Video performance is a combination of the video input (from the cameras) and the video output (to the browser for live views and playback).

• Peak number of cameras streaming to the NVR simultaneously

• The camera recording type (motion detection only or continuous)

• The camera resolution, frame rate, and image quality

• Number of administrator/operator sessions

• Number of live camera views per administrator/operator session

• Peak number of simultaneous administrator/operator live views

Resolution has the largest impact on the overall NVR performance.

In other words, high resolution video will generate 3 times as much raw data as the default, medium resolution. Depending on how efficiently a specific raw stream can be compressed, higher resolutions can multiply the bandwidth and/or disk space required per camera, and per login session. For example, assuming a FortiCam 20A camera, the NVR can store on its local hard drive about 36 days’ worth of high resolution video, but about 240 days’ worth of low resolution video.

Degree of motion in the camera’s field of view also affects video performance. Constant and/or extreme motion will result in larger files/streams, because the compression method cannot encode it as efficiently. To improve compression, exclude areas of irrelevant motion such as fans or blinking lights from the camera’s field of view.

For sizing guidelines and estimates on the amount of video that you will be able to store, contact your reseller. Alternatively, expand your storage by configuring a network storage location (see “External storage”).