Reliable Storage for Surveillance Data

By Irina Chan, senior specialist product management, storage products division, Toshiba Electronics Europe.

The amount of data in video surveillance is growing, consequently, there is a need for storage media that is optimised to record multiple high-resolution streams – after all, not a single image must be lost.

Blurry and pixelated images in video surveillance are a thing of the past. Modern cameras deliver at least HD resolution and often even 4K or 8K. The amount of data generated is correspondingly large, especially since multiple cameras are usually used and run around the clock. For storage systems and the storage media they contain, retaining every image without loss therefore poses particular challenges. In addition, the data sometimes must be stored for a considerable period of time, which further increases the requirements for storage capacity.

The large amount of data associated with video surveillance can be stored using HDDs, but not every model is suitable for this purpose. Classic desktop HDDs, for example, may be cheaper than optimised surveillance HDDs, but they are only designed for operating times between 8 and 16 hours a day and an annual workload of 55TB. This is insufficient for video surveillance. The drives would wear out quickly with a high chance of having above-average error and failure rates within the warranty period. So, the advantage in terms of price would quickly be lost.

Surveillance HDDs support 24/7 operation and can cope with up to 180TB workload a year. Thanks to optimised firmware versions and large buffers, they are capable of recording up to 64 video streams simultaneously. For very frequent read access, for example for continuous screening or data analysis, it may make sense to use Surveillance HDDs with 7,200rpm or even enterprise HDDs. For many scenarios, however, surveillance models with 5,400 or 5,700 rpm are sufficient, as they are highly energy-efficient and help to keep operating costs low.

Check for compatibility
Given the large quantity of data generated in video surveillance, most video systems can be equipped with several HDDs. To ensure that the drives work with the devices and to provide optimal performance, users should only choose models from the manufacturers’ compatibility lists. These models have been put through extensive compatibility and functionality tests, meaning that problems are extremely unlikely to occur. Alternatively, complete solutions are also available on the market for which the systems have already been equipped with suitable HDDs by experienced integrators.

Unlike HDDs for PCs, NAS systems and servers, surveillance HDDs are designed for operating temperatures between 0 and 70°C. This is important because video systems are not always located in air-conditioned rooms, but sometimes placed in poorly ventilated storage rooms or in safety cabinets in production areas. In addition, surveillance HDDs are equipped with an RV sensor, which PC drives do not have. This prevents the rotational vibrations of multiple HDDs in one device from reinforcing each other and causing damage. As soon as the sensor detects undesirable vibrations, the operating parameters are adjusted to ensure that there are no risks for the HDDs and that any adverse affects on performance are minimised.

Ultimately, companies rely on modern storage media that are tailored to the specific requirements of video surveillance. Surveillance HDDs capture the large amount of data and guarantee smooth operation around the clock, with minimum risk of failure.