CCTV storage (hard disk) calculator
Enter the number of cameras, their resolution, codec and frame rate to see how much hard-disk space and network bandwidth continuous recording needs.
Estimated result
Estimate: 10.37 TB of disk space for 30 days of recordings, at 32 Mbps in total.
- Total storage
- 10.37 TB for 30 days of recordings
- Storage per day
- 345.6 GB
- Cameras in total
- 8
- Total bitrate (network bandwidth)
- 32 Mbps A 100 Mbps link is enough (with 30% headroom for live view and bitrate peaks).
Bitrate per group
Camera group 1 8 × 4 MP · H.265 · 25 fps · medium activity
- Per camera
- 4 Mbps
- Whole group
- 32 Mbps
- Per day
- 345.6 GB
Recommended hard disks
Suggested: 1 × 12 TB drives
Every KDT recorder takes 12 TB drives.
Capacity needed with about 10% kept free: 11.52 TB
| Drive size | Drives | Total capacity | KDT NVRs that take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 TB | 3Our pick | 12 TB | all |
| 6 TB | 2Our pick | 12 TB | all |
| 8 TB | 2Our pick | 16 TB | all |
| 10 TB | 2Our pick | 20 TB | all |
| 12 TB | 1Our pick | 12 TB | all |
| 14 TB | 1Our pick | 14 TB | all |
| 16 TB | 1Our pick | 16 TB | 9 of 22 |
| 18 TB | 1Our pick | 18 TB | 9 of 22 |
| 20 TB | 1Our pick | 20 TB | 8 of 22 |
| 22 TB | 1Our pick | 22 TB | 8 of 22 |
KDT recorders that fit
Needed: at least 8 channels, 32 Mbps incoming bandwidth and 11.52 TB of disk.
- KN-0811BE8 channels · incoming 80 Mbpsdrive bays: 1 · up to 14 TB per driveDrives: 1 × 12 TB (bays used: 1 of 1)
- KN-0821BE8 channels · incoming 80 Mbpsdrive bays: 2 · up to 14 TB per driveDrives: 1 × 12 TB (bays used: 1 of 2)
- KN-1621B16 channels · incoming 160 Mbpsdrive bays: 2 · up to 18 TB per driveDrives: 1 × 12 TB (bays used: 1 of 2)
From the product specifications ("IP Channel Input", "Input Bandwidth", "HDD", "Capacity" and "RAID Support"); eSATA ports do not count as drive bays.
This is an estimate. Real bitrates depend on the scene, the light (night-time image noise raises the bitrate), the camera settings and the recorder, so always keep a safety margin.
Hard-disk capacity is one of the main costs of a video surveillance system: too little and the recorder overwrites footage before you need it; too much and the project budget is wasted. With this calculator you can estimate, in a few seconds, the disk space and the network bandwidth your cameras need.
The result is an estimate for planning. For a precise design of recorders, drives and network, especially in large projects, KDT's sales engineers are ready to help.
How is this estimated?
Each camera starts from a base bitrate per megapixel (H.264 at 25 fps), multiplied by the factors below; both KDT calculators (storage and bandwidth) use this same model. The result matches the usual camera defaults: about 4 Mbps for a 2 MP H.264 or a 4 MP H.265 camera and about 8 Mbps for 8 MP H.265.
kbps = kbps/MP × MP × codec × (fps ÷ 25)^0.85
- Base per megapixel (H.264, 25 fps)
- low activity 1,200 kbps · medium activity 2,000 kbps · high activity 3,000 kbpsAt least 128 kbps per stream.
- Codec
- H.264 ×1 · H.265 ×0.5 · H.265+ ×0.35
- Frame rate (fps)
- × (fps ÷ 25)^0.85
- Storage per day
- Mbps × 3,600 × h ÷ 8 ÷ 1,000 = GB1 TB = 1000 GB, as printed on the drives; h = recording hours a day.
- Recommended hard disks
- About 10% of the disk is kept free; drives of 4 to 22 TB (the largest a KDT recorder takes) are compared and we suggest the set with the fewest drives, then the least spare capacity, among the sizes the first KDT recorder that fits takes.Raw capacity with RAID: RAID 5 ×8/7 (3 drives or more), RAID 6 ×8/6 (4 or more), RAID 1/10 ×2 (an even number of drives).
- KDT recorders that fit
- A recorder is suggested when it has at least as many channels as cameras, an incoming bandwidth (the RAID figure with RAID) of at least the total bitrate, the chosen RAID level, and drive bays × the largest drive it takes of at least the capacity needed (the raw capacity with RAID). Its drives: the fewest drives, then the least spare capacity.
- Total bitrate (network bandwidth)
- The sum of all camera bitrates; the network-link advice adds 30% headroom.
| Resolution | H.264 | H.265 | H.265+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 MP (720p) | 2 | 1 | 0.7 |
| 2 MP (1080p) | 4 | 2 | 1.4 |
| 3 MP | 6 | 3 | 2.1 |
| 4 MP (1440p) | 8 | 4 | 2.8 |
| 5 MP | 10 | 5 | 3.5 |
| 6 MP | 12 | 6 | 4.2 |
| 8 MP (4K) | 16 | 8 | 5.6 |
| 12 MP | 24 | 12 | 8.4 |
Planning a video surveillance project?
KDT's sales engineers size the recorders, hard disks and network for your site and suggest the right cameras and NVRs.
More after-sales services
All services- KDT product warrantyA 2- to 6-year warranty with broad coverage that extends even to water damage, breakage and damage caused by floods and earthquakes, subject to the warranty terms.Learn more
- Remote technical supportKDT's 10-person online support team provides phone troubleshooting and remote connection through proprietary software, resolving issues quickly without shipping equipment.Learn more
- Request an on-site engineerIf a problem cannot be solved remotely, a KDT engineer is dispatched to the project site, anywhere in Iran.Learn more
- Product returnsProducts bought through official KDT channels can be returned and bought back with no deduction for up to three months after purchase, subject to the plan's terms.Learn more
- Repair technician trainingSpecialist repair, service and maintenance courses for organizations' technicians, leading to the KDT Certified Service Technician certificate.Learn more
- Installation and commissioning technician trainingTraining for field teams in the proper installation, configuration and commissioning of KDT equipment, leading to the KDT Certified Installation & Commissioning Technician certificate.Learn more
- Pre-purchase consultingFree phone, online and in-person consulting on choosing the right equipment and designing your project, before you buy.Learn more
- Camera field-of-view calculatorChoose a KDT camera or a lens of your own and enter the distance to the target to see the area the camera covers and how far it can detect, observe, recognise and identify people.Learn more
- IP camera bandwidth calculatorEstimate camera bitrates, the network and PoE switch uplink, NVR incoming bandwidth and storage from the number of cameras, resolution, codec and frame rate.Learn more
- Temporary device passwordGet a temporary password for your KDT device from the online service pass.kdt.ir.pass.kdt.ir (opens pass.kdt.ir)