This tool will help you calculate the storage requirements for your NVR system based on your specific needs.
How to Use the NVR Storage Calculator
To use this calculator, fill in the following fields with the respective values:
- Number of Cameras: Enter the total number of IP cameras connected to the NVR system.
- Resolution (MP): Enter the resolution of each camera in megapixels (MP).
- Frame Rate (FPS): Enter the frames per second (FPS) that each camera will record.
- Bitrate (Mbps): Enter the bitrate in megabits per second (Mbps). Typically, higher resolution and frame rate require higher bitrate.
- Days of Storage: Enter the number of days you want the footage to be stored.
- Storage Overhead (%): Enter the percentage of overhead for network and file system inefficiencies. 10% is a typical value.
How the Calculation is Done
The calculator uses the following formula to compute the required storage in terabytes (TB):
Storage (TB) = (Number of Cameras × Bitrate (Mbps) × 3600 seconds × 24 hours × Days of Storage × (1 + Storage Overhead / 100)) / (8 bits/byte × 1,000,000 bytes/MB × 1,000 MB/GB × 1,000 GB/TB)
This formula takes into account the number of cameras, recording bitrate, and desired storage duration while adjusting for overhead.
Limitations
This calculator assumes constant bitrate and does not account for variable bitrate (VBR), motion detection optimizations, or compression types which may affect actual storage needs. The storage overhead percentage may also vary depending on your specific NVR system and storage technology.
Use Cases for This Calculator
Calculating Required NVR Storage
Enter the number of cameras, resolution, frame rate, and retention period to determine the total amount of storage space required for your NVR system.
Estimating Storage for High-Resolution Cameras
If you have high-resolution cameras, like 4K, calculate the necessary storage space accurately to ensure smooth recording without compromising quality.
Adjusting Frame Rate for Efficient Storage
Decide on the optimal frame rate for your surveillance system to strike a balance between video quality and storage space usage based on your specific needs.
Planning for Extended Retention Periods
If you require longer retention periods for your video footage, input the duration to forecast the additional storage space needed for archiving purposes.
Comparing Storage Requirements for Different Resolutions
Compare storage needs between varying camera resolutions to make informed decisions on which cameras to use within your budget and storage capacity constraints.
Accounting for Audio Recording Storage
If your cameras support audio recording, factor in the additional storage requirements to accommodate audio files along with video footage for comprehensive surveillance.
Monitoring Real-Time Storage Consumption
Keep track of your current storage usage and future projections to ensure you always have enough space for new recordings without overloading your NVR system.
Optimizing Storage Efficiency with Compression
Utilize compression techniques to optimize storage efficiency and reduce the overall storage space needed while maintaining video quality for your surveillance needs.
Scaling Up Storage for Expansion
If you plan to expand your surveillance system in the future, calculate the additional storage requirements beforehand to seamlessly scale up your NVR storage without disruptions.
Ensuring Redundancy with Backup Storage
Allocate extra storage space for backup purposes to create redundancy and ensure reliable data protection in case of any unforeseen incidents affecting your primary storage.