How Long Does A CCTV Footage Last? 30-90 Days Retention

Q: Does CCTV record continuously?

Yes, most CCTV systems are set up to record continuously. This means that the cameras are always recording, even when there is no activity in the area being monitored. However, some systems may be set up only to record when motion is detected , which can help conserve storage space.

Q: Can old CCTV footage be recovered?

Yes, it may be possible to recover old CCTV footage, but it depends on the specific system and how long it stores recorded footage. If the footage has already been deleted, recovering it may be difficult or impossible. However, if the footage is still stored in the system, it may be possible to retrieve it with the help of a professional.

May 31, 2023

By Rose Marie

As a smart home lady, one of the most common questions I receive is, “How long does a CCTV footage last?”

It’s an understandable concern for anyone who relies on video surveillance to protect their property or assets. The truth is, there isn’t a straightforward answer as it depends on several factors.

In this article, we will explore deeper the world of CCTV footage retention and the different aspects that affect its lifespan.

So, get ready, and let’s get started.

How long does a cctv footage last? It depends on 3 factors

Contents

1 How Long Does A CCTV Footage Last?
2 Factors Affecting CCTV Footage Duration
3 Does CCTV footage get deleted automatically?
4 Can I get CCTV footage from 2 years ago?
5 What happens to CCTV after 30 days?
6 Does CCTV record continuously?
7 Can old CCTV footage be recovered?
8 Do home security cameras delete footage?
9 How long does a home’s CCTV footage last?
10 Conclusion

How Long Does A CCTV Footage Last?

When it comes to CCTV footage, the retention duration can vary depending on various factors.

In general, most CCTV footage will last between 30 to 90 days, but this can change depending on an individual’s specific needs. In some cases, CCTV footage can last anywhere from 3 months to a year.

Few authorities typically recommend keeping CCTV footage for at least 31 days to ensure any incidents can be reviewed and investigated.

The storage requirements for CCTV footage can also change depending on the needs. Some may need to keep footage for longer periods of time, while others may only need to keep footage for a few weeks.

Factors Affecting CCTV Footage Duration

The length of time CCTV footage lasts depends on several factors, such as the recording device’s storage capacity, the camera’s resolution, and the recording settings.

I’ll discuss all of these factors one by one.

1. Storage Capacity

The storage capacity of CCTV cameras directly affects the footage duration. The higher the storage capacity, the longer the footage duration can be recorded.

If the CCTV system is set to record continuously, the footage can last for several weeks or months, depending on the device’s storage capacity.

However, if the system is set to record only when motion is detected, the footage can last longer since it is not recording constantly.

If a CCTV camera has a storage capacity of 1TB, it can store footage for up to a certain duration, while a camera with a 4TB storage capacity can store four times longer footage.

Storage Capacity decides - how long does a cctv footage last

For example, if a CCTV camera records at a resolution of 1080p, it can store around 150 hours of footage on a 1TB hard drive.

However, if the storage capacity is increased to 4TB, the footage duration can be extended up to 600 hours.

Choosing the right storage capacity based on the recording resolution and expected footage duration is essential to ensure that footage is captured seamlessly without any interruptions.

2. Resolution Of Camera

The resolution of the camera affects the duration of the footage. Higher-resolution cameras produce larger video files that take up more storage space. Therefore, the retention period of footage will be shorter than in lower-resolution cameras.

The resolution of the CCTV camera recording device can affect the footage duration in several ways.

Higher Resolution Require More Storage Space

Firstly, higher-resolution footage requires more storage space compared to lower-resolution footage.

It means that if the CCTV camera recording device has a higher resolution, it will require more storage space to save the same amount of footage.

For example, a CCTV camera recording device with a resolution of 1080p may require 4GB of storage space to record an hour of footage.

However, a device with a resolution of 4K may require 16GB of storage space to record the same amount of footage.

