Blink Sync Module 2 - How Local Storage Works

[@melissamilligan]

Exactly the information I was looking for and right to the point. Moreover I didn’t have to fast forward over anything or set your talk speed to 1.25. 💪🏻

[@MollydogRadar]

I'm sorry, but this video is confusing. I just wanted to know how to use the flash drive without a subscription. You never explained how to do this. I went to another 90 second video that explained exactly how to do this without a subscription and without all the "Jibber Jabber". Sorry.

[@devinetime8938]

Which video did you watch? This was a waste of 5 minutes.

[@mross045]

I had a similar issue. Make sure you're USB is blank and install it to the slot. Make sure the app says that it's formatted and the "local storage" option is visible. Mine still didn't save my clips. It was only after I completely unplugged my Blink module for 10+ minutes and reset my Wi-Fi router that it finally worked.

[@melissamilligan]

That’s funny I thought it was perfect. Explains it perfectly. You must not have watched the same video 😂

[@Shameful_Draggo]

Well the Video title DOES state how local storage works, which is the info he gave in the video. No where in the title does it say “How to Use The Flash Drive w/out a Subscription”.

[@MollydogRadar]

@@Shameful_Draggo Silly me.

[@blazer666del]

Your advise is incorrect.. The blink cameras STILL connect to your WiFi as well as the sync module. The camera footage is stored to the sync module (with usb storage) Whether you have a subscription or not, It just back ups the clips and footage to the USB then UPLOADS to the cloud at a later time... if you have no sub then it just saves footage to the USB

[@johnstone9396]

Great explaining the difference, but I was looking for a tutorial on setting it up without the subscription, the directions on the equipment is very vague

[@Bstallday89]

Without subscription only good for motion alerts, live viewing storage is irrelevant at that point. 3$ a camera or 10$ for as many as ya want it’s better to get the subscription.

[@melissamilligan]

Maybe search for a tutorial?

[@RRooooooNNNN]

The Blink camera's do connect to your Wifi as well as the Sync Module. The camera will take an IP Address on your network. So if you have 3 camera's you'll have 4 IP's used. 1 for Module and 1 for each camera

[@DonaldGee-hj8fq]

L😊 5:55 5:59№00,,,*⅚Welcome to Gboard clipboard, any text you copy will be saved here.Touch and hold a clip to pin it. Unpinned clips will be deleted after 1 hour.ll

[@yousefalshiekh4074]

Is that good or bad?

[@RRooooooNNNN]

@@yousefalshiekh4074 you need to just make sure you are in range of the Sync module (little box) and the home wifi for everything to work correctly. 😀

[@ILoveJessieKol]

If you don’t have a subscription and have the sync module, can you watch instant playback clips after you get an alert to your phone?

[@jryan3906]

Thank you for this video. But you never mentioned how to setup the thumb drive and what I should see on my iPhone app when it's running in non-subscription mode. I have a thumb drive installed now. But I don't see any videos being recorded from my iPhone app (as I did during my trial cloud subscription). So is the only way I can see the videos to take the thumb drive out of the sync module and put it in my laptop? Seems pretty silly if that's the case. Thks.

[@katep1102]

Thanks for this clear and easy explanation, brilliant video, now I know exactly what to do. Thank you 😊

[@carpar4652]

Very good video, short and direct to the point. Thank you.

[@jayrugoff218]

My subscription ended and I used the external drivev. It worked well. One day, we had a power outage and when power came up, the sync 2 won't store clips on drive. Yes I replaced the thumb drive. I even formatted it first. New drive no difference. When Plugged in, acknowledges drive but won't store to it. I reset module still no change. So do I get a new one or uis there anything I missed??

[@billrose5146]

It's a good video. In my recent 2nd sync module purchase there is zero info in the blink document about the sync module setup or diagnostics except pointers to the phone app and a URL.

[@lyhuewynegar7312]

First time viewer on your channel. Wow, you kept it straightforward and tell it like it is. I wasn't sure if I had to use my laptop (versus using the Blink Ap) in order to review clips from the module 2, and your simple Tute helped me understand how the Module 2 stores the information it grabs from the camera device. Subscribed.

[@dstromboli7945]

So do you need to remove the thumb drive and view on your computer what the cameras picked up from the night before or will you be able to view from the app? Getting different information on this question.

[@mignonkoma]

You can view your videos through the app itself, no need to plug it to your computer.

