Owners of popular video recorders from Xiaomi often encounter a strange message on the screen of the device or in the mobile application that says "Urgent Recording". For many users, this becomes a cause for panic, since the literal translation from English sounds like "Urgent recording" or "Urgent recording". However, in the context of automotive electronics, this term has a completely different, technical meaning associated with the management of the file system and the priority of data preservation.
In fact, this notification signals that the device's memory is full or there is a conflict when you try to record a new video on top of the old one. The DVR system is built so that when there is a shortage of space, it must automatically delete the oldest files. If this process is blocked, the device goes into "Urgent Recording" mode, trying to forcefully free up space for continued shooting, which is often accompanied by audible signals and flashing indicators.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the causes of this condition, methods for eliminating it and how to properly configure your Xiaomi Mi Dash Cam. Understanding the principles of cyclic recording will help you avoid losing important video archives and ensure the stable operation of the gadget in critical situations on the road.
Reasons for Urgent Recording Notice
The main reason for the message "Urgent Recording" is the exhaustion of free space on the microSD card. Xiaomi DVRs work on the principle of cyclic recording: when the card is filled, the device must automatically delete the oldest file to write a new one. However, if the memory card has a low write speed or is damaged, the process of deleting and overwriting can take too long, and the system issues a warning.
It is also important to consider the impact of the activated function of the G-sensor, which responds to shocks and sudden changes in acceleration, marking the current video as "delete-proof". If there is a lot of bumps on the road or the sensitivity of the sensor is set to maximum, the memory card can quickly fill up with files that cannot be erased automatically, as a result of which the free space ends, and a situation of critical memory shortage arises.
⚠️ Warning: Ignoring the message "Urgent Recording" can cause the DVR to stop recording video at all, leaving you without proof in the event of an accident.
Another nuance is the quality of the memory card itself: Cheap memory cards or expired rewrite cards can go into read-only mode or run extremely slowly, in which case the registrar physically fails to prepare the memory cells for a new data stream, which is interpreted by the system as an emergency.
How does cyclical recording work on Xiaomi
To understand the problem, you need to understand the algorithm of the standard recording mode. Xiaomi DVR breaks the video stream into separate files that last 1, 3 or 5 minutes. When the memory card is filled, the device does not stop, but calls to the beginning of the file list, it tries to delete the oldest video to create a new one in its place.
The problem arises when all files are labeled "important" or the file protection system is not working properly; in normal mode, files are "normal" and are subject to deletion; files recorded when the G sensor is triggered or saved manually by the user are protected; if there are too many of these files, the cyclic mechanism breaks down.
The process can be described by the following sequence of actions of the system:
- 📹 Registrar creates new video file.
- 💾 The system checks the availability of free space on the drive.
- 🗑️ If there is no space, search for the oldest unprotected file is initiated.
- ⚠️ If the file cannot be deleted or the space is not released, a notice will appear "Urgent Recording".
It is important to note that in "Urgent Recording" mode, the device can temporarily reduce the recording quality or skip frames in an attempt to cope with the load on the memory controller, which is why it is so important to monitor the state of the memory card and clean the archives in a timely manner.
Technical details of the file system
Instructions: How to fix the error and free up space
If you see a message on the screen about an urgent recording, you need to take immediate action to free up space, the fastest and most efficient way is to format the memory card using the DVR itself, which will delete all files, including those protected, and restore the correct structure of the file system.
To perform formatting, follow the following steps:
- Connect the DVR to the power source and wait for it to turn on.
- Press the menu button or use voice control (if configured) to enter the settings.
- Find Settings → Format a memory card (or similar, depending on the firmware version).
- Confirm the action by selecting “OK” or “Yes”.
Once the process is complete, the device will automatically overwrite the system files and start a new record from a clean slate. The message "Urgent Recording" should disappear. If the problem recurs immediately after formatting, it may be that the memory card is physically defective or too small for the selected recording resolution (for example, 4K requires high-speed cards).
☑️ Checking the status of the memory card
Setting up the G-sensor to prevent overflow
As mentioned earlier, the G-sensor plays a key role in memory filling. This sensor is designed to protect video at the time of an accident, but its excessive sensitivity can turn a user's life into a nightmare of constant notifications.
It is recommended to set the sensitivity of the G-sensor to the level of "Low" or "Medium". High level often responds to closing of the car doors, working subwoofer or just sharp turns of the steering wheel, unnecessarily protecting files. Also in many Xiaomi models, the function "Parking mode" is available, which also uses the G-sensor and can be turned off if you do not use external power in the parking lot.
| Sensitivity level | Responses to events | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Tall (High) | Reacts to door claps, music, pits | Not recommended (quickly fills up memory) |
| Medium (Medium) | Responds to braking, moderate impacts | Optimal for the city |
| Low (Low) | Reacts only to heavy blows | For a quiet ride on the highway |
| Off (Off) | Video security doesn't work | Only if an external sensor is used |
Properly calibrated sensors balance the protection of sensitive data with the ability to cyclically overwrite, and if you drive on bad roads often, sensitivity reduction is a must.
💡
Use 32GB or 64GB U3/V30 memory cards. Larger cards may not work properly with older Xiaomi registrar file systems, causing write errors.
Selection and maintenance of memory card
The quality of the microSD card is critical to the stability of the DVR. Xiaomi devices write high-resolution video at high bitrate, which creates a constant load on the drive. Conventional cards designed for smartphones or cameras may not withstand constant overwriting.
Pay attention to the marking of cards. For DVRs, the best fit is a series marked High Endurance or Max Endurance from manufacturers like SanDisk or Samsung. They are designed specifically for video surveillance systems and have increased recording cycle life. Conventional cards can fail after 6-12 months of active use, starting to emit errors.
Regular maintenance of the memory card will also prolong its life, and every 1-2 months it is recommended to extract the card and check it on the computer using the Error Checking utility or specialized programs like H2testw.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove a memory card from the DVR at the time of recording (when the red indicator is on) and this is guaranteed to damage the file system and cause an "Urgent Recording" error the next time you turn on.
Alternative solutions and software updates
In some cases, the problem lies not in the memory card, but in the software of the device itself. Xiaomi periodically releases firmware updates that fix errors in the algorithms of working with the file system. You can check for updates through the Mi Home or 70mai application (depending on the model).
To update, follow the following steps:
- 📲 Connect the DVR to your smartphone’s Wi-Fi network.
- 🔄 Go to the device settings in the application and find the section "Software Update".
- ⬇️ Download and install the latest available version.
If the update didn't work, you can try resetting the device to factory settings, which will bring all the parameters, including sensor sensitivity and resolution settings, back to baseline, often solving software conflicts that cause false notifications.
💡
Timely firmware updates and the use of high-quality High Endurance memory cards eliminate 90% of the problems with the Urgent Recording message.