and inserted into a computer to view the video files.
The Sync Module 2 will work as a traditional sync module and will be compatible with all generations of Blink cameras (Indoor 1st Generation, XT, XT2, New Indoor 2nd Generation, Outdoor and Mini).
It will still be capable of managing up to 10 cameras of any type.
The Sync Module 2 supports cloud storage subscriptions. Click here to learn about Blink Subscription Plans.
Only Blink Indoor (2nd Generation), Outdoor and Mini cameras are compatible with the Local Storage functionality.
Blink Indoor (1st Generation), XT, and XT2 cameras only use their provided free cloud storage and do not have access to the Local Storage options available to Blink Indoor (2nd Generation), Outdoor, and Mini cameras. Click here to learn more about Sync Module 2 storage options.
There are no subscription fees for the Sync Module 2, it is a one-time payment of $34.99 upon purchase.
The Sync Module 2 does not ship with a USB drive, which must be purchased separately. Only a drive with a maximum of 256 GB can be used by the Sync Module.
When a flash drive is inserted, the sync module will check to see if the device is accessible by Blink. If it is, a dedicated Blink media folder will be created. If not, you will be prompted to wipe the drive clean for reformatting.
Yes, the cameras will still record but the videos can not be saved to local storage until the USB drive is inserted. The local storage clip list will then present the message, “No USB storage device present.”
Yes, the onboarding process will remain the same. Once onboarded, the USB drive will need to be inserted and the app will then automatically indicate that local storage is ready for use.
Clip Backup files are visible on the USB drive when it is plugged into a computer. New clips are downloaded for backup on the USB drive every 24 hours if the sync module is online. Clips that are shown in the app and clips on the storage drive are independent of each other; therefore, clips could be deleted from the storage drive on a PC without clips in the app being effected. Likewise, clips that were backed up to the USB drive, then deleted from the clip list, will not be removed from the USB drive.
Yes, customers can use both forms of storage.
There is no guarantee that the app clip list will remain in sync with the clip backups. Clips that are deleted from the cloud storage subscription with the Blink app, remain on the Local Storage USB drive.
Yes. It will be possible to bulk-move up to 1,000 USB drive clips to a subscription based cloud storage plan. When switching off of a subscription plan to just local storage, it will be possible to download all of the existing clips, up to the USB storage limit.
No, only the Sync Module 2 has the firmware or hardware required to support USB drives for local storage.
If the clip being stored gets interrupted and does not complete, the file is not marked as 'stored' and another attempt is made to download at the next scheduled time.
Yes, all clips will be stored in MP4 format and can be viewed using Windows Media Player (or other applications) when the USB drive is inserted into computer or similar device. Clips are stored in a folder named blink_backups on the USB drive.
Currently clips are not encrypted on the USB drive, as this would interfere with ease of access for viewing the clips on a computer.
If your Wi-Fi or power goes out, the file in progress is not saved to your local storage. Storing the incomplete file is attempted at the next scheduled backup. Without power or Wi-Fi, the cameras are not able to record or save any clips.
File size can vary depending on the quality setting and the length of your clip. We use H.264 compression to provide consistent quality for the smallest file size. A high quality setting uses more data per second of video, so you should adjust the settings to provide a quality of video you desire for the file size you want to store.
No, every clip that is successfully backed up is not downloaded again. Files can be copied from the USB drive using a computer.
Yes, Local Storage clips will be visible in the Blink app.
The Sync Module 2 has a 2.0 port that supports reading/writing to both 2.0 and 3.0 USB drives. This port will perform at the read/write speed of a 2.0 port.