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Best Software & Hardware for 30-Camera Video Surveillance System

Complete guide to choosing optimal software and hardware for a 30-camera video surveillance system. Learn storage requirements, remote access, and recommended configurations.

#hik-connect#milesight-cms#nvr-system#omnicast#remote-access#video-storage#video-surveillance-30-cameras

What software and hardware should I choose for a video server with 30 cameras?

I need to set up a video surveillance system with 30 cameras located in different cities. The cameras will operate over the internet using public IP addresses. The following requirements must be met:

  1. Centralized video storage
  2. Video streaming through web browsers
  3. Access via mobile applications

Additional features such as object recognition are not required. The system only needs to provide video recording, viewing, and storage.

What software and hardware would be optimal for this solution?

NeuroAgent

For creating a video surveillance system with 30 cameras located in different cities, with centralized storage, web access, and mobile applications, the optimal solution will be to use a Network Video Recorder (NVR) with corresponding software.

The main components of your system should include professional NVR software supporting up to 30 cameras, and sufficient data storage. For 30 cameras recording at 1080p resolution at 10 FPS, you will need approximately 32 terabytes of disk space for one month of video storage, as one camera generates over 750 GB of data per month.

Contents

Surveillance System Components

A video surveillance system with 30 cameras should consist of the following key components:

IP Cameras

IP cameras with public IP addresses, connected to the internet, that will transmit video streams to a central server.

Server with NVR Software

A central server that will receive, process, and record video streams from all 30 cameras.

Data Storage System

An array of disks for recording and storing video footage with the ability to expand.

Remote Access Channels

Web interface and mobile applications for viewing live video streams and accessing archives.

NVR Software

For managing 30 cameras from different cities, the following solutions are recommended:

Milesight CMS

Free software that supports up to 256 devices, which is ideal for your system with 30 cameras. It allows efficient management of a large surveillance system as a single entity.

Omnicast

Advanced video management software (VMS) designed to centralize and simplify the management of surveillance systems. It provides a single interface for all cameras.

Hik-Connect

An effective solution for managing all cameras in real-time. It allows adding new devices, configuring parameters, updating firmware, and managing multiple elements through a single application, providing a centralized and efficient management system.

InfoSight AI

An artificial intelligence platform supporting unlimited cameras, users, and locations under a single control panel. It allows the system to scale as the business grows while maintaining performance and centralized control.

Hardware

NVR Server

For processing video streams from 30 cameras, you will need a server with sufficient power:

  • Processor: Multi-core processor (8 cores or more recommended)
  • RAM: Minimum 16 GB, preferably 32 GB
  • Network Adapter: Gigabit Ethernet with multiple ports for load distribution
  • Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu Server recommended) or Windows Server

Storage System

For 30 cameras recording for one month, you will need a disk array with 32 TB capacity. It is recommended to use:

  • RAID array level 5 or 6 for fault tolerance
  • Fast disks (7200 RPM or SSD) for real-time recording
  • Backups of important data

Data Storage Requirements

Required Capacity Calculation

For accurate calculation of required storage capacity, use the following formula:

Capacity (GB) = Number of cameras × Resolution × Frame rate × Compression × Storage time

For 30 cameras recording at 1080p at 10 FPS using H.264-10 compression for one month, you will need:

30 cameras × 750 GB/camera/month = 22,500 GB = 22.5 TB

It is recommended to provide 32 TB of disk space to account for backups and possible increased load.

Storage Options

  • Local Storage: NVR with connected disks or NAS systems
  • Cloud Storage: Backups of important recordings in the cloud
  • Hybrid Solution: Primary storage locally, secondary in the cloud

Remote Access Solutions

Web Access

Most modern NVR systems provide a web interface for live viewing and archive access:

  • Solink - cloud-native software for security cameras, connects cameras with business data
  • Avigilon - part of Motorola Solutions, combines high-quality cameras with analytics and cloud management

Mobile Applications

The following applications are available for smartphone access:

  • Hik-Connect - allows managing cameras, viewing recordings, exporting video clips, and configuring devices
  • Zmodo - known for its ease of use, features motion detection, HD video, and affordable cloud storage options

Optimal Configuration Selection

Recommended Configuration

For your system with 30 cameras located in different cities, the optimal solution will be:

  1. Software: Milesight CMS (free, up to 256 devices) or Omnicast (professional VMS)
  2. Hardware: Server with 8 cores, 32 GB RAM, gigabit network adapter
  3. Storage: 32 TB RAID array (level 5 or 6)
  4. Access: Web interface and mobile applications (Hik-Connect)

Alternative Options

  • Cloud Solution: Using cloud NVR from companies like Solink or Avigilon, where all cameras connect to a cloud platform
  • Hybrid Solution: Local NVR for primary recording + cloud backup for important recordings

Implementation Recommendations

  1. Start with a pilot installation of several cameras to test the configuration
  2. Ensure sufficient internet bandwidth for all cameras
  3. Implement a backup system for important recordings
  4. Set up system monitoring and failure notifications

Sources

  1. Understanding NVR Storage: Types, Capacity and Best Practices - Wasabi
  2. 2025 Guide to the Best NVR Camera System for Safety - eufy US
  3. How to Choose the Right NVR Security System for Installation - Xtenav
  4. Milesight CMS - Milesight
  5. Hik-Connect for Android - Uptodown
  6. Best Video Surveillance Software: Top Picks for 2025 - Coram AI
  7. Top Video Surveillance Software in 2025 (Modern Solutions) - BNO News
  8. AI Video Surveillance Solution | folio3

Conclusion

For creating a video surveillance system with 30 cameras in different cities, the optimal solution would be a combination of hardware NVR server and specialized software. Key recommendations:

  1. Software: Milesight CMS (free version) or Omnicast (professional VMS) for centralized management
  2. Hardware: Server with 8 cores, 32 GB RAM, and gigabit network adapter
  3. Storage: 32 TB of disk space in a RAID array for fault tolerance
  4. Access: Web interface for viewing through browsers and Hik-Connect mobile application for remote access

The system should provide reliable recording of all 30 video streams, centralized data storage, and convenient access from anywhere via the internet. It is recommended to start with a pilot installation of several cameras to test the configuration before fully deploying the entire system.

How to calculate the required storage capacity for a video server with 30 cameras?How to ensure secure remote connection to surveillance cameras over the internet?What are the internet bandwidth requirements for 30 IP cameras in different cities?How to set up video recording backup in a surveillance system?What alternative solutions exist for cloud video surveillance with 30 cameras?How to optimize video server performance when working with 30 cameras simultaneously?
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