Storage Calculator

Enter your surveillance system specifications to calculate the required storage space for your specific setup.

Storage Calculator

Number of Cameras:

Resolution:

Frame Rate:

Hours Per Day of Recording:

Days of Storage:

Compression Ratio:

Expected Activity Level: Activity level refers to the amount of motion detected in the camera’s view. Low activity represents a quiet area (e.g. storage rooms, closed offices). Medium activity represents moderate level of movement (e.g. hallways, parking lots, or outdoor residential areas). High activity indicates areas with constant or near-constant movement (e.g. busy streets, crowded public spaces, or retail environments).

Recording Type:

Video Recording Quality: Video quality impacts storage needs significantly. Higher resolutions like 4K require much more space compared to standard or high definition. The Megapixel (MP) count is an indicator of image resolution, with higher MP values meaning better video clarity.

Disclaimer:

This calculator generates approximate storage estimations for IP cameras. The values provided are for planning purposes only. The information contained on this website is intended for general information purposes. The content is provided by Surveillance Shark, and while we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, either express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics presented for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. In no event shall Surveillance Shark be liable for any loss or damage, including indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss of data or profits arising from the use of this website.

FAQs

How much storage do I need?
Storage requirement is determined in view of how long your cameras will be recording in terms of days, what the preferred framerate will be, the level of activity the camera will examine, and the quality of the footage that will be provided per camera.

How do I add more storage to my NVR/XVR?
When your storage runs low, there are two paths to take: Change security system settings to cut back on data consumption or add additional storage. Tips for reducing data consumption include:

1- Apply lower resolution where possible
2 - Use a more modern form of encoding, i.e. H.265 rather than H.264
3 - Use motion activation

Alternatively you can enhance storage by upgrading to a higher capacity hard drive and/or adding additonal hard drive(s). Please check the specifications for your NVR/XVR to confirm the supported maximum capacity per hardrive and count of hard drives.

How long will my NVR/XVR record for?
Unless specified or programmed otherwise, a NVR/XVR will record constantly.

What happens when the storage is full?
Each device has a storage limit, this does not mean it will stop when that limit is reached. Instead, the video recorder will simply start recording over the oldest data.