[@boballison123123]

The video is incorrect. You don't have to remove the USB to view the stored videos on a computer, you can use you Blink App to see the videos

[@joebauers1467]

Best explanation of this product just what I was looking for thanks man

[@boballison123123]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. Question: It sounds like the only way to view the videos (without subscription) is to remove the USB drive and plug it into your computer. Can you view the videos that are on the USB drive from the phone app without removing the USB drive? Thanks!

[@jgabriel1625]

Glad to see older guys knows what he's talking about regarding on this technology. very informative keep it up!

[@anothercampervanchannel]

😆 older guys?

[@jgabriel1625]

​@anothercampervanchannel why? Let's be real most men at that age dont even bother to explore other techs but phones. Let alone little modules and how it works.

[@GeorgeSpencer985]

He’s not that old. 😅 but old enough to have way more knowledge and experience than guys half his age. Who do you think trains the younger guys?

[@SkippysBacon]

This was very helpful. You almost talked me out of a subscription. I would much rather have local storage be default, or at least an option... Unfortunately, the option I need for automatic recording on motion detection is locked behind the subscription.

[@GadgetHero1]

Glad it was helpful! I like the Blink products a lot and am glad this was useful. I have a few more Blink clips uploading soon so be sure to stop back.

[@annmarietrupia6650]

Yeah, isn't that some sh*?!? I bought this for my home in another state, got it all set up, incl thumb drive... then once I got home a few days later, realized that if I don't subscribe, they're essentially useless to me. And of course it will be past the return date, so now I'm stuck with them.

[@GadgetHero1]

@@annmarietrupia6650 I appreciate the post but I'm not sure what your issues are with the camera system. They are super easy to setup, priced in line with other cameras, provide a really easy application for recording and access and works with Alexa. The local storage option is unique as well and works great as an alternative to the cloud storage. I know a lot of folks complain about the monthly Cloud costs but every camera vendor charges for storage since it's not free for them. Let me know your particular issue and I'm sure that I can help sort it out for you.

[@elephant882]

@@annmarietrupia6650 same story

[@GadgetHero1]

@William Tell Thanks for the post but you're mistaken on a few of these points. You're right that Blink initially offered a free Cloud Storage plan and then moved to a subscription model like all of the other camera vendors. New customers still have free storage in the cloud for shorter clips but need a subscription for longer storage. The key thing to remember is that if you were an early customer with Blink that had the free storage plan, Blink extended this so any new cameras you add to the system are "grandfathered" into the same plan. This is a big advantage to the system for older customers and a decent thing for them to do. As for the Cloud plan, it's competitive and in line with what other companies charge for Cloud storage. I find the hardware to be really reliable and have some of the original cameras still mounted on my home for a few years now without issue.

[@dansklrvids7303]

Can I use the blink module two without the Internet? And still access the camera from my phone using the module two? What I'd really like to do is be able to take a camera when I go camping and film any wildlife that hangs around my RV at night and look at the footage later. Can I do that with this system?

[@HektorBandimar]

I have been using two Blink cameras for two years without a subscription, and I have successfully recorded it all to the usb stick, but now the sync module 2 is online with the wifi and I can take thumbnails with the cameras, I just can't get them to record to local storage anymore, there is some Blink voodoo going on I reckon.

[@Bringmejoycon]

Thanks brotha. Glad to see an older gentleman enjoying new tech

[@brainiac4sayons]

Can you review the video from your local storage on the app or do I need to pull out the thumb drive out and look at it through a pc ?

[@mignonkoma]

Yes you can review all the videos from your local storage on the app

[@ralphmilam7162]

Either method works. View on your app or computer.

[@kimberlyburns762]

Thanks for explaining so easily. I’ll just plug a drive in!

[@TheMrsoggybagels]

You’ve probably said this a million times but to confirm You can use this without subscription you’d just need a 256gb USB device and come next day you can unplug USB device and look at the videos PRIOR to the 30days free trial ending? The subscription provides a cloud base storage, and more features that are locked behind it. So the 5 home blink camera kit w/ sync module would be better having the subscription ?

[@GadgetHero1]

Yes, the subscription provides more features (and instant review) of the footage as well as storage in the cloud. If you decide to use the subscription, all of the clips you record are also downloaded to the memory stick every night as well for backup. You can use a smaller capacity USB drive if you like but it will hold less content. It's a decent system for the price and I've used the Blink products for years. I hope that helps and stay tuned for more Blink content soon. I have their new motion camera I'll be reviewing this week.

[@dianeemond2576]

I have no more subscription and everything was registered on my USB. Today nothing is registering. Can you tell me why and do really have to buy a subscription? Thank you for your response, if you can help or not.

