Formatting a hard drive will remove all data stored on the device. The hard drive can be formatted manually or via the device’s interface. It is highly recommended to format the hard drive via the device interface first before having to manually format the drive. If you need to format your hard drive manually and would like more information on how to format the drive.
For more information on how to format the hard drive via the device interface, please refer to the information provided below.
What Format Does DVR Hard Drive Use
The format depends on your computer’s operating system. On a Windows PC, the FAT32 is the most used file system format since its universal compatibility. But the biggest drawback is that you cannot store a single file larger than 4GB in FAT32. So, you can format the DVR hard drive to NTFS if you want to store extra-large files.
If you want to use the DVR hard drive on a Linux computer, then you need to format it to Ext4/3/2. On a macOS PC, you can format the DVR storage device to Refs. In addition, you need to choose the right DVR system that all security requirements can be fulfilled. This is because some DVR hard drives support Windows, while some others support Linux.
How to connect PC with DVR hard drive?
A DVR contains a hard drive for storing and recording video. The hard drive, while physically similar to those found in desktop computers, is formatted specifically for use with a DVR.
To use a DVR’s hard drive in a computer, we need to connect the drive to a computer system, so as to enable the computer’s operating system to access it.
- If its a Windows Supported File System on DVR Hard Drive or Memory Card, you can easily view same video clips saved in same DVR HDD.
- If its a Linux supported File System on DVR, then it will prompts you to Format Same Drive. So choose not to Format Same and you need to take help of a sophisticated software or expert services of ours to read underlying file system.
Now, how to choose the right DVR system?
While there’s no doubt that DVR systems are highly efficient, finding the right DVR box is important as it is essential to ensure that user will meet all his security requirements. Some DVR supports Windows and some support Linux. We have to make sure that we should use right DVR else it will not work in PC. For this they must consult a professional.
One of the most important things to a security camera system is the hard drive, the device in which security footage is stored. It allows a user to access recorded video from their security cameras, whether it be by accessing a DVR or NVR directly using a monitor or mouse, or accessing the DVR/NVR remotely over the internet.
After viewing DVR hard drive in PC sometimes user may not be able to get all the data. In that case they need to recover that data. DVR data recovery is challenging and requires technical expertise to restore deleted videos and images with maintaining the original quality of the video. User can easily recover lost videos/footages by using professional DVR data recovery software as well.
Our professional team has expertise in recovering simple as well as complex data loss scenario such as accidental deletion, crash, formatting, physically damaged, burnt and more of DVR.
How to Unlock a DVR Hard Drive on PC?
Sadly, you can’t use the DVR drive like any other hard drive on your system. To format a hard drive for DVR use, you need to connect and unlock it in the following way.
Firstly, turn off your computer and remove its main power cord. Using a compatible screwdriver, open its case.
Once the system’s case is opened, look for the driver tray and pull it out (by removing the screws).
After the drive tray is out, you need to again remove its screws. Now, take your DVR drive and attach it to an empty slot in the tray. Just make sure the connecter side of the disk should be in the outward direction.
Great! Now, you need to find the power and the data plug of the system and connect it with the respective slots in the DVR drive.
While the power plug would be visible, the data socket is mostly found at the back of the DVR disk.
Once you have connected the DVR disk, you can slide the tray back to the system and attach it with the screws before closing the case.
3 Tips to Format a DVR Hard Drive for Windows 11/10/8/7
Whenever you use a digital video recorder, it often contains a hard drive for saving videos. This hard drive is – DVR hard drive. If you want to use this hard drive on a Windows PC, you need to connect the DVR to your PC and format the DVR hard drive by the following tips.
1. Format DVR Hard Drive with Windows Disk Management
If you don’t want to download any software, you can format a DVR hard drive with Disk Management. It is a Windows built-in tool that enables you to create, delete, extend, shrink, and format partitions. Here are the steps to format DVR with Disk Management.
Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon and select “Disk Management”.
Step 2. Right-click on the DVR drive and click on “Format”.
Step 3. Select the file system and set the cluster size. (Windows users often use NTFS and FAT32)
Step 4. Click “OK” to format the drive.
2. Format DVR Hard Drive Using File Explorer in Windows 11/10
Another easy way to format a DVR hard drive is by using File Explorer. You can format the DVR hard drive with simple steps.
Step 1. Click “This PC”, Right-click on the connected DVR hard drive partition and select “Format”.
Step 2. On the format window, select the desired file system for your device.
Step 3. Check “Quick Format” and click “Start”.
After this, click “OK” to confirm and finish the formatting. If you have several partitions, you can repeat these steps.
