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NVR storage calculator for security cameras

How many TB do your cameras need? Enter the number of cameras, resolution, compression and recording days. The calculation runs in your browser.

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Resolution
Compression
Storage needed–– Mbps per camera (estimate)
Per day–
Suggested disk–

Estimate using typical bitrates plus a 10% margin. During the survey we measure your cameras real bitrate.

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How it works

The formula for camera storage

Each camera's bitrate (Mbps) depends on resolution, frames per second and compression. We start from typical H.264 values at 15 fps (2MP ≈ 3 Mbps, 4MP ≈ 5 Mbps, 5MP ≈ 6 Mbps, 8MP ≈ 10 Mbps) and adjust them.

Storage (GB) = cameras × Mbps × 3,600 × hours a day × days × recording share ÷ 8 ÷ 1,000. We add a 10% margin and round up to the next standard disk size.

Example: eight 4MP cameras on H.265 at 15 fps, recording continuously 24 hours for 15 days, need about 4 TB.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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How much storage do 4 cameras need for 15 days?
For four 4MP cameras on H.265 at 15 frames per second, recording 24 hours a day, you need about 2 TB. With motion-only recording the requirement drops a lot. Enter your own figures in the calculator for a closer number.
How many days may I keep the footage?
Under the Hellenic Data Protection Authority's guidance, most businesses keep footage for up to 15 days unless an incident is recorded. That is why the calculator starts at 15 days. For special cases, ask your legal adviser.
What does H.265 do compared with H.264?
H.265 compresses the same picture at roughly half the bitrate, which means roughly twice the recording days on the same disk. Manufacturers' H.265+ or Smart Codec modes reduce it further in scenes with little movement.
Continuous or motion-only recording?
Continuous recording misses nothing but needs more space. Motion recording, especially with person and vehicle detection, saves space where there is little activity at night. We often combine both: continuous at the till and entrance, motion elsewhere.
Which disks do you fit in NVRs?
We fit drives designed for video surveillance (surveillance series) that are rated for continuous 24-hour writing. Ordinary desktop drives fail sooner in this role.
How accurate is the calculation?
It is an estimate based on typical bitrates. The real bitrate depends on the camera, lighting, movement in the scene and settings. During the survey we configure the cameras and measure real usage before recommending disks.
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