Important Tips for Security Camera Recording and Storage

There are two very important things that you need know about how security cameras work: their recording and storage features. How a security camera records images determines how good the footage will be when it is accessed later or streamed live.

Similarly, your security camera’s storage will determine the size of video that the camera can hold. Many security cameras typically use micro SD cards to store video footage.

Here are some key points that you need to know about the recording and storage features of security cameras.

Recording Features: H264 vs H265

H.264 and H.265 are industry standards for video compression, which make it possible to record, compress, and distribute digital video content. H264, also referred to as Advanced Video Coding or AVC, was designed to enable high-grade transfer of full-motion videos while requiring reduced bandwidth.

In contrast, H.265, which is also referred to as High Efficiency Video Coding or HEVC, is a much more advanced video compression feature that can record video files in a way that is twice as efficient as H.264. The defining feature of H.265 is that it requires a greatly reduced amount of data and a significantly lower bit rate.

H264 vs H265: How the two technologies differ

The ways in which H.265 differs from H.264 are as follows:

• 265 has a more powerful video compression capability compared to H.264.
• 265 makes it possible to have much smaller file sizes in comparison to H.264. This means that cameras that use H.265 can store more data on a given storage media compared to those with H.264.
• 265 consumes less bandwidth.

Storage Features: Choosing a micro SD Card for security camera

Micro SD cards are an affordable and convenient way to store security camera footage. Typically, 128 GB secure digital cards can store continuous video footage for a period of between 15 and 30 days. The size of video footage that an SD card can store is doubled if your camera uses H.265 instead of H.264. Security cameras that use H.264 normally require more storage space than those with H.265.

What to consider when buying a micro SD card for security camera

• Ensure that the micro SD card is compatible with your smartphone or tablet.
• Look for SD cards that can withstand different conditions without losing data. For instance, the SanDisk Ultra SD Card is waterproof, temperature-proof, X-ray-proof and shockproof.
• Choose an SD card whose storage capacity matches your video recording needs.