Overview
Featuring integrated solid state storage onboard every camera, the MV product line has revolutionized the typical surveillance architecture, completely eliminating the need for a network video recorder (NVR) or other storage server. Using optimized retention tools in the management dashboard, users can make informed decisions about balancing video quality with their organizational retention needs, ensuring they achieve the perfect balance.
Still, there are times when legal requirements or other regional regulations may necessitate longer durations of continuous 24/7 recording or off-site backup. Cloud archive options for MV cameras fill these gaps by allowing for 30, 90, 180 or 365 days of continuous backup recording.
How does it work?
See this article on MV Cloud Archive. When enabled, the dashboard will automatically pull the footage from the onboard storage (if available) or the cloud archive without any customer intervention.
Can we assume the same secured access and encryption with Cloud Archive as with onboard storage?
Yes. Video uploaded to Cloud Archive is over an SSL/TLS connection. Stored video is also encrypted at rest. All rigorous security standards for the dashboard outlined here apply for Cloud Archive as we take the privacy of customer video very seriously.
Does the cloud archive store the analytics as well?
Yes.
Does this mean I can bulk offload video in private servers or third party software?
No. The interface for the customer will be almost exactly the same as without cloud archive. The user will still be able to do 1-hour video exports, but no bulk offloading.
How does licensing work?
It comes in 30-day, 90-day, 180-day and 365-day storage license options (with 1, 3 and 5 year variants) enabled on a per-camera basis (it does not co-terminate). Licensing is independent of the camera type, remaining the same for all fixed dome, varifocal, and fisheye cameras.
Do we provide licenses for trial?
No.
General MV FAQs
Where is video stored?
Video is stored on the camera itself. You also have the option of using Cloud Archive on select cameras for continuous 24/7 recording for 30, 90, 180 or 365 days. Read the datasheet and this article to learn more.
How much footage can I store?
MV21 and MV71 offer 128GB of solid state storage allowing for up to 20 days of continuous, 24/7 recording. MV12 comes in 128GB and 256GB storage options. MV22, MV72 and MV32 offer 256GB of solid storage. The MV22X and MV72X provide 512GB of storage, allowing up to 90 days of continuous, 24/7 recording. Storage time will vary based on video quality and retention settings. If more footage needs to be stored, consider using Cloud Archive.
What if I need longer storage?
When set to 24/7 recording, MV21 and MV71 cameras have a limit of 20 days of storage, and the 22X and 72X have a limit of 90 days. However, the Meraki dashboard provides a set of optimized retention tools for all models of MV cameras, which can extend retention well beyond 20 days. With motion-based retention enabled, cameras will record the most recent three days in their entirety as a precaution; after that, cameras will intelligently trim out and discard segments of video which contain no motion. Depending on the recording environment and the amount of motion seen by each camera, customers may see beyond 90 days of retention in some cases. Schedules can also be set, which will affect the retention period accordingly. The dashboard provides a real time read out for each camera of expected retention based on real data from that camera averaged over the last week.
You also now have the option of using Cloud Archive on select cameras for continuous 24/7 recording for 30, 90, 180 or 365 days. Read the datasheet and this article to learn more.
For customers in Europe or areas with strict storage maximums, the dashboard also provides a setting to automatically discard footage after one or more days.
Finally, if the recording options on Dashboard and Cloud Archive are not the best solution, we also have External RTSP, which allows the footage to be sent to a 3rd party system. Read more here.
Is my video stored in the cloud?
Standard streaming video is only stored in the cloud when using Cloud Archive. In standard operations, streaming video is not stored in the cloud, but exported video clips are stored in the Meraki cloud ecosystem for a year. Metadata for video thumbnails and motion indexing are also stored in the cloud. Video will proxy through the cloud in the event of remote streaming and is cached in order to retrieve footage more quickly, but during standard recording operations, MV cameras will only save video locally.
Can I choose to backup my video in the cloud?
Yes. You have the option of using Cloud Archive on select cameras for continuous 24/7 recording for 30, 90 , 180 or 365 days. Due to bandwidth considerations of storing video in the cloud, we recommend only using Cloud Archive on critical cameras. Read the datasheet and this article to learn more.
