Can I Use SSD for DVR?

CCTV Cameras

Solid State Drives or SSDs have become much popular in recent years. There are many reasons for this but one of the main reasons is that they are a lot faster than traditional hard drives. Today most game consoles and high-end laptops come with SSDs. This has led to people asking if they can use SSDs for DVRs.

Answer to this question is yes, you can use SSDs for DVRs. But is it ideal? No. Because DVRs intention is reliability not speed. SSDs are very fast, but it will wear out eventually when writing happens frequently. It is recommended to use a regular HDD for DVR.

So can you actually use an SSD for DVR? Is that a valid argument? We take a look at the real differences between an SDD and a hard disk drive (HDD) to see how they might apply to your surveillance system.

Why People Choose SSDs over HDDs

  • Higher IOPS

IOPS is short for Input/Output Operations Per Second and determines how fast data can be accessed from a storage device, be it SSD or HDD. The higher the IOPS, the faster the data can be written or read from a storage device, which translates to a faster system startup time or faster data access times.

  • Lower latency

Latency is the time taken for a data transfer to complete. The lower the latency, the faster the system can respond to data access requests. In other words, when you or your system command for a read/write operation, it should be completed as quickly as possible so that you don’t have to wait too long to get your data.

  • Lower power consumption by SSD

Because of their lower IOPS reads and writes, hard disk drives use considerably more power than SSDs. As such, you can save on your electricity bill with an SSD.

The only downside to SSDs is that they are more expensive than hard disks, so you’ll have to budget for that if you want it for a DVR system.

  • Better shock resistance than HDD

Have you ever dropped your laptop onto the ground or even your desk? You know how painful it is when you can’t use it for a while, right? Well, an SSD can survive such an experience with ease. This is because they are made of a special silicon material called NAND flash memory used in solid-state drives (SSDs) — that won’t be damaged by shock or even by sudden temperature changes.

HDDs, on the other hand, are composed of spinning magnetic disks that can easily get damaged after dropping them from different heights or being exposed to high-temperature.

  • Higher performance under extreme temperatures

The NAND flash memory used in SSDs can operate at higher temperatures, but don’t get me wrong — they still need to be kept under extreme temperatures. Their overall performance, however, is not affected by high or low temperature, while hard disk drives get easily damaged and their read/write speeds become lower as temperature increases.

  • SSDs are more reliable than HDDs

Because of their shock resistance and lower power consumption, SSDs are more reliable than HDDs. You can expect them to work under extreme temperatures for a long time and their performance is not affected by random vibrations. Obviously, SSDs don’t last forever and they are more expensive than HDDs. But if you need a better performing surveillance system and you have the budget, an SSD is worth it.

  • Less Noice

One reason that many people choose SSDs over HDDs is that they are quieter and less noisy. With HDDs, you often hear the spinning of the hard drive platters and other mechanical components as you access your files.

This can be distracting and make it difficult to focus on your work or enjoy your media. In contrast, SSDs have no moving parts and are virtually silent. This makes them ideal for use in laptops, tablets, and other portable devices where you need quiet operation.

What Is a DVR in Surveillance System?

Hikvision DVR

DVR is the acronym for digital video recorder. When you have CCTV security systems installed in your home or business, these DVR’s are often the only way to monitor your property. A CCTV system is a security system that is attached to any space with windows or doors, it provides 24-hour surveillance and typically records what you are watching when it detects an event.

The footage from these cameras can be saved on a DVR for later review. Some of these systems can also connect to your mobile phone so you can check in and keep up with events even if you’re not at home during the day.

To record the CCTV footage we have to install a HDD device. This device can record the footage from the cameras, and it can provide playback and remote access to administrators. The HDD can store video when there is continuous recording, or it can store files of shorter lengths of footage. Usually, DVR devices can store the footage for up to several months at a time.

I know the intention of this article is not to talk about DVR and security systems but this will help someone that’s considering getting one.

Are SSD’s a Good Choice for Home Security?