Higher Resolution Affect The Frame Rate

Secondly, the resolution of the CCTV camera recording device can also affect the frame rate at which the footage is recorded.

Higher-resolution footage requires more processing power, which can limit the frame rate at which it can be recorded.

For example, a CCTV camera recording device with a resolution of 4K may only be able to record at 15 frames per second

Meanwhile, a device with a resolution of 1080p may be able to record at 30 frames per second. This can affect the smoothness of the footage and make it appear choppy or jarring.

In short, a higher resolution CCTV camera recording device can lead to shorter footage duration due to the increased storage space required and the reduced frame rate at which the footage can be recorded.

3. Setting Of Retention Period

Some CCTV systems allow users to set a retention period for the footage. This means that the system automatically deletes the old footage after a certain period to make room for new recordings.

The retention period can range from a few days to several months, depending on the user’s preference.

For example, if the retention setting is set to 7 days, then the CCTV camera recording device will store footage for 7 days before it starts overwriting the oldest footage with new footage. This means that the footage duration will be limited to a maximum of 7 days.

On the other hand, if the retention setting is set to 30 days, then the footage duration will be 30 days.

The CCTV camera recording device will store footage for 30 days before it starts overwriting the oldest footage with new footage.

It means that the footage duration will be longer, providing a more comprehensive record of events.

A longer retention setting will result in a longer footage duration, while a shorter retention setting will result in a shorter footage duration.

It is essential to consider these factors when setting up a CCTV system to ensure that footage is available for as long as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Does CCTV footage get deleted automatically?

Yes, most CCTV systems are designed to automatically delete footage after a certain period of time, usually between 30 to 90 days or whatever retention period you have set.

This is done to conserve storage space and ensure the system continues functioning properly.

Can I get CCTV footage from 2 years ago?

Yes, it is possible to retrieve CCTV footage from 2 years ago, but it may depend on the specific system and how long it stores recorded footage.

Some systems may only keep footage for 30 days, while others may store it for up to a year or more. Retrieving old footage may also require a court order or permission from the owner of the CCTV system.

What happens to CCTV after 30 days?

After 30 days, most CCTV systems will automatically delete any recorded footage. This is done to prevent the system from running out of storage space and ensure it continues functioning properly.

However, some systems may be programmed to store footage for longer periods of time.

Does CCTV record continuously?

Yes, most CCTV systems are set up to record continuously. This means that the cameras are always recording, even when there is no activity in the area being monitored.

However, some systems may be set up only to record when motion is detected, which can help conserve storage space.

Can old CCTV footage be recovered?

Yes, it may be possible to recover old CCTV footage, but it depends on the specific system and how long it stores recorded footage. If the footage has already been deleted, recovering it may be difficult or impossible.

However, if the footage is still stored in the system, it may be possible to retrieve it with the help of a professional.

Do home security cameras delete footage?

Yes, most home security cameras are designed to automatically delete footage after a certain period of time, usually between 30 to 90 days.

However, some systems may be set up to store footage for longer periods of time or only to delete footage when the storage space is full.

How long does a home’s CCTV footage last?

The length of time that home CCTV footage lasts depends on the specific system and how it is set up. Most systems are designed to store footage for 30 to 90 days before automatically deleting it.

However, some systems may be set up to store footage for longer periods of time or only to delete footage when the storage space is full.

It’s important to check the settings of your specific system to determine how long the footage will be stored.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the length of time that CCTV footage lasts depends on various factors, such as storage capacity, recording quality, and the purpose of the footage.

Typically, CCTV footage can last from a few days to several months or even years. To ensure the longevity of your CCTV footage, it’s crucial to invest in a reliable and high-quality surveillance system that meets your security needs.

Don’t forget to regularly back up your footage to avoid losing important evidence in case of an incident.

Keep your business and property safe with a comprehensive CCTV surveillance system today. Invest in quality CCTV cameras and storage devices to ensure the safety of your premises. Stay vigilant and secure.