[@ishmaelwilliams304]

Thanks for the info!! You answered my questions.😎👍🏾

[@tigerjames7726]

Great video question tho. If you don't have a subscription can you view your videos with the phone app.. ?

[@creasybear4426]

I appreciate your video it’s very helpful. I wanted to go with thumb drive but it sounds like I won’t be able to review on the app while I’m on the go. So I guess I’ll go with subscription

[@GadgetHero1]

Thanks for the post and the subscription is your best bet. It's fairly inexpensive and allows you to review your clips remotely and save them if you ever have an issue with a break-in. Stop back soon for more content I'll be posting.

[@jedidias7091]

Kind of sucks but I think the subscription is the way to go as well. Just bought one but after seeing the options its better to probably just pay the yearly

[@solanojunction6558]

Thank you very much sir for your very informative video. If i want to use external hard disk to save the recording videos for a week and delete it automatically save the new video and continuing the process over and over. If I want any particular videos I can save it before it automatically deleted from the hard disk or pen drive.

[@GadgetHero1]

A hard disc or SSD would work fine but you'd have to have it powered externally as the USB-A connection on the Sync module can only support a USB drive with very low power requirements. You might be better off using a larger 512GB or 1TB flash drive to store the videos. That would also make it easier to transfer then to your computer. I hope that helps. Rick

[@cshotla1]

Humm 256gb limit on the connected drive

[@jimTal001]

Can the sync module be setup as an access point so that cameras connect directly to the sync module and a wireless router is NOT required?

[@therealbanish9964]

I’m wondering the same thing

[@blee4974]

So if I don’t subscribe before my thirty days free … it will go to my usb? I won’t see day to day videos on who came to my door ,etc ? So I have to subscribe to get all? Only have two days left

[@PhearaXT]

Why I don't see local storage tab in the Clip section? I have 30 days free trial. When I plug the flash drive to Sync Module 2, it show connected with the green check mark. But when I go to the clip section, I don't see a local storage on top of the screen even when I plug in the flash drive to the sync module 2.

[@anothercampervanchannel]

Me neither 🤷‍♀

[@calholli]

So can we not view the videos from the app if it's on local storage? Do we have to pull the USB and plug it into a computer to view the videos? My free trial just ended and I'm not sure if it has switched over to local storage or not?? I haven't received any motion recordings for two days now.. and I'm not sure if that just means it's not recording them.. or I just can't see them from the app???

[@Thejamesjesse]

4:18 It’s a good optionif your Internet service provider is down but not your electricity. You’ll have your recording from your wifi but not on the cloud. It’s more than a backup, it become the only recording.

[@justingreenblatt5741]

If your internet or Wi-Fi is down then it will never make it to the module too be recorded

[@BossmanRoyce]

@@justingreenblatt5741 that is not true. Routers can communicate with each other in proximity without internet connection.

[@matthews8576]

​@@BossmanRoyceNeither the camera nor the module will work without wifi.

[@Benli003]

Thank you sir you solved my questions

[@Xxmeca421xX]

Adding a longer USB cable shouldn't affect anything, correct? I want to extend it to mount higher on my wall but the included cable isn't long enough.

[@GadgetHero1]

No worries, you can extend the cable if needed. The Sync module draws so little power that extending the cable won't affect it at all. Thanks for the post!

[@darrenw.taylor2084]

Excellent information! Thank you for sharing...

[@fearnofish622]

Does the sync module need to be within range of the camera? I have a camera out front of house that is on a wifi extender and a camera in the back of the camera that is within range of my router. In other words, does the recording data reach the sync module via the wireless network (camera to wireless network to sync module) or via a wireless connection (from the camera directly to the sync module)?

[@GadgetHero1]

Joe, the camera only connects to the sync module. The sync module is essentially a connection point for up to 10 cameras that only needs one IP address on your network but is the gateway for the cameras to touch your network. You have to have a sync module close enough for the camera to connect. If you have cameras very spread out (like I do as well) you may need to add another sync module for more coverage. I hope that helps!

[@fearnofish622]

@@GadgetHero1 This is exactly what I needed! Thank you! I will subscribe to your channel and like your video.

