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TetherBox 5 External Drive Requirement

TetherBox 5 high-channel models require external storage for video recording. This guide explains why and how to set it up.

Why External Storage?

TetherBox 5 is available in multiple configurations:

• 2-channel model: 1TB internal SSD (no external drive needed)

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• 4-channel model: Requires external 2TB+ drive

• 8-channel model: Requires external 4TB+ drive

High-channel models generate significant data volume. External drives provide:

• Increased storage capacity
• Better performance through dedicated I/O
• Easy expansion and upgrades
• Quick drive replacement if needed

Setup Process

Requirements

• USB 3.0 external hard drive or SSD
• Minimum capacity: 2TB (4-channel) or 4TB (8-channel)
• Connection: USB-A port on rear of TetherBox

Installation Steps

• Power down your TetherBox and connect external drive via USB-A port on rear

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• Power on the TetherBox and navigate to Admin > TetherBoxes > [Name] > Storage tab

• Format & Enable the external drive (this erases any existing data)

• Wait for format to complete and TetherBox begins recording to external drive

Verification

After setup, verify the drive is recognized:

1. Go to Admin > TetherBoxes > [Name] > Storage tab
2. Confirm external drive appears with correct capacity
3. Check recording status and storage usage
4. Verify cameras are recording to the external drive

Considerations

• Drive format: Keep the drive dedicated to TetherBox (don't share with other devices)
• Connection stability: Ensure USB cable is secure to prevent accidental disconnection
• Capacity monitoring: Monitor storage usage in admin panel to plan upgrades
• Power management: External drive gets power from TetherBox USB port (usually sufficient)

If the external drive fails, you can temporarily use the internal 256GB SSD while waiting for a replacement. Recording stops once full.

Related Articles

• Hardware Specifications - Complete specs
• TetherBox Recording Capacity - Calculate your needs