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Western Digital 10TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive Review: A Reliable Choice for 24/7 Surveillance
When it comes to securing your property, having a reliable surveillance system is crucial. But what’s equally important is the storage solution that backs it up. Enter the Western Digital 10TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive (WD101PURZ). Designed specifically for 24/7 surveillance systems, this hard drive promises seamless video recording, high capacity, and durability. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on real customer experiences.
Key Features at a Glance
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick rundown of what makes the WD Purple stand out:
- 24/7 Surveillance Ready: Built for continuous operation, perfect for always-on security systems.
- AllFrame Technology: Reduces video errors, pixilation, and interruptions for crystal-clear footage.
- Supports Up to 64 HD Cameras: With a massive 10TB capacity, it’s ideal for large-scale setups.
- Enhanced Workload Rating: Optimized for heavy, continuous workloads.
- SATA 6 Gb/s Interface: Ensures fast data transfer speeds.
- 256 MB Cache: Improves system responsiveness.
- 3-Year Limited Warranty: Backed by Western Digital’s reliability.
Now, let’s break down the pros and cons based on customer feedback.
Pros: What Customers Love
1. Unmatched Reliability
One of the most praised aspects of the WD Purple is its reliability. Many customers, like one long-time WD user, shared that their 6TB WD Purple lasted over 5 years of non-stop operation in an NVR (Network Video Recorder). This level of durability is a testament to Western Digital’s engineering, especially for mission-critical systems. Another user even mentioned using WD drives in US Navy systems, where they endured extreme conditions like shock, vibration, and temperature fluctuations without fail.
2. Easy Installation
Customers consistently highlight how easy it is to install the WD Purple. One reviewer detailed their installation process, emphasizing the importance of discharging static electricity before handling the drive. They used a wrist strap and anti-static mat, ensuring a smooth installation. The drive slid right into their Envy case, and after formatting, it worked flawlessly. This ease of use makes it accessible even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.
3. Massive Storage Capacity
The 10TB capacity is a game-changer for surveillance systems. One user upgraded their Swann NVR system from a 2TB drive to the WD Purple, significantly increasing their recording capacity. They noted that the larger drive allows them to store weeks of footage without needing to transfer files frequently. Another customer using 16 4K cameras mentioned that the drive provides over a year of continuous recording, making it ideal for large-scale setups.
4. AllFrame Technology Delivers
The AllFrame Technology is a standout feature, ensuring smooth video playback without errors or interruptions. Customers appreciate the crystal-clear footage it delivers, even under heavy workloads. This is especially important for surveillance systems, where every frame counts.
Cons: Areas for Improvement
1. Price Point
While the WD Purple offers excellent value, some customers find it a bit pricey. At around $265 per drive, it’s an investment. However, most agree that the per-terabyte cost and the drive’s reliability justify the price.
2. Occasional Defective Units
A few customers reported receiving defective drives out of the box. One user shared their experience of a second drive arriving non-functional, which they attributed to potential shipping issues in sub-zero temperatures. Fortunately, Amazon and Western Digital provided prompt replacements, and the second drive worked perfectly. While this isn’t a widespread issue, it’s something to be aware of.
3. Warranty Limitations
One customer mentioned that their drive failed six months after the warranty expired, which was disappointing. While the 3-year warranty is solid, some users wish it were longer, especially given the drive’s intended use in continuous operation environments.
Real-World Performance
For Home and Business Use
The WD Purple excels in both home and business settings. One user upgraded their home surveillance system, replacing a 2TB drive with the 10TB WD Purple. They noted that the larger capacity allowed them to store more footage and avoid frequent transfers, saving time and effort. Another customer used the drive in a commercial setting with 16 4K cameras, praising its ability to handle continuous recording without hiccups.
Compatibility with NVR Systems
The drive is highly compatible with various NVR systems, including Swann and Dahua models. Users appreciate how seamlessly it integrates into their existing setups, providing enhanced storage and performance without requiring additional modifications.
Final Verdict: Is the WD Purple Worth It?
The Western Digital 10TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive is a top-tier choice for anyone needing reliable, high-capacity storage for their surveillance systems. Its durability, ease of installation, and massive storage capacity make it a standout product. While the price may be a bit steep for some, the long-term reliability and performance more than justify the investment.
However, it’s worth noting that occasional defective units and the 3-year warranty limitation are minor drawbacks. If you’re looking for a hard drive that can handle 24/7 operation and deliver consistent performance, the WD Purple is an excellent choice. Just be sure to handle it with care during installation and consider purchasing from a reputable seller to avoid potential shipping issues.
In conclusion, the WD Purple lives up to its reputation as a reliable, high-performance surveillance hard drive. Whether you’re securing your home or managing a large-scale business surveillance system, this drive has you covered.
