Upgrade your CCTV recorder with a 4TB surveillance hard drive designed for 24/7 continuous video recording. This drive is ideal for use in DVR and NVR systems from Hikvision, Dahua, HiLook and many other compatible CCTV brands.
Unlike a standard desktop hard drive, a surveillance HDD is built for always-on recording, multiple camera streams, and the demanding environment inside security recorders. It is a smarter and more reliable choice for storing important CCTV footage.
This 4TB hard drive is a great option for customers who need more recording time than 2TB can offer, without stepping up to larger capacities like 6TB, 8TB or beyond.
Why choose a surveillance hard drive?
A CCTV recorder is very different from a normal computer. It writes video footage all day and all night, often from multiple cameras at once. A surveillance hard drive is designed for this type of workload and is better suited to continuous recording than a standard desktop HDD.
- Designed for 24/7 surveillance workloads
- Better suited to DVR/NVR environments
- Optimised for continuous video recording
- Suitable for modern H.265 / H.265+ systems
- Supports multi-camera recording setups
Suitable for Hikvision, Dahua, HiLook and more
This 4TB surveillance hard drive is suitable for many CCTV recording systems, including:
- Hikvision DVRs
- Hikvision NVRs
- Dahua DVRs
- Dahua NVRs
- HiLook recorders
- Other compatible CCTV DVR and NVR systems
If ordered with a compatible recorder, additional drives may be installed and formatted prior to dispatch.
WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk
We supply professional surveillance hard drives such as WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk, depending on stock availability. Both are purpose-built for CCTV use and are trusted choices for DVR and NVR systems.
- WD Purple – designed for surveillance environments and continuous recording
- Seagate SkyHawk – built for always-on video workloads in CCTV systems
Both options are far better suited to surveillance than a normal PC hard drive.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
Use this quick guide to estimate how much storage you may need for 6MP and 8MP CCTV cameras using H.265 compression.
| Number of Cameras |
14 Days Recording |
30 Days Recording |
| 2 Cameras |
2TB – 4TB |
4TB – 6TB |
| 4 Cameras |
4TB – 6TB |
8TB – 10TB |
| 6 Cameras |
6TB – 8TB |
12TB – 16TB |
| 8 Cameras |
8TB – 10TB |
16TB+ |
These estimates assume 6MP to 8MP cameras recording at around 15fps using H.265 or H.265+. Actual storage time depends on bitrate, motion levels, scene activity, and recording settings.
Is 4TB enough? For many 2-camera to 4-camera CCTV systems, 4TB is a very practical choice. Larger systems, higher bitrates, or longer retention times may require 6TB, 8TB or more.
Need a more accurate answer?
Use our CCTV Storage Calculator to estimate storage based on your exact camera count, resolution, frame rate and recording quality.
Key Features
- 4TB capacity for CCTV recording
- Designed for 24/7 continuous surveillance use
- Suitable for DVR and NVR systems
- Ideal for home and business CCTV
- Better suited than a normal desktop hard drive
- Suitable for many multi-camera systems
- Compatible with modern H.265 / H.265+ recording environments
- Available as WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk depending on stock
Specifications
- Capacity: 4TB
- Type: Internal surveillance hard drive
- Form Factor: 3.5 inch
- Interface: SATA
- Application: CCTV DVRs and NVRs
- Designed For: 24/7 CCTV recording systems
- Brand Supplied: WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk (subject to availability)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 4TB surveillance hard drive?
A 4TB surveillance hard drive is a hard drive designed for CCTV systems that record continuously. It is made for DVR and NVR use, not normal desktop computing.
Can I use this 4TB HDD in a DVR or NVR?
Yes. This type of hard drive is designed for CCTV recorders such as DVRs and NVRs.
Is a surveillance hard drive different from a normal hard drive?
Yes. A surveillance HDD is built for 24/7 recording and continuous video workloads. A normal desktop hard drive is usually designed for less constant use.
Is 4TB enough for my CCTV system?
For many 2-camera to 4-camera CCTV systems, 4TB is a strong all-round choice. The actual recording time depends on the number of cameras, their resolution, frame rate, bitrate, compression and motion levels. Use our CCTV Storage Calculator for a more accurate estimate.
How many days will 4TB store?
There is no single answer. A smaller system may get a good amount of retention from 4TB, while larger 4K or high-motion systems may require more storage. The best way to estimate retention is with the calculator.
Which is better, WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk?
Both are professional surveillance drive ranges built for CCTV systems. For most customers, either is a strong option.
Which brand will I receive?
We supply either WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk depending on stock availability. Both are professional surveillance drives designed for DVR/NVR systems.
Can this hard drive be used for Hikvision and Dahua recorders?
Yes. Surveillance hard drives like these are commonly used in Hikvision and Dahua CCTV recorders.
Can you install the hard drive before shipping?
If ordered with a recorder, the hard drive may be installed and formatted prior to dispatch.
Who is a 4TB surveillance hard drive best for?
A 4TB surveillance hard drive is a popular option for home and small business CCTV systems that need more recording time than 2TB can offer, without stepping up to larger capacities like 6TB, 8TB or 10TB.
Is this good for home CCTV?
Yes. 4TB is a very common choice for home CCTV systems where the customer wants a practical balance between storage capacity and price.
Is this good for business CCTV?
Yes. It is also suitable for many business CCTV systems, especially smaller to mid-sized systems that need longer retention than 2TB usually provides.
Need help choosing the right size?
Start with our CCTV Storage Calculator to estimate how long 4TB will last in your CCTV system
