When it comes to home security, many people turn to cameras as a way to keep their property and loved ones safe. Cameras are an excellent way to monitor your property, detect unsavory behavior and document those events. It’s one thing to monitor cameras live, but the reality is, no one is sat viewing their cameras 24/7. Recording the video allows a homeowner to review past events. But, how long do home security cameras keep video footage? What if you go into your recordings and can’t find the events you were looking for because they’ve been overwritten?
Being smart is key in staying safe. And knowing how security works can make a huge difference in how effective it will be in protecting you, your property and your loved ones. Understanding the factors that determine how long video footage is kept will govern your decisions.So, in this article, we’ll answer that question also the factors affecting it: how long do home security cameras jeep video footage?
How Long Should You Keep Security Footage?
For home security video, there is no right answer to this. No authorized industry recommendations have been published. But, there are some best practices that can help home owners make decisions on how to configure a home security camera system. The setup and circumstances will determine unique requirements for each camera system.
How Long Do Businesses Keep Video Footage?
There are no hard rules here, but it is helpful to share the best practices for business so you have a benchmark for what you as a homeowner might do.
Most businesses will want to store at least a month’s worth, as this ensures any events that you may need to look back on will be accessible. Here are some common lengths of time for different security applications:
| Business Type | Risk Type | Typical Days of Video Stored |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Low | 7-14 |
| Smaller Hotels | Mid | 30-90 |
| Restaurants | Mid | 30-90 |
| Small/Mid Retailer | Mid | 30-90 |
| Supermarket | Mid | 30-90 |
| Construction Sites | Mid | 30-90 |
| Larger Retail | Mid | 30-90 |
| Larger Hotels | Mid | 30-90 |
| Casino | High | 180-365 |
| Banks | High | 180-365 |
| Hi Risk Government | High | 180-365 |
How Long Should a Homeowner Store Video Footage?
It’s advisable to keep at least a week’s worth of video footage. It’s unlikely that you will need to refer to footage older than a week. When there’s an incident, it’s usually within a couple of days that you will be aware and review, save and share any footage for evidence. But, this is a personal decision you have to make.
Factors Affecting The Longevity Of Keeping Footage
There are a few key factors that will affect how long home security cameras keep the footage. We will look at some of those factors in more detail. But in most basic terms, how long you can store video will depend on the following:
- Where the video is being stored. This could be a local SD drive, a server, a NVR or cloud-based. Each will have limitations to what number and size of videos can be stored. So, that will govern how long footage will be kept.
- The size of video being stored. The larger the size of a video file, the more amount of storage space it will consume. So, you’ll be able to store fewer large size videos than you would smaller file size videos.
These might seem a stupidly obvious. But it’s amazing how many people expect a certain performance from their security system without understanding the limitations.
If you had all the storage space in the world, then the size of the video files you record would not be an issue. But, that’s not the case. You will be limited in how many Gigabytes or Terabytes of video can be stored. That’s why there has to be a compromise. The cost of storage devices like hard drives and cloud storage services has come down, allowing you to buy more storage. But, there’s a limit to what you can afford. So, the two factors or storage space and video file size work together.
What Happens to Old Security Footage?
Firstly, it’s important to understand what happens to your old security footage. Typically when the video storage device like SD cards, servers or hard drives fills up and reach capacity, any new video footage will overwrite the oldest video files first. This will happen on a loop with the newest overwriting the oldest. So, that means if you have enough space for two weeks of video surveillance footage, for example, at any point you will have the last two weeks of footage saved.
Factors Affecting the Size of Video
Frame Size (Resolution And Quality Of Video Recordings)
The higher the quality, the more data is saved. High-definition (HD) photos require significantly more space than low-definition (SD) ones. And HD footage takes up more space than SD footage. It makes sense because video is basically a series of still images shown in a sequence. As a result, it’s generally stored for a shorter period of time.
