Solink's Cloud Archive offering provides the ability to backup and save camera footage at Archive Definition (AD) quality, providing a lower-cost, long-term backup solution.
Archive Definition compresses the video footage to allow you to retain footage for longer and save larger clips without exceeding your Solink Cloud Storage space and/or bandwidth limitations.
Video is compressed to the following parameters:
50 kilobytes per second
2 frames per second
The following video provides an example of what you can expect Archive Definition footage to look like:
How to Backup Footage at Archive Definition Quality
You can configure each camera to backup footage at Archive Definition quality (or High Definition/Standard Definition) for a set number of days via the Cloud Video Backup page in the Solink platform.
See Cloud Video Backup for more information.
When to Backup with Cloud Archive
In general, consider Cloud Archive to ensure you always have accessible footage of the scenarios outlined below:
Protect against slip and fall cases: Choose cameras in areas with high legal liability—like front steps, parking lots, dining rooms, or lobbies—and set their backup quality to Archive Definition for maximum retention (up to 3 years), within storage and bandwidth limits. This ensures video evidence remains available even if you receive legal notice a year or more later.
Secure footage during emergencies: If the recording device normally retains 30 days of on-premises storage, set Archive Definition backup on the most important cameras for 30 days as well.
The Archive Definition backup footage provides a cost-effective “insurance policy” in case an emergency affects the on-premises storage. If an emergency does happen, you can extend your cloud storage retention until the issue is resolved and the on-premise device is restored.
Secure footage during renovations: If your location is being renovated, you may want to have footage in case an incident occurs onsite (injury, damage, health or safety violation, etc.).
Set the cameras to Archive Definition at the start of renovations and select a timeframe that will cover the duration of renovations (ie: if expected is 90 days, set backup to 90+ days). You can however set backup to up to 3 years to ensure video evidence remains available, even if you receive legal notice a year or more later.
Cloud Archive FAQs
The following section provides a list of answers to FAQs around Cloud Archive.
General FAQs
How does Cloud Archive differ from traditional cold storage solutions?
Unlike traditional cold storage solutions, Cloud Archive allows immediate in-app access without waiting periods or complicated retrieval processes.
Solink’s Archive Definition option is NOT a cold storage solution.
How quickly can I access archived footage?
Archive Definition video can be accessed immediately within the Solink platform, with no retrieval delays.
How long can I backup footage at Archive Definition?
You can store footage from 1 day up to 3 years, depending on your specific needs.
Can I backup all of my cameras at Archive Definition quality?
Yes. You can individually customize quality and retention periods for each camera. Be wary of setting higher quality or long retention periods for a lot of cameras, as this can still drive costs up.
See Cloud Video Backup for information on how to set quality and retention periods for each camera.
Is Archive Definition quality high enough to be used for compliance, legal investigations, or insurance claims?
Generally, yes it is enough for legal investigations and insurance claims. However, investigators, analysts, and legal/insurance teams may still deem the quality too low (just as the risk exists for any other type of evidence to be deemed insufficient depending on who is reviewing the case).
Some compliance requirements vary. For example, the Archive Definition frames per second is too low for cannabis compliance requirements.
What video resolution does Cloud Archive support?
Archive Definition footage is stored at a bitrate of 50kbps (2 frames per second) —ideal for legal and compliance needs, but not intended for deep video analytics.
Resolution is 480px high if the video is horizontal, or 480px wide if the video is vertical.
Can I store multiple resolutions for the same camera?
Yes. You can store higher-resolution footage for shorter periods (e.g., 30 days) alongside lower-resolution, long-term storage (e.g., 1 year). Retaining footage for the same length of time as your on-premises storage means that you will provide a continuous cloud backup (an “insurance policy” for a rolling window of footage). Retaining footage for a longer period of time than your on-premises storage means that you will provide long-term, extended continuous cloud backup.
Can I save historical footage?
Once cloud backup is turned on for a given camera, only then will footage start being uploaded and retained in the Solink Cloud.
Additionally, on-premises footage that is retained on the Solink recording device prior to backing up via Archive Definition cannot be saved and uploaded to the Solink Cloud.
If the internet is unstable, will the Archive Definition stream have gaps due to lack of internet, or is there some kind of buffer to keep the recorded video continuous?
There is a buffer that will ensure continuous video when there are gaps in internet connectivity. Upload will resume when the internet comes back up.
Has Cloud Archive been tested with non-standard aspect ratios (e.g. 4:3), and is it compatible with all stream formats?
It has been tested with non-standard formats, vertical cameras, 360 cameras, and video recorded on motion only.
Is any additional hardware required to support Cloud Archive?
No.