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Free tool
CCTV storage calculator
Work out how many TB your DVR or NVR needs, or how many days of recording a drive gives you, from cameras, resolution, codec (H.264/H.265), FPS and recording hours.
Recommended: a surveillance drive (WD Purple, Seagate SkyHawk) in the next commercial size up.
Bitrate is estimated from resolution, codec and FPS using typical Hikvision/Dahua camera values; you can type your own (see the DVR's video settings). Busy or night scenes may use more.
How much storage does a DVR or NVR need?
Recording space depends on each camera's bitrate, which depends on resolution, codec and frame rate. For example, 8 cameras at 1080p in H.265 and 15 FPS recording 24 hours produce several hundred GB per day. This CCTV storage calculator tells you how many TB you need to keep the days you want, or how many days the drive you already have will hold.
Frequently asked questions
Is H.265 worth it?
Yes: for the same quality it uses roughly 40–50% less space than H.264, and the “+” or “Smart” versions save even more on still scenes.
Why does the drive show less space?
A 2 TB drive shows about 1.8 TiB on the device because manufacturers count in base 10. The calculator subtracts 7%. You can convert units with the storage converter.
Does motion recording save space?
A lot: if there is motion only 30% of the time, the drive lasts about three times longer. Adjust the percentage for your scene.
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