Most security cameras will allow you to lower the resolution of the footage you are recording. This can help save on space requirements. This in turn allows you to keep older footage for longer. But, beware. Lowering the quality too much may mean that your recordings become useless. You need to be able to see what’s going on, and having a larger frame size allows you to do so.
Understanding camera resolution can be a bit confusing. The following table describes the relationship between megapixels, their common reference, and their pixel dimensions.
| Megapixel | Also called | Pixels |
|---|---|---|
| 1MP | 720p | 1280 x 720 |
| 2MP | 1080p | 1920 x 1080 |
| 3MP | 2048 x 1536 | |
| 4MP | 2K | 2688 x 1520 |
| 6MP | 3072 x 2048 | |
| 8MP | 4K | 3840 x 2160 |
The most common resolutions for security cameras these days are 1080p, 1440p (referred to as 2K), 3k and 4K. You will find a good number for sale with 720p resolution, but that’s low and will reduce the clarity of the image. 1080 should be the absolute lowest you look for in a camera. As shown below, you can make out more details in a 4K video than you can in 2K video, and more in the 2K video compared with the 1080p video.
Frame Rate
Basically video is a sequence of still images. Each still image is called a frame. The frame rate describes how many of those still images (frames) are taken during one second of viewing. FPS stands for frames per second. The ideal fps is 30. This means the video will look smooth. As the fps drops, it will appear more choppy. Below 20 fps and it can become quite noticeable. However, the higher the fps, the more data is captured. And the more data that is captured means a larger file size. That in turn means requires more storage. And that limit how much video is stored and for how long.
If you reduce the frame rate it means you could store more video for longer. Most camera systems will allow you to play with this setting. But be warned: if you drop it too low, the videos will not be smooth and you will start to miss movement.
The Duration Of Video Recordings
The longer the recording, the more storage space it requires and the shorter the amount of time it can be stored. For example, for a camera that records at 30 frames per second (FPS), one minute of recording may take up 1.8 GB of space. With the same frame rate and all other settings, the same camera recording a for 6 minutes will produce a video file 10.8 GB.
It should be obvious that a one-hour recording will take up a lot more space than a 6-minute recording and, as a result, can’t be stored for as long. That’s why it is important to decide what is recorded. It can basically be broken down into three approaches to recording video:
| Type of Recording Video | What is Recorded? | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Constant 24/7 | Everything, always on recording | Casinos, Banks, Stores |
| Scheduled | Certain times of day only | Stores, Restaurants |
| Event Driven | Motion-triggered when movement detected | Businesses, Residential |
| AI-triggered (animal, person, face) | ||
| Sequence-triggered (one camera triggers another) |
So, in higher risk businesses, it would be required that the cameras constantly record 24/7. And the files generated would be large. But for homeowners, constant recording may not be necessary. Instead event-driven recording can be used such as motion-detection. That means that only when there is something worthy of recording will the cameras record. This cuts way down on unnecessary footage, allowing you to store more necessary footage for longer.
The Number Of Cameras In Use
Again this doesn’t have a bearing on the actual file size of the videos but, the more cameras that are in use will affect the length the footage can be stored. More cameras means more footage.
So, let’s say one camera records 100GB of footage a day on average. Over a week that’s 700GB. If you have a 1 TB drive, where the video is being stored, then then you’d be able to keep ten days worth on it before it begins overwriting the oldest video. But, let’s add in another three cameras, also averaging 100GB a day. That’s now 400 GB per day between the four cameras. That’s 2.8TB of data over the week. That means your 1TB drive will hold 2.5 day’s worth of footage before overwriting the oldest footage. So yes,, the file size and the number of cameras being used can be a major factor in ho long footage is kept.
Bitrate
Bitrate describes the number of bits (pieces of data) transmitted and committed to a recording during a certain period. It’s usually denoted as Mbps which stands for megabits per second. The higher the bitrate, the higher the quality of video. When playing back video online, a higher bitrate can make a big difference in quality. And again, it will impact the size of the video file too. It can often be adjusted in video cameras.
