Security cameras are an essential component of modern security systems in keeping homes, offices, and public places safe. That said, when it comes to security and surveillance cameras, one question always comes first – how long do security cameras keep footage? There is no simple answer to this, as the specifics depend on many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, storage size, usage of local or cloud storage, recording resolution, recording mode, video compression mode, and more.
In this blog, we provide you with information regarding various aspects of footage retention periods, including aspects such as factors that affect how long your CCTV footage is retained. In addition, we also provide insights on how to increase footage retention.
Average Footage Retention Periods
The specific retention periods of footage depend on a wide range of factors. That said, there is an average standard that you generally get based on the storage medium and system. Basic home setups usually store videos for a shorter period, and commercial systems hold footage for a relatively longer period of time. Following is a general estimation of the average footage retention periods across multiple systems:
- Most DVRs keep footage for 7 to 30 days before overwriting old files.
- With higher storage options, NVR setups often hold footage for 15 to 90 days.
- The plans for cloud storage are very variable, generally offering 7, 14, 30, or 60 days, depending on the subscription.
- Unless you upgrade to a larger cloud plan, battery or Wi-Fi cameras store an average of 7 to 14 days of video.
- Business-class security systems could store as much as 90 days of captures or even more in places like banks, hotels, and retail outlets.
These ranges are given as an average estimate, but they do give you an average estimate of what to expect about the footage retention.
Factors affecting footage retention
Apart from the number of events it captures, the period that security cameras retain footage depends on technical settings as well as storage limits. Even if the two systems have the same hard drive size, their retention periods can be completely different based on how they are configured. Some of the key factors that influence the storage duration and how they impact your overall retention time are as follows:
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is the biggest contributor to footage retention. Cameras that rely on small SD cards tend to store fewer days of video, while systems with large NVR/DVR hard drives can keep recordings for weeks or even months. The more storage space you have, the longer your system can hold videos before overwriting older files. Many users increase retention simply by upgrading their drive.
Media Format
The video format or codec plays a major role in reducing file size without lowering visible quality. Modern CCTV systems use formats like H.265 or H.265+, which compress footage more efficiently and significantly extend retention periods. Older formats, such as H.264, take up more space and shorten how long recordings remain saved. Choosing a system with advanced compression gives you more footage without upgrading your storage.
Recording Resolution
The higher the resolution, the larger the video files. A 4K camera captures sharper details but fills up the storage much more quickly compared to a 1080p camera. If you want longer retention, then choosing a lower or mid-range resolution can balance clarity and the storage usage rate. Certain systems will also enable you to adjust resolution on diverse cameras depending on importance.
Recording Mode
Cameras do not necessarily need to record constantly. Continuous recording captures every moment, but it uses the most storage.Motion-triggered recording only initiates when it detects movement, thereby saving beaucoup space in uneventful areas. With event-based recording, where recording is triggered only in case of some events ringing a doorbell or an alarm, for example-then only important clips will be stored, and footage could last much longer. The recording mode taken will directly influence how fast your storage gets filled up. Bitrate and
Compression Settings.
Bitrate controls the amount of data the camera generates. A higher bitrate means you get clearer video, but it uses more storage. Using a moderate bitrate and an efficient compression format lets you keep the image quality good while extending retention. Small changes in bitrate can add several extra days of footage on the same storage.
Number of Cameras
If your system has multiple cameras recording at the same time, the storage fills up quicker. A single-camera home setup may keep footage for weeks, while a six- or eight-camera system may only store a few days if the storage is limited. Each camera effectively divides the available storage.
Frame Rate (FPS)
Frame rate affects both quality and file size. Increased FPS (such as 30fps) results in more fluid video but leads to larger video file sizes. Lowering the FPS to 15 or even 12 can double your retention with minimal impact on clarity. For many security purposes, a high frame rate isn’t necessary.
Overwriting Settings
Most CCTV systems use a loop-recording method, meaning old footage gets overwritten once the storage is full. The overwrite cycle determines the retention duration. A few of them enable you to secure specific clips so they aren’t deleted, which could be helpful for preserving important events even when the recording gets automatically overwritten.
Cloud versus Local Storage
Cloud storage fixed retention periods are usually set for 7, 14, 30, or 60 days, depending on your subscription plan. In contrast, local storage is flexible since you can upgrade to bigger hard drives or add external devices to store footage longer. Still, local systems require more maintenance, while cloud storage manages retention automatically.
