InFronttech Customer Tools

Storage depends on the number of cameras, resolution (e.g. 1080p vs 4K), frame rate (fps), encoding (H.264 vs H.265), quality setting, hours per day recorded, and how many days you want to keep. Use the Disk Space Calculator above: enter your cameras and settings to get an estimate of daily storage in GB and total storage in TB. H.265 typically needs around half the storage of H.264 at similar quality. More cameras, higher resolution, and longer retention all increase the storage you need.

Yes. H.265 (HEVC) typically delivers similar image quality at about 50% of the bitrate of H.264, so you need roughly half the storage (or the same storage for twice the retention). Our storage calculator includes an encoding option so you can compare H.264 and H.265. Not all recorders and cameras support H.265; check your equipment before planning on H.265 alone.

Real-world storage depends on scene content. Busy scenes (e.g. people moving, traffic, changing light) compress less well than static scenes, so they use more storage. Different brands and encoder settings also affect bitrate. The calculator is a best estimate based on typical encoding; actual use can be higher or lower. If your recordings are not lasting as long as you need, you can reduce resolution or frame rate, use H.265 if available, or add more storage. We can help analyse your setup—contact us for a storage review.

Yes. Use the “Print” button above to print the calculator form and results. You can also take a screenshot or note the daily and total storage figures for your records or specifications.

For general surveillance, 15–25 fps is often enough and uses less storage than 30 fps. Use 25 fps if you need smoother motion (e.g. licensed venues, fast-moving areas). Lower fps reduces storage: halving the frame rate roughly halves the storage for that camera. The calculator lets you compare different fps settings.

Many Australian states and territories require clubs, pubs, and licensed venues to keep CCTV recordings for a minimum period (often 28–30 days, sometimes more) so that footage is available for compliance checks and incident review. Use the state selector in the calculator to see the typical minimum for your area; your licence conditions may specify a longer period.

Cable has resistance, so over a long run some voltage is lost between the power supply and the camera. If the voltage at the camera drops too low (typically below about 10.5–11 V), the camera may reboot, show poor image quality, or fail to work. The calculator shows the voltage at the camera so you can choose the right cable thickness or run length.

AWG (American Wire Gauge) indicates wire thickness: a lower number means thicker wire and less resistance. For long runs or higher current, use thicker cable (e.g. 16 or 14 AWG). For short runs and typical camera current (0.3–0.5 A), 18 or 20 AWG is often enough. Use the calculator to try different cable types and see the voltage at the camera.

Use thicker cable (e.g. step up from 20 AWG to 18 or 16 AWG), shorten the run, or put a 12V power supply closer to the camera and run a shorter lead. For very long runs, a local PSU near the camera is often the most reliable option.

12V power runs along one wire to the camera and back along another. Both wires have resistance, so the total voltage drop is current × (resistance of both wires). The calculator doubles the one-way cable length to account for the return path.

Check the camera datasheet or label; it may state current in amps (A) or power in watts (W). If only watts are given, divide by 12 (for 12V) to get amps—e.g. 6 W ≈ 0.5 A. Many 12V cameras draw 0.3–0.5 A. Use the upper end of the range if unsure for a safer result.

Remote viewing uses your internet upload speed. Each camera stream uses bandwidth; if your upload speed is too low for the number and quality of streams, video will buffer or stutter. Use the Upload Speed Calculator to check if your NBN or connection is sufficient, and consider using substreams (lower resolution) for remote viewing.

Substreams are lower-resolution, lower-bitrate copies of each camera feed. Use them for remote viewing on phones or over the internet to reduce the bandwidth needed. Record the main stream on the NVR for full quality; view the substream when away. The calculator shows required bandwidth for both so you can set substream and main stream bitrates.

Many NVRs and apps let you choose which stream to send when viewing remotely. Substream uses less upload (e.g. 720p or 1080p low bitrate); main stream is full quality and needs more bandwidth. The calculator shows whether your upload can handle one or both, so you know what to configure on your NVR.

It depends on how many cameras you view remotely and at what quality. NBN 50 typically has about 20 Mbps upload; NBN 100 about 40 Mbps. Use the calculator: enter your camera count, substream and main stream bitrates, and your plan upload to see if it is enough. For 4–8 cameras on substream, 20 Mbps upload is often sufficient.

