Need help with buying a new HDD for my dvr

[sincara 0]

Hey everyone I'm hoping to get some help with this since I am not tech savy when it comes to HDD's.

 

I have a CIB CCTV DVR (yea I know not the best) and after 2 years the HDD basically quit on me. Here's what happened.

Last week the dvr all of a sudden shut off because I'm guessing of the dvr failing. The system rebooted and said "checking". After about 5 minutes everything came back and asked if I wanted to clean the HDD. I said yes and things went back to normal.

Well a week later it did the same thing except this time it won't even recognize the HDD at all. I don't get the checking message, but do get the clean HDD message, but it says there is no HDD. The HDD light on the DVR doesn't do anything either.

I'm guessing the HDD is bad so here's my question.

 

What HDD should I get to replace it? The one that is currently in it is a Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500gb.

I need something that is cheap, but reliable. I would like to keep it under $100, but I have no clue what to look for or get.

 

Also, if I replace the HDD, is it as easy as just putting the new one in and powering up the dvr or is there more to it?

 

I appreciate the help!

[tomcctv 190]

What HDD should I get to replace it? The one that is currently in it is a Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500gb.

 

 

 

if this has been working in your unit ........then best to buy the same.

[sincara 0]

What HDD should I get to replace it? The one that is currently in it is a Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500gb.

 

 

 

if this has been working in your unit ........then best to buy the same.

 

I've actually done some research. The current HDD is mainly meant for pc use. Not for 24/7 recording.

Seagate makes the SV35 model which are meant for video surveillance. I plan to get one of them and up the space.

I sent an email to the DVR sales people and they said as long as its a sata 2.0 its fine.

 

http://www.seagate.com/internal-hard-drives/consumer-electronics/sv35/#

[tomcctv 190]

Seagate makes the SV35 model which are meant for video surveillance

 

 

dont buy twice if you only have $100 budget then buy what came out of your dvr.

 

 

 

SV drive is too slow for your dvr and will give you problems .......green or low power give budget units problems

[sincara 0]

Seagate makes the SV35 model which are meant for video surveillance

 

 

dont buy twice if you only have $100 budget then buy what came out of your dvr.

 

 

 

SV drive is too slow for your dvr and will give you problems .......green or low power give budget units problems

 

I wouldnt say the sv35 is a budget unit. The one that I have now is. Its junk so why would I buy the same thing when I can get better for the same exact price?

[tomcctv 190]

I wouldnt say the sv35 is a budget unit. The one that I have now is. Its junk so why would I buy the same thing when I can get better for the same exact price?

 

 

what i am saying is YOU only have a budget

 

I would like to keep it under $100, but I have no clue what to look for or get.

 

 

its a good chance a SV drive will not work in your budget DVR .................... so you will need to buy twice. so your $100 budget is gone.

 

you have had two years out of your existing hard drive....... you might get more from the next.

 

you could have a bad cooling fan that has taken out your drive.

 

 

 

I have no clue what to look for or get.

 

BEST with the same that come out of your DVR.

[sincara 0]

I wouldnt say the sv35 is a budget unit. The one that I have now is. Its junk so why would I buy the same thing when I can get better for the same exact price?

 

 

what i am saying is YOU only have a budget

 

I would like to keep it under $100, but I have no clue what to look for or get.

 

 

its a good chance a SV drive will not work in your budget DVR .................... so you will need to buy twice. so your $100 budget is gone.

 

you have had two years out of your existing hard drive....... you might get more from the next.

 

you could have a bad cooling fan that has taken out your drive.

 

 

 

I have no clue what to look for or get.

 

BEST with the same that come out of your DVR.

 

 

If it doesn't work I'll just take it back. I'll make sure to get it from a store that has a good return policy. There's no reason it shouldnt work. I know theres always a chance, but I think I'd rather take the chance on the newer one since it is meant for cctv unlike the current one.

 

The dvr doesnt even have a cooling fan. I always wondered why it was so quiet. lol I'll add one. HDD probably over heated a lot.

[Kawboy12R 0]

What Tom was trying to say is that you've got a budget *DVR* and, because it's a cheapo, it probably makes speed and performance assumptions (among other things) based on having that exact HD installed. You might get issues when, say, recording motion video suddenly after a long period of no motion so the different drive went to sleep unexpectedly. Picture having recording problems right when you probably need it the most. It might work fine, but to be safe you'd better test it well before depending on it to capture things quickly and properly after it might've been asleep. It might also not be able to keep up at peak use periods, say when reviewing video, recording all of the cameras, and maybe someone's reviewing the cams remotely. There might even be firmware issues you're not aware of.

 

Then again everything might work out fine and BETTER than the old one, but considering the effort involved in making sure everything works properly with the SV drive and the possibility of losing coverage when you need it, there's no big reason to switch drives when you know one that works perfectly with that unit. You might call the place you got it from and find out for sure if the SV35 is a recommended replacement drive or not as well.

 

All that being said though, I compared the specs of the two drives and the SV35 is faster and better in all respects that I could tell with the exception of power consumption where the 7200.12 is a bit lower. I'd bet a dollar you'll be fine.

