DVR & NVR Recorders: specifications, types

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 analog 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 DVR and NVR capabilities 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.

Possibilities for connecting cameras available in the registrar.

For analogue DVRs and digital NVRs (see "Type") in this case, everything is simple: the number of video channels corresponds to the largest number of incoming video signals that can be connected to the device. Such a signal can come both from a camera and from an intermediate device — for example, a quad that combines a picture from 4 cameras. But in hybrid HVRs, the meaning of this paragraph is more specific. For these...recorders, this specifies the maximum number of inputs that the device can handle in AHD only mode (i.e., analogue cameras only, no IP cameras). Data on hybrid mode (AHD+IP), as well as for using only IP cameras, are given separately for such recorders (see below).

Numerous channels ( 32 channels, 64 channels and even 128 channels) allows you to create an extensive video surveillance system based on the registrar without using additional equipment (for example, the same quads). On the other hand, this characteristic significantly affects the price, and for living conditions, registrars for 4, 8 or 16 cameras are quite enough.

The number of cameras supported by the recorder when operating in hybrid mode — that is, when using traditional (AHD) and network IP cameras at the same time. For details about hybrid recorders, see "Type". And in this paragraph, the first number indicates the number of conventional cameras, the second — IP devices: for example, the entry "4 + 2" indicates that this model can simultaneously receive a signal from 4 conventional and 2 IP cameras.

Also note that some hybrid recorders al...low different ratios between the number of cameras of different types (with the same total number of cameras). For example, a 12-channel model may have 6+6, 8+4, and 10+2 hybrid modes. In such cases, this paragraph takes into account the mode with the largest number of AHD cameras; for the model described in our example, “10+2” will be written in this paragraph.

It is also worth mentioning that when working only with IP cameras, the hybrid recorder can support a greater number of video channels than in hybrid mode — for example, in the “2 + 8” format model, the number of supported only network cameras can reach 16. This information is specified in "IP Only".

The number of cameras (video channels) supported by the hybrid recorder (see "Type") when working with IP cameras only.

Most often, this number corresponds to the total number of channels available in hybrid mode (when IP cameras are combined with traditional, so-called AHD cameras). For example, for a DVR with 8+2 hybrid mode (10 in total), the number of cameras in IP only mode is also usually 10. However, there are exceptions: some models in pure network mode are able to work with...more cameras than in hybrid. For example, the same hybrid format "8 + 2" can be combined with support for 16 or even 24 network cameras at the same time.

— 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 movem...ent 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 be 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.

Compatibility of the registrar with one or another cloud data storage. This paragraph may indicate the very fact of compatibility or specify the specific service for which the device is designed — usually it is Google Drive or Dropbox.

Recall that cloud storage is an information storage system located on remote servers. Data is transmitted to such a system via the Internet, and the owner can also access them via the World Wide Web, regardless of the...ir own location. In addition, modern "clouds" allow you to share selected information with other users. The basic functionality of such services and a certain amount of disk space are usually available for free, but for advanced features and increased storage, payment is required (one-time or regular subscription, depending on the specific service).

Specifically, in this case, compatibility with cloud storage means, first of all, that the recorder is able to directly copy recorded video materials to such storage. This provides two important advantages at once. The first has already been mentioned — the ability to work with videos (view, copy, share, etc.) from almost anywhere in the world where there is access to the Internet. The second point is additional reliability and security: even if the registrar's drive is damaged or destroyed, a copy of its contents will still remain in the "cloud".

Note that support for cloud storage is also found in individual surveillance cameras. However, buying a recorder with this function is a more rational solution. Firstly, the ability to work with the "cloud" will not depend on the features of the cameras used; secondly, the corresponding tools in registrars are often more extensive than in cameras.