HDD Storage Calculator

Creating an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) storage calculator involves several factors to consider, including the number of cameras, the resolution of each camera, the frame rate, the bit rate, the number of hours each camera will record per day, and the number of days you want to store the footage. Here's a basic guideline on how you can calculate the storage needed:

 

Determine the Recording Parameters

 

  • Number of Cameras. \( N \)
  • Resolution per Camera. Measured in megapixels (MP), higher resolution requires more storage.
  • Frame Rate per Camera. Frames per second (FPS), higher frame rate requires more storage.
  • Bit Rate per Camera. Measured in Megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Recording Hours per Camera per Day. \( H \) hours.
  • Days of Storage Required. \( D \) days.



Calculate Daily Storage Requirement per Camera

 

The daily storage for one camera can be roughly estimated by the formula:
\[ \text{Daily Storage (GB)} = \frac{\text{Bit Rate (Mbps)} \times 3600 \times H}{8 \times 1024} \]
This formula converts the bit rate into Gigabytes (GB) used per hour and then multiplies by the number of hours of recording per day.

 

Calculate Total Storage Requirement

 

Multiply the daily storage requirement by the number of cameras and then by the number of days you wish to store the footage:

\[ \text{Total Storage Required (GB)} = \text{Daily Storage per Camera (GB)} \times N \times D \]

 

Account for Additional Factors

 

Compression: Video compression technologies (like H.264, H.265) can significantly reduce the size of the footage.

Motion Detection: If cameras are set to record only on motion detection, this will reduce the storage requirement.

 

Add a Buffer

 

It's a good practice to add an extra 10-20% buffer to the total storage calculation to account for any unforeseen increase in storage needs.

 

Final Storage Size

 

Choose an HDD size that meets or exceeds the calculated total storage requirement, including the buffer.

Remember, this is a simplified approach and actual storage needs may vary based on specific camera settings and environmental factors. For a precise calculation, it's advisable to use specific software tools or consult with the CCTV hardware provider.