What size SD card is recommended for a security camera?
If you’re looking to buy a security camera, one of the first questions you’ll ask is “What size SD card is recommended?” The answer, unfortunately, is not as straightforward as you might hope. It depends on a number of factors, including the resolution of your camera, the frame rate, and the bitrate.
In general, the higher the resolution and frame rate of your camera, the larger the SD card you’ll need. The bitrate is also a factor; if your camera records at a high bitrate, you’ll need a larger SD card to store the same amount of footage.
To give you an idea of what size SD card you might need for your security camera, we’ve put together a quick guide. Keep in mind that these are only estimates; your actual needs may vary depending on your specific setup.
Frequently Asked Question
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What size SD card is recommended for a security camera?
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How do I choose a SD card for my security camera?
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Is SanDisk Extreme better than Ultra?
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What is the difference between SanDisk high endurance and max endurance?
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What is a Class 10 SD card?
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What is a high endurance micro SD card?
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How long does a 32GB SD card last in a security camera?
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How many minutes of 1080p video can 64GB hold?
Continuous use requires a high-capacity/high-endurance card; on-motion, not so much. Then consider the camera’s resolution. High-resolution videos (1080p or 4k) require more storage space. Suffice it to say; however the card is being used, practical choices range from 32GB to 512GB. [1]
High-resolution videos take up more storage space, so if your camera’s resolution is 1080p or 4K, use a microSD card with a larger capacity. Speed is another factor. The speed rating of memory cards is based on their read/write speed. However, in security camera applications, only the write speed matters.17 June 2021 [2]
The primary difference between SanDisk Ultra and SanDisk Extreme cards is video recording capabilities. SanDisk Ultra performs best with 1080p HD video recording, while SanDisk Extreme can record 4K video. SanDisk Ultra cards do not have read or write speeds fast enough for 4K video recording. [3]
Sandisk now has the following warranties on its microSD cards: Max Endurance: 3 to 15 year. High Endurance: 2 year. Regular microSD: limited lifetime with limitations.19 Mar 2020 [4]
There are four different speed classes: 10 (10MB/sec read/write speed), 6 (6MB/sec), 4 (4MB/sec), and 2 (2MB/sec). Class 10 is the fastest, suitable for Âfull HD video recording and ÂHD still consecutive recording. Class 2 is the slowest, suitable for standard definition video recording.22 Nov 2021 [5]
High endurance SD cards are tested in rugged conditions and have enhanced specifications, like those found in industrial settings. These conditions include extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations, high levels of shock, and high levels of vibration.9 May 2019 [6]
For [email protected],a 32GB micro SD card can record about 40 hours non-stop. For [email protected],a 32GB micro SD card can record about 3 days non-stop. Storing with micro SD card uses loop recording. When the card is full, it will automatically delete the first hour of the video. [7]
How Many Video Minutes Can it Hold? 16GB to 1TB (Chart)Resolution16GB64GB1440P 4:3 24/3057.6230.41440P 4:3 60/12028.8115.21080P 16:9 24/30/6057.6230.41080P 16:9 120/24028.8115.25 more rowsÂ25 Apr 2022 [8]
Conclusion
When it comes to picking the right size SD card for your security camera, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best way to figure out what size SD card is right for your needs is to consider how much footage you plan on storing and how often you’ll be downloading or backing up that footage. If you only need to store a small amount of footage and you don’t mind downloading or backing up that footage regularly, then a smaller SD card will suffice. However, if you plan on storing a large amount of footage or you won’t be able to download or back up that footage as often as you’d like, then a larger SD card is recommended.
No matter what size SD card you choose, make sure it’s compatible with your security camera and that it’s fast enough to handle the recording resolution and frame rate of your camera. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing important footage or dealing with laggy recordings.
Sources –
- https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/choosing-the-right-card-for-your-security-camera
- https://www.flashtrend.com.au/blog/our-blog/how-to-choose-a-good-micro-sd-card-for-your-securi/
- https://www.bwillcreative.com/whats-the-difference-between-sandisk-ultra-vs-extreme/
- https://www.anandtech.com/show/15639/sandisk-launches-max-endurance-microsd-cards-3-to-15-years-warranty
- https://www.howtogeek.com/189897/how-to-buy-an-sd-card-speed-classes-sizes-and-capacities-explained/
- https://www.delkin.com/blog/what-is-a-high-endurance-sd-card/
- https://www2.yitechnology.com/support/answer/id/17/tid/1/qid/10/oid/_
- https://clicklikethis.com/how-many-videos-per-gb/