SSDs are a good choice for Home Security systems because they offer high performance and are more reliable than HDDs. They also consume less power and are better able to withstand shocks. However, they are more expensive than HDDs.

While installing an SSD in your home security system is a great way to increase performance, decrease lag and power consumption; unfortunately, there are some drawbacks. For example: due to the requirements on recording footage for protection cameras-a low-speed HDD may actually be more suitable than an expensive high capacity solid-state drive (SSD) due. to its longer life and reliability.

Want to know what are the good SSD brands avalible on the market? Check below

Can I use SSD for NVR?

Yes, you can use SSD for DVR or NVR. They both use SATA interfaces, so the installation process is very simple. Just be sure to get a model that’s compatible with your system.

Drawbacks When Using a SSD As the Storage Device in DVR?

SSD in a surveillance system
  • Less storage capacity than traditional hard drives : Another drawback of using a SSD as a storage device in a DVR is that it has less storage capacity than traditional hard drives. This may not be a problem for some users, but others may need the extra storage space.
  • Overheating: One potential problem with using an SSD in a DVR is that it may overheat. This could cause the system to malfunction or even damage the SSD.
  • More expensive than traditional hard drives : One final drawback of using a SSD as a storage device in a DVR is that it is more expensive than traditional hard drives. This may not be a problem for some users, but others may find the higher price tag to be prohibitive.
  • Finite Write Limits : One of the main issues with SSD storage is that due to flash memory technology, there are finite write limits. Once these limits are reached, data can no longer be stored on the drive and must be rewritten. This can cause issues for DVR systems that require a great deal of storage space.

So, Is It Worth Using a SSD as a Storage Device in a DVR?

Sandisk-SSD-Plus
Sandisk SSD Plus (Check on Amazon)

No. While SSDs offer some advantages over traditional hard drives, they also have several drawbacks that make them a less-than-ideal choice for this purpose. For most users, it is best to stick with a traditional hard drive.

The main advantage of SSDs is that they take up less space than a traditional hard drive, which can make storage significantly easier. Another advantage is that SSDs have faster file transfer speeds. SSDs can also operate at higher speeds, which makes them superior but in CCTV field what matters is not speed. The reliability.

Since SSDS comes with finite write cycles continues footage writing may slow down in the long run making SSD a bad choice as a DVR storage space. So if you ask me Can I use SSD as storage device in DVR the anaswer is Yes you can. But its not ideal.

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4 Comments

  1. One disadvantage I have not heard in any comparison between the two drives is noise.
    My HDD is a part of my entertainment system, close to my router and easy to access but close enough to hear. Not a huge annoyance when listening to music or watching TV but a pain on the ears when I just want to read.

    1. Hi Arthur, Yes, I agree with you 100%. The sound of spinning disks is familiar to all of us. Even though you only have one drive, this is noticeable. Imagine having four to five HDDs in the same room. The post has been updated. I appreciate your input very much.

  2. I live in Brazil and here security and computer equipment are usually very expensive. Solution: Buy from China via AliEpxress… I bought an NVR and initially I will install 2 cameras but the NVR supports up to 8. In my case it was much cheaper to buy a 512gb SSD (USD 20.00) than a specific HDD for NVR for (USD 50~60). I intend to configure the recording only when there is motion detected, not 24X7… I hope to save some space that way and save the memory read and write cycles. Let’s see how the SSD will behave… only time will tell… but if it lasts for 2 years it will already be a good investment!! Thank you for your considerations! They were very helpful!

    1. Dear Cleto. Thank you very much for your words. It’s true that nothing lasts forever, and there is no investment that will serve you a lifetime. If the device manages to work well for at least 2 years and costs 20 USD, I believe that it’s good. However, I understand that you were planning to use the recording only when motion was detected, and in my view, that might not be a good idea. After all, DVR or NVR is just for recording. Don’t filter out. When everything gets recorded, you have a full idea instead short clips. 🙂

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