Specification Western Digital 10TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive - SATA 6 Gb/s, , 256 MB Cache, 3.5" - WD101PURZ (Old Version):
Comments from Amazon:
My 6TB WD PURPLE lasted 5 YEARS + 1 DAY (not kidding here), spinning, and reading & writing, NON-STOP in my NVR. Though not my first WD HDD by far, my decision to invest in WD reliability was well worth it! I've been using only WD HDDs for over 30 years; except maybe when a OEM had built a PC, DVR (etc) that shipped with something else. I also spec'd WD HDDs into a Universal Computer design subsequently fielded in Mission Critical Systems onboard virtually every "war-fighter" ship in the US Navy. In these systems the HDDs had to endure the torture of shipboard Shock, Vibration, Temperature Extremes, and Humidity; and while those HDDs may not have been spinning 24/7, they never caused system reliability issues. No, I don't work in the industry any longer and this is NOT a paid advertisement. I'm just amazed that such a complex mechanical device could be so BALLISTIC, and grateful to be able to say THANK YOU WD!
EASY - VERY EASY TO INSTALL!!! Before handling the hard drive, before you take it out of its package - you MUST DISCHARGE ANY STATIC ELECTRICITY FROM YOURSELF, YOUR WORK AREA, AND ITEMS TO BE USED! The best way to do that is to purchase a ground strap for your wrist. There's a velcro strap that you strap around your wrist and it's connected to a spiral cable which extends to a alligator clip. The alligator clip you can attach to a piece of metal or something going to the ground and that'll discharge any static electricity from your body. They also make anti-static mat that you can work on. Some people take anti static fabric sheets and rub them on themselves or they rub their hands on metal to make sure they discharged the static electricity from their body. Just don't purposely Shuffle on carpeting or known areas of static electricity build up cuz this can damage your equipment! So I opened up my Envy our case, after unplugging all the power cables and video cables. From there there are four bolts on the bottom holding the existing hard drive to the bottom of the case. Once I remove those, the hard drive slid straight out from its connector. The new hard drive the Western Digital purple 6Tb plugged in very nicely! I reinserted the four screws underneath and put the top of the case back on, plugged everything in formatted the hard drive and it's been working beautifully! I'm using this to increase the capacity of my Swann 8580 series NVR surveillance system. It won't allow anything larger than 6 terabytes and it came with a 2 terabyte hard drive. Instead of transferring files from the m v r to an SD card or a Micro SD card then to an external hard drive or computer, I just decided to go with a larger hard drive and when it's full have another one ready to replace it and store them safely then I can always have the original. And then I'm able to put that back in the NVR and use all the features of the NVR to examine the video, which you lose when you download the videos and transfer them. And it takes a very long time to transfer 122 terabytes of information from the NVR to a micro SD card or an SD card then uploading to an external hard drive or computer. And that way you also have a recording of everything the surveillance system captured in case you missed a recording and now you no longer have it. And then it gives me time to review recordings and then I'm able to reuse the hard drive after formatting it.
I recently added a NVR recorder to my security camera system, instead of using a computer server and I am using these to expand my NVR’s capacity, since it can handle four 10TB drives, I got two of these 10 TB drives (direct from Amazon) to go with two 2TB drives that I am already using in my security camera recorder. The 2TB drives have held up well to the constant recording and these 10TB are doing fine as well. These drives have added several weeks of past recording data, due to their large capacity. The hard drives have a good 3-year warranty and the WD drives have been very reliable. These hard drives are a bit pricey at 265 per drive, but not bad if you consider per TB cost and the amount of recording space these are capable. 4.5 stars
bought 2019, died 6 months after warranty expired
First purple drive works great with my NVR5232-16P-4KS2 BEEN VERY HAPPY SO FAR .started using it first week of Jan 2018 so its been about 3 months no complaint first time i ever heard of purple HDD. I did a lot of research and many phone calls before I ordered. I wanted the best. This is it.. ATTENTION , 2ND DRIVE ARRIVED DEFECTIVE. HAD TO WRITE HERE BECAUSE IT WON'T LET ME WRITE ANOTHER REVIEW ON BUYING A SECOND ONE. THOUGHT IT WAS MY NVR BUT WASN'T. AFTER CALLING WESTER DIGITAL AND AMAZON. AMAZON REPLACED RAPIDLY NO HASSLE. SECOND ONE WORK AS SHOULD.. I WAS A LITTLE STRESS AND WD GAVE ME A DISOUNT FOR FURTHER PURCHASE. VERY RARE A DRIVE FAILS OUT OF BOX NOT SURE IF SUB ZERO COLD IN SHIPPING CAUSED A ISSUE .IM HAPPY I GOT A NEW ONE AND ALLS GREAT NOW
I ordered two of these 10TB drives for replacing the a 4TB drive in a surveillance system recorder for continuous live recording of 16 4k cameras. The drives arrived timely and in a sealed anti static bag. Devices were installed and the DVR start recording without any issue. This will give the organization an estimated year+ video. These drives are in a continuous recording for few weeks and is doing its job 100%. I will recommend and rate a highest rating for providing what it said to be providing.
Packed very well, fired up with no issues, incredible value