Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk 4TB 5.9K RPM SATA 6GBPS 256MB Refurbished

In today's digital age, data storage is of paramount importance, especially when it comes to surveillance systems and digital video recording. Seagate, a well-known name in the world of data storage, offers a solution tailored to such needs with its Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk 4TB hard disk drive (HDD). In this detailed review, we will explore the key features, technical specifications, and performance of the Seagate ST4000VX016 to help you make an informed decision for your storage requirements.

Seagate's SkyHawk 4TB HDD offers a range of features that make it a suitable choice for surveillance and video recording systems. Let's delve into these key features:

• High Capacity: The Seagate ST4000VX016 boasts a generous storage capacity of 4 terabytes (4TB), providing ample space for storing large amounts of surveillance footage and video recordings. This capacity is ideal for businesses and individuals with a need for extended data retention.
• Designed for Surveillance: This HDD is purpose-built for surveillance applications, making it optimized for continuous recording and 24/7 operation. It is capable of handling the demands of modern security systems, including multiple camera streams and high-definition video.
• Low Power Consumption: The SkyHawk HDD operates at a low power consumption rate, ensuring it can run efficiently and reliably without overheating. This is crucial for surveillance systems that need to operate round the clock without disruptions.
• High Speed: With a rotational speed of 5,900 revolutions per minute (RPM), the SkyHawk HDD offers faster data access and is suitable for reading and writing data quickly, which is essential in surveillance applications where real-time recording and retrieval are critical.
• SATA 6Gbps Interface: The drive comes equipped with a SATA 6Gbps interface, ensuring that it can transfer data at a fast rate. This high-speed interface allows for efficient data transfer between the HDD and other components in your surveillance system.
• Cache Size: The SkyHawk HDD features a large 256MB cache, which aids in smoother data access and reduces latency when reading or writing data. This is particularly advantageous for applications where quick access to specific footage is essential.

To get a comprehensive understanding of the Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk HDD, let's take a closer look at its technical specifications:

• Capacity: As previously mentioned, this HDD offers a capacious 4TB of storage space, which can accommodate an extensive amount of surveillance data.
• RPM: With a rotational speed of 5,900 RPM, the drive ensures that data can be accessed swiftly, which is crucial for surveillance systems where real-time recording is essential.
• Interface: The SATA 6Gbps interface guarantees rapid data transfer rates, allowing seamless communication between the HDD and the rest of the system.
• Cache: The generous 256MB cache size enhances the drive's performance by reducing latency and facilitating smoother data access.
• Drive Type: The SkyHawk HDD is a 3.5-inch internal drive, making it compatible with most desktop and surveillance system configurations.
• Advanced Features: It includes several advanced features, such as ImagePerfect firmware, which ensures reliable and clear video recordings, and support for up to 64 high-definition cameras, making it an ideal choice for large-scale surveillance systems.

The performance and reliability of a storage drive are crucial factors when considering its suitability for surveillance and video recording applications. Let's assess how the Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk 4TB HDD fares in these aspects.

Performance:

• Speed: The 5,900 RPM rotational speed of the SkyHawk HDD contributes to its speedy data access. This is a key advantage when dealing with surveillance footage, as quick retrieval is vital for analyzing and managing recorded data effectively.
• Data Transfer: The SATA 6Gbps interface ensures that data can be transferred at high speeds, reducing wait times and allowing for efficient data management. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with large video files.
• Cache Management: The 256MB cache size significantly improves the drive's performance by reducing data access latency. This cache management is especially valuable when multiple streams of surveillance data need to be processed simultaneously.
• Optimized for Continuous Recording: The SkyHawk HDD is engineered for continuous recording, making it well-suited for surveillance applications. It is designed to handle the rigors of 24/7 operation without compromising on performance.

Reliability:

• Longevity: The SkyHawk HDD is built to last, with features like RV sensors that ensure it can withstand the vibrations commonly experienced in multi-drive surveillance systems. This contributes to its longevity and overall reliability.
• ImagePerfect Firmware: The drive's ImagePerfect firmware is specifically designed to maintain the integrity of video recordings, ensuring that each frame is captured accurately. This firmware minimizes dropped frames and video degradation, enhancing the reliability of the stored surveillance footage.
• Support for Multiple Cameras: With the ability to support up to 64 high-definition cameras simultaneously, the SkyHawk HDD demonstrates its reliability in handling the demands of large-scale surveillance systems.
• 24/7 Operation: Seagate's SkyHawk drives are built for non-stop, 24/7 operation. They are rated for high reliability and can withstand the constant read and write cycles that are typical in surveillance applications.

