Zosi Storage Full? How to Effectively Manage Your DVR/NVR Hard Drive Space
A "Storage Full" or "HDD Full" error on your Zosi security system is a critical issue. When the hard drive runs out of space, the system will stop recording new footage, potentially leaving you without video evidence when you need it most. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to manage your Zosi's storage, ensure continuous recording, and understand your options for expanding capacity.
The Most Important Setting: Enabling Overwrite
For almost all users, the goal is to have the system record continuously without ever having to manually clear space. This is achieved with a single setting.
What is Overwrite Mode?
When "Overwrite" (sometimes called "Recycle Record" or "Loop Recording") is enabled, your Zosi DVR/NVR will automatically delete the oldest recorded footage to make room for the newest footage once the hard drive is full. For example, if your system can store 30 days of video, on day 31 it will delete the footage from day 1 to record the new day's events.
How to Enable Overwrite on Your Zosi System:
- Access the Main Menu: Log in to your Zosi DVR/NVR using a connected mouse and monitor.
- Navigate to Setup/Settings: Look for an icon that looks like a gear or says "Setup."
- Find the Record Menu: Inside the settings, locate the "Record" or "Recording" submenu.
- Locate the Overwrite Option: You may need to go into an "Advanced" tab within the record menu. You will find an option for "Overwrite" or "HDD Full."
- Set to Overwrite: Change the setting from "Stop Recording" to "Overwrite."
- Save and Exit: Be sure to apply or save your changes before exiting the menu.
Once this is enabled, you should never see the "Storage Full" error again, and your system will maintain a rolling history of recordings.
Manually Managing Your Recordings
There may be times when you want to manually delete footage or save important clips before they are overwritten.
How to Manually Delete Footage:
If you need to clear space immediately or remove sensitive video, you can format the hard drive.
- Go to the Main Menu > HDD Management (or "Storage").
- Select the installed hard drive (usually HDD1).
- Click the "Format" button.
- Confirm your choice. Be aware that this will permanently erase all recorded footage on the hard drive.
How to Back Up Important Video Clips:
Before footage is overwritten, you may want to save a copy of a specific incident.
- Plug in a USB Drive: Insert a USB flash drive into one of the available USB ports on your Zosi DVR/NVR.
- Enter the Backup Menu: From the Main Menu, find the "Backup" or "Export" option.
- Select Your Criteria: Choose the date, time, and camera channels you wish to back up.
- Search for Files: The system will find the relevant video files.
- Select and Export: Select the files you want to save and click "Backup" or "Export." The system will copy the files to your USB drive.
When to Consider a Hard Drive Upgrade
If you find that your overwrite cycle is too short (e.g., the system is only storing a few days of footage), your hard drive may be too small for your needs. This is common if you have many high-resolution cameras recording 24/7.
- Check Your Current Drive: In the "HDD Management" menu, you can see the total capacity of your current hard drive.
- Purchase a Surveillance-Grade HDD: If you decide to upgrade, it is critical that you buy a hard drive designed for surveillance systems (e.g., Western Digital Purple or Seagate SkyHawk). These drives are built for 24/7 writing operations and are far more reliable than standard desktop PC drives.
- Installation: The installation process typically involves powering down the system, opening the case, swapping the drives, and then using the "Format" function on the new drive to prepare it for use.
By properly configuring the overwrite setting and understanding how to manage your data, you can ensure your Zosi system is always recording and your property remains protected.