How Much Security Camera Storage Do You Need?
Hard drive requirements can vary significantly depending on the number of security cameras, resolution, frame rate and the length of time you want to retain recorded video. Use the calculator below to estimate the storage capacity required for your surveillance system.
How to Use the Security Camera Storage Calculator
Four settings determine the calculator's estimated hard drive requirement.
Enter the total number of cameras that will record to your NVR or DVR.
Choose how many days or weeks of recorded video you want the system to retain.
Higher frame rates create smoother video but can require additional storage.
Higher-resolution video generally requires more storage capacity than lower-resolution video.
Actual security camera storage requirements can vary depending on video compression, bitrate, recording schedule, motion or event recording, scene complexity, camera model and recorder configuration. For important commercial projects, leave additional storage capacity beyond the calculated estimate.
What Affects Security Camera Storage?
Several settings can significantly change how much video your surveillance hard drive can retain.
Number of Cameras
Every additional security camera adds another video stream that must be stored by the recorder.
Video Resolution
Higher-resolution cameras such as 4K models generally create larger video files than lower-resolution cameras.
Recording Frame Rate
Recording more frames every second creates smoother video but typically increases storage requirements.
Recording Retention
Keeping footage for several weeks or months requires substantially more hard drive capacity than short-term retention.
Recording Schedule
Continuous 24/7 recording normally requires more storage than appropriately configured motion or event-based recording.
Video Compression
Modern compression technologies can reduce storage requirements while maintaining useful recorded video quality.
Shop NVRs, DVRs & Security Camera Hard Drives
Once you know your estimated storage requirement, choose the recorder and surveillance-grade hard drive capacity that best match your cameras, recording schedule and desired retention time.
SureVision NVR Recorders HD CCTV DVR Recorders Security Camera Hard DrivesNeed Help Choosing Security Camera Storage?
CCTV Security Pros can help you choose the appropriate NVR, DVR and surveillance hard drive capacity for your security camera system.
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