[sincara 0]

What Tom was trying to say is that you've got a budget *DVR* and, because it's a cheapo, it probably makes speed and performance assumptions (among other things) based on having that exact HD installed. You might get issues when, say, recording motion video suddenly after a long period of no motion so the different drive went to sleep unexpectedly. Picture having recording problems right when you probably need it the most. It might work fine, but to be safe you'd better test it well before depending on it to capture things quickly and properly after it might've been asleep. It might also not be able to keep up at peak use periods, say when reviewing video, recording all of the cameras, and maybe someone's reviewing the cams remotely. There might even be firmware issues you're not aware of.

 

Then again everything might work out fine and BETTER than the old one, but considering the effort involved in making sure everything works properly with the SV drive and the possibility of losing coverage when you need it, there's no big reason to switch drives when you know one that works perfectly with that unit. You might call the place you got it from and find out for sure if the SV35 is a recommended replacement drive or not as well.

 

All that being said though, I compared the specs of the two drives and the SV35 is faster and better in all respects that I could tell with the exception of power consumption where the 7200.12 is a bit lower. I'd bet a dollar you'll be fine.

 

 

Thanks for the reply and the information. I understand more clearly now. I did ask about the drives and they told me I could use any sata hdd as long as its 2.0.

I'm willing to try the new drive. The current dead one worked ok, but it was terrible on playback. My dvr and cameras run 24/7 (I only have 2 but will have 4) so I need a hdd that can handle it. Having read about the current drive it really cant, but the sv35 can. I'll take that dollar and put one in as well. lol

Might be a week or so before I order it but I will post here with an update on things.

I'll have 30 days so I should know within days of having it.

 

One thing I wonder is my dvr was fine up until I added a 2nd camera last week. Thats when the HDD had the issue before dying.

 

Thanks again

[tomcctv 190]

but it was terrible on playback

 

think you will find its your programe and not hard drive.

 

 

You might get issues when, say, recording motion video suddenly after a long period of no motion so the different drive went to sleep unexpectedly

 

 

his DVR does not shut down its 24/7 spin............. so sv is pointless.

 

 

so I need a hdd that can handle it. Having read about the current drive it really cant, but the sv35 can.

 

 

spec are the same sv says it will last a lot longer ONLY if it stops and starts which your DVR DOES NOT DO

 

 

sincara. the true maker of your DVR is avtech they have a list of hard drives to use.

[sincara 0]

the true maker of your DVR is avtech they have a list of hard drives to use.

 

Any idea where I can find the list? That's who I contacted and they told me I could use any HDD.

Thanks for pointing out the specs.

I'll check out ebay. Maybe I can get the current one cheaper brand new.

[tomcctv 190]

just to add to this post.

 

both seagate and western digital have now stated they will only support and warranty some drives for CCTV use.

 

 

warranties to as little as one year. Starting on December 31st, Seagate will cut protection for most standard desktop and notebook drives from five years to one, and other drives, including its hybrid Momentus XT, will get three-year warranties instead of five-year ones. Meanwhile, Western Digital is reducing the warranties for three of its drives — the Caviar Blue, Caviar Green, and Scorpio Blue

 

 

as others have found out on the forum blue, green HDD dont work

[sincara 0]

just to add to this post.

 

both seagate and western digital have now stated they will only support and warranty some drives for CCTV use.

 

 

warranties to as little as one year. Starting on December 31st, Seagate will cut protection for most standard desktop and notebook drives from five years to one, and other drives, including its hybrid Momentus XT, will get three-year warranties instead of five-year ones. Meanwhile, Western Digital is reducing the warranties for three of its drives — the Caviar Blue, Caviar Green, and Scorpio Blue

 

 

as others have found out on the forum blue, green HDD dont work

 

Thanks Tom. I've been shopping around for the sv35 and the current one I have and both are the same price. The issue I'm having is the one I have now has some bad reviews about the HDD failing on several websites. The SV35 has some good solid reviews. I'm still leaning towards taking a chance on the sv.

[tomcctv 190]

Well knowing avtech you will have problems ....

 

 

What you have to remember is reviews are based on PC use and not DVRs Both having different operations.

 

 

All you can do is try the SV drive if that's the way you want. To go.

 

 

Or just go with a western digital black .......which are good drives.

 

 

And remember you have a limit on size for avtech

[sincara 0]

Well knowing avtech you will have problems ....

 

 

What you have to remember is reviews are based on PC use and not DVRs Both having different operations.

 

 

All you can do is try the SV drive if that's the way you want. To go.

 

 

Or just go with a western digital black .......which are good drives.

 

 

And remember you have a limit on size for avtech

 

I'll look into the WD black. Thanks

[sincara 0]

Hey Tom if I decided to hold off on the HDD for now and save up for a new better DVR what would you recommend?

I use Eagle Eyes right now for remote viewing on my cell phone, but don't mind using something new.

I wouldn't want to go to crazy with the price though. Are ZMODO's any better then Avtech or are they just as bad?

[f46power 0]

My 320gb Seagate SV worked for 4 years in my old Lorex dvr before the main board shorted out and wouldn't power up the drive. I put the drive in my pc as a backup and bought a 1tb Seagate sv35 for my new system.

[sincara 0]

My 320gb Seagate SV worked for 4 years in my old Lorex dvr before the main board shorted out and wouldn't power up the drive. I put the drive in my pc as a backup and bought a 1tb Seagate sv35 for my new system.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

[sincara 0]

Thought I'd post a quick update. I went with the SV35 1TB drive. Works great and no issues.