Cloud Storage versus Local Storage for CCTV Footage Storage
You can store video footage from a CCTV camera on a cloud or on a device. Both types have different storage durations. Here’s an overview of these two types of storage:
Cloud Storage
Two of the ways that record and store CCTV footage are cloud and local storage. Both have some merits in themselves. It stores your recordings on remote servers, making it possible to access your footage from anywhere with an internet connection. It also auto-saves your key clips, saves your videos from potential damage to cameras or recorders, and offers different retention times depending on the subscription plan you have. It makes cloud storage simple and requires very little maintenance; however, this depends on having a reliable enough internet connection and often requires you to make monthly payments for prolonged storage or multiple cameras. With cloud storage, you can access your recordings from any location with an internet connection.
Local Storage
Local Storage On the other hand, local storage saves your footage directly onto physical devices such as NVRs and DVRs or SD cards within one’s property. You have complete control over your data with no recurring subscription fees; retention can easily be expanded simply by upgrading to a larger hard drive or adding storage space. It also continues recording during internet outages, a huge advantage in those situations. However, local systems demand more maintenance, and footage may get lost in the event that the hardware gets stolen or damaged. Because of these differences, cloud storage is perfect for users who want convenience and remote access, while local storage fits those who prefer longer retention and complete control over their recordings.
How to increase footage retention?
Needless to say, the longer you can retain your footage without dropping the quality, the better it is for you. The good news here is that there are a few ways you can increase the footage retention without dropping the quality of the footage all too much. Some of the key ways you do this include:
- Upgrade your hard drive to a much larger one or increase the capacity of an SD card.
- Lower the recording resolution; for example, from 4K to 1080p.
- Lower the frame rate to decrease the file size.
- Use motion-based or event-based recording instead of continuous recording.
- Utilize efficient video compression formats like H.265/H.265+.
- The bitrate should be medium, so that videos are never oversized.
- Set appropriate overwrite settings for efficient storage management.
- Store data locally but also employ cloud backup for extended retention.
Conclusion
Understanding how long footage is kept by security cameras can help in the selection of an appropriate surveillance system and the full satisfaction of your security needs. While retention periods for surveillance footage do vary depending on systems and setups, the actual duration always depends on technical settings, storage capacity, and the method of recording. By understanding what affects video surveillance retention, you will get a better insight into how your system handles and stores video over time. The good news here is that increasing the retention of footage is completely possible with just a few simple adjustments.
In this blog, we provide you with insights into how long security cameras keep footage, the factors that affect the retention rate, and much more. We hope this helps you in some way. If you are further interested in learning more about the many aspects of CCTV cameras, do have a look at some of our other blogs. And if you’re looking for the best CCTV camera in Nepal with a long footage retention rate, then look nowhere other than Night Vision – the best CCTV camera manufacturer in Nepal.
FAQs on How long do security cameras keep footage?
How long does the average security camera keep footage?
Most home and small office cameras keep their footage for 7 to 30 days. The time largely depends on the storage capacity, resolution, and recording modes. Larger commercial systems keep videos anywhere between 60 to 90 days or even more because they hold bigger storage and numerous cameras. The real retention might actually depend a lot on the setup and usage of the system.
What are the factors that will influence how long CCTV footage is stored?
The retention time of CCTV footage depends on various factors that include storage size, recording resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and the number of cameras. Most important is the type of recording mode: continuous, motion-triggered, or event-based, since that determines the manner of storage usage. Sometimes it also depends on whether you are using local or cloud storage.
Do higher-resolution cameras reduce retention time?
Certainly, high-resolution cameras like 4K or 5MP generate video files that are considerably bigger, resulting in faster exhaustion of storage space. Lowering the resolution to 1080p or 2MP can extend the time your system retains footage substantially.
How do I extend the footage in my CCTV store?
You can extend retention by upgrading your storage capacity or adding larger hard drives or SD cards. You can also adjust settings related to resolution, frame rate, or even recording based on motion that will help save space. Using efficient compression formats such as H.265/H.265+ or local storage in combination with cloud backup increases the number of days your footage remains stored.
Which cameras offer both options for cloud and local storage footage?
There are only a few CCTV cameras out there that offer options for both cloud and local storage footage. Among them, the top ones include:
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