To estimate the storage capacity of a 4TB hard drive for surveillance purposes, you need to consider the following:
- Camera resolution: Higher resolution cameras produce larger video files. For example, if you have cameras with 1080p resolution (Full HD), they will generate larger files compared to cameras with 720p resolution.
- Compression: Surveillance systems typically use video compression algorithms to reduce file sizes without significantly sacrificing video quality. Different compression settings can affect the file size and storage requirements. Common compression formats include H.264, H.265 (also known as HEVC), and MJPEG.
- Frame rate: The frame rate determines the number of frames (or images) per second that the camera captures. Higher frame rates provide smoother video but result in larger file sizes. Common frame rates include 30 frames per second (fps) and 60 fps.
- Retention period: How long you want to retain the video footage before it gets overwritten or archived affects the total storage capacity required. For example, if you want to retain footage for 30 days, you’ll need more storage space compared to a system that only retains footage for a week.
