01 / INPUT
Define the recorded stream
Use the average bitrate of the stream being recorded. Resolution and codec names alone do not determine storage. Variable bitrate, motion and scene complexity change the actual amount of data.
HIKD / 04 / RETENTION LAB
Make retention
a design decision.
Recording capacity starts with the stream you keep and the time you keep it. Use a transparent bitrate estimate, then check the recorder and storage configuration.
CAPACITY / RETENTIONHIKD / 04
HIKD / PROJECT SUPPORT
Channels, bandwidth and capacity are separate checks.
A recorder with enough camera channels can still be limited by incoming bandwidth, decoding capability or supported storage. Read those limits separately, using the exact model and intended stream settings.
02 / RETENTION
Define the schedule
Set recording hours per day and retention days. Event recording can reduce data, but the result depends on how often the event occurs and the recording settings.
03 / STORAGE
Check usable capacity
Confirm supported drive models, capacity per bay and recorder limits. RAID, formatting and reserved space affect usable capacity; raw drive totals are not the same as available video storage.
HIKD / 04
A storage estimate you can inspect.
This planner uses decimal terabytes and an explicit allowance. It is a starting point for continuous or scheduled video at an assumed average bitrate, rather than a guaranteed retention period.
1–256
0.1–64
1–24
1–365
0–100
Estimated video capacity (TB)
Planning estimate; decimal TB. Actual retention varies with bitrate, recording schedule and usable capacity.
Check the input ranges before calculating.
Worked example: 16 cameras × 4 Mb/s × 24 hours/day × 30 days, plus 20% allowance = 24.88 TB.
Cameras × Mb/s × hours/day × 3600 × days ÷ 8 ÷ 1000000 × (1 + allowance/100).
The allowance is added to video data. It does not calculate RAID, filesystem overhead or recorder drive limits. Confirm supported drives and usable capacity separately.
FAQ
Practical questions
Does the allowance calculate RAID capacity?
No. The allowance only adds a percentage to estimated video data. Calculate the chosen RAID arrangement, filesystem overhead and reserved space separately.
Can a codec name predict a fixed retention improvement?
No. The result depends on implementation, scene, motion, quality and bitrate settings. Use measured or specified bitrate assumptions and review the real recorded workload.
Build a clearer specification.
Send the model, quantity and project requirements for review. Availability, compatibility and commercial terms are confirmed for the specific enquiry.