What to look for in storage for video surveillance applications

In this article, Jermaine Campbell, sales director of Western Digital of Northern Europe, Reflect on the importance of storage systems in video surveillance infrastructures, Given the enormous amount of data that is being generated by the growth of recording systems and surveillance cameras.

When news of global interest is at the center of the news, Journalists around the world are fighting to get the images of the event that have been captured by video surveillance cameras, even if it is the most insignificant details. Since worldwide there is on average one camera per camera per 29 People, Perhaps it's hardly surprising how often a persistent journalist, A researcher or anyone reveals footage from a recording.

It's a growing trend. In fact, It is estimated that in already mature markets, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, This figure can rise to one chamber for every eleven people. At the same time, and as a consequence of the growth of closed-loop recording systems, An enormous amount of raw data is being generated. In this sense, According to a report by HIS, The new video surveillance cameras installed in 2015 Worldwide generated in a single day 566 petabytes of data.

Parallel to the growth of closed-circuit recording systems, Users continue to demand increasingly advanced features on elements they are already familiar with, such as cameras and video surveillance software. However, Most likely they haven't thought about less tangible factors, but equally important, How is the storage of the data they have captured.

In fact, instead of being designed for continuous HD or Full HD video recordings made by multiple cameras, Many systems still employ devices that are not specifically suited to the demands of modern closed-loop recording systems.. A device optimized for video surveillance systems must be able to manage the volume of activity required to help reduce the risk of errors and frame jumps.

A device optimized for this activity should consume less energy, generate less heat and have less chance of failure. Overheating adversely affects read and write operations in a video surveillance system, In addition to reducing its useful life. Although at first a device designed specifically for video surveillance can have a higher cost, Finally, the company will benefit from its increased performance and reliability.

An average desktop computer will have requirements of between 6 And 8 Watts, while a video surveillance recording device, such as WD Purple Surveillance hard drive, will work with between 3 And 5 Watts. An ideal solution for data storage will offer, In addition, Better performance, Efficiency and capacity, Even in difficult video surveillance environments. But, How to appreciate the difference?

There are different aspects that must be taken into account when evaluating whether a device has been designed specifically for video surveillance activity:

Always on: Such a system often works on 24 hours of the day, The 7 days of the week. So, Device must be designed to work for huge recording cycles. A desktop computer is typically designed to be active during 8 hours a day throughout the workweek, while a device optimized for this function is designed for 24 use×7.

Improved reliability: Some devices, such as the WD Purple hard drive family for video surveillance applications, include special technology (known in this case as AllFram 4K technology) helps improve playback performance and reduce errors and frame losses.

raid: To make customers calmer, a device with RAID may also be searched. A system with this capability can use two or more hard drives, to create redundancy and continue burning even if one of the discs does not work. This reduces interruptions in productivity and decreases the chances of data loss.

Lower power consumption: Although 'low power consumption' should not be the first of the aspects of the list that should be taken into account in a computer, The fact that it needs to be always available and turned on makes it crucial.. Some are designed with low power consumption in mind., which results in great profitability and significant savings for the customer.

Support for a high number of cameras: An NVR system is designed for use with a large number of IP cameras and, therefore, Will likely require increased storage usage. 4K videos have a larger dimension than those with a standard definition size, which significantly increases the workload and write a higher volume of data to disk per second. Storage units for video surveillance reach up to 10 TB to handle higher retention times and higher workloads.

Support for a high number of system bays: When adding multiple hard drives to the system, There will be an increase in vibrations in the housing, What is inevitable due to the nature of spinning disks. The appropriate device will include technology to counteract system-induced vibration, which helps maintain your performance.

Broad system compatibility: There are differences in the internal design of the housing, and the software may have problems arising from physically adjusting the drive in a bay to see its full capacity. It is recommended to look for devices that are compatible with the manufacturers of DVR and NVR systems that are being used.

Considering the importance of storage in video surveillance systems, You may also find it helpful to use a capacity calculator to measure and find the device that best suits your needs..

As the number of surveillance cameras increases, The complexity of closed-circuit recording systems will also grow.. Installers must be fully aware of the different options available and be advised on the best support to ensure their customers get the reliability, the cost and performance they demand.

Jermaine Campbell

Sales Director of Western Digital, Northern Europe
 

 

 

 

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