Seagate SkyHawk 8TB Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s 256MB Cache for DVR NVR Security Camera System with Drive Health Management (ST8000VX0022)
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AI Verdict
An 8TB, 3.5-inch SATA mechanical hard drive engineered for 24/7 surveillance with a 180TB/year workload rating.
This drive is purpose-built for 24/7 surveillance, featuring a 180TB/year workload rating and Image Perfect firmware for continuous video recording. Its RV sensors are specifically designed to maintain performance in multi-drive DVR/NVR systems.
If your surveillance needs exceed 8TB or require even higher sustained write performance in very large arrays, consider higher capacity SkyHawk models or enterprise-grade surveillance drives.
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Pros
- Custom-built for 24/7 video workloads with Image Perfect firmware for crisp, clear video.
- Maximum 180TB/Year workload rating, three times that of typical desktop drives.
- Rotational Vibration (RV) sensors help maintain performance in RAID and multi-drive systems.
- 8TB capacity can store up to 10,000 hours of HD video.
- Supports up to 64 HD cameras for smooth video streaming.
Cons
- Can be noticeably noisy during operation.
- Tends to run hot, especially during prolonged use.
- Actual usable storage space may be less than the advertised 8TB.
- Some users report performance struggles with high workloads and multiple HD streams, leading to dropped frames.
- Limited customer support and cumbersome warranty processes have been reported.
Dimension Scores
Optimized for continuous write-intensive surveillance with 6Gb/s interface, but user reports indicate slower read performance and potential struggles with multiple HD streams.
Engineered for 24/7 operation with a 180TB/year workload rating and RV sensors for multi-drive systems, though some users report reliability issues within months.
Provides 8TB capacity, capable of storing up to 10,000 hours of HD video, fitting many mid-to-large surveillance system needs.
Standard 3.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s interface ensures broad compatibility with most DVR and NVR security camera systems.
Best For
- DVR and NVR security camera systems requiring continuous recording.
- Multi-drive surveillance setups benefiting from RV sensors.
- Systems needing a high workload rating for constant video writes.
- Storing extensive amounts of HD video footage, up to 10,000 hours.
Not Recommended For
- General-use desktop PCs or gaming rigs due to skewed read/write prioritization.
- Applications requiring fast read speeds for frequent data access.
- Users sensitive to drive noise or without adequate cooling solutions.
Watch Out For
- Produces noticeable noise during operation, which can be distracting in quiet environments.
- Runs hot, especially during prolonged use, raising concerns about longevity and requiring additional cooling.
- Actual usable space can be hundreds of gigabytes less than the advertised 8TB due to partitioning discrepancies.
- Some users report performance struggling with multiple HD video streams, causing dropped frames.
- Limited customer support and a cumbersome warranty claim process have been reported by some users.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B01LXF9W9C |
| Brand | Seagate |
| Series | ST8000VX0022 |
| Hard Drive | 8 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 1.43 pounds |
| Manufacturer | SEAGATE |
| Memory Speed | 1200 MHz |
| Hard Disk Size | 8 TB |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Operating System | PC |
| Flash Memory Size | 8 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | ST8000VX0022 |
| Compatible Devices | Camera |
| Product Dimensions | 5.79 x 4.01 x 1.03 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Unknown |
| Hard Drive Interface | Unknown |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.79 x 4.01 x 1.03 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 8 TB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
The most striking feedback is the recurring concern about noise and heat, which are significant for a drive meant for continuous operation. Despite its specialized surveillance features like Image Perfect firmware and RV sensors, some users have experienced performance issues with multiple HD streams and even early failures, contradicting its intended reliability. The discrepancy between advertised and actual usable space also frustrates buyers.
“Man, this thing hums like a small fridge and gets pretty warm, thought it was dying after 3 months but it's still recording, just wish it was quieter and didn't feel like a hot potato.”
Common Praise
- Specifically designed for 24/7 video recording.
- High workload rating of 180TB/year.
- RV sensors help maintain performance in RAID setups.
- Large 8TB capacity for extensive video storage.
- Image Perfect firmware for clear video.
Common Complaints
- Produces noticeable noise during operation.
- Tends to run hot, requiring extra cooling.
- Actual usable space is less than advertised.
- Performance can struggle with high workloads and multiple HD streams, leading to dropped frames.
- Reports of reliability issues and early failures within months.
- Limited or cumbersome customer support for warranty claims.
Ownership Tips
- Requires active cooling, especially if installed in a tight enclosure, to manage heat.
- Noise levels can be a factor if the DVR/NVR is in a living space.
- Monitor actual storage capacity after formatting, as it might be less than 8TB.
- Be prepared for potentially slower read speeds if you ever need to access recorded footage frequently or quickly.
- Keep original packaging for potential warranty claims, as support can be difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this drive suitable for a regular desktop PC?
No, Seagate recommends against using SkyHawk drives for general desktop or gaming PCs because their read/write prioritization is heavily skewed towards continuous writing for surveillance, making read operations slower.
How noisy is this drive?
Some users have reported that the SkyHawk 8TB can produce a noticeable amount of sound during operation, which might be distracting in quiet environments.
Does it run hot?
Yes, many users have noted that the SkyHawk 8TB tends to run warm, especially during prolonged use, suggesting the need for good ventilation or additional cooling.
What is the actual usable capacity?
Users have reported that the actual usable space on the drive can be less than the advertised 8TB, sometimes falling short by hundreds of gigabytes due to partitioning discrepancies.
Can it handle multiple camera streams?
While marketed for surveillance, some users have reported that the drive struggles with high workloads and multiple streams of HD video, potentially leading to dropped frames.
Buying Guide
When buying a surveillance drive, you're looking for something that can write video data constantly, 24/7, without dropping frames. Unlike a desktop drive that balances reading and writing, these drives prioritize continuous writing and reliability over fast read speeds. You also need to consider how many cameras you're running and the video quality, as this impacts the required capacity and workload rating.
Workload Rating (180TB/Year)
This tells you how much data the drive is designed to write annually. For surveillance, a higher number means it can handle more continuous video recording without premature wear, like a truck designed for heavy hauling versus a passenger car.
Image Perfect Firmware
This is specialized software on the drive that helps ensure smooth, continuous video recording without dropped frames, even when multiple cameras are writing simultaneously. Think of it as a dedicated traffic controller for your video data.
Rotational Vibration (RV) Sensors
In systems with multiple hard drives (like many NVRs), drives can vibrate, affecting each other's performance. RV sensors detect and counteract these vibrations, keeping performance stable, similar to noise-canceling headphones for your hard drive.
Capacity (8TB)
This is simply how much video footage the drive can store. 8TB can hold roughly 10,000 hours of HD video, so consider how long you need to retain footage.
Alternatives
If you need higher capacity or even more robust reliability for very large, mission-critical systems, look for drives with higher workload ratings (e.g., 550TB/year) and capacities up to 20TB or more. If you need a general-purpose drive for a PC, look for drives optimized for balanced read/write performance.
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