by 140 reviews.
Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD Review: A Reliable Choice for Video Storage?
The Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD (ST2000VX003) is a hard drive specifically designed for video surveillance systems. With a 5900 RPM speed, SATA 6.0GB/s interface, and 64MB cache, this drive promises smooth video streaming, enhanced data integrity, and reliable performance in multi-drive environments. It’s built to handle high write-cycle workloads, making it ideal for 24/7 surveillance applications. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Pros: What Customers Love About the Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD
1. Reliable Performance for Surveillance Systems
Many users have praised the drive’s ability to handle continuous video recording without hiccups. One customer shared their experience with a Monoprice NVR, stating that the drive was recognized immediately and significantly improved motion continuity with four 720P cameras. Another user with a Lorex 16-channel security system reported seamless integration and extended recording times, going from 4 days of non-stop recording with a 2TB drive to 12-13 days with the Seagate 4TB model.
2. Cool and Quiet Operation
A standout feature mentioned by multiple reviewers is the drive’s ability to stay cool even under heavy workloads. One user ran a SeaTools for DOS long scan, which took over six hours, and noted that the drive remained cool despite being in a dock with no fan cooling. This is a big plus for 24/7 surveillance systems where overheating can be a concern.
3. Durability and Longevity
Seagate’s reputation for durability shines through in customer feedback. One reviewer, who has owned numerous Seagate drives over 28 years, emphasized their reliability, with only a handful of failures after years of service. The drive’s 1 million-hour MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) and 3-year limited warranty also provide peace of mind for long-term use.
4. Easy Installation and Compatibility
The drive is praised for its plug-and-play functionality. Users have reported seamless integration with various DVRs and NVRs, including Synology NAS units. Its compatibility with multi-drive setups and RAID configurations makes it a versatile choice for expanding surveillance systems.
Cons: Where the Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD Falls Short
1. Inconsistent Quality Control
While many users have had positive experiences, some have faced issues with dead-on-arrival drives. One customer ordered four drives for a Synology NAS, only to find that one was DOA and another failed during initialization. The lack of proper packaging during shipping was also a concern, raising questions about whether the failures were due to poor handling or inherent quality issues.
2. Limited Warranty and Support
Although the drive comes with a 3-year limited warranty, some users expressed frustration with the warranty process. One reviewer noted that the warranty extends only to September 2019, which might not be ideal for those purchasing the drive in 2023 or later. Additionally, the inability to obtain proper invoices for business use was a significant drawback for some customers.
3. Price Fluctuations
A few users mentioned that the drive’s price can fluctuate significantly, making it less appealing when not on sale. One customer highlighted that the price increased by €100 in just one day, which could be a dealbreaker for budget-conscious buyers.
Final Thoughts: Is the Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD Worth It?
The Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD is a solid choice for those looking for a reliable, surveillance-optimized hard drive. Its ability to handle high write workloads, stay cool under pressure, and integrate seamlessly with various systems makes it a standout option for professional surveillance applications. However, inconsistent quality control and limited warranty support may deter some buyers.
Who Should Buy It?
- Surveillance System Owners
If you’re building or upgrading a DVR/NVR setup, this drive is tailored for your needs. - Budget-Conscious Buyers
When on sale, it offers excellent value for its performance and durability. - Long-Term Users
The drive’s durability and warranty make it a good investment for extended use.
Who Should Avoid It?
- Business Users
The inability to obtain proper invoices may be a dealbreaker for companies. - Perfectionists
If you’re wary of potential quality control issues, you might want to explore other options.
Conclusion
The Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD delivers on its promise of reliable, high-performance storage for surveillance systems. While it has its flaws, such as inconsistent quality control and limited warranty support, its strengths—cool operation, easy installation, and durability—make it a worthwhile investment for most users. If you’re in the market for a surveillance-optimized hard drive, this one is definitely worth considering, especially when priced right.
Specification (Old Model) Seagate 2TB Surveillance HDD 5900RPM SATA 6.0GB/s 64MB Hard Drive (ST2000VX003):
Comments from Amazon:
Very fast drives for the cost. Keep in mind that Hadr drives at this price fail a lot more then they use to. Always make a backup of data that you care about. Used these in a nice Synology unit and they work well. As far as longevity I never expect much from hard drives now a days. These are decent, fast drives with a lot of room to move around at a very good price.