3. Run Command Prompt to Format a DVR Hard Drive
If you are familiar with Command Prompt, you can take this method into account. But you should be careful of every step because any false operation may cause serious results.
Step 1. Type cmd in the search box in Windows 11/10, right-click on “Command Prompt”, and choose “Run as administrator”.
Step 2. In the command prompt, type diskpart and press “Enter”.
Step 3. Input the following command lines and hit “Enter” each time:
- list disk
- select disk + disk number ( for example, select disk 2)
- list volume
- select volume + volume number
- format fs=ntfs
Then, type exit and hit “Enter” to finish this DVR formatting process.
3 Best Hard Drive for DVR
1. WD Purple Surveillance Hard Drive
For a hard drive that’s fully designed for surveillance and capable of reliable performance, you can’t do better than the WD Purple Surveillance Hard Drive. This option utilizes Allframe technology that improves performance by reducing frame loss and optimizing the HDD drive. It is also compatible with a wide range of different enclosures and chipsets. That makes it versatile and able to plug into your existing setup with ease.
This hard drive is available in many different sizes, ranging from a standard 1TB all the way up to 14TB for extremely large storage situations. It can support up to 64 HD cameras and is engineered to operate effectively in high temperature environments. It also comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty so you can rest easy that you’ll have support in case anything goes wrong.
- Designed for surveillance purposes
- Allframe technology improves performance
- Good compatibility
- Multiple storage size options
- Supports up to 64 HD cameras
- 3-year warranty
- Some users report unresponsive device after months of use
2. Seagate ST2000VX008, Skyhawk 2TB Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD
SkyHawk drives are not a normal drive. It designed to support heavy surveillance workloads. Those hard disk drives are made to use in the home and SMB surveillance systems. Seagate Skyhawk 2TB Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD can execute your all video data backup nonstop.
These SkyHawk drives operate the surveillance system 24/7 without any obstacle. You can add more than 64 simultaneously streaming HD cameras. With this device also you can increase the capacity up to 16TB.
This product is very reliable for every security expert. It can record more than 150TB of the video per year. If you have a minimum of 4 security cameras in your security system, and if you use it in length of the years, you just need to format the hard drive every two months.
This excellent hard drive is very useful to use in business, shop, shopping mall, and home security systems. This is the best hard drive that we highly recommend.
- Good performance
- Custom designed and built for surveillance
- 24/7 recording, Best surveillance hdd
- Can support up to 64 HD cameras
- Consistently provides smooth and clear video
- Tends to chatter loudly when first turned on
3. Toshiba HDWT140UZSVAR, S300 4TB Surveillance 3.5” Internal Hard Drive
Toshiba is a well-known brand from all over the world. It is very difficult to find someone who doesn’t even hear about Toshiba. Toshiba S300 Surveillance Internal Hard Drive takes place in those people’s minds, who are very serious about the surveillance system. It covered you from every angle.
The S300 designed for surveillance 24/7 in every angle of your home and office. It engineered for high reliability and equally provides you high performance and high surveillance operations. The S300 Surveillance Hard Drive tested to perform around-the-clock. It supports a high workload rating and never sleeps.
So that you can make a great security system. This hard drive comes with many useful features; it will help to safeguard your data and provides excellent performance in your security system.
You can rely on Toshiba to make an effective surveillance system. You can operate up to 64 high definition cameras with the Toshiba S300 hard drive. Also, it will give you the flexibility to upgrade your surveillance system and expand your area in the future.
- Great performance
- Can support up to 32 HD cameras
- Best dvr hard drive
- Built-in rotational vibration sensors
- Super easy to install
- 3 Year warranty
- None
DVR Hard Drive FAQs
What is the best hard drive for DVR?
When purchasing a hard drive for DVR, storage size, compatibility, and power consumption are the main considerations. Here we summarize 3 best-buy DVR hard disks for you:
WD Purple Surveillance Hard Drive
Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance Internal Hard Drive
Toshiba HDWT140UZSVAR, S300 4TB Surveillance 3.5” Internal Hard Drive
Can a DVR work without a hard drive?
The answer is Yes. The DVR system can work without a hard disk. However, the system won’t record any videos and you can’t have any videos live stream. This is to say, a DVR system won’t make your equipment become a true security system.
How to expand the DVR size?
The most common way is to add an external hard drive that is compatible with your DVR system. Here’s how to use it:
Use an eSATA cable to connect the external hard drive.
Navigate to the SATA port at the back of the DVR and the back of the external hard drive.
Plug the eSATA cable into the SATA port of the DVR and the other end into the SATA port of the external hard drive.
Plug the DVR into a power outlet and turn on it. Once reboots, it will automatically detect the external hard drive.