CCTV Storage Calculator
Calculate storage requirements for your video surveillance system
Calculate Storage Requirements
Basic Configuration
System Setup
Video Configuration
Quality Settings
H.265+ offers the best compression, while MJPEG uses the most storage
Complete Guide to Video Surveillance Storage
Quick Reference
Storage Factors
- Number of Cameras
- Recording Hours
- Video Resolution
- Compression Format
- Frame Rate (FPS)
- Scene Activity
Common Requirements
- Small Business: 7-14 days
- Enterprise: 30-90 days
- Banking: 90-180 days
- Government: 180+ days
Understanding Video Compression
H.264 vs H.265
- H.265 offers up to 50% better compression
- Maintains similar video quality
- Requires more processing power
- Better for high-resolution cameras
MJPEG vs H.264/H.265
- MJPEG uses more storage space
- Better for motion analysis
- Less CPU intensive
- Frame-by-frame encoding
Resolution and Quality Impact
Higher resolutions provide more detail but require more storage. Common resolutions and their typical uses:
Basic Monitoring
- 1MP (1280x720): General surveillance
- 2MP (1920x1080): Standard HD monitoring
- Good for: Entrances, hallways
Detailed Surveillance
- 4MP (2560x1440): Enhanced detail
- 8MP (3840x2160): 4K ultra HD
- Good for: License plates, faces
Storage Planning Strategies
1. Optimize Recording Schedule
- 24/7 Recording: Maximum security but highest storage usage
- Motion Detection: Reduces storage by 40-60%
- Schedule-based: Record only during business hours
2. Storage Management
- Regular Archiving: Move old footage to long-term storage
- Automatic Deletion: Configure retention policies
- Storage Monitoring: Track usage patterns
💡 Pro Tips for Storage Optimization
- Use motion detection in low-activity areas
- Adjust frame rates based on scene requirements
- Implement dual-stream recording for remote viewing
- Consider cloud storage for critical footage
- Regular system maintenance and cleanup
Best Practices
Planning
- Assess requirements
- Consider future growth
- Budget for redundancy
Implementation
- Test configurations
- Monitor performance
- Document settings
Maintenance
- Regular backups
- Storage health checks
- Update firmware
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