Instruction: Answer the given question by extracting information from the supporting document.

Input:
Question: Do I need an additional hard drive?
Document: This was easy. The only thing I had to do was get into the DVR menu and format the hard drive from the DVR menu before the DVR would start recording again. This is not noted in the documentation for replacing the hard drive, so be aware you need to use the DVR menu to format any replacement drive you put in before the device will start recording to it.
?Later I will update this review after actually installing and using.I just wanted to know the ball park install cost by Swann professional install service for now.But my first impression with testing the system, I was very satisfied.And I like the ability to add a larger hard drive if needed. That I can do on my own if needed.I did not need to contact customer service.Operation and setup was fairly easy.Running wires is going to be my problem.
cameras work fine but too much money for hard drive. needs to send more wire they need to make the hard casing smaller
The software is not up to par. (I'm a software developer so I can tell)  It's possible that the hard drive has problems, but I doubt it because it's very consistent and never displays any error messages. It consistently shows the live video, and makes recordings when it should, but it fails on playback about half of the time. Buy something else.
I couldn't find precut cable longer than 150ft and needed some lines to be 250FT for clean wiring, so I opted to buy 1000FT and crimp my own cables. Still waiting for the rest of my supplies to arrive however I don't imagine I will have any problems. Will update again once I'm done. *What is the maximum size hard drive supported: 2TB
I read all the different review on many systems. I purchased this one and then purchased an additional 4 camera's. Easy to install.There is a small issue using a Droid with their app but search for it and you will find the easy solution. You need proper nighttime lighting around your house. If you think a $500 system will give you 300 ft IR you need to look elsewhere.I would buy again from SWANN. Follow the normal security procedures. Cut trees, bushes down.
We wanted a reasonably priced surveillance system for our business. Four cameras, a built-in hard drive and under $300. Great!Uh, no. The resolution of the cameras is so bad I couldn't tell who I was pointing it at 10 ft. away. I'll pay more to get a surveillance system. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, I won't buy from this company again.
I recently upgraded to a 16 camera professional model DVR though... not because there is anything wrong with this model, rather, because I needed more than 4 cams. In fact, if anyone wants my old one, minus the hard drive and cameras, I'd be happy to give it to them for FREE. Just send me a message here, you can pay for shipping, and I'll give it to you free.
The Swann system was easy enough to install; however, I was never able to get it to connect to the internet. Came home to it making a buzzing sound one day and it has not recorded any activity since then. When going into the menu options, it no longer shows a hard drive as being available. One camera is also very grainy on night vision. Would not recommend this product.
Easy to install and setup. Very pleased with results except the night recording could be a little better, maybe better cameras. It quit recording about 2 weeks ago, I called tech support and within 10 minutes all was clear. The tech support was very knowledgeable and friendly. All I had to do was re-format the hard drive. Would buy again, very happy with the system and support.
Answer: It depends on how long you wish to save the footage.  Generally the hard drive is adequate since once there is not an incident there is no need to save the footage and it can be written over.   You can download footage of interest to the through the USB onto a flash drive, etc.    The drive space can also be extended using the motion sensor feature in that only if there is motion the footage is recorded.  I don't use this feature and the drive can store almost 30 days of footage.   The only limitation is when it begins to record over old footage it erases the entire drive and begins again so old footage is lost.