For one continuous recording over 30 days, plan on about 316 GB per Mbps of average bitrate, then add free space for variation and operating headroom. For example, a 4 Mbps recording needs about 1.27 TB before reserve; an 8 Mbps recording needs about 2.53 TB. These are estimates, not a bitrate recommendation: the fact that the videos are for children does not tell you what bitrate your streaming PC records.
How much storage do I need for 30 days of 24/7 recording?
The estimate below uses NVIDIA’s documented storage formula for one stream running continuously for 30 days. The listed figures are calculated estimates in decimal GB/TB, before a reserve for real-world variation or other files.
| Average bitrate | Approximate storage for 30 days | With 10% reserve | With 20% reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Mbps | 633 GB (0.63 TB) | 696 GB | 760 GB |
| 4 Mbps | 1.27 TB | 1.39 TB | 1.52 TB |
| 6 Mbps | 1.90 TB | 2.09 TB | 2.28 TB |
| 8 Mbps | 2.53 TB | 2.78 TB | 3.04 TB |
NVIDIA’s version 3.0.0 documentation gives an illustrative figure of 84.375 GB per stream per day at 8 Mbps; over 30 days, that is 2,531.25 GB before reserve. The table applies the same formula at other bitrates. A calendar month can be 28, 29, 30, or 31 days, so use the actual recording duration if you need a closer estimate. NVIDIA’s storage formula and example
How to calculate storage from your bitrate
Use the continuous-recording formula
NVIDIA’s formula is Storage (GB) = (Bitrate (Mbps) × Duration (seconds)) / 8 / 1024. For a practical 30-day estimate, multiply the average bitrate in Mbps by about 316.40625 GB. At 1 Mbps, that is approximately 316 GB for 30 days. For a daily estimate, multiply Mbps by 10.546875 GB.
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Use your actual recording rate
Check the bitrate used by the OBS output that is actually being recorded, or make a representative recording and calculate its average bitrate from its file size and duration. If recording uses variable-bitrate or quality-based encoding, the rate can vary with the footage and settings; a test using representative videos is more reliable than assuming a constant value.
The figures above cover one video stream only. Add capacity for any additional simultaneous recordings, audio tracks that are saved separately, other files on the drive, and filesystem overhead. NVIDIA advises allowing a 10–20% planning buffer because encoding efficiency and variable bitrate can change the amount used. Treat that as a planning suggestion, not a guarantee that every setup will fit within the buffer.
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Which OBS settings change the estimate?
- Recording encoder and quality: In OBS, confirm whether recording is set to “Same as stream” or uses a separate recording encoder or quality preset. “Same as stream” uses the streaming video encoder’s settings; other presets can produce larger files, and some choices can affect performance. See the OBS Recording Encoder Presets Guide.
- Resolution: Check the recording output resolution and whether OBS rescales it relative to the canvas. A different resolution or quality setting changes the recording’s storage needs; estimate from the resulting bitrate or a representative file rather than from the stream title.
- Audio tracks: In OBS Advanced output, check which audio tracks are selected for recording. If the setup captures more than one track, account for those tracks in your storage plan.
- Recording count: If the PC saves multiple files or records multiple sources at once, include each file’s storage. The table assumes a single continuous recording.
OBS describes its recording controls and output options in its Standard Recording Output Guide.
Why lossless recording needs a separate calculation
Do not apply the compressed-stream estimates to OBS’s Lossless preset. OBS gives an approximate lossless recording rate of 7 GB per minute. Sustained for 30 days, that is about 302,400 GB, or roughly 302 TB in decimal units. This is OBS’s published approximation, not a measurement of your PC or a specific video. Lossless output is therefore a dramatically different storage case from the bitrate examples above. OBS Recording Encoder Presets Guide
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Keep long recordings recoverable
For recordings that might be interrupted unexpectedly, OBS recommends recording to MKV: an ungraceful stop will not corrupt the entire file. OBS also provides a remux function to convert a completed recording to MP4. Choose the recording format and workflow before relying on a month-long capture, and allow room for any remuxed copy if you intend to keep both files. OBS Standard Recording Output Guide
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If your goal is to keep a prerecorded YouTube channel live rather than retain a month of local recordings, StreamNeo is a different workflow—not an archive drive. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so no home PC or connection has to stay on. It does not go live from a camera, and it does not remove the need to keep originals you want to archive.
Rank #4
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Best Value
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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.
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