[@manp1039]

you explained you don't need a subscription to store recorded videos on a thumb drive connected to the synch module. What I would like to know if can the synch module still record new videos from Blink devices when the internet is down

[@therealbanish9964]

Sane

[@markd5067]

Prior the initial trial period ending, I inserted a thumb drive into the sync module so it would be ready to view the clips after the trial ended. And, no surprise, it's not working the way I was told by support that I would be able to access it the same way I had been once the trial subscription expired. Can you possibly provide what I need to do to set it up or were they lying to me about being able to access it as before after the trial ended? Thanks

[@proofdude]

Mark D., Hey there. Get any answers. I am having a similar problem. After the trial subscription was over I can no longer view my clips on my cell phone which you need to do asap when notified. Not even sure my notifications are working. Thnx,,,,,steve

[@markd5067]

@@proofdude I ended up calling them and they did something on their end to reset my sync module so now I can see the clips remotely on my attached storage device.

[@RobertU125]

Thanks! Short and sweet video :)

[@ralphmilam7162]

. When I look on my mobile Blink app "General Settings" for my Front Door camera, I can see under the "Network" section that it shows both the "Connection to WiFi" is strong and the "Connection to Sync Module" is strong (4 bars). But when I look at my other 4 cameras under the "Network" section, only "Connection to WiFi" is showing. There is no "Connection to Sync Module" showing. Should every camera show both connections for "WiFi" and "Sync Module 2"? My neighbor has a Blink system and every camera on his Blink app on his iPhone shows "Connection to WiFi" and "Connection to Sync Module". When I asked Blink about it, the answer was it doesn't really matter. Here is what Blink said: "The Wired Floodlight camera, Doorbell, and Mini cameras are stand-alone devices, which means they will work with or without the Sync module. That is why the connection to the Sync module is not showing up there on the General Settings, cause they can connect themselves automatically to the Wi-Fi connection without a Sync module or if the Sync module is offline."

[@garyratliff4067]

Hey man I have the 30 day trial on my outdoor cam and every night I get a notification that the back up clip failed any suggestions thanks I’m confused as to why the backups aren’t working.

[@vonglo4587]

thanks for clarifying this up

[@richardharder6499]

That was a very helpful video. Maybe you could help me. My free subsription just ended. I've had a USB in the sync module for the duration. Now that my subsription ended, none of me vidieos are being recorded at all. I've tried reformatting my drive but i still get nothing. Have you encountered this at all?

[@markyazurin6304]

I've experienced this, tried reformatting as well and deleting the module as well. I've used new 2 drives with no luck so far. I'll let you know if I find a solution.. Please comment here if you find one. Seems like this is getting common for many people.

[@richardharder6499]

@@markyazurin6304 it's weird but I just noticed mine started to work today. After reformatting and setting up the sync module after deleting, I just left it a lone and after a few days it started working. I have no idea what caused it.

[@markyazurin6304]

@@richardharder6499 thank for the info, if you dont mind me asking, how much GB are you using? I've used the max for the system which is 256GB

[@richardharder6499]

@@markyazurin6304 I am using 256 GB PNY flash drive in mine.

[@FinnleysAudioAdventures]

I am having this issue as well. After the subscription lapsed nothing is being recorded to local storage. There was a point when I added a second camera but didn’t add a subscription onto it that camera recorded to local storage but now neither are.

[@jimaspinii7579]

I’m post 30 day subscription but my blink cameras are not recording clips to my thumb drive. The blink site seems to have no trouble shooting options to find out why it isn’t recording. Any thoughts?

[@trevonball3278]

Mine is having the same issue I believe it's because the usb isn't formatted to the correct file type

[@bmat3289]

Thanks, great explanation!

[@Pitlane326]

Here's one for you if you can answer. Had the 30 day trial cloud when bought 6 months ago or so. Put in a 64gig USB drive from Blink and has worked fine. Last week it stopped recording, so I unplugged the module and the wifi router/modem and it started recording again for about 3-4 days. Well now it doesn't record again, so I unplugged everything again and hit the reset button on the back and it went through it's norman startup. Still no new recordings. Take note...the 64 gig would always delete older videos to make room for new ones and said 99% full all of the time. So I figure lets start off fresh and delete all past videos and old cloud videos and start over. Well, that didn't do anything and USB is empty and app says it's still 99% full. Any idea why this is happening?

[@ralphmilam7162]

My understanding is video clips do not automatically get deleted once the USB drive is full. You have to choices. You can remove the USB drive from the Sync Module 2 and use your computer to delete them. Or you can leave the USB drive in the Sync Module 2 and delete video clips one at a time using your mobile phone app.

[@johngirard9377]

Great Vid. With local storage and no subscription can you access the local storage remotely?

[@GadgetHero1]

Yes you can! It shows up in the application and allows you to review the footage.

