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For a quick estimate, multiply a video’s bitrate in Mbps by 0.45 to get approximate decimal GB per hour. At 10 Mbps, for example, 1080p video uses about 4.5 GB per hour, 108 GB per day of continuous recording, or 3.24 TB over 30 days. Resolution alone does not determine file size; bitrate and recording time do.
How much storage does 1080p video use per hour?
Use this shortcut for decimal storage units: GB per hour ≈ bitrate in Mbps × 0.45. For continuous recording, multiply the hourly amount by 24 for a day, or by 24 and then 30 for a 30-day period. These estimates exclude minor audio and container overhead and any extra capacity reserved for safety.
| Video bitrate | Approx. GB per hour | Approx. GB per day, continuous | Approx. TB per 30 days, continuous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Mbps | 3.6 GB | 86.4 GB | 2.59 TB |
| 10 Mbps | 4.5 GB | 108 GB | 3.24 TB |
| 16 Mbps | 7.2 GB | 172.8 GB | 5.18 TB |
| 17 Mbps | 7.65 GB | 183.6 GB | 5.51 TB |
| 24 Mbps | 10.8 GB | 259.2 GB | 7.78 TB |
| 28 Mbps | 12.6 GB | 302.4 GB | 9.07 TB |
| 50 Mbps | 22.5 GB | 540 GB | 16.2 TB |
The figures use decimal units: 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes and 1 TB = 1,000 GB. A computer or camera may display capacity using a different unit convention, so its reported free space may not match the table exactly.
Why 1080p does not have one fixed file size
1080p describes image resolution, not how many bits are stored each second. That depends on the codec, quality setting, frame rate, and how much visual detail changes from frame to frame. A variable-bitrate recording may use more data in complex scenes and less in simpler ones. Consequently, two 1080p recordings of equal duration can occupy very different amounts of space.
#1 Best Overall
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility
- Extra storage for your photos, videos, music and files
- Formatted for Windows 8, 7, Vista & XP; Easily Reformat Drive for Mac
- WD quality and reliability
Published device examples illustrate the range, but they are not universal rates. Apple Support gives an approximate 70–105 MB per minute for 1080p HD exports with its stated iPhone camera and iMovie settings, equivalent by arithmetic to about 4.2–6.3 GB per hour (Apple’s file-size guidance, 2026). Sony’s model-specific help guides list examples including 16 Mbps MP4, approximately 17 Mbps AVCHD, AVCHD modes up to 24 or 28 Mbps, and approximately 50 Mbps XAVC S HD; the actual modes depend on camera and recording settings (Sony Help Guides).
How to calculate storage from bitrate and recording time
Bitrate is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). To estimate decimal gigabytes, multiply Mbps by the number of seconds recorded and divide by 8,000. The division by eight converts bits to bytes; the remaining conversion expresses the result in decimal GB.
Rank #2
- What can it do? - Standalone 1080p@60fps video capture device and digital video recorder. Record video to a USB storage device while watching it on TV, playback the recorded video on TV with the included remote, No PC required at all. Analog to digital video converter, HDMI/RCA/Composite/Component/YPbPr/VGA inputs are supported. Gaming capture and live are also available if you prefer using a PC.
- Why do I need it? - Digitalize or archive analog videos to MP4 files from old devices without using a PC. Backup videos from HD/UHD video discs and old VHS tapes. Gaming capture and live. Capture and record videos from cable TV receivers, set-top boxes, PVRs or DVRs. Record online conferencing video. Record online HD video for recreating. Capture screen contents of PC.
- Why choose it over other similar products? - Friendly to use by newbies or older adults. Specifically designed for work with big screen TVs and HD/UHD/Analog video players. Recorded MP4 files can be saved on both retro and modern PCs (exFAT, NTFS, FAT/FAT32, MBR,GPT). Ultra-low latency (less 90ms). Various schedule tasks. Trusted since 2016.
- Is my device compatible with it? - It works with: VHS Players, VCRs, Camcorders, Hi8 camcorders, DVRs, Set-top Boxes, Video disc Players, Media players, TV Sticks, Endoscopes, Surgery Microscopes, Game Consoles, and any other devices with HDMI/RCA/Composite/Component/VGA Output. [Tip: The Smart TV & TV Antenna can't be a video Source.]
- What's more? - 90-Day No Hassle Return (at our cost) and 2-Year replacement Service. Free video edit/conversion software included(Windows system only. Mac is not supported). [The device does not support any content protected by HDCP. When connected to an HDCP (Content Protection) source, it will output an error message or nothing. This does not indicate a defect.]
- Per hour: Mbps × 3,600 ÷ 8,000. At 10 Mbps, that is 4.5 GB.
- Per day: Mbps × 86,400 ÷ 8,000. At 10 Mbps, that is 108 GB.
