Product Overview
The Seagate ST16000VE004 is a 16TB surveillance hard drive from the Seagate SkyHawk AI family. Designed for AI-enabled video surveillance infrastructure, it provides high-capacity storage for video streams, continuous recording, and compatible analytics-enabled network video recorders (NVRs).
Featuring a 3.5-inch form factor, SATA 6Gb/s interface, 512MB cache, and conventional magnetic recording (CMR), this drive is built for surveillance environments that require substantial storage capacity and sustained operation. Its helium-sealed design and vibration-management features support deployment in compatible multi-drive recording systems.
Key Features
- 16TB storage capacity: Provides extensive space for surveillance footage and video archives.
- SkyHawk AI technology: Designed for compatible AI-enabled NVR systems handling video recording and analytics workloads.
- Multi-camera support: Supports configurations with up to 64 HD cameras under Seagate's specified test conditions.
- AI workload capabilities: Supports up to 32 AI channels, with rated real-time capture and comparison event performance under specified conditions.
- SATA 6Gb/s interface: Provides connectivity for compatible surveillance recorders and storage systems.
- 512MB cache: Helps manage data transfers during demanding recording workloads.
- CMR recording technology: Uses conventional magnetic recording for surveillance storage applications.
- Helium-sealed construction: Supports the drive's high-capacity internal design.
- Vibration protection: Integrated rotational vibration sensors help maintain performance in supported multi-drive environments.
Recommended Applications
- AI-enabled network video recorders (NVRs)
- High-capacity CCTV and IP camera recording systems
- Video surveillance installations with multiple HD cameras
- Security monitoring systems using compatible video analytics
- Long-term video retention and surveillance archives
- Compatible multi-bay surveillance storage enclosures
AI Surveillance Performance
The SkyHawk AI family is designed for surveillance workloads that combine continuous video recording with supported AI analytics. Seagate specifies support for up to 32 AI channels, up to 120 real-time capture events per second, and up to 96 real-time comparison events per second for this drive family under defined test conditions.
Seagate also specifies support for up to 64 HD cameras under its stated conditions, including 1080p video, H.265 encoding, and 25 frames per second. Actual camera capacity and analytics performance depend on the NVR, recording settings, video encoding, camera activity, and system configuration.
Compatibility Information
The ST16000VE004 uses a standard 3.5-inch SATA interface and should be installed in a compatible surveillance recorder, NVR, desktop storage system, or SATA-equipped enclosure that supports 16TB drives. Confirm the host system's supported drive capacity, available power and data connections, physical mounting, and firmware compatibility before installation.
Although this is a surveillance-focused drive, compatibility with a particular NVR is not guaranteed by capacity and interface alone. Check the recorder manufacturer's supported-drive list before purchase.
Workload and Reliability
The drive is rated for a workload limit of up to 550TB per year and a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 2.5 million hours under the manufacturer's specified conditions. These are manufacturer ratings, not guarantees of an individual drive's lifespan or actual failure rate. Suitable airflow, stable power, and a compatible operating environment remain important.
DC Supplies Product Note
When selecting the Seagate ST16000VE004, verify the full model number to ensure you receive the intended 16TB SkyHawk AI configuration. It is designed specifically for surveillance recording and AI-enabled video workloads. Confirm that your NVR or storage system supports 16TB SATA drives and the required number of cameras and analytics channels.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|
| Brand | Seagate |
| Part Number MPN | ST16000VE004 |
| Product Type | Internal surveillance hard disk drive |
| Product Family | SkyHawk AI |
| Storage Capacity | 16TB |
| Form Factor | 3.5-inch |
| Interface | SATA 6Gb/s |
| Cache | 512MB |
| Recording Technology | Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) |
| Drive Design | Helium-sealed |
| Drive Bays Supported | Unlimited, subject to system configuration |
| AI Channels | Up to 32 |
| Real-Time Capture Events | Up to 120 per second under specified test conditions |
| Real-Time Compare Events | Up to 96 per second under specified test conditions |
| HD Camera Support | Up to 64 under specified test conditions |
| Maximum Sustained Transfer Rate | Up to 285MB/s |
| Workload Rate Limit | 550TB/year |
| Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) | 2.5 million hours |
| Nonrecoverable Read Errors | Maximum 1 per 1015 bits read |
| Rotational Vibration Sensors | Supported |
| Operating Time Rating | Up to 8,760 power-on hours per year |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | 65°C drive-reported, per manufacturer specification |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 26.1 × 101.85 × 147mm maximum |
| Weight | Approximately 685g |
| Limited Warranty | 5 years, subject to manufacturer terms and regional availability |
| Rescue Data Recovery Services | May be available for 3 years in selected regions; verify eligibility |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the capacity of the Seagate ST16000VE004?
The drive has a nominal storage capacity of 16TB, making it suitable for high-capacity video surveillance storage.
2. Is the ST16000VE004 designed for AI surveillance?
Yes. It belongs to the SkyHawk AI family, which is designed for compatible surveillance systems that combine video recording with AI analytics.
3. How many cameras can this drive support?
Seagate specifies support for up to 64 HD cameras under defined test conditions. Actual capacity depends on the NVR, camera resolution, encoding, frame rate, and analytics workload.
4. Is this a SATA or SAS hard drive?
The ST16000VE004 uses a SATA 6Gb/s interface. It is not a SAS model.
5. Can this drive be installed in a regular desktop computer?
It can work in a compatible system with a suitable SATA connection, power supply, mounting, and support for 16TB drives. However, its primary design purpose is surveillance and AI video workloads.
6. What warranty does the ST16000VE004 have?
Seagate lists a five-year limited warranty for this model. Actual warranty coverage depends on the product's sales region, eligibility, and manufacturer terms.