[@Skirtchaser26ft]

can I or can I not access the USB stored clips from the mobil app?????? If so how and can you delete and use the USB much like the cloud storage?????? that's what people want to know I had the older blink cameras that hade a small amount of cloud storage included. now with the new cameras..... surprise..... you can't use your cameras remotely unless you pay a subscription fee. At this point I am trying to to decide if trashing the new cameras and getting a different brand or if I can make these cameras work????

[@SarbR6]

Hey so I have used multiple different usbs and it just says that there not the right one? Can someone help I’ve used multiple ones it just doesn’t let them save to it

[@bernob9770]

Very good review

[@gpwildcat77]

Hi, just to make sure, when I plug the 64gb drive that comes with the unit into my laptop, and I see the library by month -> day, I can delete each of those files, plug it back into the camera, and I'll be good to go correct? No need to delete any certain way, create month files after deleting the old ones, etc.? Doing this for my parents while down for Christmas and want to make sure that if I delete everything on the stick for them that it won't be screwed up when I plug it back in! Great video btw, subscrbed

[@rspzeke]

Subscribed! Great info thank you. Quick question i was thinking of using the module to store recordings locally. Do you know how soon from when an incident occurs when i can pull the thumbdrive to review footage? also am i still able to see the cameras from anywhere without a subscription ?

[@Al_Dente-d1p]

doy

[@BrewCityRider]

Yes, you can monitor the cameras live without a sub. I have several in my home to check on my dogs when i'm gone.

[@rspzeke]

@@BrewCityRider thanks for the response ended up picking these up months ago and they been working like a charm. I just picked up the blink doorbell for prime day so looking forward to that. have a good one

[@empressbisbee219]

Sorry but where’s the fire. If you could slow down your talking speed please. Thank you for making the video as I could hear your great information once I slowed the video down.

[@alm8199]

I have the older xt cameras. On the web site it says the new sync 2 module recogonizes the older cameras but won't record video from them to a usb stick. Do you know if this is correct. If so it means I will have to buy new cameras and new sync module. Not impressed!!!When i first purchased the cameras the big buying advantage was it was free to store video to the cloud.

[@GadgetHero1]

Al, thanks for the post and unfortunately the older XT cameras wont record to the USB Drive. The good news is that since the Cloud recording was free when you bought them, you should be "grandfathered" in to continue using it. I hope that helps, it's a good system.

[@FromRootsToRadicals_INTP]

I have been trying to figure this out. I need to test it but have not. I have three modules with multiple cams on each and a usb drive in them. If the wifi goes down, do they still then record real time to the usb locally? I just cant get to them from app? Or does it never record local no matter if wifi down? My issues is someone was dropping my wifi then committing the crime. Not sure if because they are set to cloud if i need to set to local storage so if wifi goes down would they then record still? Thanks millions!

[@mikebors2505]

If you do not have a subscription and a thumb drive in your Sync Module and your thumb drive gets full, will it automatically start to rewrite over old videos?

[@ralphmilam7162]

Once the thumb drive is full it will stop recording videos. Either manually delete videos one at a time from your mobile phone app to make space for more videos or put the thumb drive in your computer and delete them.

[@fetishfla6974]

Thank you questions answered!!!

[@cindypenwell772]

Thank you, that helps. Now I understand 👍

[@wldrhino]

Does the files on the Flash Driver get over-written if the Flash Drive becomes full? Also, How long with a 256gb Flash Drive last (approx) before it comes full?

[@jedidias7091]

It matters how much activity you have it placed at.

[@guruk]

Yeah.. Does it over write after usb storage it Is full?

[@jedidias7091]

@@guruk probably not. Once full your need to delete or upgrade to a bigger one. Haven't experienced that to say but assuming it would not save anymore

[@denny8548]

Thanks very informative info.

[@jonathanachar2472]

Idk if this is a dumb question but let’s say I wake up in the morning and find out my cars been stolen. How would I go back and see the exact moment my car was stolen? I just got my cameras so I am currently in the 30 day trial. Do my cameras need to be “armed” in order to go watch a video or how would I? Sorry I just got them so I’m still learning. And I do have the sync module.

[@1lightbringer]

It needs to be armed to trigger recording, but you probably figured this out by now.

[@GadgetHero1]

Jonathan, yes, you'll need to "arm" it so it responds to movement and records. Sorry for the delay in responding, I've been off for a few days battling the flu.

[@marc9tube]

I have this issue: if local storage is active and someone rings at the video doorbell, I have no access to the live video feed and cannot talk to the person ringing. All is fine when local storage is deactivated. No cloud plan. Thanks.

