Product SKU: AXIS 256GB MICROSDXC
Product Overview
For Axis network cameras installed at locations where a centralised recorder is not practical or available, the AXIS Surveillance Card 256 GB provides a purpose-built edge storage solution in a microSDXC format. Designed specifically for continuous surveillance workloads, this card is certified to work with Axis cameras and integrates with Axis Zipstream technology to compress footage efficiently without sacrificing detail, stretching available storage significantly beyond what a standard consumer card would achieve. Equipped with real-time health monitoring accessible through Axis camera firmware, the card reports wear status so potential failures can be flagged before they cause recording gaps. With a rated endurance of approximately 768 TB written, Video Speed Class V30, and UHS U3 classification, it sustains consistent write performance across extended deployments in environments ranging from -25°C to 85°C. The package includes both the microSDXC card and a full-size SD adapter.
Key Capabilities
Axis-Certified Edge Storage
Certified for use in Axis network cameras, this card provides local recording without requiring a separate NVR or DVR. This is particularly valuable at remote sites, temporary installations, or locations where network bandwidth is limited and cloud or centralised recording is not viable.
Zipstream Compatibility
Compatible with Axis Zipstream compression, which reduces the bitrate of surveillance footage while preserving forensic detail. In low-motion environments such as a reception area, this combination can support retention periods of approximately 115 days at 25 fps on a single 256 GB card.
Real-Time Health Monitoring
Axis camera firmware can actively monitor the card’s wear level and operational health, providing administrators with advance warning of potential storage failure. This reduces the risk of silent recording loss and supports scheduled maintenance before an issue affects footage continuity.
High Endurance for Continuous Write Cycles
Rated at approximately 768 TB written over its lifetime, this card is built for the constant overwrite cycles of surveillance recording. Unlike standard consumer cards not rated for video workloads, it is designed to maintain write reliability across years of continuous use.
V30 / UHS U3 Write Performance
Video Speed Class V30 and UHS U3 ratings confirm a minimum sustained write speed appropriate for surveillance-grade recording. Sequential read reaches approximately 100 MB/s and write approximately 50 MB/s, supporting smooth footage retrieval and consistent recording at standard surveillance frame rates.
Best For
- Remote and Off-Grid Camera Locations: Sites without reliable network infrastructure or a centralised recorder benefit from local edge storage, allowing footage to be captured and held on the card independently of network availability.
- Axis Camera Deployments Requiring Redundancy: Installers running Axis cameras connected to an NVR can use the card as a secondary recording fallback, ensuring footage is retained locally if the network or recorder connection is interrupted.
- Long-Retention Single-Camera Installations: In low-activity environments such as server rooms, storerooms, or quiet corridors, the 256 GB capacity combined with Zipstream settings can support retention periods that reduce the need for frequent manual footage management.
- Outdoor Axis Cameras in Temperature Extremes: Confirmed operation from -25°C to 85°C makes this card suitable for Axis cameras mounted in uninsulated enclosures, rooftop housings, or environments subject to significant seasonal temperature variation.
Why Choose the AXIS Surveillance Card 256 GB
A generic consumer microSD card may appear to work in an Axis camera initially, but it is not rated for continuous overwrite cycles, does not support Axis health monitoring, and carries no guarantee of sustained write performance under surveillance workloads. The AXIS Surveillance Card 256 GB is designed from the ground up for this application: it is Axis-certified, integrates with Zipstream to extend storage efficiency, and exposes wear-level data directly through Axis camera firmware so administrators know the card’s condition without manual inspection. The approximately 768 TB written endurance rating reflects real surveillance duty cycles rather than consumer benchmarks. RCM certification to AS/NZS CISPR-32 confirms Australian regulatory compliance. Backed by a 5-year Axis warranty, this card is available through Security Wholesalers as part of the broader Axis accessories range for installers and integrators supplying Axis-based systems.
Buyer Tip – Retention Planning: Retention estimates depend heavily on scene activity and Zipstream configuration. The approximately 115-day figure applies to low-motion scenes at 25 fps; moderate-motion environments such as a retail floor drop this to approximately 40 days at the same frame rate. Lowering the frame rate to 10 or 5 fps in scenes where motion events are infrequent can extend retention substantially. Use Axis Site Designer to model the specific camera, scene type, and resolution before committing to a single-card edge storage setup.
