Dash cam storage solutions, managing your footage effectively

Dashcam footage is only valuable if it is accessible when you need it. The right storage strategy depends on whether you are a private driver concerned about accident evidence, a fleet operator managing multiple vehicles, or a business that needs footage for compliance purposes. LockCar’s guide covers local SD storage, cloud backup, and the hybrid approach that provides the best of both.

Local SD storage, how to size it correctly

Local SD storage is the primary recording medium for most dashcam systems. The amount of footage stored depends on SD card capacity, recording resolution, and bit rate settings. At 1080p recording with typical dashcam compression, a 64GB SD card stores approximately eight to twelve hours of continuous footage. A 128GB card doubles this to sixteen to twenty-four hours.

For daily-use personal vehicles, a 64GB or 128GB high endurance card provides adequate loop recording capacity for typical driving and parking cycles. For commercial vehicles left parked for extended periods with parking mode active, a 256GB card provides extended parking mode coverage.

Always use high endurance SD cards in dashcam applications. Standard cards are not designed for continuous write cycles and will fail prematurely. Format the card in the dashcam every two to three months to maintain write performance.

Cloud storage, when it changes everything

Cloud storage transforms dashcam footage management for security-critical applications. Instead of footage being stored only in the device attached to the vehicle, cloud-uploaded footage is preserved on a remote server that is accessible from any device with an internet connection. For theft scenarios, this means footage of the theft attempt is already preserved even if the dashcam is inside the stolen vehicle.

For fleet operators, cloud storage enables remote footage access without physically retrieving each vehicle. Incident footage can be reviewed from the fleet manager’s office. Driver behaviour event footage can be accessed alongside the corresponding data record. LockCar’s LFM platform integrates cloud footage with GPS and driver behaviour data for a complete operational picture.

Hybrid approach, local plus cloud for maximum reliability

LockCar’s One Plus and Duo RH Plus systems use a hybrid approach that records locally to SD card while simultaneously uploading to the cloud. The local SD provides immediate playback capability without internet access. The cloud provides backup preservation and remote access. If either the local SD or the cloud connection fails temporarily, the other continues to record.

This hybrid approach is the most reliable storage configuration available for UK vehicle dashcam applications. It eliminates the single-point-of-failure vulnerability of local-only systems and provides the remote access capability that cloud-only systems offer, from one integrated device.

LockCar recommended products

Top recommendation

LockCar One Plus, £259

Local SD plus cloud backup, 4G upload, GPS

Combines local SD loop recording with continuous 4G cloud upload. Footage is preserved even if the device is stolen. GPS data stored alongside footage for complete incident records.

LockCar ONE, £199

Local SD recording, 24/7 parking mode

Professional SD dashcam with 24/7 parking mode recording and relay immobiliser. No subscription required for local SD operation.