[@shamshermann]

Great advice, thank you

[@PharmaBliss]

Didn't say which format is the USB drive supposed to be...

[@sw3698]

I am still on the free trail from Blink- do I have to actively stop that trial to connect USB and use it as a storage?

[@johndavies6769]

My subscription ended. I don’t need to store footage of me washing my car. I want a security system. I have a memory stick for local storage but now I have to delete each clip individually and it doesn’t record everything it did record when I was within the subscription seems like Blink is pressuring me into buying a contract

[@lomstertv366]

same by me…. tested so many usb sticks

[@Alcsaar0]

My free blink sub ended but i dont see clips on the USB at all. From what i understand reading online i should be able to view those local clips from the blink app, but i cannot. It simply says there are no clips on the usb.

[@ivan_i_am]

False that only 256 devices (locations) can be on the network.

[@noonoo4078]

Thanks for the videos. If we decide to go the USB route can we atleast view the videos through the app on our phones (when we're home I assume if at all) or do we have to plug the USB into a computer ?

[@GadgetHero1]

Thanks for the post but unfortunately Blink doesn't provide this feature, which is frustrating. The USB drive video can only be viewed when the drive is plugged into a computer. You can view the Cloud based video from the app but not these local copies stored on the USB stick.

[@derrickwhiting5993]

Not only can you NOT watch thru the app... It'll tell you there's storage being utilized(mine is constantly 33%) even AFTER deleting all saved clips😑 =Kinda pointless to me

[@noonoo4078]

Seems like this is a shit system

[@cshotla1]

I don’t think the answer to this question is correct, offline stored videos are accessible remotely through the app

[@noonoo4078]

@@cshotla1 I hope you're right. Guess I'll find out in about 22 days

[@hermanacosta]

Thank you for the info on storage, would of wasted money on a bigger storage device.

[@samgordon97]

"Stay nerdy" 😂🙌 love that

[@GadgetHero1]

Sam, thanks for the post and I was looking for a way to finish out the review and since most viewers are nerds (including you) I though that it worked. I hope you'll stop back for more content soon. I'm trying to post a clip each day on a wide range of gear.

[@johnambro1590]

Without a subscription and video clips recorded to thumb drive do you still receive motion notifications and view clip thru app from anywhere? Your video video says no. The correct answer is yes.

[@GadgetHero1]

Thanks for the post and Amazon is constantly updating the features on these cameras. The last time I tested it (and when I originally did this video) You could not access the videos on the thumb drive through the app. The only way to review them was to plug the drive into your computer to view them. I'll test again today to see if that's changed.

[@proofdude]

john ambro,,,, Hey there. Get any answers. I am having a similar problem. After the trial subscription was over I can no longer view my clips on my cell phone which you need to do asap when notified. Not even sure my notifications are working. I thought the answer was YES too. I'm trying to contact Blink Tech. Thnx,,,,,steve

[@judgedredd3686]

Its called false advertisement is what amazon is doing that's why sales are down people caught on to the trickery

[@GadgetHero1]

I don't have any issues with the Blink cameras and have used them for years and they work well. All battery powered (and solar) cameras have some drawbacks but if you use them correctly they can provide all the security you need to keep an eye on your property.

[@annmarietrupia6650]

I wish I caught on to it before I blew $100.

[@GadgetHero1]

@@annmarietrupia6650 I appreciate the post but I'm not sure what you're upset about. The camera system works great and is reasonably priced. I have tested a ton of battery-based cameras and Blink is the easiest and most feature rich product of the group. If you have specific issues, let me know and I'm sure I can help you sort them out.

[@jeffcarpenter6306]

Good video. I am still adjusting my outside cameras due to it 20 ft limit.

[@GadgetHero1]

Jeff, you should be able to connect to the cameras well beyond 20 feet so there may be something else going on there. Also, you can easily add a second and third Sync Module to your setup if needed to extend the range. That saves you the hassle of moving the cameras. I hope that helps and thanks for the post.

[@Flowerpower1972]

Conflicting info here compared to comments. I'm more confused then ever. I will just plug in a thumb drive and figure it out myself. When I have motion and I don't have a subcription, will I be able to see through the app(at the same time theres motion and i've been notified) the video? From what I gather this is the confusion. Be nice if someone can do a video and show it happening or show that it doesn't.

[@pokeroohardo6539]

My thing is, how do view your videos on your phone with the USB stick or do you only have the option of viewing your footage on your computer/laptop!?