Works GREAT. I have a Lorex 16ch 1080p HD security camera system, currently using 13 HD 1080p Cameras (Yes, the one from Costco, then I added the 13th camera). It came with 2TB installed, with an extra hard drive slot, and is capable of running two 4TB drives max. I left the original 2TB drive in there, and put this 4TB drive in the extra slot. Once I fired up the system it recognized the new drive, asked to format it, then within minutes I now had 6TB total storage. When it only had 2TB I was only able to record non-stop on all 13 cameras for about 4 days, now with 6TB it records non-stop for 12-13 days (System has been on, recording, 24/7 with the 6TB total for almost 5 months now) Once I add 3 more cameras (maxing out DVR at 16 cameras total) I will be buying another one of these 4TB drives to replace the original 2TB drive, maxing the DVR out at 8TB (hoping to get 16+ days of non-stop recording on all 16 cameras) . Im very please with Seagate and the quality of there products.
SUMMARY: Two stars because when they work, they seem to work well, but between the drives and the supplier, I'm experiencing a 60% success rate, and that's unacceptable when it comes to computer hardware, and especially data storage. -------------------------- I originally ordered 4 drives, along with a new Synology DS418 NAS. Set up the NAS, plugged in my drives, and one immediately failed. I attempted to initialize it using my Windows 7 PC, but it was dead on arrival. The platters would spin, but there was no making the drive work, so back it went. The replacement drive arrived, and I had a similar experience. I first attempted to initialize it with the computer, and it returned gibberish while repeatedly failing to initialize. (See attached photo.) I figured I'd give the NAS a shot and...nada. Another dead drive. It may be worth noting that the company who sent me the drive put it in a box with ZERO padding, which is at best negligent (to be kind). View the second photo. So I'm left wondering if they sent a good drive which bounced its way across the country, or if these drives are of inherently poor quality. If I were starting from scratch, I wouldn't bother to try my luck with these. Because best practice is to keep identical drives in the same array, I am left with the choice of once again ordering a replacement drive or returning all 4 drives (after returning my data to its original sources) and starting fresh with another product line. TWO MORE NOTES: 1. Although you see the wonderful "PRIME" logo next to this item, you can forget your 2-day shipping. It's more like 6 days to the East Coast (and it will tell you that at checkout). 2. Seagate's warranty on these drives extends to Sep 2019. I was tempted to pursue a replacement that way, but the drive was brand-new, and I really should be able to expect Amazon and its associated resellers to send me a working product. Let's hope third time really is the charm.
Bought this for my new 16 channel security DVR. It was a plug and play installation and worked fine. One thing that I didn't realize was that there were drives that were optimized for digital video storage. Back in the old days we always used SCSSI drives for video because of their speed but now the SATA drives are faster than that! Still, if you are interested, read about how these drives are optimized for big files. The bottom line is that Seagate is a recognized brand with a good warranty and this one was priced right.
tres bien
Recientemente compré este disco para colocar en un NAS con ciertas reservas ya que ponía que era para estaciones de vigilancia. Puedo decir que funciona perfecto en un NAS como servidor de archivos y sus características físicas son similares a cualquier otro disco de la marca. Para el precio de oferta que tenia, es la mejor elección, aunque ahora ya no puedo decir lo mismo puesto que en solo un día ha subido 100 €. La contra: es imposible pedir factura. Tanto Amazon como el vendedor han sido incapaces de hacerme una factura que cumpla la normativa española. A nivel particular lo volvería a comprar, si encuentro otra vez el precio, pero nunca como empresa, por el problema con la factura
So far, it is very impressive. I ran a SeaTools for DOS long scan straight out of the box. With a drive this size, it takes over six hours. The drive was in a dock with no fan cooling. At the end of the (successful) test, the drive was still cool. I bought it for my Monoprice NVR. The NVR comes without a disk. I had placed an old, but perfectly-working Samsung 1 TB SpinPoint in the NVR to test it with. The playback was notably jerky with four cameras, and sometimes got behind real-time. The 4 TB Seagate Surveillance drive was recognized immediately by the NVR, and I noticed right away the improvement in motion continuity with four cameras at 720P. It is quiet and cool. I have owned more hard drives than possibly any man alive. The vast majority of them have been Seagates. I have lost maybe a half dozen to failure (all after years of service, and several with questionable cooling) in 28 years. Anybody that claims Seagate hard drives are not the best does not know squat about computers. WD are the least reliable, by far.