- For 30 continuous days: Mbps × 30 × 86,400 ÷ 8,000. At 10 Mbps, that is 3.24 TB.
NVIDIA’s VIOS documentation presents the formula as Storage (GB) = (Bitrate (Mbps) × Duration (seconds)) / 8 / 1024, using that documentation’s GB convention. Its resulting figures can differ from the decimal-unit estimates above because of the conversion convention. The documentation also notes that actual operational storage needs vary with encoding conditions and recommends an approximately 10–20% buffer in its VSS system context (NVIDIA VIOS 3.0.0 storage guidance). Treat that buffer as context-specific advice, not a universal requirement.
How many hours or days fit on a drive?
Divide the drive’s usable capacity by the estimated storage per hour to find approximate recording hours. For example, 1 TB of decimal capacity divided by 4.5 GB per hour is about 222 hours at 10 Mbps, before reserving space for other files or a safety margin. For days of continuous recording, divide that result by 24; for a schedule that records only part of each day, use the actual daily recording hours instead.
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Rank #3
- Up to 6TB[1] that can hold up to 150 games[3], so that you can save old favorites and still have room for new titles.
- Portable form factor with sleek metal top covering that provides fast access to your growing game library
- Speeds up to 130MB/s[2] to push your console or PC to new levels
- Compatible with Xbox Series X|S (play and store Xbox One games / archive Xbox Series X|S games) and PlayStation 5 (play and store PS4 games/archive PS5 games) consoles
- Premium HDD with 3-year limited warranty, purpose-built for gamers based on WD_BLACK quality and reliability
For a retention window, multiply bitrate by the hours recorded per day and by the number of days, then convert to GB using 8,000. This makes the effect of recording schedules clear: recording eight hours a day takes one-third as much video storage as recording continuously at the same bitrate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.High-quality editing formats can need much more space
Some editing formats store substantially more data than common compressed camera modes. Apple lists target rates for ProRes at 1920×1080 and 29.97 fps ranging from 45 Mbps for ProRes Proxy to 500 Mbps for ProRes 4444 XQ; ProRes 422 is 147 Mbps and ProRes 422 HQ is 220 Mbps (Apple ProRes target rates, 2025). At 220 Mbps, the decimal shortcut estimates about 99 GB per hour. These are codec- and format-specific targets, not a typical 1080p camera estimate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【1080P HDMI Capture】-- HDMI Game Video Recorder captures the video and games in 1080P and save them to a USB flash drive or external HDD. This capture card doesn't support the live streaming, therefore, it won't work with OBS Studio, VLC, Youtube, etc
- 【Save to USB Device】-- Directly plug a USB Flash drive( FAT32) to get the video anywhere, anytime; Share gameplay and have fun with your friends wherever you are; It supports up to 128G for USB drive & 2TB for the hard drive(MBR partition); work with USB3.0 & USB2.0
- 【Mic-in for Commentary】-- This capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when playing a game, but it doesn't record party chat. Please note that it only accepts 3.5mm TRS standard microphone headset
- 【Simple Installation】-- Easy to work without any adjustment, save videos to a USB device, doesn't work with PC directly. 1080P one-touch recording, and press the button again to stop recording
- 【Broad Application】-- The capture card is compatible with most HDMI outputs. You can capture a 1080P video for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, STB, DVD, BlueRay or other video sources
Rank #4
- [ High Storage Capacity ] Provides 14 terabytes of storage, suitable for large files, media libraries, backups, and professional use, such as video editing and archiving.
- [ Compatibility ] Pre-formatted with the exFAT file system, making it compatible with Windows OS, MacOS, and XBOX. A reformat may be required for game consoles to optimize performance.
- [ Portability ] Although large in capacity, most external hard drives are designed to be compact and easy to transport for on-the-go data access.
- [ Connection Interface ] Typically offers USB 3.0 connectivity for faster data transfer speeds, and compatible with any USB port device.
- This external hard drive boasts a brand-new, premium HDD case paired with a excellent refurbished, top-tier internal 7200RPM enterprise hard drive from a leading manufacturer. With zero bad sectors and 100% health, it has passed rigorous factory quality tests to ensure exceptional performance and reliability. Fully researched and tested for outstanding performance and compatibility with PC & gaming consoles, it stands as the top choice in external hard drives.
Plan capacity for your actual recording
- Check the camera, recorder, or export settings for bitrate and codec; use the mode you will actually record.
- If bitrate is unavailable, record a representative clip and use its file size and duration to estimate the hourly rate.
- Multiply by the hours captured each day and the number of days you need to retain footage.
- Allow room for audio, other files, bitrate variation, and a reserve; do not plan to fill a drive completely.
- Choose storage based on usable capacity and the workflow’s speed and portability needs, and keep a separate backup of important footage.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
