Video Surveillance Storage: 12 Things No One Tells You 

The volume of CCTV storage required has increased drastically in the last few years. Now, the video surveillance storage required is 10 to 100 times more than what their analog ancestors used. Digital video surveillance offers rich features and is deployed to maximize cost-effectiveness. However, users are unaware of a few things regarding CCTV storage devices. Read on to find more.

1. Optimize the Write Operations for Storage Device

Video surveillance workloads are different from traditional IT workloads. A standard computer hard disk is designed to read, write, and transfer data. Whereas, Surveillance hard disk can perform extensive write operations. Video Surveillance systems write the data 90% of the time, and 10% of the time, they playback it. So, Video Management Software manages the whole process from image acquisition to storage and avoids any input or output bottlenecks.

2. Network Video Recorder (NVR) Solutions Help Determine Quality and Quantity of Data

NVR has a significant impact on digital surveillance systems storage. It has a fundamental storage structure that meets the CCTV Camera storage capacity in days. It works as a great option to reduce storage expenses. In the context of the NVR, the drive’s capacity plays a significant role in determining the quality and quantity of the data stored.

3. Local Storage Features

Modern IP Cameras use a local storage facility to store video recordings onsite. The local storage can be easily accessed, and the cameras’ direct connectivity helps store data retrieved from the footage. Another benefit is the recordings need not be sent across the networks, and housing the footage locally cuts down on logistic concerns.

4. Use of Multiple Video Storage Levels

The video surveillance storage depends on the camera types and the number of cameras installed at your premises. Digital cameras require more storage than traditional analog cameras. We can expect more than 2,500 petabytes of data produced by cameras each day. Enterprises require cost-effective storage systems for the same. Multiple storage tiers facilitate storing data on different storage devices having different costs. Over time, data location changed automatically to save the cost. You can use this online tool to calculate the storage needs for your video surveillance cameras.

5. Check Out the File Systems

File systems are designed to meet the criteria of video storage and analysis by experts. No one wants to move between VMS, Data Mover, or Archive to find a particular HDD file. It is the best-suited method for the video files since storing video surveillance data is mandatory. Storage is equally essential to access the footage from the video surveillance whenever required. Technical people use storage management software to release blocks on the disk and retrieve the data.

6. Cloud-Based Video Surveillance Storage

The increased number of footage daily in an enterprise can become a big task for storage. Cloud-based video surveillance storage helps move your stored data from local drives to cloud platforms. You can access a particular video whenever required without moving the whole database forward and backward.

7. Video Format and Resolution are Significant

Videos saved through these CCTV cameras are of high quality. The format and resolution play a crucial role. A 2-hour video in HD quality will take up to 655GB of space, but saving it in MP4 format will only take 8.4GB. High quality CCTV footages are beneficial for big buildings, enterprises, and even residential security needs. Keep in mind the resolution and format, that alters the amount of data stored.

8. Using Data Grooming Process for Storage

CCTV camera storage files are larger when shot through high-resolution digital surveillance cameras. The grooming process is followed to improve the system’s performance and reduce cost. The video data is trimmed and decreased to make much storage space. There is specific frame size and recording size for particular videos recorded that delivers desired qualities with optimized storage.

9. Consider Data Life Cycle

Outdated videos must be removed from the storage device using the Automated Data Lifecycle Management device. It will help remove the high-resolution data, which can lead to higher costs. Depending on your security needs and the local statutory regulations decide the period of storage of anywhere between 7 days to 30 days or more.

10. Optimization of Drives

An optimized storage device will help consume less data and store it in the right formats. The operations’ writing will help enhance the performance and reliability of the storage devices. 

11. Use RAID Enabled System

A RAID-enabled system will help create redundancy for the failed drive. If one drive fails to store the recording, another drive can capture and store the recording. There is no roadblock created in the productivity, and no data loss will be reported.

12. Cost of Storage

The CCTV storage capacity determines the installation cost of the video surveillance cameras. The new surveillance systems require 10 to 100 times more amount of storage. The range of surveillance storage varies from 6GB to 6TB for 99% of the surveillance cameras. The two most popular recorder types used are DVR and NVR. The DVR camera processes the data after sending it for storage, and NVR Camera processes it before storing it. If you look forward to getting the right knowledge on CCTV video surveillance storage, visit Western Digital today. Get complete storage solutions for your CCTV cameras.

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