Video Recording Storage Calculator

What is this video recording storage calculator?

This calculator converts recording duration and total megabits per second into a decimal storage estimate. It sums comparable recording streams, multiplies by the number of full copies, and adds an optional capacity allowance. It estimates data volume rather than the transfer speed needed for editing.

How to use the calculator

Enter recording minutes for each comparable stream and the combined bitrate in Mbps. Add the number of streams and complete copies, counting the primary copy. Set an allowance for uncertainty. Calculate different recording settings separately and add their totals.

Check the input assumptions

Review the help text beneath each field before calculating. Enter amounts in US dollars where shown and use consistent units. Change one assumption at a time to understand which inputs affect your result.

Formula and worked example

Example calculation

Two 120-minute streams at 100 Mbps produce an estimated 180 GB for one recording set. Keeping two complete copies needs 360 GB before allowance. Adding 20% gives 432 GB, or 0.432 decimal TB.

These numbers illustrate the calculation; they are not recommended rates or industry benchmarks.

How to interpret your result

Compare the estimate with usable storage rather than a device’s label alone. An allowance adds capacity relative to the estimated data volume; it is not the same as ensuring that percentage of the final drive remains empty.

What the estimate leaves out

The estimate assumes the entered average bitrate. It does not model codec behavior, filesystem overhead, redundancy, storage performance, or backup reliability. Proxy media and exported versions need separate allowances.

Frequently asked questions