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Welcome to “Reviews inside tv”! Thanks for tuning in today. In this review, we’re diving into the Western Digital 18TB WD Purple Pro Surveillance Internal Hard Drive. This HDD is designed with advanced capabilities for high-end video surveillance and AI-driven solutions, offering both performance and reliability for those serious about storing massive amounts of data from smart video solutions. It’s a product aimed at video analytics, deep learning servers, and cloud-based storage, but does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.
The WD Purple Pro 18TB HDD is specifically engineered to support heavy workloads, with a remarkable 550 TB/yr workload rate. This means it’s built to handle the demands of high-end smart video recorders and analytics appliances. At 18TB, it offers substantial storage space, which is critical for systems dealing with high-resolution video data or long-term surveillance footage. It’s also packed with 512MB of cache, and designed with SATA 6 Gb/s for fast data transfer. The 3.5” form factor ensures it fits in most multi-bay enclosures, and it’s built to withstand the challenges of harsh environments with tarnish-resistant components, making it a durable choice for surveillance setups.
Now, let’s talk about real-world use. Setting up the WD Purple Pro was straightforward; it easily integrated into my multi-bay NAS system, which is crucial for a product designed for surveillance use. During testing, the drive performed consistently, with no noticeable lags or stuttering even when handling multiple high-definition video streams simultaneously. Whether it was recording from various cameras or dealing with large amounts of analytics data, the drive held up. One thing that stood out was its quiet operation. Despite its size, it didn’t produce much noise, which is often an issue with high-capacity drives, especially under load.
However, while the drive’s overall performance was solid, it did occasionally run a little warm under heavy sustained load. This isn’t unusual for a 3.5” HDD with such a high storage capacity, but it’s worth noting if you’re running a setup in an enclosed space with limited ventilation.
Let’s break down the pros and cons. On the plus side, the WD Purple Pro boasts an impressive 18TB of storage, which is perfect for anyone dealing with massive video surveillance data. The 550 TB/yr workload rate is impressive, and the 512MB cache helps ensure smooth performance. It’s also built to endure harsher conditions, which is crucial for those using it in demanding environments. The inclusion of tarnish-resistant components ensures longevity and reliability in various conditions. On the downside, it does run warm during extended heavy use, and if you’re in a multi-bay system with limited airflow, it’s something you’ll need to keep an eye on. Also, it’s not the fastest in terms of pure read/write speeds compared to SSDs or other high-speed drives, but that’s understandable given its focus on surveillance storage.
Now, is this drive worth the money? At 18TB, it provides excellent value in terms of storage for surveillance purposes, especially considering its ability to handle high workloads. It’s definitely a more specialized product, but if you’re working with AI-driven video surveillance, analytics, or deep-learning servers, this drive is well worth the investment. While there are cheaper alternatives with lower storage capacities, for those looking to store large-scale video data without constantly upgrading, this offers a solid, long-term solution.
In comparison to other products in the market, the WD Purple Pro stands out in terms of its focus on surveillance and video analytics. Drives like Seagate’s SkyHawk or Toshiba’s S300 are similar, but the Purple Pro edges ahead with its superior workload capacity and tarnish-resistant components. However, if you’re not working with advanced surveillance systems, there are more budget-friendly options out there that will serve more general storage needs, like the WD Blue or Red series.
When it comes to build quality, the WD Purple Pro is impressive. The drive feels sturdy and solid, and the tarnish-resistant components give it an edge in terms of reliability. It’s built to endure tough conditions, which is essential in the world of surveillance. However, as mentioned earlier, keep an eye on the temperature if you’re running it in a setup with tight airflow.
As for customer support, I didn’t need to interact directly with WD’s support team during my testing, but I’ve heard positive things about their service. WD is known for providing responsive customer support, and they also offer a solid warranty, which adds peace of mind for users investing in their higher-end products.
If you’re looking for something similar but cheaper, you might want to consider the Seagate SkyHawk series or the Toshiba S300. Both offer reliable surveillance storage, though they won’t match the WD Purple Pro in terms of workload ratings and specialized features.
To wrap it up, the WD Purple Pro 18TB is a beast of a storage solution, designed for those who need serious, high-capacity storage for surveillance and video analytics. Its large capacity, ability to handle heavy workloads, and durability make it an excellent choice for those in the surveillance industry or anyone needing extensive video storage. However, its slightly warm performance under load and relatively high price might not make it ideal for everyone. If you’re in the market for a professional-level surveillance hard drive, it’s definitely worth considering.
Thanks for watching! If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts on the WD Purple Pro, feel free to leave a comment below. You can also find the link to purchase it in the comments box. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you won’t miss out on future reviews. Good bye till next time, and remember—there’s always something inside “Reviews inside tv”!
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