[@mignonkoma]

Yes you can view your videos on the phone through the blink app

[@pokeroohardo6539]

@@mignonkoma not live so I went back to paying for it 😤

[@carlsmith1747]

Nice video. So if I’m out of town and have just the usb and no subscription, if someone breaks into the house, the recorded clip should be on the usb and viewable once I hook it into my computer? So the motion detection automatically records and stores to the usb even without a subscription?

[@annmarietrupia6650]

I dont think that's a good option then.. I mean come for most of us that plan on being out of town, this system is supposed to provide some type of security but if you have to have a subscription to gain that security security and peace of mind, then it's all just a front and this thing is useless without a subscription because you can't view the footage until you get home??? wth??

[@anothercampervanchannel]

I believe without a subscription, it DOES NOT record footage, which makes it pretty useless 🤷‍♀🙄. However, I might be wrong about that. It seems incredibly difficult to find out..!

[@ralphmilam7162]

I use local storage and can view my video clips from anywhere in the country using my mobile phone app. As long as you don't fill up the storage they are accessible anywhere and anytime. Keep in mind that if the Blink Servers are down, then you won't have access. Everything goes through the Blink Servers (this is regardless of whether you have a Cloud subscription or not). You'll also need to have your WiFi router up and running for everything to work. If you are not at home and there is a power outage or the router goes down, then someone may need to physically be at your home to reboot the router or cameras if they go offline and won't come back up. My router is on a UPS.

[@ralphmilam7162]

If you have local storage without a Cloud subscription, the video is still recorded to the Sync Module 2. The only time it won't record is if there is a WiFi connectivity problem or Blink Servers are down or you run out of USB storage. The Sync Module 2 is a hub and talks with the Blink Servers. You don't need a Cloud subscription to record your video clips. I don't have a Cloud subscription and I store all my videos on the Sync Module 2.

[@hamitcampos4989]

Wait so for it to record to the stick I have to have my nephew reset something in account settings then? We just bought a stick cause mom doesn't wana pay for the cloud. But it's not doing anything yet.

[@inegma29]

Wish I understood this before buying the 256g USB drive.

[@GadgetHero1]

Its still a nice feature to have since it saves you time from downloading the clips from the cloud and you now have a local backup of them to use when you need. Thanks for the post and be sure to stop back soon for more content.

[@tomprovan50]

great explanation

[@PlayRightParent]

So you can use this if you don’t have wifi?

[@cshotla1]

That part of the video confused me to, he said only the hub gets an ip address, which means the cameras aren’t connected to wifi but the hub instead, doubt that as range would be an issue, I presume all cameras and the hub are connected via wifi which means each will have an ip address

[@hamitcampos4989]

Now I did see in the clips tab there are now 2 tabs. cloud and the stick. I also messed arround in the local storage page.

[@nathanschmoll3925]

If you do not have the description, do you still get notifications in the app about movement, and is anything recorded in the app then?

[@ElPescadoMan]

As long as the storage is not full yes. I have mine setup to delete videos 7 days or older automatically. I've been doing it like this for years. Or I got a manually delete videos if it gets full.

[@BonesSaw1979]

Guessing you store local w o subscription you’d have to create thumb drive space every once in awhile or you’d run out of space

[@gavingreer6435]

Can I review video on the thumbdrive on the app away from home?

[@waynegram8907]

GADGETHERO, If you Don't have the monthly subscription and not recording your videos on the cloud, how can you access the stored video footage files on the blink app using the sync module 2? If you're at work or walking around the town can you view your stored video footage files accessing them from the sync module 2? The Blink Mini can only record 30 seconds of video footage and can't record continuously footage?

[@IMiss_The90s]

You can't as far as I know. You have to go home. Put your thumb drive in your computer. I have had my 10 camera system since July 2021 and have been using them issue free from the app. Today they shut me down and are forcing me to pay for a subscription. I took them all down and ordered a new Eufy System. After having these a year and a half, then they decide its time for me to start paying? Nope! Bye BLINK!

[@waynegram8907]

@@IMiss_The90s The Eufy System cost $630 dollars for only 2 cameras and a harddrive which you can't access the video footage live from your phone. I'm also not sure if the video footage is only 30 seconds per clip or how long the video footage can go on because I'm trying to record time the whole time my gardeners are doing the front lawn and backyard lawn to see how long they are doing the job and what they are doing per week.

[@anothercampervanchannel]

@@IMiss_The90s Good for you! Bloody outrageous way to treat customers 😡

[@oliviashuii364]

Yea I’m Looking for a tutorial myself. I’ll figure it out.

