Owners of the Mi Home ecosystem often face limitations in internal memory of security cameras. Standard microSD cards tend to wear out quickly from constant cycling, and cloud subscriptions can be expensive or unavailable in the region. This is when network storage comes to the rescue (NAS), allowing you to organize a reliable archive of video recordings on an external hard disk or computer.
Setting up video transmission over a local network requires attention to detail, as data protocols may differ depending on the camera model and firmware version. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of connecting Xiaomi Smart Camera to a computer or a computer. NAS-protocol-driven SMB and FTP.
You will learn how to properly share a folder in Windows, configure access rights and avoid typical errors that the camera does not see the drive. Proper organization of storage ensures the safety of important points and unload the main network.
Preparation of equipment and selection of transmission protocol
Before you start software setup, you need to make sure that the infrastructure is physically ready. The camera must be connected to the same local network as the device that will serve as a server. For stable transmission of high-resolution video stream Wi-Fi signal must be sure, but for stationary points it is better to use a wired connection if the camera model supports Ethernet.
There are two main ways to organize a record: through a protocol. SMB (Server Message Block, which is the standard for Windows networks, and through FTP (File Transfer Protocol: The first option is preferred for home PC users, as it does not require the installation of additional server software. NAS-system.
⚠️ Attention: Protocol SMB Version 1.0 is considered outdated and unsafe.Modern Xiaomi cameras may require the inclusion of SMBv2 or SMBv3, Sometimes it causes conflicts with older operating systems.
It's important to know where the archive will be stored in advance, and it can be a separate partition on the hard drive of the computer, an external partition. USB-a storage device or dedicated space on a Synology network storage device or QNAP. The amount of free space directly affects the depth of the archive: for a camera with resolution 1080p The recording hour can take from 300 MB to 1 GB depending on the activity in the frame.
Setting up a shared folder in the Windows operating system
The most affordable way to turn your computer into a storage for your camera is to create a shared folder in Windows. First, create a new directory, like XiaomiCam at the root of the drive or in a convenient location. Right-click on it and select Properties, then go to the Access tab.
In the access settings window, click Advanced Setup and check the box to Open Sharing This Folder, then go to Permissions, where you select the All group or a particular user and allow full access, including editing and reading, which is a critical step, since the camera is working on behalf of the network user.
- 🔒 Create a separate local user in Windows specifically for the camera so you don’t have to open up your personal files.
- 📁 Make sure the folder path does not contain Cyrillic characters or spaces to avoid mounting errors.
- 🌐 Check that the network profile in Windows is set as a “Private Network” and not a “Public Network” or the system may block external connections.
Next, check the firewall settings. In the control panel, look for the Windows Defender Firewall section and make sure that a private network is allowed to discover the network and share files. If you use a third-party antivirus, its firewall can also block incoming connections from the camera.
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Use static. IP-If the router gives you a new address after the reboot, the camera will lose its way to the storage and the recording will stop.
Configuration FTP-server for alternative connection
If it's a protocol SMB is difficult or the camera does not support it, it is worth considering the option of FTP-Windows 10 and 11 can install the Service component IIS» Through the Windows Components Enable or Disable panel, however, lightweight third-party utilities such as FileZilla Server or built-in router features are often used for ease of setting up.
When setting up FTP, it is important to correctly specify the root directory where the recording will be conducted. In the server settings, create a new user, set a password and link it to the previously created folder. Access rights should include writing (Write) and creating directories (Create), since the camera may try to create subfolders by date.
Pay special attention to ports. Standard port 21 can be busy or locked. If you set up a server on a router or PC, make sure the port is open to the LAN. In some cases, you need to configure port rollover if you want to access the storage from the outside, although this is unnecessary for local recording.
| Parameter | SMB Protocol Protocol | FTP Protocol Protocol | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty setting up | Low. | Medium | SMB built into Windows by default |
| Security | High (SMBv3) | Medium | FTP transmits data in plain form |
| Compatibility | Tall. | Maximum | FTP supports almost all cameras |
| Stability | Depends on the network. | Tall. | FTP works better at cliffs |
Integration of storage through the Mi Home app
Once the server part is ready, you need to go to the camera setup itself: Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone, select your camera and go to the settings (three dots in the upper right corner).Look for the storage-related section, which may be called Storage Settings, NAS Storage, or Memory Card Management.
In the storage selection menu, switch from microSD to Network Storage, and you will be prompted to enter the connection data. IP-the address of your computer or NAS on a local area network (e.g. 192.168.1.50) the port is usually determined automatically, but for FTP It needs to be handwritten.
☑️ Check before saving the settings
Enter the login and password you created during the Windows setup stage or FTP-Once you enter the data, click "Check" or "Save." If all parameters are correct, the camera will run a test record and confirm a successful connection. Storage status will change to "Connected" or "Write is in progress».
⚠️ Note: Passwords in camera settings are often case sensitive.Make sure you don't use special characters that may be handled incorrectly by the camera's firmware.
Solving Typical NAS Connection Problems
Even with careful tuning, there can be situations where the camera stops seeing the storage. IP-The address of the computer or router after the restart. To avoid this, you need to reserve a static IP-address in router settings for MAC-address of your storage server.
Another common problem is with the SMB protocol update. After Windows 10/11 updates, support for the old SMBv1 protocol is turned off by default. If your camera is an older model, it may need this version. You can turn it on via Control Panel → Programs and Components → Enable Windows Components → Support for Sharing SMB 1.0 files.
- 🔄 Restart your camera and router at the same time to update your network spreadsheets ARP.
- 🛡️ Temporarily disable the antivirus to check if it is blocking the connection.
- 📂 Check if the storage folder is full, some cameras stop writing when space is scarce.
If the camera says Network Error, but there is a ping to the server, try changing the name of the shared folder to a shorter one, without spaces, and it’s also worth checking if the folder has a limit on the number of simultaneous connections, although this is rare for a single camera.
What if the camera requires SMBv1, but the system does not allow it to turn on?
Archive maintenance and file management
Once you've set up the data, you start to accumulate data. It's important to understand the structure of the files you create. Usually, the camera creates folders by date or hour, which contain video files in.mp4 or a proprietary format that can only be opened through an application. For MP4, you can play it by any media player, such as VLC Media Player.
Check the state of the storage regularly. Unlike the cloud, there is no automatic overflow notification unless you have a cyclical overwrite set up, set up cleaning old files if your NAS or server software allows it, or manually delete archives older than 30 days.
For remote viewing of the archive without access to the PC, you can use file managers on a smartphone with support SMB/FTP, such as the Owlfiles or FE File Explorer. Connecting locally IP (while at home or through VPN (While on the road, you can view and download the desired fragments directly from the disk.
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Stability of network storage 90% depends on the correct settings of access rights in Windows and fixing IP-router.