Choosing the Right Storage Capacity
Select a hard drive with extra space beyond your current needs. This extra capacity helps if you add more cameras, upgrade to higher-quality video, or decide to store recordings for a longer period. A good rule of thumb is to get a drive with about 20–30% more space than your minimum requirement.
HDD Storage FAQs
How much storage do I need for my security cameras?
The required storage depends on the number of cameras, video resolution, recording duration, and compression settings. Higher resolution (e.g., 4K) and continuous recording require significantly more storage than lower resolutions or motion-activated recording.
Does recording at a higher resolution use more storage?
Yes, higher resolutions (like 4MP or 4K) generate larger video files, requiring more storage space. For example, a 1080p camera uses less storage compared to a 4K camera recording continuously.
What is the difference between continuous and motion-activated recording in terms of storage usage?
Continuous recording captures video 24/7 and requires more storage than motion-activated recording, which only records when activity is detected. Using motion detection can help reduce storage needs by up to 50% or more, depending on the activity level.
How does video compression (H.264 vs. H.265) affect storage usage?
Video compression plays a major role in reducing storage needs. H.265 is a more advanced compression method compared to H.264 and can save up to 50% more storage while maintaining similar video quality.
How long can I store footage on my hard drive?
The duration depends on your camera settings, such as resolution, frame rate, compression, and the size of your hard drive. A 1TB drive can store roughly 10-15 days of continuous 1080p footage from four cameras, but this estimate can vary with compression and motion recording.