Disk Space Calculator for Video Archiving

Calculator Guide

Determining the required disk space is often the result of a compromise between required image speed and quality, and the available disk space and CPU power. This guide can help you calculate the figures that best fulfill your requirements.

Number of cameras
The number of cameras to be used in this calculation

Average image Size (kB)
The average image size delivered from each camera.

Typical image sizes are:

• 352x288 medium-high compression: 8 kB
• 352x288 medium-low compression: 15 kB
• 640x480 medium-low compression: 50 kB
• 640x480 lowest compression: 375 kB

The image size will vary according to lighting conditions and the actual content. For this reason an overhead of at least 10% is recommended.

Image Rate
The number of frames "images" per second "FPS" from each camera.

Days to Store
The number of days to store the recordings. If storing of several days is required, or 3rd party backup software is to be used, the Archiving functionality should be used.
When using the Archiving functionality, the number of days to archive plus one (the current day) should be entered.

Hours recording per day
The number of hours the camera is online per day.

Percentage of time with motion
The expected maximum percentage of movement recorded, if only images with motion are to be stored in the database.
If you are mot using motion enter 100%.

GB
The required disk size in GB

Images/camera per day
The total number of images stored per camera per day.

Mbit/s
The total bandwidth in "Megabits per second" used on the network.
10Mbit/s Ethernet adapter is capable of handling a maximum of 5 Mbit/s, while a 100Mbit/s Ethernet adapter can handle about 50 Mbit/s