The benefits of SD cards optimized for surveillance.

While edge storage increases system reliability, SD cards designed for surveillance go far beyond backing up video data. Today, a new generation of SD cards are available, offering benefits such as extended functionality and higher endurance. These SD cards have a higher initial cost compared to traditional consumer-grade SD cards. However, they offer great benefits for your surveillance solution that often outweigh this initial cost. For instance, SD cards optimized for surveillance are designed to last longer than traditional SD cards.  

Extended lifespan 

Compared to lower-grade SD cards, cards optimized for surveillance have an extended lifetime. That’s because they’re built to endure with some SD cards lasting for more than ten years. This is ideal when you consider that on average, cameras within surveillance systems need to be replaced every 8-10 years. So, in fact, surveillance SD cards will often outlive the device itself.  

Higher retention time 

The retention time of an SD card depends on various factors, for example, how the cameras are configured to record at different frame rates and resolutions, or how often motion is detected in the scene. The retention time of a high-endurance SD card with 128 GB storage can vary from 20-215 days, depending on the camera configurations and resolution required. Even smaller 64 GB SD cards’ retention times can range from 10 to more than 100 days. What’s more, it’s often possible to customize retention time for individual cameras for even more optimal performance. 

Higher writing cycles

High-performing SD cards offer superior wear resistance and are designed to handle the constant writing and rewriting of surveillance data, ensuring greater longevity, consistent performance over long periods, and reduced risk of data loss. SD cards with fast read/write speeds are ideal for high-resolution video recording and quick data retrieval. This is especially true for 4K-resolution cameras. Compared to traditional, consumer-grade SD cards, surveillance SD cards also offer more memory blocks to write to ensure optimal storage and high performance. In addition, cards with larger capacities make it possible to store more footage before the card needs to be overwritten. 

Built-in health monitoring 

Surveillance SD cards are optimized for continuous recording and ensure smooth, uninterrupted video capture without lags or frame drops. Built-in health monitoring keeps track of how worn out the SD card becomes, and you'll be notified when the card needs to be replaced. Plus, built-in error correction means the card can detect and correct errors during data transfer, helping further ensure data integrity.  

For both primary and redundant storage 

SD cards can be used for both primary and redundant storage. When used as primary storage at the edge, they can reduce the need for servers, simplify installation and initialization, and lower the total cost of ownership (TCO). When used for redundancy purposes, you can be sure your data is safeguarded and always available even in the event of network failure. In addition, SD cards can be used as part of an efficient hybrid solution combining on-premises servers and cloud-based infrastructure.  

Support for advanced analytics 

Edge-based analytics lets you analyze high-quality, uncompressed video at the edge. This means the heavy processing is done directly on the edge device, reducing network traffic. This also offers higher accuracy because video quality is not degraded. And, in scenarios where real-time alerts are critical, edge-based analytics avoids the latency typical in server- or cloud-based solutions. What’s more, SD cards can help improve privacy because they provide the option of transmitting only anonymized metadata. In addition, privacy masking applications can apply masking to moving objects within a scene – whether humans or vehicles– ensuring that privacy is protected at the point of capture. 

For low bandwidth environments 

Edge storage is ideal for self-contained surveillance solutions especially in locations without network connectivity, for instance, in onboard installations on trains and buses and any areas where network bandwidth is limited or absent. They allow users to view low-resolution, live videos in the Video Management System (VMS), while high-resolution video is recorded locally on the card. 

Robust for harsh environments 

Designed to operate reliably in extreme temperatures and harsh environments, SD cards can be installed in outdoor surveillance cameras operating in extreme conditions. They are also often water-resistant, shockproof, and resistant to X-rays and magnets.  

SD cards in hybrid solutions  

Edge storage enables flexible storage solutions such as de-centralized video recording. They require less maintenance than traditional server solutions and can also eliminate the need for onsite servers, DVRs, or NVRs. By combining edge, on-premises servers, and cloud-based infrastructure in hybrid solutions, it’s possible to tailor your system to your specific requirements. This allows you to create more robust and flexible video surveillance systems. 

Cloud-based solutions 

SD cards are designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of surveillance devices and systems, ensuring easy installation and reliable operation. They can also enable cloud-based solutions. For instance, they can be used to set up AXIS Camera Station Edge, an efficient, camera-to-cloud solution that lets you remotely access and control your video surveillance system. With AXIS Camera Station Edge, you simply insert an SD card on your Axis device, and you’ll have access to an intuitive VMS that runs at the edge.  

Cost-efficiency 

Traditional, substandard SD cards are not ideal for complex edge solution offerings and can present a false economy. You might save on the initial costs of the card, but this can result in insufficient performance. SD cards optimized for surveillance offer greater durability, reliability, and performance than traditional SD cards to meet the demanding requirements of continuous video recording and data integrity in security applications.  

SD cards that meet the requirements of powerful edge solutions allow you to gain the maximum benefits from your investment. For instance, you can strategically deploy SD cards within a hybrid system and minimize the TCO of your system. 

Making the right choice for your needs 

By deploying edge storage solutions in the right way, you can create efficiencies, drive cost savings, and increase business value by reducing the cost and maintenance of Network Video Recorders (NVRs) and servers. But not every SD card is created equal, and you’ll need to choose the right card for your specific needs. SD cards optimized for surveillance offer greater endurance compared to traditional cards. With higher endurance, they’re more resistant to wear and tear and can undergo a higher amount of write cycles, often lasting for more than 10 years.