3 things you should know before buying a memory card for security cameras
Choosing the right memory card for constant video recording is like getting one for your digital camera, but there are a few key differences. Here’s how to pick the best one for you.
1. SD vs. SDHC vs. SDXC
Security cameras mostly use the smaller microSD memory card type, not the larger SD type. Besides size, the other card types you’ll need to know are SD, SDHC, and SDXC.
SDXC cards are made for high storage capacities, from 64GB to 2TB. Also, SDXC cards use the exFAT le system to store larger les. SD and SDHC cards, in comparison, have smaller capacities.
2. A smaller or larger capacity card?
When shooting video with digital cameras, it’s common practice to use smaller capacity memory cards. This forces the videographer to rotate cards, minimizing the chances of data loss if a card fails.
But that’s not practical with memory cards for security cameras, which are often left alone in a location. In comparison with digital cameras, surveillance cameras produce longer videos that loop. If storage runs out on a memory card, security cameras delete older footage to make space for new ones.
Because preserving as much footage as possible is key for surveillance, it’s better to get a larger capacity card for security cameras. But this brings us to another topic, which is write cycles.
3. Why endurance is key for video monitoring
Memory cards for video cameras usually emphasize write speeds, and for good reason. If the memory card’s write speed isn’t fast enough, the camera may stop recording at crucial moments, and footage will be lost.
But for surveillance cameras, a memory card’s endurance is as important as write speeds. Unlike digital cameras which record footage intermittently, security cameras record footage continuously. Security cameras also write over memory cards at a far higher rate than consumer video cameras.
The more write cycles a memory card goes through, the faster it’ll wear out. Memory cards that are optimized for constant writing will last longer and are more suitable for video monitoring.