The 18TB Purple Pro 7200 rpm SATA III 3.5" Internal Surveillance Hard Drive from WD is designed for high-end AI-enabled recorders, video analytics appliances, deep-learning servers and cloud solutions that can benefit from high-capacity storage with high performance and additional workload capability. With support for up to 64 high-definition surveillance cameras, this 8TB hard drive features AllFrame AI technology, which helps reduce frame loss, improve video playback, enables the recording of multiple streams per camera, and supports up to 32 AI streams per drive for deep learning analytics within the system.

A SATA III 6 Gb/s interface, sustained data transfer speeds of up to 272 MB/s, and a 512MB cache all help to ensure uninterrupted data transfers. Furthermore, the drive's 600,000 load/unload cycles, annualized workload rating of 550TB per year, MTBF rating of 2.5 million hours, and <1 in 10¹⁵ non-recoverable read errors per bit read also help to ensure a strong operational life with enterprise-class performance, data integrity, and drive reliability, especially in larger-scale systems and enclosures where operational vibration is present.

18TB Storage Capacity    3.5" Form Factor    SATA III 6 Gb/s Interface    512MB Cache    7200 rpm    Up to 272 MB/s Sustained Data Transfers    600,000 Load/Unload Cycles    550TB per Year Workload Rating    Designed for 24/7 Surveillance    Supports up to 64 HD Cameras

WD Purple Pro drives are designed for new generations of high-end AI-enabled recorders, video analytics appliances, deep-learning servers, and cloud solutions that can benefit from high-capacity storage with high performance and additional workload capability. WD Purple Pro drives feature AllFrame AI technology, which helps reduce frame loss, improve overall video playback, and not only enables recording of multiple streams per camera, but also supports up to 32 AI streams per drive for deep learning analytics within the system. WD Purple Pro drives also feature enterprise-class performance, data integrity, and drive reliability, especially in larger-scale systems and enclosures where operational vibration is present.

With WD Purple Pro smart video storage, you have a drive engineered for high performance, durability, and workload capability for advanced always-on AI-enabled smart video recorders, appliances, and servers. Efficiently and effectively extract value and insights from streamed and stored video, and help deliver a smarter world with advanced WD Purple Pro smart video storage.

All WD Purple Pro drives are equipped with AllFrame AI technology, which not only improves ATA streaming to help reduce frame loss and improve overall video playback, but supports up to 32 AI streams for Deep Learning analytics within the system.

Modern recorders now support multiple video streams per camera. WD Purple Pro drives are optimized to support up to 64 HD single-stream cameras, and can also support the latest smart cameras that transmit multiple streams. With this flexibility, you can upgrade or scale your security or smart video solution in the future.

WD Purple Pro drives feature a workload rating up to 550TB per year to support the heavy video data capture and analysis found in advanced AI-enabled recorders, video analytics appliances, deep learning analytics servers, and cloud-based storage. The combination of streaming optimizations and enhanced durability and reliability make WD Purple Pro smart video storage ideal for all analytics servers, whether processing video streamed directly from cameras or large-scale captured video data sets.

With an MTBF of up to 2 million hours, WD Purple Pro drives are engineered for advanced smart video solutions that operate 24/7. With tarnish-resistant components and full multi-bay support, WD Purple Pro drives deliver reliable operation in large scale surveillance systems even in harsh environments.

Western Digital Device Analytics (WDDA) provides a wealth of storage device parametric operational and diagnostic data compatible systems; algorithms interpret the data and direct the system to alert system administrators of specific recommended actions to address potential issues. WDDA is intended to empower OEMs, system integrators, and IT professionals to better monitor and proactively manage supported storage devices to maintain optimal operation.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Will this work on Mac Studio? Thinking about having it in an enclosure from Icy Box, ICY BOX IB-3804-C31

A: The WD 18TB UltraStar DC HC550 7200 rpm SATA III 3.5" Internal HDD can be used as external storage for a Mac Studio when installed in a compatible enclosure.

Q: 2. Is this an enterprise level drive?

A: Yes, the WD 18TB UltraStar DC HC550 7200 rpm SATA III 3.5" Internal HDD would be an enterprise level drive.

Q: 3. Is this compatible with the Lorex NR9326 NVR?

A: Yes it is.

Q: 4. are they 9YN166-302 CC4C and W1F?

A: Sorry, unfortunately we do not have access to devices serial numbers, versions or firmware versions.

Q: 5. do both the 16tb and the 18tb use the same case? the photo for the 18tb shows center holes, but the 16 only shows top and bottom

A: While not specified, they look to share the same case.

Q: 6. Video files particularly RAW video files are huge and result in the need to store terabytes of video files which need to be accessible for editing. Would this 18 TB drive be suitable for use in a Windows 10 PC or is there a problem or disadvantage to using this drive as a secondary hard drive in a PC?

A: Yes, this is a great solution.

Q: 7. Is this a plug & play component? Can a novice install this drive? Does it require any programming or optimizing ?

A: Works perfect in a Mac or external. You may need to format but the Mac will tell you if that's needed.

Q: 8. I can use this with a Mac! Correct?

A: I use two of them on a Mac but connected using a USB 3, HDD-202 two-bay RAID system hard drive dock from XCELLON

Q: 9. Are these drives warrantied in Canada?

A: No. This WD 18TB UltraStar DC HC550 7200 rpm SATA III 3.5" Internal HDD, would have a 5 year manufacturers USA warranty.

Q: 10. I’m a professional photographer and all of my images are stored via these large drives. My operating system is on a ssd, and when I first bring images in they are processed on my ssd drive. But one I store them, they are still accessed by my software (Lightroom and other Adobe products), and often I’m still retrieving, searching for and editing the images long after they were moved off my ssd drive. This drive will be wired directly into my mother board and PC that has 4 storage drives. What are the pros of the following two drives and cons for my situation. Which would you recommend? Thank you.

A: SSDs should be used for your applications and OS. The hard drives should be used for storing and retrieving your data files.