Seagate's SkyHawk HDDs are equipped with advanced features that enhance their utility in surveillance and video recording applications. Let's explore some of these advanced features:

• ImagePerfect Firmware: The ImagePerfect firmware is a critical feature of the SkyHawk HDDs. It is specifically designed to optimize video recording by reducing dropped frames and video degradation. This ensures that every frame is captured accurately, making the drive ideal for surveillance applications where video quality is of utmost importance.
• Support for Multiple Cameras: One of the standout features of the SkyHawk HDD is its ability to support a large number of high-definition cameras simultaneously. With support for up to 64 cameras, it can handle the demanding data streams generated by modern surveillance systems, ensuring no critical footage is missed.
• Health Management: Seagate offers a unique feature known as "SkyHawk Health Management" for supported NVR (Network Video Recorder) systems. This feature provides real-time analysis of drive health, helping to prevent potential issues and ensuring the drive operates at its best for extended periods.
• RV Sensors: RV (Rotational Vibration) sensors are built into the drive to mitigate the effects of vibrations that can occur when multiple drives are operating in close proximity. These sensors help maintain drive performance and durability, even in challenging multi-drive environments.
• ATA Streaming Support: The SkyHawk HDD supports ATA streaming, a feature that enables consistent and uninterrupted video streaming, recording, and playback. This is vital in surveillance systems to ensure that there are no interruptions in recorded footage.
• Data Recovery Services: Seagate offers optional data recovery services, which can provide peace of mind for those storing critical surveillance data. In case of data loss due to unforeseen circumstances, these services can help in the recovery of important video footage.

These advanced features demonstrate Seagate's commitment to delivering a reliable and high-performance storage solution tailored to the specific needs of surveillance and video recording applications.

The Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk 4TB HDD is primarily designed for surveillance and video recording applications, but its versatile features make it suitable for various other use cases. Here are some common applications where the SkyHawk HDD excels:

• Surveillance Systems: The SkyHawk HDD is tailor-made for surveillance applications. Its high capacity, support for multiple cameras, and reliability make it an ideal choice for businesses, organizations, and homeowners looking to secure their properties.
• Network Video Recorders (NVRs): The drive is compatible with NVRs, which are commonly used in surveillance systems to record and manage video footage from multiple cameras.
• DVR Replacement: The SkyHawk HDD can also serve as a suitable replacement for older DVR (Digital Video Recorder) systems, providing enhanced storage capacity and performance.
• Media Servers: With its high storage capacity and reliability, the drive can be used to store and serve media files in a home entertainment setup or small business environment.
• Backup and Archiving: The large capacity of the SkyHawk HDD makes it well-suited for backup and archiving purposes. It can store vast amounts of data securely, whether for personal use or in a business setting.
• Data Storage for Small Offices: Small businesses can benefit from the drive's reliability and capacity, using it to store essential data, documents, and backups.
• General Data Storage: The SkyHawk HDD is not limited to surveillance use; it can be employed as a general-purpose data storage drive due to its high capacity and robust design.

While the drive is optimized for surveillance, its performance and advanced features make it a versatile choice for a range of storage needs, making it a valuable addition to various systems.

• Manufacturer: Seagate
• Part Number or SKU# ST4000VX016
• Product Name: Hard Disk Drive
• Product Type: 4 TB-5.9K RPM

• Storage Capacity: 4 Terabytes (TB)
• Enclosure: Internal
• Interface: SATA-6Gbps
• Drive Dimensions: 3.5 Inch
• Buffer: 256 MB
• Rotational Speed: 5400 RPM

• Network Video Recorder
• Camera
• Video Recorder

• Rotational Vibration (RV) Sensor: Yes
• Drive Bays Supported: Up to 16
• Cameras Supported: Up to 64
• Max Sustained Data Rate: 180 Mbps

In summary, the Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk 4TB HDD stands out as a reliable and surveillance-optimized storage solution. With its high capacity, 24/7 operation, advanced image correction features, and compatibility with various systems, it meets the demands of surveillance applications effectively.

For users seeking dependable storage for their surveillance systems, the Seagate SkyHawk 4TB HDD offers an excellent balance of performance and cost-effectiveness. It's a trustworthy choice for homeowners, small businesses, corporations, and public entities looking to enhance their security and data management through surveillance.

Keep in mind that while the SkyHawk drive excels in surveillance applications, it may not be the best choice for scenarios that require extremely high-speed data access. In such cases, users may want to explore solid-state drive options.

Ultimately, the Seagate ST4000VX016 SkyHawk 4TB HDD provides peace of mind and a valuable solution for those who prioritize the security and integrity of their surveillance data. With its competitive pricing and surveillance-specific features, it delivers on the promise of reliability and performance, making it a commendable choice in the world of data storage.