4TB surveillance drive intelligence
Seagate SkyHawk 4TB: Models, Prices and Recording Time
Seagate SkyHawk 4TB is a common DVR and NVR upgrade, but the exact model determines whether the drive is a current CMR revision or older SMR stock. This page combines model verification with a practical retention calculator.
Quick answer
Current 4TB ST4000VX015 and ST4000VX016 are tracked as CMR. Older ST4000VX013 is SMR and should not be blended into a current 4TB price table. Estimate retention from the cameras and bitrate, then confirm the recorder accepts a 4TB SATA surveillance drive.
Exact model data
SkyHawk 4TB exact models
| Capacity | Model | Family | Recording | RPM | Cache | Max sustained | Workload | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4TB | ST4000VX015 | SkyHawk | CMR | 5,400 | 256MB | 180MB/s | 180TB/year | 3 years |
| 4TB | ST4000VX016 | SkyHawk +Rescue | CMR | 5,400 | 256MB | 180MB/s | 180TB/year | 3 years |
| 4TB | ST4000VX013 | SkyHawk legacy | SMR | 5,400 | 256MB | 180MB/s | 180TB/year | 3 years |
The legacy SMR model is shown for identification only. Current offer rankings use the CMR models.
Live catalogue
Current verified SkyHawk 4TB offers
Only fresh, exact-model products returned by Amazon's new-condition search are eligible. Featured prices are shown when Amazon exposes them; products with no buy box are shown as buying options. Exact family, capacity and current-model matching are enforced.
Interactive decision tool
How many days will SkyHawk 4TB record?
Estimate retention using camera count, average bitrate, recording hours and motion activity.
The current 4TB models are CMR
ST4000VX015 and ST4000VX016 are the current 4TB revisions tracked from Seagate's product manual. Both are CMR surveillance drives with 5,400 RPM operation, 256MB cache and a 180TB-per-year workload tier.
ST4000VX016 is the +Rescue service-bundle model. Confirm regional coverage rather than assuming every seller provides the same service route.
Do not confuse ST4000VX013 with the current models
ST4000VX013 is an older 4TB SMR revision. It can still appear in search results, used equipment and marketplace inventory. A retailer may present it under the same broad “SkyHawk 4TB” label as current CMR models.
The difference is significant enough that the exact model must be visible before purchase. Cloudzat excludes the legacy model from the current price table.
What 4TB retention actually means
Four terabytes can retain weeks or only days depending on camera count and bitrate. Eight cameras averaging 3Mbps continuously consume far more space than four cameras that record motion for a small part of each day.
Use measured average bitrates from the recorder when available. Resolution alone does not determine storage because codec settings, frame rate and scene complexity alter the bitrate.
Check the recorder's maximum capacity
Older DVRs may have a 2TB or 4TB addressing limit, while newer units can accept much larger drives. The SATA connector can fit even when the firmware cannot initialize the full capacity.
Update recorder firmware only according to the manufacturer's procedure and check the compatibility list before replacing a working drive.
A 4TB drive can be right for small systems
A 4TB SkyHawk often fits home and small-business recorders with a modest number of cameras and a retention target measured in weeks rather than months. It can also be a sensible replacement when the recorder itself has a 4TB ceiling.
Avoid buying 4TB merely because it is familiar. Calculate the footage requirement and allow growth for additional cameras.
Recording gaps are not always a drive-speed problem
Power supplies, SATA cables, recorder firmware, overheating and file-system corruption can produce HDD errors or missing footage. A recognized drive with zero available space does not automatically prove the drive is defective.
Back up important footage, review recorder logs and test the drive safely before replacing it.
Compare total recorder cost, not only drive price
A cheap legacy or unverified 4TB listing can cost more if it lacks the expected warranty, arrives as recertified stock or forces an early replacement. Compare price per terabyte only among exact new models with the same service terms.
When two current models are close in price, the +Rescue service may be worth considering for installations where recovery has operational value.
When to move from 4TB to 8TB
Move to 8TB when the recorder supports it and 4TB cannot deliver the required retention with reasonable headroom. A larger single drive can preserve bays for future expansion, but may increase replacement cost and rebuild exposure in multi-drive systems.
Use the 8TB page to compare standard SkyHawk with the entry-level SkyHawk AI option.
How Cloudzat evaluates SkyHawk drives
Cloudzat attaches recording technology, RPM, cache, transfer rate, workload, stream support and warranty only to an exact model. Standard VX, legacy VX, SkyHawk AI VE and WD Purple comparison products remain separate. This prevents an older SMR 2TB or 4TB revision, a standard SkyHawk, or a SkyHawk AI model from inheriting another drive's specifications.
Live offers are screened for new single internal 3.5-inch SATA drives. SSDs, external drives, SAS products, complete NVR or DVR systems, camera bundles, accessories, multipacks, WD Purple Pro, other Seagate families and non-new listings are rejected. A listed camera-stream figure does not replace a retention calculation or the recorder manufacturer's exact compatibility list.
Frequently asked questions
SkyHawk 4TB questions
Is ST4000VX016 CMR?
Is ST4000VX013 SMR?
How long will 4TB record eight cameras?
Will SkyHawk 4TB work in Hikvision or Dahua?
Should I choose ST4000VX015 or ST4000VX016?
Can I use SkyHawk 4TB in a desktop PC?
Primary sources
- Seagate SkyHawk current product manual
- Seagate SkyHawk archived data sheet with older revisions
- Seagate SkyHawk product page and current specifications
Cloudzat may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Product availability, pricing and specifications can change. Confirm the exact SkyHawk or SkyHawk AI model, recorder compatibility, seller, condition and regional warranty route before buying.