Do Home Security Cameras Delete Footage Automatically?

CCTV systems record video footage 24/7 and capture every move within the camera’s view, but do these home security cameras delete footage automatically?

The short answer is yes; recording a premise 24/7 takes up significant data storage, and different CCTV providers can only store your massive data in off-site storage for so long. Some systems will overwrite your data in 14-30 days, but some will allow you to back up the archived data in cloud storage for up to a year.

Most companies give you enough time to notice suspicious activity and retrieve the footage for further use. These cameras help you to identify and hold accountable anyone who trespasses on your property, but it’s essential to understand the limits of this technology.

At Kentucky Secured, we care for your safety, so we’ve prepared this post to provide you with empowering knowledge about how cctv footage gets deleted automatically.

The Functionality of Home Security Cameras

As we’ve mentioned, home security cameras should record footage 24/7 continuously. Depending on your system’s setup, you can choose between two different types of these cameras:

• IP (Internet Protocol) Cameras.
• CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) Cameras.

IP cameras use wireless technology to connect directly to a network, while CCTV cameras require a hardwired connection. Both types provide homeowners the same functionality: recording security footage within its view.

Specialized software will then process the recorded footage and save it onto a local storage device (DVR or NVR) for further use. If your home security camera system is advanced enough to access the internet, the software could back up the footage to a cloud storage service.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing Home Security Cameras

Advantages:

• No visible wiring (IP Cameras.)
• Discrete installation.
• Protect your property from vandalism and theft.
• Provide evidence for insurance claims and court proceedings.
• Monitor any suspicious activity in real-time.
• Get alerts when motion is detected.

Disadvantages:

• Requires alternative mounting without screws or drilling.
• An intruder can easily turn off the camera (unless you have inner, hidden security cameras.)
• It may not work properly in low-light conditions.
• Requires a powerful storage device to store all the recorded footage.

Understanding the Lifespan of CCTV Footage

We covered this topic when we answered; how long does the average home security camera store footage? We agreed that most CCTV cameras store your home security footage for 14-30 days, with the option of extending it for some more months.

Home security cameras store your footage locally via SD cards, DVRs, or NVRs, but the capacity of this local storage largely determines the retention period of this data. Their build quality and the amount of footage they can hold determines how long your recordings last.

You can get more retention time if your security system uploads archive footage to a cloud storage service. The lifespan of your recordings can be extended for up to one year, depending on the specific pricing plan you choose.

Uploading vs. Overwriting Home Footage Data

Most storage capacity lasts 14-30 days. Ideally, the recording goes on 24/7, so the storage will run out, and the system will need to create space for fresh recordings. By default, most systems overwrite the oldest footage to make space for the newest footage. 

Folks often mistake this continuous overwriting process for automatically deleting your footage. For you to lose your old data, the system must be actively generating newer data, which will be more relevant to you.

So, your data getting overwritten depends on the following:

1. Continuous recording.

2. Depleting your storage space.

3. System not being able to store data in the cloud.

None of these conditions qualify as home security cameras deleting footage automatically. The nuance is important because it helps you understand the limits of this security technology.

User Settings and Preferences for Home Security Cameras

In most cases, users can customize the retention period of their home security cameras according to their specific needs. This flexibility helps you maximize your data efficiency and best use your system’s local storage capacity.

A best practice entails regularly reviewing your footage and deciding which footage is irrelevant to your security protocols. You can then delete this footage from the local storage and create space for new recordings.

It’s helpful to have an organized system of reviewing and deleting your old footage, as this will help you make room for newer recordings without overwriting existing data.

It’s essential to regularly review and adjust these settings to ensure efficient data use. For example, if you notice any suspicious activity in some regions of your property, you can change the retention period to capture more footage.

In another scenario, you can shorten the retention time to save extra storage space for more relevant recordings. What matters is that users have full control of the data capture and retention period, and you’ll have to test and adjust these settings to ensure optimal data use.

Alternative Options for Mounting Home Security Cameras

The conventional way of mounting home security cameras is via screws and drilling. Such installations put off landlords and tenants who don’t own the property. In such cases, using alternative mounting options is the most viable solution.

Even homeowners may prefer alternative mounting options as drilling into walls and ceilings is too tedious. Drilling also leaves visible marks on the wall.

You can stick adhesive mounts directly to a flat surface, allowing for discrete installation. Ceiling and magnetic mounts are also viable options for homeowners who don’t want to drill.

Other mounting methods include:

• Rail mounts
• Wall pockets
• Clothing pins

Alternative home security camera mounting options best suit indoor settings because outdoor cameras require more sturdy and secure mounting. However, you can use weather-resistant adhesive for outdoor installations.

Final Thoughts on How Long Security Camera Footage Lasts

The lifespan of a home security camera’s footage largely depends on its recording settings. Continuous 24/7 recordings require constant maintenance while uploading footage to cloud services can increase your data retention period.

Your inner and outer security camera’s all record your home perimeter, but the inner camera’s are more discrete and more challenging to disable. Most homeowners even prefer hiding their internal security cameras.

Finally, alternative mounting options are handy for tenants or landlords who want to avoid drifting into walls and ceilings. Contact the Kentucky Secured home security team for a free, no-obligation quote.