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CCTV storage calculator
Estimate a starting drive capacity for your camera recording plan, then validate it against actual camera bitrates and recorder limits.
Estimate CCTV internet speedEstimate CCTV recording storage
Get a starting estimate for NVR or local recording storage. Adjust the bitrate to match the camera manufacturer's specification when available.
How this estimate works
Storage (GB) ≈ bitrate (Mbps) × 0.45 × recording hours/day × retention days × camera count. The buffer is added after the estimate.
Planning estimate only. Actual bitrate changes with camera settings, scene movement, lighting, codec implementation, and recorder overhead. Check the NVR's supported drive limits and validate retention with real recordings.
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How do I estimate CCTV recording storage?
Multiply the average video bitrate per camera in Mbps by 0.45, recording hours per day, retention days, and camera count. Add capacity headroom, then validate the result using real recordings and the recorder manufacturer's drive limits.
Why can actual storage differ from the estimate?
Video bitrate changes with camera settings, frame rate, codec, movement, lighting, and scene detail. Recorder overhead and retention behavior also vary, so use measured bitrates when available and test a representative recording period.
Does local NVR recording require internet bandwidth?
Camera-to-NVR recording on the same site generally uses the local network rather than the internet connection. Cloud recording and remote viewing do use internet upload and download capacity.