Inputs that drive storage demand
- Camera count, resolution, and frame rate.
- Recording mode: continuous, scheduled, or motion-based.
- Scene activity level and codec settings.
Retention targets by use case
- Incident review-focused sites needing reliable lookback windows.
- Multi-entrance commercial sites with higher event volume.
- Budget-sensitive sites balancing retention and cost.
Common sizing mistakes
- Over-specifying retention with no operational reason.
- Underestimating bitrate changes after camera upgrades.
- Ignoring export and evidence workflow requirements.
Practical review cadence
- Recalculate after layout or camera-count changes.
- Validate playback usability, not just storage duration.
- Document retention policy and authorised access.