Buyer Tip – Compatibility: This card is purpose-built and certified for Axis network cameras. Health monitoring and Zipstream integration rely on Axis firmware support, so these features will not be available if the card is used in non-Axis equipment. Confirm the target Axis camera model supports microSDXC edge storage before purchasing, as not all Axis models include an SD card slot.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Product Name |
AXIS Surveillance Card 256 GB |
| Capacity |
256 GB |
| Form Factor |
microSDXC (includes full-size SD adapter) |
| Sequential Read Speed |
Up to approx. 100 MB/s |
| Sequential Write Speed |
Up to approx. 50 MB/s |
| Video Speed Class |
V30 |
| UHS Speed Class |
U3 |
| Endurance (TBW) |
Approx. 768 TB written |
| Operating Temperature |
-25°C to 85°C |
| Health Monitoring |
Supported via Axis camera firmware |
| Zipstream Compatibility |
Yes, optimised for Axis Zipstream technology |
| Retention – Low Motion (25 fps) |
Approx. 115 days (e.g. reception area) |
| Retention – Moderate Motion (25 fps) |
Approx. 40 days (e.g. retail environment) |
| Warranty |
5 years (Axis) |
| Regulatory Compliance |
EN 55032 Class B, FCC Part 15, ICES-3, VCCI, RCM AS/NZS CISPR-32 |
| Environmental |
PVC-free |
| Package Contents |
1 x microSDXC card (jewel case), 1 x full-size SD adapter |
Ideal Use Cases
Remote Site Monitoring
At construction sites, rural properties, or utility installations where a permanent network connection is unavailable, the 256 GB edge storage capacity allows an Axis camera to record locally for extended periods without depending on an NVR or cloud uplink.
NVR Failover Recording
In networked Axis camera systems, the card operates as a local backup when the NVR connection drops. Footage recorded to the card during outages can be automatically synced back to the recorder once connectivity is restored, closing gaps in the timeline.
Reception and Low-Activity Areas
In low-motion scenes such as building entries, lobbies, or server rooms, the combination of 256 GB capacity and Axis Zipstream can yield retention of approximately 115 days at 25 fps, reducing the burden on central storage resources.
Retail and Moderate-Motion Environments
In higher-activity locations such as shop floors or corridors with regular foot traffic, the card supports approximately 40 days of retention at 25 fps. Adjusting frame rates or Zipstream aggressiveness can extend this further to suit specific retention requirements.
Extreme Temperature Deployments
Cameras installed in cold-store facilities, outdoor enclosures subject to Australian summer heat, or industrial environments with wide temperature swings benefit from the card’s confirmed operating range of -25°C to 85°C, which matches the thermal envelope of many Axis outdoor camera housings.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You are deploying Axis network cameras that support microSDXC edge storage and need a card certified to work with Axis firmware, Zipstream integration, and health monitoring, particularly at remote sites or as a failover recording layer in a networked system.
- Choose a different model if: Your Axis cameras do not include a microSD card slot, in which case edge storage is not supported regardless of card capacity. Similarly, if you are using non-Axis cameras, the health monitoring and Zipstream features will not function, and a general-purpose high-endurance surveillance card may be more appropriate.
- Consider capacity carefully if: Your deployment involves high-resolution streams, high frame rates, or multiple simultaneous recording channels per device. Model the expected bitrate using Axis Site Designer before assuming the 256 GB capacity will meet your retention targets.
FAQs
- Will this card work in any microSDXC-compatible camera, or only in Axis cameras?
The card is a standard microSDXC format and will physically fit any device with a compatible slot. However, the health monitoring and Zipstream integration features are specific to Axis camera firmware. In non-Axis equipment, the card will operate as a storage medium but without those platform-specific benefits. It is designed and certified primarily for Axis network cameras.
- What does the health monitoring feature actually report?
When inserted in a compatible Axis camera, the card exposes wear-level and operational status data through the camera’s firmware interface. Administrators can check this via the Axis device management tools to identify cards approaching end-of-life before a failure occurs. This allows planned replacement rather than reactive response to recording loss.
- How does Zipstream affect the retention estimates quoted for this card?
Axis Zipstream dynamically reduces the bitrate of video footage during periods of low activity while preserving detail during motion events. The approximately 115-day retention figure for low-motion scenes and approximately 40-day figure for moderate-motion scenes assume Zipstream is active. Without Zipstream, or at higher resolution and frame rate settings, available retention will be shorter.
- Is the card suitable for outdoor Axis cameras installed in Australian summer conditions?
Yes. The confirmed operating temperature range of -25°C to 85°C accommodates the thermal conditions inside outdoor camera housings during Australian summer heat. The card is also PVC-free and RCM-certified to AS/NZS CISPR-32, confirming it meets Australian regulatory requirements.
- What does the 768 TB written endurance rating mean in practical terms?
TBW represents the total data volume the card is rated to accept as write operations over its lifetime. For a single Axis camera recording continuously at a typical surveillance bitrate of around 1-2 Mbps with Zipstream active, this endurance translates to a write lifespan well beyond the 5-year warranty period under most deployment conditions. Higher bitrates or multi-stream configurations will reduce lifespan proportionally.
- Where can I purchase the AXIS Surveillance Card 256 GB in Australia?
The AXIS Surveillance Card 256 GB is available through Security Wholesalers as part of the Axis accessories range. It is suited to installers and integrators supplying Axis-based camera systems who require certified edge storage with manufacturer warranty support. Contact Security Wholesalers directly for current stock availability and volume pricing.
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