How Much Storage Does AI Surveillance Need?
AI surveillance storage requirements vary by camera count, video quality, recording schedule, and retention period. AI analytics can also create metadata and additional write activity. A useful estimate starts with the amount of video created each day and the number of days the system must retain it.
Camera Count
Every camera adds another video stream. A system with 32 cameras generally requires more storage than a system with eight cameras when the resolution, frame rate, and recording schedule are similar.
Resolution and Frame Rate
Higher resolutions and frame rates increase the amount of data stored. A 4K camera typically produces more data than a 1080p camera. The selected compression format and camera settings also affect the final storage requirement.
Recording Schedule
Continuous recording uses more capacity than motion-triggered or scheduled recording. System planners should calculate the expected number of recording hours per camera each day rather than relying only on the maximum camera count.
Retention Period
Longer retention periods directly increase capacity needs. A system that retains footage for 90 days requires substantially more storage than one that retains footage for seven or 30 days.
AI Analytics and Metadata
AI-enabled systems may create metadata, event records, and additional random-access activity. This may not always represent the largest portion of stored data, but it can affect workload and system performance.
Choosing Capacity
The Toshiba S300 AI is available from 8TB through 24TB. System builders should calculate total usable capacity, account for RAID overhead where applicable, and leave room for growth.
Product Recommendation
For AI-enabled NVRs and video analytics servers, select a capacity that supports the expected camera count and retention period while remaining within the drive and host-system workload limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What affects surveillance storage capacity most?
Does AI analytics require additional storage?
Should RAID overhead be included in capacity planning?
1 One Terabyte (1 TB) means 1012 = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes using powers of 10. A computer operating system, however, reports storage capacity using powers of 2 for the definition of 1 TB = 240 = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes, and therefore shows less storage capacity. Available storage capacity (including examples of various media files) will vary based on file size, formatting, settings, software and operating system and other factors. Actual formatted capacity may vary.
2 Compatibility may vary depending on user's hardware configuration, and operating system.
3 Product specifications, configurations, components, and features are subject to change without notice.
4 Annual Workload Rating: HDDs keep track of various drive usage such as power on hours, lifetime writes and lifetime reads from the host computer. With this data we calculate an Annualized Workload Rate, under 40 deg. C ambient environments, Annualized Workload Rate = (Lifetime Writes + Lifetime Reads) * (8760 / Lifetime Power On Hours) in case Power On time is 8760h or longer. Otherwise (i.e. Power On time is shorter than 8760h), Annualized Workload Rate = (Lifetime Writes + Lifetime Reads) Each drive is designed to perform up to the Annualized Workload Rate stated, after which the drive may be expected to decline. The Annualized Workload Rate in no way alters the warranty policy for such drive. Workload is defined as the amount of data written, read or verified by commands from host system.
5 Number of surveillance cameras support capability is defined by performance simulation with High Definition cameras at up to 10 Mbps rate, depending on the HDD model. Actual results may vary based on various factors, including the types of cameras installed, the system’s hardware and software capabilities, and the video compression technology used, as well as system variables such as resolution, frames per second, and other settings. Compatibility may vary depending on user’s hardware configuration and operating system. “High Definition” is calculated assuming Full HD 1080p, 30fps, transfer rate of up to 10Mbps/stream.
6 For "Drive Bays Supported", please contact your Solutions Provider because the compatibility with the host device will vary based on the system.
7 MTTF (Mean Time to Failure) or MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) is not a guarantee or estimate of product life; it is a statistical value related to mean failure rates for a large number of products which may not accurately reflect actual operation. Actual operating life of the product may be different from the MTTF or MTBF. MTTF (Mean Time to Failure) or MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of the HDDs during its life time is 600,000 hours and AFR(Annualized Failure Rate) is 1.46%, or 1.0 million hours and AFR is 0.88%, or 1.2 million hours and AFR is 0.73%, or 2.5 million hours and AFR is 0.35% (depending on HDD models). This assumes power-on hours are 24 x 7 in normal usage (8760 h/year power on hours, up to 180 TB/year, or up to 300TB/year, or up to 550 TB/year total data transfers (depending on HDD models), and average HDA surface temperature:40°C or less). Use at case HDA surface temperature above 40°C may degrade product reliability and reduce warranty period.
8 Drive life may vary depending on usage and workload. See also MTTF and Annual Workload Rating for more details.
9 CMR is Conventional Magnetic Recording technology.
Will open in a new window.
