Most people only think about storage after something goes wrong.
You check the footage from last week's incident and realise your DVR only kept three days of recording. The evidence is gone. This is a common, and avoidable, mistake.
CCTV storage depends on three things: number of cameras, recording quality, and whether cameras record continuously or only when motion is detected. Understanding these helps you choose the right hard drive size from the start.
How CCTV Storage Works
Your DVR or NVR records video onto a hard drive. When the drive is full, the system overwrites the oldest footage. So if you have a 1TB drive and it fills up in 7 days, you'll only ever have the last 7 days of footage.
If you want longer history, you need a bigger drive — or cameras that record only when motion is detected, which saves space.
General Storage Guide (Continuous Recording)
| Cameras | 1TB Drive | 2TB Drive | 4TB Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 7–10 days | 14–20 days | 30–40 days |
| 8 | 3–5 days | 7–10 days | 15–20 days |
| 16 | 1–2 days | 3–5 days | 7–10 days |
*Estimates based on 2MP cameras at standard compression. High-resolution cameras use more storage.
Motion-Based Recording Saves Space
Most modern systems can record only when motion is detected. This can reduce storage usage by 50–70%, meaning you can keep footage for much longer. For a home, motion-based recording is usually the smarter choice. For a business or farm, continuous recording may be preferred for compliance or monitoring.
What We Recommend for Nakuru
- Homes (4–8 cameras): 2TB drive with motion-based recording. Gives you 2–4 weeks of history.
- Shops & Offices (4–16 cameras): 2TB–4TB drive. Aim for at least 2 weeks of recording.
- Farms & Warehouses (8–32 cameras): 4TB or larger. Continuous recording on key areas like gates and stores.
Not sure what you need? Our packages are built around these storage levels, but we can always upgrade the drive.
Don't guess your storage. We'll sort it.
Book a free site survey. We'll recommend the right recorder, drive size, and recording mode for your property.
📋 Book Free SurveyOr call: 0722 625 525
Frequently Asked Questions
For most homes, 2–4 weeks is enough. Businesses often keep 4–8 weeks. It depends on your risk and storage capacity.
Yes. A 4MP or 8MP camera uses significantly more storage than a 2MP camera. This is why drive size matters when you choose high-quality cameras.
In most cases, yes. We can upgrade the hard drive in your DVR or NVR. Some systems also support adding an external drive.
Instead of recording 24/7, the system records only when something moves in front of the camera. This saves space and extends your recording history.
The system overwrites the oldest footage automatically. If you need to keep footage longer, you'll need a larger drive or backup.