How Long Do Security Cameras Record?

Last updated: January 5, 2024

If you want to add a layer of security to your home, installing security cameras will be able to help you. According to a study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, security cameras are the most effective way to prevent break-ins, as 50% of burglars say they would not push through with their attempts if they notice a security camera.

However, you might feel a little hesitant to install security cameras if you aren’t sure about how they work. In this brief article, we’ll answer one of the essential questions about security cameras — how long do security cameras record footage?

Most security cameras record non-stop, on a schedule, or as triggered by motion. 

With continuous improvements in technology, the recent security cameras give their users the freedom to choose how they wish to record footage.

Among these three options, the best recording option is to record on motion.

In this technique, you don’t have to install an additional motion detector, as the camera on its own has the power to detect when someone or something moves in front of it. Following this technique is great for those people who do not like having hours of anything to look through should an incident occur.

Whichever method you choose to record, how long the security cameras capture footage will be dependent on these factors:

  • The video resolution
  • The video compression
  • The storage space
  • The bitrate
  • The number of cameras recording

On average, you can record at least two weeks to a month’s worth of hours, depending on the size of your storage space. However, when the memory goes over, the tendency is that the device will overwrite the existing data. If you want to save specific recordings, make sure you put them on a different hard drive.

Making the most of your security camera lies in how well you know all of its features. Learn more about them by reading Security Forward’s guide on how to choose a security camera system for your home.

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