The amount of 4K video you can store on 128 GB of storage depends on the bitrate of the video, which determines the quality and file size.
For example a 128 GB hard drive can store 14 hours and 13 minutes of 4K video at 20 Mbps bit rate.
Bitrate can vary significantly depending on factors like video compression, frame rate, and the device or software used for recording.
Use the calculator below to calculate the number of hours of video on 128 GB hard drive
Calculator
Use the slider to adjust the bit rate from a minimum value of 10 Mbps to a max of 100 Mbps
Background
Bitrate in 4K video refers to the amount of data processed per second of video, typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps). It represents the quality and size of the video stream, influencing how much detail the video contains, how smooth it plays, and how much storage it requires.
This is a key quantity in determining the hard drive storage requirements.
Key Aspects of Bitrate in 4K Video:
- Higher Bitrate = Better Quality: A higher bitrate means more data is being used to represent each second of the video, leading to better video quality, especially in terms of resolution, color depth, and motion clarity.
- Lower Bitrate = Smaller File Size: A lower bitrate compresses the video more, resulting in smaller file sizes. However, this can reduce video quality, especially for complex scenes with a lot of movement or fine details.
Typical Bitrates for 4K Video:
- Low Bitrate (Compressed Streaming): Around 10-15 Mbps. This is typically used for 4K streaming platforms like YouTube or Netflix, which prioritize delivering 4K video efficiently over the internet. These bitrates are highly compressed but still offer reasonable 4K quality.
- Medium Bitrate: Between 20-50 Mbps. This range is common for standard 4K recordings on consumer cameras and devices like smartphones, GoPros, or DSLRs. It balances quality and file size well.
- High Bitrate (Professional Use): 50-100+ Mbps. This is often used for professional-grade cameras and content where the highest quality is needed, such as in film production or high-end 4K cameras.
Why Bitrate Matters in 4K Video:
- Video Quality: Higher bitrate allows for more detail, especially noticeable in fast-moving scenes or areas with complex textures (like landscapes or sports).
- File Size and Bandwidth: Higher bitrates result in larger file sizes, meaning more storage is required and higher bandwidth is needed for streaming or uploading.
- Compression: Bitrate is closely tied to video compression. More efficient codecs (like H.265/HEVC) can maintain high video quality at lower bitrates, compared to older codecs (like H.264).
Examples
- Low bitrate (10 Mbps): Approximately 29 hours of 4K video.
- Medium bitrate (20-30 Mbps): Around 10-14.5 hours of 4K video.
- High bitrate (50 Mbps): Approximately 5.8 hours of 4K video.