In short
A NAS with surveillance software, such as Surveillance Station on Synology, records compatible IP cameras, lets you view them on your phone and combines surveillance with files and backups on one device. It suits small and medium installations that already have or need a NAS; for many cameras or advanced analytics a dedicated recorder is usually better.
NAS vs NVR recorder
| Aspect | NAS | NVR recorder |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Surveillance, files and backups on one device. | Surveillance only. |
| Cameras | Software-compatible IP cameras from several brands. | Optimised for the recorder’s brand. |
| Licences | Some included; more cameras need licences. | Usually no per-camera licences. |
| PoE power | Needs a separate PoE switch. | Many models have PoE ports. |
| Copying footage | Easy to copy to another NAS or the cloud. | More limited depending on model. |
Recommendations
- Surveillance-specific drives for continuous recording.
- Separate the recording volume from the file volume so one does not fill the other.
- Size storage from cameras, resolution and days of recording.
- A separate network for the cameras.
CCTV storage calculator
Work out how many terabytes your recorder needs from the cameras, quality and days of recording. Results update as you change any value.
- Recording bandwidth
- Space per day
- Total space
- Drive capacity needed
Recommendation:
Indicative estimate. Actual space depends on the scene, night lighting and each camera’s settings. Capacity needed includes 10 % for formatting and file system.