Video surveillance systems—whether used for industrial security, public safety, or traffic monitoring—rely heavily on Industrial TF Cards to store continuous footage, and selecting the right card is critical to ensuring clear, accessible video and long-term reliability. Unlike consumer cards, which lack the endurance and performance for 24/7 recording, Industrial TF Cards are engineered to handle the high data volumes and harsh conditions of surveillance applications. Below are the key considerations when choosing an Industrial TF Card for video surveillance. Speed Class Video surveillance requires consistent write speeds to avoid frame drops, stuttering, or missing footage—especially for high-resolution video (1080p, 4K, or 8K). For 720p/1080p surveillance cameras, a UHS-I U1 Industrial TF Card (minimum 10MB/s write speed) is sufficient, as these resolutions generate 5MB/s-10MB/s of data. For 4K cameras, which generate 15MB/s-25MB/s, a UHS-I U3 card (minimum 30MB/s write speed) is mandatory to handle the higher data throughput. For 8K cameras or multi-camera systems (where multiple streams are recorded simultaneously), a UHS-II card (write speeds up to 260MB/s) is ideal, as it provides the bandwidth needed to avoid bottlenecks. Always prioritize sustained write speeds over peak speeds, as surveillance systems require consistent performance for hours or days.

　　Endurance Rating Endurance is perhaps the most important factor for surveillance, as cameras record 24/7, leading to frequent write operations that wear out NAND flash cells. Industrial TF Cards for surveillance are rated by endurance (e.g., 10,000 hours of 4K recording or 30,000 P/E cycles), which indicates how long the card can withstand continuous use. Look for cards with endurance ratings that match your storage needs—for example, if you need to store 30 days of 4K footage, choose a card with an endurance rating of at least 720 hours (30 days x 24 hours). Cards with MLC NAND flash offer higher endurance (up to 10,000 P/E cycles) than TLC flash, making them suitable for long-term surveillance deployments. Additionally, wear-leveling technology is essential, as it distributes data evenly across cells to prevent premature failure from overuse.

　　Environmental Durability Surveillance cameras are often deployed outdoors or in harsh industrial environments, so the Industrial TF Card must withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, and vibration. Look for cards with a wide temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) to handle winter freezes, summer heatwaves, or indoor industrial environments with high temperatures (e.g., factories or warehouses). IP67 or IP68 ratings ensure the card is dustproof and waterproof, protecting it from moisture in outdoor or wet environments. Vibration resistance (MIL-STD-810G compliant) is also important for cameras mounted on buildings, poles, or vehicles, where wind or movement can cause physical stress.

　　Data Integrity Features Video footage is often critical for security or legal purposes, so data integrity is non-negotiable. Choose Industrial TF Cards with built-in error correction (ECC) technology, which detects and fixes data errors caused by electromagnetic interference or NAND flash degradation. Power-failure protection is another key feature—if the camera loses power suddenly, this feature ensures that in-progress video is saved to the card, preventing corruption of footage. Some cards also offer secure storage features (e.g., hardware encryption) to protect sensitive footage from unauthorized access, which is important for surveillance in high-security areas.

　　Storage Capacity Calculate the required capacity based on video resolution, frame rate, and retention period. For example, a 4K camera recording at 30fps generates approximately 30GB-40GB of data per day. To store 30 days of footage, you need a 1TB Industrial TF Card (30 days x 35GB/day = 1050GB, plus 20% free space). For multi-camera systems, multiply the daily data per camera by the number of cameras—e.g., 4 cameras generating 35GB/day each need 1.4TB of storage for 30 days (4 x 35GB x 30 = 4200GB, plus 20% free space = 5040GB, so a 6TB card or multiple 1TB cards). Always leave 20-30% free space to maintain performance and extend the card’s lifespan. By prioritizing these key factors, you can select an Industrial TF Card that delivers reliable, high-quality video storage for your surveillance system.