Frequently Asked Questions

Surveillance hard drives are designed for continuous 24/7 operation, unlike standard desktop HDDs, which are meant for intermittent use. They offer higher reliability and durability, supporting multiple HD camera streams with optimised firmware. This ensures minimal downtime, longer lifespan, and seamless performance in recording and storing video footage, making them ideal for security systems.

Yes, a surveillance HDD can be used in a desktop setup, but it's not optimal. Surveillance drives are designed for continuous, high-write workloads, which may not be necessary for desktop use. They typically cost more and don't offer the same performance benefits for tasks like gaming or general computing. Desktop HDDs are optimised for varied read/write tasks and offer better performance for typical personal computer uses.

Using surveillance HDDs in external storage applications offers several benefits. These drives are built for continuous, 24/7 operation, ensuring high reliability and durability. They handle large, sequential write workloads efficiently, making them ideal for video storage. With enhanced firmware, they provide minimal downtime and are optimised for multiple HD streams, making them perfect for storing and accessing large amounts of data consistently and securely. Their robust design also means they can withstand the rigours of constant use, ensuring long-term performance and reliability in external storage scenarios.

Using a regular desktop HDD for surveillance purposes is not recommended. Desktop HDDs are designed for intermittent use with varied read/write tasks, not continuous 24/7 operation. They lack the firmware optimisations needed for handling multiple HD video streams, leading to potential reliability issues, increased wear and tear and higher failure rates. Surveillance HDDs are specifically built for constant recording and playback, offering enhanced longevity and consistent performance necessary for security systems. For reliable and efficient surveillance, it's best to use drives designed for that specific purpose.

NAS (Network Attached Storage) and Surveillance HDDs are both specialised drives but designed for different purposes. NAS HDDs are optimised for multi-user environments, providing high reliability and performance for frequent file sharing and storage in RAID configurations. They support error recovery controls and are ideal for networked storage.

Surveillance HDDs, on the other hand, are designed for continuous 24/7 operation, focusing on sequential write performance to handle multiple HD camera streams. They are optimised for constant recording and playback, offering higher durability for video surveillance applications.

SkyHawk surveillance HDDs utilise advanced recording technology called Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR). PMR aligns data bits vertically on the disk platter, allowing for higher data density and more reliable recording. This technology is complemented by SkyHawk’s ImagePerfect firmware, which is designed to reduce frame loss and enhance video integrity. The drives also incorporate Rotational Vibration (RV) sensors to maintain performance in multi-drive environments, ensuring smooth operation even in demanding surveillance systems. This combination of technologies ensures optimal performance, reliability, and longevity for continuous 24/7 surveillance workloads.