by 1 reviews.
Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance ST2000VX008 2TB SATA 6.0GB/s 64MB Hard Drive Review: A Reliable Choice for 24/7 Surveillance
When it comes to securing your home or business, having a reliable surveillance system is non-negotiable. But what’s often overlooked is the backbone of any surveillance setup—the hard drive. Enter the Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance ST2000VX008 2TB SATA 6.0GB/s 64MB Hard Drive, a purpose-built solution designed to handle the rigors of 24/7 video recording. With features like ImagePerfect firmware, SkyHawk Health Management, and a workload rating of up to 550TB/year, this drive promises to deliver uninterrupted, high-quality video storage for your security needs.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Reliability
One of the standout features of the Seagate Skyhawk is its surveillance-optimized performance. Customers have praised its ability to handle heavy workloads without breaking a sweat. One reviewer noted, "For an HDD that is on 24/7, it did great. I think compared to the competition, this is the better bang for the buck." Another user shared their experience with a small NVR system, stating, "With 12 streams of 4K and 5MP going to it 24/7, it’s hardly working according to the task manager status."
The drive’s ImagePerfect firmware ensures smooth video playback by minimizing dropped frames, a feature that’s crucial for surveillance systems. A customer who replaced a failing HDD in their NVR said, "It works great. Plug and play." This seamless integration is a recurring theme in reviews, with many users appreciating the drive’s immediate recognition and ease of setup.
Noise and Vibration
If you’ve ever dealt with a noisy hard drive, you’ll appreciate how quiet the Seagate Skyhawk is. One reviewer described it as "probably one of the quietest drives I have ever used—you can barely hear it at all, even when pressing your ear against the NVR enclosure." This is a significant advantage for those who need their surveillance systems to operate discreetly, especially in residential settings.
Additionally, the drive’s Acutrac technology ensures minimal vibration, which not only contributes to its quiet operation but also enhances its durability. A user who compared it to other drives mentioned, "Like the NAS drives, there is no vibration, either." This makes it a solid choice for environments where stability and low noise are priorities.
Durability and Longevity
Durability is a key concern for surveillance drives, and the Seagate Skyhawk doesn’t disappoint. With a workload rating of up to 550TB/year, it’s built to handle the demands of continuous recording. One customer who replaced a failing Seagate Skyhawk Lite unit shared, "It arrived on 1/12. I installed it on 1/13. The system recognized it immediately and all that was required was a format. A minute later, it started recording automatically and is still operational after 24 hours."
However, it’s worth noting that some users have expressed concerns about third-party warranties. While the drive itself is reliable, the warranty process through third-party sellers can be less straightforward. One reviewer advised, "Only thing to be aware of is third-party warranties." This is something to keep in mind when purchasing, especially if you’re buying from a non-authorized seller.
Setup and Compatibility
Most users found the setup process to be straightforward, with the drive being recognized immediately by their systems. However, one customer did encounter a hiccup during installation. They shared, "After installing the drive into the DVR, you go into settings to format the drive. The DVR would say the drive is formatted, but the status would still show the drive as unformatted." After some troubleshooting, they resolved the issue by formatting the drive in exFAT via a PC before reinstalling it in the DVR. While this was a minor inconvenience, it’s a good reminder to double-check compatibility and formatting requirements before installation.
Conclusion: Is the Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance ST2000VX008 Worth It?
The Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance ST2000VX008 2TB SATA 6.0GB/s 64MB Hard Drive is a robust and reliable choice for anyone in need of a surveillance-optimized storage solution. Its quiet operation, minimal vibration, and seamless integration with NVR/DVR systems make it a standout option in its category. While there are minor concerns about third-party warranties and occasional setup quirks, the overall performance and durability of this drive make it a worthwhile investment.
If you’re looking for a hard drive that can handle the demands of 24/7 surveillance without compromising on quality, the Seagate Skyhawk is a strong contender. Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or building a new one, this drive delivers on its promises and provides peace of mind for your security needs.
Specification Seagate Skyhawk Surveillance ST2000VX008 2TB SATA 6.0GB/s 64MB Hard Drive (3.5 inch):
Comments from Amazon:
I bought this to replace a failing HDD in a NVR and it works great. Plug and play.
For an HDD that is on 24/7 it did great. I think compared to the competition this is the better bang for the buck. Only thing to be aware of is third party warranties...
I just bought a 2 TB Skyhawk for a small NVR and camera system I just purchased. I also purchased a 2 TB WD Purple drive, and decided to install one of these in the NVR and the other in a USB enclosure attached to the NVR as a backup. I ended up putting the Purple in the USB enclosure and set the Skyhawk as the installed drive inside the NVR, based on reviews here and some reviews of the WD Purple, which claimed video sometimes stuttered. I have always been a fan of Seagate drives, though some of the Seagate desktop drives, though making little seek/head noise, can vibrate more than their WD counterparts. This is an issue I have NOT seen in the Seagate NAS drives, of which I have several (Ironwolf and last generation NAS, also). These are the first surveillance-specific drives I have purchased. This Skyhawk is QUIET, probably one of the quietest drives I have ever used - you can barely heard it at all, even when pressing your ear against the NVR enclosure. Like the NAS drives, there is no vibration, either. I love my HGST NAS drives and had a couple extras, but they're not the quietest drives on the market, and didn't want something hammering away that you can hear two rooms down inside an NVR. The good reviews have given me confidence this will be a great drive for the long haul.
Worked good for us
I've only had the drive for less than 24 hours so I can't really rate it. I just wanted to share this experience. The WD hard drive in my Samsung sdr-b74301 went bad and instead of repairing it again I chose to buy a seagate. After installing the drive into the dvr you go into settings to format the drive. The dvr would say the drive is formatted. The dvr status would still show the drive as unformatted. After several attempts I put the drive in an external enclosure. Hooked it to my PC. Went to disk management. Initiated the drive. Them chose to format it. The drive must be formatted in exfat. Then I reinstalled the drive into the dvr. It showed unformatted disk. Then I went to settings and formatted again through the dvr and everything went well. Not really a review but just some instructions if anyone runs into this issue.
So far so good! Using as a dedicated drive in a Dell Optiplex SFF and working great. With 12 streams of 4K and 5MP going to it 24/7 it’s hardly working according to the task manager status. Everyone recommended the WD surveillance Drives but they’re significantly more expensive. I hope that this drive last and is of good value. Only time can tell. Been running it for about a month. If it craps out in a unreasonable period of time, I’ll update this review.
For my home security camera system, I ordered via Amazon a Seagate Skyhawk 2TB Surveillance ST2000VX017-3CV1. It replaced a Seagate Skyhawk Lite unit which failed after 4+ years. It arrived on 1/12. I installed it on 1/13. The system recognized it immediately and all was required was a format. A minute later it started recording automatically and is still operational after 24 hours. Surveillance-built units record at a higher speed to prevent "skipping". The tech at the DVR/NVR company recommended a PC-built HDD...not up to par for DVR/NVR systems. Will update this post if the unit fails sooner than the warranty.