Yes. H.265 (HEVC) typically needs about 40–50% less bitrate than H.264 for similar image quality. The calculator applies a codec factor so you can compare: select H.265 to see lower required Mbps. Not all devices or NVRs support H.265 for remote viewing; check your equipment.

Divide your upload speed (Mbps) by the bitrate per stream and apply the codec factor. For example, 20 Mbps upload with 1 Mbps per camera (H.265) gives roughly 20 × 0.6 ≈ 12 Mbps effective, so about 12 cameras at that bitrate. Use the calculator with your actual substream bitrate and codec to get an exact number.

When viewing remotely, video is sent from your NVR to the internet using your home or business upload. If upload is too low, the NVR cannot send all streams at full quality—so the limit is the connection, not the recorder. The calculator shows when your internet is the bottleneck so you can use substreams or upgrade your plan.

For smooth remote viewing, use 0.5–1 Mbps per camera for substream (e.g. 720p or 1080p low). Set this in your NVR or camera under substream or secondary stream. The calculator lets you enter your chosen substream and main stream bitrates and shows if your upload can handle them.

Main stream remote viewing is possible if your upload is high enough—e.g. few cameras and a fast NBN plan. For many cameras or limited upload, use substream for remote and keep main stream for local recording. The calculator shows required Mbps for both so you can decide.

Reduce the substream or main stream bitrate in the calculator (e.g. lower to 720p or 0.5 Mbps per camera), or reduce the number of cameras you view at once. If you cannot reduce further, your upload is the bottleneck—consider upgrading your NBN plan or viewing fewer streams when remote.

Mounting cameras too high makes faces appear from above (top of head, nose) with less useful detail. For face identification, a height of about 2.2–2.8 m with the lens angled slightly down gives a better view of faces. The Mounting Height Optimiser suggests height, lens and camera type for your area and goal.

Turret (dome-style) cameras are compact and good for indoor or discreet mounting. Bullet cameras have a longer lens housing and suit longer throw (e.g. driveways, plates). Varifocal cameras let you adjust focal length (e.g. 2.8–12 mm) so one camera can be tuned to the distance; ideal when the exact distance varies or you want flexibility.

Higher resolution gives more pixel detail at the same distance, so you can sometimes mount slightly higher or further and still achieve face ID or plate capture. The calculator adjusts recommendations: 2 MP needs a lower, more conservative height; 8 MP/4K allows a bit more flexibility. Choose your camera resolution for the best advice.

For doorways and entrances, 2.2–2.5 m is typical for face ID so the camera sees faces at a useful angle. For overview only, 2.5–3 m is fine. Use the Mounting Height Optimiser: select Doorway / entrance and your goal (face ID, plate, or overview) for a recommended height, lens and camera type.

Plate capture needs enough pixels on the plate at the distance you care about. A longer focal length (e.g. 6–12 mm) narrows the view and puts more pixels on the plate. The calculator suggests lens range by area and distance—e.g. driveway at 10 m might need 8–12 mm. Bullet cameras are often used for plate capture.

For driveways, 2.5–3.5 m is common: high enough to see along the drive and capture plates or faces, but not so high that faces are just the top of the head. For face ID aim for the lower end (2.5–3 m); for overview or plates you can go a bit higher. The calculator gives exact ranges by goal and distance.

Fixed lens (e.g. 2.8 mm or 4 mm) is simpler and often cheaper; use when the distance and area are well known. Varifocal (e.g. 2.8–12 mm) lets you adjust after installation and is useful when distance varies or you want one camera to cover multiple scenarios. The calculator recommends camera type including varifocal when flexibility is useful.

The distance from the camera to the person or plate determines how much of the sensor is used for that subject. Longer distance needs a longer focal length (or higher resolution) to keep enough detail. The calculator uses your entered distance to suggest lens options—e.g. 5 m vs 15 m will change the recommended mm.

Face ID means identifying a person clearly (e.g. at a door); it needs the most detail and usually a lower mounting height. Plate capture means reading number plates; it often needs a longer lens and careful angle. Overview is general monitoring with less detail; you can mount higher and use a wider lens. The calculator tailors height, lens and type to your chosen goal.

You can, but for face ID, mounting too high reduces useful face detail (you see more scalp than face). For overview or plate capture, going higher can work if the lens and resolution are sufficient. The calculator ranges are guidelines for good results; if you must mount higher, use a higher-resolution camera or longer lens and test on site.