Compression of Video Files
Advances in technology have allowed video file size to be reduced using algorithms called codecs. These codecs allow the size of video footage to be reduced (or compressed) while maintaining the quality. This means more video can be stored on your storage device or in the cloud. The codec goes through the video and eliminates unnecessary portions of the file. making them smaller. The most common types of compression are MJPEG and H.264. The latest codec, H.265, is even more efficient at reducing file size. Most cameras will include compression these days, so it’s a factor you don’t have to really think about.
Factors Affecting the Storage of Video Footage
The second major factor impacting how long you can store your home security footage is the storage itself. This is where the video is actually stored. There are several options, each with pros and cons. We examine them below.
Type Of Storage Device
There are several options when it comes to storing your footage. The type of storage device you use will affect how long your footage can be stored.
Server-Based Storage
The most popular method for businesses to keep camera footage is on servers. External devices called NVRs and DVRs store video using one or more hard drives. NVR stands for networked video recorders and DVR stands for digital video recorders. DVRs are older technology typically using analog video that is poorer quality but reliable. NVRs are newer and provide many additional features for configuring your system. They use IP cameras (that is cameras that are on your network, like a computer is), and each camera has it’s own IP address.
NVRs are much easier to access and view. Many NVR providers will also offer mobile smart phone options to access and view the footage.
NVRs can definitely work for home security. The actual footage will be stored on the NVR and accessed from there. Make sure you check the amount of storage, usually listed in terabytes, when investing in an NVR. The more cameras you want in the system and the longer you want to be able to access the footage for, the more terabytes you’ll need. However, for smaller applications, it is typical to keep footage on site: this is a personal choice that depends on the security of the company location and the demands of business operators.
SD Card Storage
SD cards or microSD cards are another video storage option. Very often you will find cameras that have internal slots to hold SD Cards. The video can be stored on these cards. The size of these in-camera microSD cards. The type and size of card you choose will impact the amount of footage you can store on it. It is possible to delete this footage. SD cards make also make a useful backup systems in combination with a video server.
Below is a guide on the hours of video that can be stored on different SD card sizes depending on the bitrate (courtesy of Reolink).
| Max. BitRate (kbps) | Recording Time (hours) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16GB | 32GB | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB | |
| 1024 | 36.4 | 72.8 | 145.6 | 291.3 | 582.5 |
| 1536 | 24.3 | 48.5 | 97.1 | 194.2 | 388.4 |
| 2048 | 18.2 | 36.4 | 72.8 | 145.6 | 291.3 |
| 3072 | 12.1 | 24.3 | 48.5 | 97.1 | 194.2 |
| 4096 | 9.1 | 18.2 | 36.4 | 72.8 | 145.6 |
| 5120 | 7.3 | 14.6 | 29.1 | 58.3 | 116.5 |
| 6144 | 6.1 | 12.1 | 24.2 | 48.5 | 97.1 |
| 7168 | 5.2 | 10.4 | 20.8 | 41.6 | 83.2 |
| 8192 | 4.6 | 9.1 | 18.2 | 36.4 | 72.8 |
Cloud Storage
Over the past few years cloud storage has become a very popular option for video storage. Many camera manufacturers provide cloud storage services. Saving you footage to the cloud is a great option if you want to be able to access your footage from anywhere in the world. Most providers offer access from mobile devices making it even more convenient. It’s also a good choice if you’re worried about losing your footage due to a physical accident.
However, it’s important to note that cloud storage isn’t free. You’ll typically have to pay a monthly fee to store your footage on the cloud. In addition, internet speed and reliability can be issues when using cloud storage.The amount of video that you can store will be limited by the subscription you pay with the service provider. Some may offer 30-day unlimited looping of video so that 30 day’s worth of video remains accessible before it is overwritten. Others will provide 7 or 14 day looping. And, the cloud storage is likely to increase for every camera you add. So, your cloud storage ability is ultimately limited by budget and provider limitations.
