The key requirement is sustained write speed — your drive needs to write data at least as fast as ScoreCam is producing it. Most modern USB 3.0 drives (SSDs and fast flash drives) meet this easily. Old USB 2.0 thumb drives and spinning hard drives typically cannot.
Minimum sustained write speed by recording setting:
- 1080p 30fps (default): ~3 MB/s
- 1080p 60fps / high bitrate: ~6 MB/s
- 4K 30fps: ~13 MB/s
- 4K 60fps / high bitrate: ~40 MB/s
Cable matters most: The most common source of problems is the cable, not the drive. Use a USB-C to USB-C cable rated for USB 3.1 or higher. A cheap or USB 2.0 cable will cap throughput regardless of how fast the drive is.
Hub or dock (if used): Make sure the port your drive is plugged into supports USB 3.0 passthrough. Many hubs have USB 2.0 ports mixed in — check the hub’s specifications.
Drive getting warm: All USB drives get warm during sustained recording — this is normal and expected. It is caused by the NAND flash controller writing data continuously, and no app can prevent it. ScoreCam already records in HEVC (H.265) by default, which minimises the amount of data written compared to older H.264 encoding. Let the drive sit in open air rather than in a pocket or bag. Warmth alone is not a cause for concern.
Drive disconnecting mid-recording: If your drive disconnects (as opposed to just getting warm), it is likely drawing more current than the phone’s USB port can supply under sustained load. Try using a powered hub (a hub with its own power bank or wall adapter connected). This is a troubleshooting step — most drives work fine bus-powered.