Security-camera data use depends on bitrate and how long video crosses the connection. A continuous 2Mbps upload uses about 21.6GB per day, or 648GB over 30 days, before overhead. Recording only to a camera’s memory card does not use that amount of internet data.
An outdoor 4K PTZ camera can generate more data at a higher bitrate, but resolution and camera type alone do not determine your bill. Count cloud uploads, remote viewing and other internet transfers separately from local recording.
Key Things to Know
- At a constant 1Mbps, continuous transmission uses about 10.8GB per day or 324GB over 30 days before overhead. Multiply by the actual average bitrate in Mbps.
- Event-only uploads can use less data because they transmit for less time. Busy scenes, repeated alerts and long clips can still consume a substantial allowance.
- Other factors that affect data consumption include resolution, frame rate, codecs, bitrate, and the number of cameras in your system.
- Choose an internet or cellular allowance from measured usage and the features you use. Adding another Wi-Fi network does not itself add internet data.
- Adjusting camera settings and prioritizing local storage options, such as local NVRs and MicroSD cards, can help save on internet data.
Factors That Can Affect the Data Consumption in a Security Camera/System
Start with the stream’s actual average bitrate and transmission duration. A resolution label such as 1080p cannot establish a monthly allowance. These factors influence the result:
- Video Resolution: Higher-resolution cameras, that record in resolutions such as 4K, provide more detailed images but at the cost of increased data usage.
- Frame Rate: More frames can improve motion detail, but changing frame rate does not necessarily change data use in direct proportion. Check the actual stream bitrate after adjusting it.
- Number of Cameras in your System: This can also substantially impact your data consumption with each camera adding to the total amount of data used.
- Bitrate and Compression Technology: Bitrate sets the amount of encoded video per second. Compression can reduce that amount for a given scene, but savings and visible detail depend on the codec, settings and compatible receiving software.
- Uploading Footage: If you upload all, or specific pieces of footage to the cloud or transfer it via the internet, it will use up more data.
4 Ways to Reduce Data Consumption of Your Security Cameras
You can drastically reduce the amount of data consumed by your security camera (or system) by switching hardware or tweaking a few software settings.
So here are some of the most common approaches:
1. Change Bitrate and Compression Technologies/Codecs
Compression technologies shrink data, saving storage and bandwidth, while also allowing for longer video retention and cost savings.
Some codec comparisons report savings of up to 50%, but that is not a guaranteed reduction for your camera. Test a supported codec with your actual scene and recorder; proprietary smart-codec modes can have additional compatibility limits.
Not every camera, recorder or player supports every codec. Check the whole viewing and recording path before switching; codec support does not automatically imply a more expensive camera.
Additionally, you can also try reducing the bitrate to achieve the same effect.
2. Tone Down the Framerate and Resolution
High resolutions and framerates keep the camera footage detailed and easy to decipher.
That said, recording in 4K and 30FPS can be overkill in certain situations. Instead, you could lower the video resolution or frame rate if your system allows it.
This can significantly decrease the amount of data used without necessarily sacrificing the effectiveness of your security surveillance.
3. Reduce the Number of Cameras in Your System
Taking down unnecessary cameras from your security system can help you cut back on bandwidth and data consumption.
A wide-angle camera may cover a broader scene, but check usable detail before replacing two views. A PTZ camera looks where it is pointed and does not continuously cover every direction at once.
All this depends on your situation, so ensure you don’t compromise security.
4. Reduce Recording, Uploading, and Streaming
Minimizing the amount of footage you upload to cloud servers (via the internet) and managing your storage and monitoring with on-site options can also help you minimize data consumption.
For this, you can:
- Prioritize setting up cameras that store data locally on a microSD card or a Network Video Recorder (NVR)
- Disable continuous recording and opt for periodic recording or motion-activated recording
- Ethernet can improve a weak local connection, but changing from Wi-Fi to a cable does not reduce internet usage if the same video is still uploaded.
- Monitor your cameras locally or customize a zero channel to minimize bandwidth and data usage
Not sure about the different types of local and remote storage options for your security cameras? Check out ways to store security camera footage to learn more.
How to Dedicate Internet Data To Your Security Cameras/Systems?
Estimate your internet allowance from actual upload and remote-viewing time, then check the router or provider’s usage meter. For example, 30 minutes a day at 2Mbps is about 13.5GB over 30 days before overhead; continuous uploading at that bitrate is about 648GB.
- Increase your broadband allowance if measured usage requires it. Check the provider’s cap, upload speed and how it counts traffic.
- A separate Wi-Fi network can help organize devices, but it shares the same internet allowance unless it uses a separate service. Do not buy another router expecting extra monthly data.
- For 4G cameras or systems relying on hotspots: size up an appropriate cellular data plan (tends to be more expensive than Wi-Fi).
Want to learn more? Check out this guide on outdoor 4G/LTE cellular security cameras for remote locations.
Calculate Data Use in GB
For decimal GB, use: bitrate in Mbps × hours transmitted × 0.45. A 4Mbps stream uploaded for one hour uses about 1.8GB; for 24 hours it uses about 43.2GB. Add each camera and each transfer that crosses the metered connection. These examples assume a constant video bitrate and exclude audio, protocol overhead, updates and retries.
With variable bitrate, use a representative measured average rather than assuming the configured maximum is sustained all day. Check several ordinary days, including a busy or windy period. Convert units carefully: 1MB/s is 8Mbps, so confusing the two makes an eightfold error.
Separate Local Traffic From Internet Usage
A camera writing to its own card does not upload that recording merely by saving it. A camera sending video to a local NVR uses local-network capacity; it uses your internet connection when a cloud service or remote viewer needs that video. Some local-storage systems still need internet access for account services or notifications, so check the exact product’s behavior.
A remote viewer may use data at both ends: the camera site sends video, while a phone on mobile data receives it. For a cellular camera, review its SIM-provider usage as well as app counters. Close unattended live-view sessions and check automatic cloud, email-video and FTP uploads before choosing a bigger plan.
Verdict
Use bitrate and transmission time to estimate data, then confirm the result with the meter on the connection you pay for. Local storage, local networking and internet traffic are different parts of the system.
However, there are multiple strategies to reduce this. A few of these include toning down the recording video quality, utilizing motion detection features, and considering alternative on-site storage options.
After changing settings, play back daytime and nighttime recordings of moving subjects. Lower usage is useful only if the footage still captures the detail you need.