WD Purple Pro Smart Video Hard Drive – 22TB (WD221PURP)

The Western Digital 22TB WD Purple Pro Smart Video Hard Drive (WD221PURP) is a cutting-edge, enterprise-class internal hard disk drive designed for the most advanced and data-intensive smart video surveillance systems. It combines industry-leading capacity with optimized performance and extreme reliability for 24/7 operation, supporting both traditional high-resolution video recording and sophisticated AI/deep learning analytics.

Key Features

The WD221PURP is a flagship model in Western Digital’s “Purple Pro” series, signifying its robust capabilities for critical surveillance infrastructure:

• Capacity: A colossal 22TB of storage, providing unparalleled space for extended retention of high-resolution video footage from a vast number of cameras.
• Form Factor: Standard 3.5-inch, ensuring compatibility with most Network Video Recorders (NVRs), Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), video analytics servers, and surveillance enclosures.
• Interface: SATA III (6 Gb/s), guaranteeing a high-speed and stable connection for continuous data throughput required by multi-stream video.
• Rotational Speed (RPM): 7200 RPM, delivering superior performance compared to typical 5400 RPM drives. This speed is crucial for managing multiple concurrent video streams, rapid data access, and processing needs for AI.
• Cache: A substantial 512MB cache, essential for optimizing data flow, reducing latency, and preventing frame loss during intensive recording, playback, and analysis operations.
• AllFrame™ AI Technology: This exclusive Western Digital technology is a core differentiator. It’s engineered to minimize frame loss and enhance overall video playback. Crucially, it supports up to 32 AI streams for deep learning analytics within the system, in addition to handling up to 64 single-stream HD cameras.
• Workload Rating: An industry-leading 550 TB/year, significantly higher than consumer or even standard surveillance drives. This rating underscores its exceptional endurance and ability to withstand constant, heavy data writes and reads characteristic of advanced surveillance environments where AI and analytics run continuously.

Specifications

• Reliability:
• • Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): Rated at up to 2.5 million hours, demonstrating outstanding durability and longevity for always-on, mission-critical operations. This is notably higher than the 1 million or 1.5 million hours for standard WD Purple drives.
  • Constructed with tarnish-resistant components for reliable performance even in potentially harsh or fluctuating environmental conditions.
  • Features full multi-bay support and enhanced robustness to effectively minimize operational vibrations that can occur in large, multi-drive NVRs or RAID configurations.
• Recording Technology: Employs Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR), which is widely recognized and preferred for its consistent performance and reliability, especially in surveillance and enterprise RAID arrays, over Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) drives.
• HelioSeal Technology: This drive utilizes helium-filled technology (common in high-capacity drives), which allows for thinner platters, increasing overall capacity while reducing internal friction. This leads to lower power consumption and improved reliability.
• OptiNAND Technology: In conjunction with HelioSeal, OptiNAND integrates iNAND (embedded flash drive) into the drive’s architecture. This further enhances performance, reliability, and capacity by leveraging the iNAND for storing metadata and improving data endurance.
• Proactive Storage Management: May integrate with Western Digital Device Analytics (WDDA), providing drive health management features for compatible systems. This enables proactive monitoring and alerts regarding potential drive issues, facilitating preventative maintenance.
• Warranty: Backed by a robust 5-year limited warranty, underscoring its enterprise-grade design and Western Digital’s confidence in its long-term reliability.

Ideal Use Cases

The WD Purple Pro 22TB (WD221PURP) is particularly well-suited for:

• Massive-scale Network Video Recorders (NVRs) managing extensive arrays of high-resolution cameras in large commercial or public settings.
• Advanced AI-enabled Surveillance Systems that perform real-time video analytics, such as facial recognition, object tracking, and behavioral analysis, requiring intensive data processing.
• Deep Learning Servers dedicated to training and running complex AI models on vast volumes of surveillance footage.
• Cloud-based Surveillance Solutions demanding high-endurance, ultra-high-capacity storage for distributed video data.
• Enterprise and Critical Infrastructure Surveillance in environments where maximum uptime, high data integrity, and cutting-edge analytical capabilities are non-negotiable requirements.

Here are the full specifications for the Western Digital 22TB WD Purple Pro Smart Video Hard Drive (WD221PURP) in a readable format:

General Specifications

• Brand: Western Digital
• Series: WD Purple Pro HDD
• Model Number: WD221PURP
• Form Factor: 3.5-Inch (internal)
• Storage Capacity: 22TB
• Interface: SATA III (6 Gb/s)
• Disk Speed (RPM): 7200 RPM
• Recording Technology: CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording)
• Cache Size: 512M
• Dimensions (L × W × H): 5.79″ × 4″ × 1.03″ (147mm x 101.6mm x 26.1mm)
• Weight: 670g (1.48 lbs)
• Warranty: 5-Year Limited Warranty

Performance & Capabilities

• Max Sustained Transfer Rate: Up to 265MB/s
• Workload Rating: Up to 550TB/year (This indicates its ability to handle continuous, heavy data writes and reads in advanced surveillance environments).
• Max Cameras Supported: Up to 64 HD single-stream cameras 
• Max AI Streams Supported: Up to 32 AI streams (for deep learning analytics within the system).
• AllFrame™ AI Technology: Western Digital’s exclusive technology to help reduce frame loss and improve overall video playback.
• OptiNAND™ Technology: Integrates iNAND (embedded flash drive) with traditional HDD technology to enhance capacity, performance, and reliability by optimizing metadata storage and improving power-loss protection.

Reliability & Environmental

• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): Up to 2.5 million hours (signifying exceptional durability for always-on operations).
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 65°C
• Non-Operating Temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• Load/Unload Cycles: 600,000
• Non-Recoverable Errors: 1 per 1015 bits read
• Features: Tarnish-resistant components, full multi-bay support for vibration protection, 24×7 availability.
• Power Consumption:
  • Read/Write: 6.9 Watts
  • Idle: 5.6 Watts
  • Standby/Sleep: 1.2 Watts
• Sound Emission: 20 dBA (idle)

Certifications

• BSMI, ICES-003/NMB-003, CE, FCC, KC, Maghreb, RCM, UKCA, VCCI, CB-Scheme, TUV, UL