Comparison Hikvision DS-7216HQHI-K1 vs Dahua DH-HCVR7116H-4M

The type primarily determines the type of cameras with which the recorder is compatible.

— Analog DVR. Devices of this type can only work with traditional surveillance cameras that output video in analogue format (usually via a BNC interface, see below). Despite the emergence of more advanced options, such cameras are still very popular due to their simplicity, low cost and reliability of video transmission. The recorder itself may have a LAN network interface and work as a network device, but it is not compatible with IP cameras.

— Digital NVR. NVR type recorders are designed to work with IP cameras connected via a local computer network. These cameras are more advanced than traditional analog cameras and support more advanced features. The main disadvantage of NVR is the rather high load on network equipment when transmitting streaming video; this can lead to interference and failures, especially when there is a large flow of other traffic on the network.

— Hybrid HVR (HDVR). Hybrid devices that combine the capabilities of DVR and NVR and can work with both analog and IP cameras. This expands the possibilities for building surveillance networks, allowing you to combine the advantages of both types of cameras and mutually compensate for the shortcomings. However, such equipment is not cheap.

— PTZ support. Compatibility of the recorder with cameras that have the PTZ function — “pan, tilt, zoom”, that is, the ability to rotate and tilt the lens, as well as zoom in / out. PTZ support allows you to control these functions through the DVR. In analogue cameras, the RS-485 port is used for its operation (see "Additional connectors").

— Responding to movement. A function that allows the DVR to recognize movement in the frame. Specific ways of using this function can be different: automatic start of recording, setting a timestamp (if the video is being recorded continuously), signaling an alarm output, notifying the operator, etc. Note that motion sensors can also be installed in the surveillance cameras themselves; however, the presence of this function in the recorder eliminates the need to specifically look for such cameras (which usually cost a lot).

— Face recognition. This term refers to the extended possibilities for working with the faces of people caught in the frame. Recorders with this function, usually, are able not only to determine the presence of a face in the frame, but to recognize its characteristic features, save the resulting “portraits” and compare them with the database stored in memory. The latter, in turn, allows you to identify people and opens up a number of additional features. A specific set of such features should b...e specified separately, here we will give a few examples. So, in many models, the face recognition system allows you to quickly search for a person in the video archive, eliminating the need for the user to personally view large volumes of video materials. Using such a system, you can record the time of arrival and departure of employees to work, as well as automatically save information about the visits of third-party visitors. Facial recognition can be added to the lock on key cards — and an attacker will not be able to open such a lock, even if he takes possession of the card. There are also more complex and advanced features — for example, the creation of groups of employees with different access rights, with access restriction and/or an alarm when an outsider appears in a prohibited area for him.

— PoC power. An analogue of the PoE technology described above, used in traditional surveillance cameras (so-called AHD). Allows you to supply power to such a camera from the registrar through the same coaxial cable that is used to transmit the video signal; this greatly simplifies the connection and increases the reliability and security of the entire system. So, when installing the camera, it is enough to lay only one wire, while its operation does not require accumulators / batteries, which can sit down at the most inopportune moment.

— Wi-Fi. In registrars, the built-in Wi-Fi module is most often used for two tasks: to work with IP cameras that support such communication, and to connect the registrar itself to a local network (or even the Internet) via a wireless router / access point. And in models with a mobile application (see below), Wi-Fi can also be used for direct communication with the control gadget. Anyway, such a connection allows you to do without fuss with wires and connectors. The disadvantages of this feature include perhaps a slight increase in price compared to analogues without Wi-Fi, but this moment often turns out to be almost invisible against the background of the total cost of the registrars themselves.
Also, the specific supported communication standard can be specified in the characteristics — usually Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) or Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). In this case, the differences between them are most often not fundamental: modern Wi-Fi modules, usually, support several standards at once, so there are no problems with compatibility, and the connection speed is usually more than sufficient to work as intended.

— Wi-Fi ready. This marking means that the recorder does not have a built-in Wi-Fi module (see above), but can use such a connection when an external adapter is connected (usually not included in the standard package). Theoretically, this configuration should provide additional convenience: the user can choose whether he needs Wi-Fi functionality in this particular registrar, and if in doubt, you can purchase the device itself without overpaying for wireless capabilities, and buy the adapter later if necessary . However, in fact, Wi-Fi ready models are extremely rare these days: most buyers decide whether they need wireless when planning their surveillance system, and built-in Wi-Fi modules are not that expensive, especially compared to the total cost of recorders.

