Guide to NVR's & DVR's

NVR

An NVR (Network Video Recorder) records video images in digital format to a hard drive (HDD). Images are relayed from the IP camera to the NVR by means of an Ethernet network via Cat5 or Cat6 cables. IP based systems using IP cameras and NVR's offer much higher resolution and superior video clarity when compared to a DVR with analogue cameras.

DVR

A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) records video images in digital format to a hard drive (HDD). Unlike an NVR, analogue video is relayed from analogue cameras to the DVR by means of Coaxial cable. This type of system is more cost effective and easier to setup, however the resolution is usually limited to D1 (720×480) or at best 960H (960x572).

Hyrid DVR

A hybrid DVR is a CCTV video recorder that can record video from cameras using different technologies such as analogue, IP, AHD, TVI and CVI.

As well as providing far superior video surveillance than analogue DVR's, Hybrid recorders allow customers to upgrade their systems gradually and without the need to strain budgets.

Recording Resolution

Our experience has shown this to be a significant issue for many customers, who have bought high resolution cameras only to find that the recorded images are somewhat less clear than they expected. Primarily this is because the sales person has not fully understood the basics of putting together an effective CCTV system. Simply put, there is no point in having cameras which will produce a high resolution image if the DVR will only record low resolution!

Comparison between high resolution analogue camera and FHD 1080p (2MP) camera

Video Storage

Most DVR’s have an internal hard-drive to store video information. The most popular being a SATA hard-drive. Although standard computer hard drives can be used, it is very inadvisable. There are many reasons for this, one being that the average computer is not operating and storing information 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. Only hard-drives specifically designed for CCTV applications should be used.

Compression

Normally, CCTV footage would quickly fill a hard drive. However, this is overcome by compression the information. Typically there are two compression formats used in CCTV, these being Motion JPEG (or MJPEG), H.264 and H.265. The CCTV industry has in large adopted the H.265 format due to its increased compression over MJPEG, thus it uses far less space on the hard-drive.

Frames Per Second (fps)

This area is a trap to many people. CCTV sales people will often make an unnecessarily big issue of this. In surveillance, what is important is the quality of images that make up the video, and the ability to recognise someone or something. Remember, the point of a CCTV system is to clearly monitor, record and display video information for the purpose of surveillance, not to make a Hollywood blockbuster!

It is also important to note the video system used in your country. Here in Australia we use PAL, whilst in the US they use NTSC. Why, because a "real-time" video in PAL only requires 25 frames (images) per second, but NTCS requires 50.

Therefore, for most applications here in Australia a frame rate of between 6 and 12 fps is quite suitable for most CCTV application. And 6 frames per second will result in space saving of approximately 75% compared to 24fps. I some circumstances, even 3fps is adequate.

Real time NVR & DVR recorders

Firstly, a real time NVR or DVR is one which records 25fps (PAL), per channel. Next consider what you want your CCTV system to achieve. Sales people will often try to sell you a "real time recorder". Many cheaper NVR's and DVR’s can only do this at the expense of image quality. To maintain image quality, the required storage capacity is huge. For example, a recorder with hard-drive which can store 2 weeks of video at 6fps will only achieve 3.5 days in real time. What’s more is the fact that in most cases you don't capture any more information recording at 25fps than you would at 6fps.

Video Motion Detection (VMD)

Simply put, the NVR or DVR monitors camera images. If there is movement then it stores the images. You can select which parts of an image will trigger the recording, rather than the whole image. This reduces false alarm recording.

Remote Monitoring and Access

This is a feature of most NVR's and DVR’s. By using your existing LAN or internet service, you can remotely monitor and control your CCTV surveillance system from another computer, whether it is in another office or your home. You can even do all this from your tablet or smart phone.

However, may not be quite as simple as many make it sound. There are lots of considerations such as bandwidth, servers, IP addresses etc. Many of our customers come to us in frustration at having bought a DIY system from a DIY or electronics store in the belief that this is an easy matter, only to find they have been misled.

Backing up your captured images

It is important to be able to archive important video footage for such purposes as evidence in prosecution. This can be done by a number of methods. But to keep things simple, it is recommended that the DVR should have a USB port so you can connect either a USB memory stick or external hard-drive.

Comparison of video resolutions