How to choose an NVR and hard drive size
Choosing the NVR
- Channels: pick one with more channels than cameras, so you can add more later. A 6-camera job usually gets an 8-channel recorder.
- PoE ports: an NVR with built-in PoE ports powers the cameras directly. Without them, you need a separate PoE switch.
- Resolution: the NVR must support your cameras’ resolution. Check the “max camera resolution” on the product page.
- Drive bays: more bays mean more storage and longer recording.
- Brand: match the recorder brand to the cameras to get the AI features (such as person and vehicle search) working fully.
Hard drive size
Recorders are supplied without a hard drive. Use a surveillance drive (WD Purple, Seagate SkyHawk or Toshiba S300), which is built to record 24/7.
As a rough guide, recording continuously with H.265 compression at normal settings:
| System | Approx. days of recording on 2TB | On 4TB |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 4MP cameras | 15 to 20 days | 30 to 40 days |
| 4 x 8MP cameras | 8 to 10 days | 16 to 20 days |
| 8 x 4MP cameras | 8 to 10 days | 16 to 20 days |
| 8 x 8MP cameras | 4 to 5 days | 8 to 10 days |
These figures vary with bitrate, frame rate and how busy the scene is. Recording on motion only can stretch them a long way. Most businesses aim for 30 days of footage.
You can add a hard drive to your basket directly from each NVR and DVR page.