— Mobile app. The ability to work with the registrar through a mobile application installed on a smartphone, tablet or other similar gadget. In this case, specific formats for connecting to a controlling gadget can be different: direct connection via Wi-Fi, work via a local network, or even remote access via the Internet from anywhere in the world; Often multiple options are supported. All these details should be specified separately, as well as the specific functionality of the mobile application. However, usually, this functionality is quite extensive, it provides access, if not to all, then at least to the most important functions of the registrar. So, from a smartphone / tablet, you can view footage and live broadcasts from cameras, copy (and sometimes delete) recordings, change many settings, etc. Control applications are usually released for both iOS and Android, so they can be install on almost any modern consumer-grade mobile gadget.

— Support for USB modems. The ability to use an external modem connected via USB to transfer data using the 3G or 4G mobile standard. This gives independence from wires and allows the registrar to be used even where there are no wired computer networks — of course, if there is coverage. Models with this feature usually have wired interfaces, and support for a 3G / 4G modem plays the role of a failover — a backup option in case of problems with the main connection. Note that the specific type of supported mobile network depends mainly on the modem used (the compatibility of the recorder with different models will not hurt to clarify separately, but most often this is not a problem).

— Remote control. The presence of a remote control in the delivery set of the registrar. It is often more convenient to control the device from the remote control than from a computer over the network or from your own control panel.

The number of BNC outputs provided in the design of the registrar.

BNC — connector with bayonet fixation for coaxial cable, used including for transmission of analogue video signal in professional equipment. Outputs with such connectors are designed to transmit a video signal to other components of the surveillance system — for example, monitors.

BNC outputs are found in all types of modern recorders (see above). At the same time, in DVR-type devices, their number, usually, corresponds to the number of BNC inputs, which makes it possible to switch the signal from each camera through its own output. In the NVR, most often only one connector is installed, which is intended for viewing recorded materials, and not images from cameras. The same option is also popular in HVR, although there are also models similar to DVR among them.

The number of RCA analogue audio inputs provided in the design of the registrar.

Inputs of this type are used to connect the audio signal from analogue cameras capable of capturing sound, as well as from separately made microphones. At the same time, the number of such inputs can correspond to the number of BNC video inputs, which allows each analogue camera to be supplemented with sound. However, there are models that have only one RCA input with several BNC inputs.

The number of USB 2.0 ports provided in the design of the registrar. USB is a universal interface for connecting various peripheral devices. In the case of registrars, we are most often talking about "flash drives" and other external media that can be used to copy files or update firmware. However, compatibility with other devices, such as manipulators (keyboards or mice), may also be provided.

Specifically, USB 2.0 allows you to transfer data at speeds up to 480 Mbps and provides a relatively low power supply. Because of this, this version is generally considered obsolete and is gradually being replaced by more advanced standards (primarily USB 3.2 gen1 - see the corresponding paragraph). However, USB 2.0 connectors are still very popular in registrars.

The number of USB 3.2 gen1 ports in the design of the registrar. This interface is used to connect various peripheral devices: USB drives for copying files or updating firmware, keyboards, mice, etc.

Specifically, USB 3.2 gen1 is the successor to USB 2.0. It supports higher data transfer (up to 4.8Gbps) and higher power supply.

The highest resolution in which the recorder can record video when a signal is received from all channels simultaneously. If cameras are not connected to some channels, the recording resolution may be higher (see “Maximum Resolution”).

Higher resolution has a positive effect on detail, but takes up more space and requires more computing power for processing, which accordingly affects the price of the registrar.

Standards (codecs) used by the recorder to compress the recorded video.

This parameter is important when viewing recorded materials on another device — for example, a media centre, into which a "flash drive" with files from the recorder is inserted. For normal viewing, it is necessary that the player supports the appropriate codec — otherwise the video will be displayed with distortion or will not work at all. Technical details on various standards can be found in special sources.

Note that if you plan to view the materials on a computer, you can not pay much attention to this parameter: most modern operating systems have extensive built-in sets of codecs, and if you don’t have the right codec, you can easily find it on the Internet.

The maximum supported resolution of IP cameras with which the NVR is technically capable of working (primarily recording). With rare exceptions, devices record in maximum resolution from all connected IP cameras. However, the limiting factor here is bandwidth (see the relevant paragraph) – depending on the shooting conditions, it may not be enough.

High resolution allows you to get a more detailed image in which fine details are better visible. On the other hand, such videos take up large amounts of disk space, and their support significantly affects the cost of the device.