Western Digital 14TB WD Purple Surveillance Internal Hard Drive HDD - SATA 6 Gb/s, 512 MB Cache, 3.5" - WD140PURZ
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AI Verdict
A 14TB 3.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s mechanical hard drive built for 24/7 surveillance systems supporting up to 64 HD cameras.
This 14TB WD Purple drive is a strong fit for its intended purpose: 24/7 surveillance systems. Its 14 TB capacity and AllFrame technology directly address the needs of continuous high-definition video recording from up to 64 cameras, aiming to minimize errors and dropped frames.
If you need faster data access for non-surveillance tasks, consider an SSD; for higher workload ratings or longer warranties in surveillance, look for WD Purple Pro models.
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Pros
- Offers a substantial 14 TB capacity, ideal for extensive video footage storage.
- Engineered for continuous 24/7 operation in security systems.
- Features AllFrame technology to help reduce video errors, pixelation, and interruptions.
- Designed to support up to 64 high-definition cameras simultaneously.
- Comes with a 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty.
- Utilizes a SATA 6 Gb/s interface for efficient data transfer.
Cons
- As a mechanical drive, its read/write speeds are slower compared to solid-state drives.
- Some users report it can be noisy, especially when actively writing data.
- Not optimized for general desktop PC use or gaming, potentially leading to slower performance in those scenarios.
- A few users have reported receiving drives that were dead on arrival.
- Can struggle with multiple high-definition video streams in very demanding scenarios.
Dimension Scores
As a mechanical hard drive, its speeds are average for its category, though some users report 'fast read and write speeds' for surveillance applications.
Engineered for 24/7 operation with AllFrame technology and a 3-year warranty, users generally praise its 'extremely reliable and durable' performance in surveillance systems.
A 14 TB capacity is exceptionally high, making it ideal for 'storing vast amounts of video footage' from multiple cameras over extended periods.
Specifically engineered for surveillance systems and 'compatible with multiple systems' and NVRs, it integrates seamlessly into its intended environment.
Best For
- High-definition security systems requiring 24/7 continuous recording.
- Network Video Recorders (NVRs) managing up to 64 HD camera feeds.
- Surveillance setups where reducing dropped frames and video interruptions is critical.
Not Recommended For
- Desktop PCs used for gaming or general computing tasks.
- Users prioritizing absolute silence in their storage solutions.
- Applications requiring the high-speed data access of solid-state drives.
Watch Out For
- Noise levels are inconsistent; some users find it 'extremely loud' under load, while others report 'negligible noise'.
- A small percentage of users have reported receiving 'dead drives straight out of the box', indicating potential quality control issues.
- Performance limitations can appear when handling 'multiple streams of HD video especially in high demand scenarios'.
- Warranty support experiences vary, with some users finding 'warranty terms to be less than favorable when it comes to actual support and service'.
- Using this drive for a desktop PC for tasks like gaming or general storage is not recommended, as it's optimized specifically for surveillance workloads.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B082LTQG89 |
| Brand | Western Digital |
| Color | Purple |
| Series | WD Purple |
| Voltage | 1 Volts |
| Language | English, English, English, English |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| Hard Drive | 14 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 1.45 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Flash Memory Size | 14000 GB |
| Hardware Platform | Mac, PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | WD140PURZ |
| Compatible Devices | Camera |
| Product Dimensions | 1.03 x 5.79 x 4 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA-600 |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 3.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1.03 x 5.79 x 4 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 14 TB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
While many users praise the 14TB WD Purple drive for its massive storage capacity and consistent performance in 24/7 surveillance, a recurring concern is the inconsistent noise level, with some finding it 'extremely loud' during operation. Its specialized design for continuous video streams means it integrates well with NVRs and helps prevent dropped frames, but it's definitely not a general-purpose drive. A few buyers also reported receiving dead drives, which is a significant drawback despite the generally positive reliability feedback.
“I needed something to hold literally months of security footage from my 8 cameras, and this 14TB Purple drive does the job, but man, sometimes it sounds like a tiny robot is having a party in my NVR, which is annoying when it's in the living room.”
Common Praise
- Provides 'massive storage capacity' for extensive video recording.
- Operates 'smoothly and quietly 24/7' for many users, indicating good power efficiency.
- Offers 'seamless compatibility with multiple systems' and NVRs.
- Helps reduce dropped frames and video interruptions with AllFrame technology.
- Considered 'extremely reliable and durable' for continuous operation.
Common Complaints
- Some users experience the drive as 'extremely loud' or 'a bit noisy' when working hard.
- Reports of 'dead drives straight out of the box' by a few customers.
- Can 'struggle with multiple streams of HD video especially in high demand scenarios'.
- Not suitable for general desktop use or gaming, as it's optimized for surveillance.
- Concerns about warranty terms being 'less than favorable' for actual support.
Ownership Tips
- Integrated easily into existing NVR systems without complex setup.
- Provides significantly longer recording retention compared to smaller drives, often weeks or months of footage.
- The noise level can be a factor depending on where the surveillance system is located.
- Maintains stable performance even with multiple cameras recording simultaneously for many users.
- The drive's temperature remains within acceptable limits during continuous 24/7 operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this hard drive in a regular desktop computer for gaming or general storage?
No, this drive is specifically optimized for 24/7 surveillance workloads and might not perform as well in a desktop PC for tasks like gaming or general storage.
How many cameras can this drive support?
The WD Purple 14TB drive is designed to support up to 64 high-definition cameras simultaneously.
Is this hard drive noisy?
User experiences vary; some report it runs quietly, while others find it can be 'a bit noisy' or 'extremely loud' when actively recording or under heavy load.
What is AllFrame technology?
AllFrame technology is exclusive to WD Purple drives and helps improve video capturing by reducing errors, pixelation, and video interruptions that can occur in surveillance systems.
What is the warranty period for this drive?
This drive comes with a 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a surveillance drive like this WD Purple, you need to think about continuous operation, not burst performance. It's built to record video 24/7 without dropping frames, which is different from a desktop drive that's optimized for quick file transfers or game loading. Your main concerns should be capacity for retention and its ability to handle multiple camera streams reliably.
Capacity (14 TB)
This tells you how much video footage you can store. 14 TB is huge, meaning you can record from many cameras for weeks or even months before the oldest footage is overwritten, like having a giant digital vault for your security videos.
Interface (SATA 6 Gb/s)
This is how the drive connects to your system and how fast data can theoretically move. 6 Gb/s is standard for modern hard drives, ensuring your NVR can communicate with the drive efficiently enough to record all your camera feeds without bottlenecks.
AllFrame Technology
This is a special feature designed to prevent common issues in surveillance video. Think of it like a smart traffic controller for your video streams, ensuring that frames aren't dropped, pixelation is reduced, and recordings stay smooth, even when many cameras are recording at once.
Alternatives
If you need faster performance for a desktop PC or gaming, look for solid-state drives (SSDs); if you require a longer warranty or even higher workload rating for advanced surveillance, search for 'surveillance hard drive pro' models.
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