USB memory sticks are not recommended for external storage in a video surveillance environment. They are not designed for continuous high-write workloads, have lower endurance ratings, and may cause system instability.

You can use USB storage in three ways:

• USB SSD (Recommended) – A plug-and-play option with high speed, reliability, and endurance. Ideal for most setups.

• USB HDD – Suitable for lower camera counts. Ensure the drive is designed for 24/7 use. Avoid cheaper “basic/value” drives, as they often fail after just 1-2 years of continuous use.

• USB to SATA/NVMe Adapter or Enclosure – Provides flexibility to use any drive, whether a 2.5” SATA SSD, a 3.5” HDD, or an NVMe SSD in an enclosure. Use a high-quality adapter/enclosure from a reputable manufacturer to avoid compatibility issues. Refer to the considerations below for further details.

• For up to 5 cameras: A 5400 RPM HDD is generally sufficient, avoid 4800 RPM unless using 3 cameras or less.

• For 5 to 30 cameras : A 7200 RPM NAS or Surveillance-class HDD is recommended for better reliability.

• For above 30 cameras: Multiple drives or a Raid array should be used to distribute the write load.

There are currently three major hard drive manufacturers, each offering NAS or Surveillance-class drives designed for high-write endurance:
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• Seagate IronWolf or SkyHawk

• Western Digital Purple or Red

• Toshiba N300 or S300

Note: For TetherBox Giga units, 3.5” hard drives can be installed directly, without an adapter or enclosure.

• USB to SATA/NVMe Adapters: Use high-quality adapters/enclosures to prevent issues like misreported failures or freezing.

• Power-Dependent Enclosures: Avoid enclosures with manual power switches, as they may require manual intervention after a power outage.

• Enterprise-Grade Storage: Choose storage devices rated for high write endurance and 24/7 operation to prevent data loss and failures.

For additional security, consider enabling TetherX cloud backup to ensure off-site redundancy for critical footage.