Choose a bitrate tier that reflects the camera resolution and detail level.
How this calculator works
Video storage is fundamentally a bitrate calculation. The tool converts Mbps into retained terabytes across all cameras and days, adjusts for motion activity when selected and adds operating overhead.
Multiply by camera count, recording hours and retention days.
Convert bits to TB, add overhead and round to practical drive capacity.
Worked example
A practical planning scenario
Eight cameras at 4 Mbps recording continuously for 30 days produce more than 10 TB of video before practical rounding. Motion-based recording may use less, but scene activity can change the outcome substantially.
Frequently asked questions
Does H.265 always halve storage?+
No. H.265 is usually more efficient than H.264, but the actual saving depends on scene movement, encoder quality and settings.
Why is motion recording an estimate?+
The fraction of each day containing movement varies by camera location. A quiet hallway and a busy road behave very differently.
Can I combine multiple hard drives?+
Many NVRs can, but drive bays and maximum supported capacity must be checked against the recorder specification.