One major benefit of cloud storage over local storage like servers or SD cards is that the footage is being backed up. That’s the cloud service provider’s responsibility. When storing things locally, you do run a risk of failure on those devices. It’s possible to have servers and NAS devices backed up but SD Cards is difficult to do.
Exporting Footage
If you need to keep footage indefinitely, you can always export your videos onto a computer, an external hard drive flash drive or NAS (network area storage). By exporting only those pieces of video you need, you can really make your storage last longer become more cost-effective. Make sure to keep your saved video safe, perhaps in a safe.
Data Transmission
It;s worth noting that the footage from your security cameras needs to be transmitted somehow. A lot of residential security camera systems will depend on the internet or WiFi to transmit the video to the cloud or a local network device. Sometimes, the quality of your internet connection and especially any wireless components in it, can affect how long footage is stored.
If you have a poor-quality internet connection or issues with WiFi signal, it might take longer for footage to be transmitted from your cameras to the storage device or cloud. Plus, there could be transmission errors where footage is not fully sent. This isn’t a common issue, but it can and does arise. You may be aware an incident took place, but when you go to look for the video it’s incomplete or maybe even missing. While this is not common, it is possible. And it’s always important to be aware of the potential shortcomings in security ahead of time.
How To Store Your Footage Safely?
The sections above explain the limiting factors of file size and storage space. But another important factor to think about is how safe your video files are when being stored. If the device on which you store your files has a failure, then all your files are put at risk. An IT professional may be able to recover the files, but there’s no guarantee and in the mean time, you will need alternative video storage.
Cloud Backup
If you have the option and adequate bandwidth, cloud storage for event-driven video (motion-based video) is a great solution. You are only saving incidents that need to be saved and stored. The cloud service provider does the hard work of storing, securing and backing up the files.
Make Your NVR / DVR Less Conspicuous
If you don’t have a cloud service option, then it is wise to have you NVR / DVR located somewhere secure or out of the way in your home. A conspicuous security camera system is susceptible to sabotage should anyone gain access to your home. We have seen this in business and have taken steps on future installs to ensure the NVR / DVR are themselves secured or inconspicuous.
Other Backup Options
Backing up or exporting your video footage on a regular basis either manually or using an automated scheduling service is also a good idea. There are many such services, devices and software out there. One backup and syncing software that provides good flexibility for both local and cloud options is Goodsync. I have used it for years in home and business without complaints.
There are also options for NVRs to be automatically synced with cloud servers The first thing you need to do is make sure that your footage is stored in a safe place. The best way to do this is by using a cloud-based solution. Cloud storage is a great option. Since it’s accessible from anywhere in the world, and it’s also more reliable than other storage options.
The Final Score
Security cameras are an excellent way to keep your home secure and detect and document any incidents. However, tit’s vital to understand how long these security cameras store footage. Being smart helps you to stay safe. And part of being smart is understanding your security equipment and it’s limitations. Unrealistic expectations can really hamper the effectiveness of your security efforts. It is a huge disappointment when you go looking for camera footage and realise that it has been overwritten.
Typical Homeowner Requirements
For a homeowner, you will want to keep 1-2 weeks of video footage. Most NVR / DVRs as well as security camera cloud services will allow 1-2 weeks of storage at a relatively affordable rate.
Extending Your Security Camera Storage
If you want to go beyond and have more cameras and keep footage for longer you need a basic understanding of the two main factors that determine how long video footage can be kept: the video file size and the video storage device capacity.
It’s important to appreciate what determines the video file size: frame rate, frame size (image quality/resolution), bitrate, along with the number of cameras you record video from. It’s also important to understand how and where you video is being stored: whether locally on SD Cards or servers or on the cloud through a cloud storage service. And you’ll want to make sure your system gives you options to record on event triggers like motion or schedules to cut down needless recording.
The greatest limiting factor will be your budget: to store recordings from multiple cameras at high quality will require more storage space, which comes at a cost.
Finally, make sure your recording devices are not conspicuous to prevent tampering and sabotage. And also consider backing up your footage if it’s not being recorded in the cloud.
Be smart and stay safe.
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