[@arthollers5172]

Can you tell me why local storage is not working? It was working for years and then it stopped. Call Blink and they looked at it and couldn't determine the problem. Could it be the router? Help> .

[@GadgetHero1]

I had a similar issue and using a different USB Thumb Drive solved the problem for me. You might want to try formatting the one you're using in your computer before inserting it into the hub.

[@monacocross4241]

I live on the second floor, the door is down the exit outside , but my wifi doesn't work there, maybe it's blinking box faund my wifi ???

[@Gafferman]

Good video

[@justajuicy1231]

It's prime day, and with multiple break ins in the area, I'm considering blink cameras, and to put on facing a chicken coop. How far can the cameras work, I don't need an actual blink USB, and I saw another comment, I can't review anything from the app? I have an indoor camera that I can, so I'm curious.

[@fernandocortes540]

I you choose the option of recording in the Thumb Drive is it possible to see the videos in the blink app? Or you need to disconnect the drive and watch it in the computer?

[@elscarface1]

Would like to know this as well

[@GadgetHero1]

Fernando, unfortunately the USB video is only for offline use and can't be viewed through the app. I'm frustrated by that as well and am hopeful that Blink will change that with a firmware update but right now you have to plug the USB drive into a computer to view those clips.

[@cshotla1]

Hero, please re-check this answer, other videos on YT say other

[@jesseCantDraw]

It seems like everyone's got different answers for this so I'll just share how it works for me. I'm off the subscription, currently at work and I can use the blink app to view usb storage from here. Motion triggered clips are still being made and I can still see them remotely via the blink app. To me the only difference between paying a subscription and not, is just where the clips are stored. With no subscription, it records them directly to the usbkey. There are two tabs on the top of the clips section of the app, one says cloud (where the subscription based clips went) and the other is named whatever you named your sync module upon setup; click that and you'll see your usb recorded/subscription-free videos. One small downside without the subscription is the speed at which you can load a clip via the app. Even when I'm home and on the same network it takes longer to load a clip via the USB on the local network than reaching out to the internet and pulling it down from the cloud to view. Logic would suggest it'd be much faster to view a file from down the hall than a blink server on the other side of the country. It's weird, maybe deliberately crippled to encourage subs... who knows, but it's not really a big deal as it only takes about 7 or 8 seconds to load, just thought it's worth mentioning.

[@e_thegod5303]

Im going to be honest, they just want to make money how ever they can. I just wanted to know could I use any standard usb or it HAS TO BE A BLINK certified usb? Lol. I say just use the thumb drive and just chime in on the cameras at home when you're out and about. question , does watching your live camera view affect data on your phone plan? example : lets say I have a phone plan of 1GB a month. but I have wifi at home. When Im out of town, in the country lets say I check my cameras without any access to wifi. Im just using my 1GB a month, as im viewing my cam footage is my 1GB lowering the more I check my footage or what? Or should we all just go with UNLIMITED phone data plans to prevent the given situation? hopefully you get what I mean.

[@jesseCantDraw]

I used a cheap usb key I bought on amazon, nothing fancy and it works. About your data plan, I think you almost answered your own question but just-in-case I'll state my response anyway as I might be confused. If you're viewing anything over the internet at all and you're not on a wifi network it's going to use data, this is no different. So yeah, if you're watching video over the moblie data line it's going to cut into your 1GB.

[@armandoponce-garcia8494]

What type of format is appropriate for the usb drive??

[@GadgetHero1]

Thanks for the post and you can use a quick format on a Windows PC to make it easier.

[@joedivirgilio6069]

My problem is the clips are stored on the flash drive but won't open to view them, any ideas??

[@jbar6618]

Great insight thanks, however I don't understand why everyone thinks cloud storage is so much better than local storage? Cloud storage craps out with loss of internet, which is easy to knock out. BTW do you know of way when setting up a new blink device to skip the free trial subscription enrollment?

[@mignonkoma]

I don’t think that you can skip the free trial subscription enrolment but you can always cancel it after you set up everything before it expires.

[@FeubodeiFerdinand]

It doesn't record to thumb drive.. it actually says so on the app

[@paulk468]

So I have a user deleting videos (when they stay out too late) called blink and was told if I keep the subscription and add the flash drive that user that deleted videos will be doing from the cloud not the USB. I hope that is correct and that user will not know I still would have proof of rule breaking

[@d.s.5157]

Can I access local storage videos from mobile device if away from home ?

[@mignonkoma]

Yes