What is a Digital Video Recorder?
A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is simply a computer hard drive with functionality and connections that are designed for the CCTV Security market.
What are the advantages of a DVR?
Before DVR?s existed the most common way of recording CCTV video footage was through a multiplexer and timelapse VCRs. However, DVR?s have many advantages over the multiplexer and VCR:
- DVR?s can have a huge storage capacity and so eliminate the need to frequently change tapes.
- DVR?s don?t have problems with tape or VCR?s wearing out and so consistently produce higher quality recorded images.
- Because DVR?s record digitally, you can retrieve recorded footage instantly rather than scanning through hours of video tape.
- Some DVR?s have motion detection software built-in, removing the need for separate PIR?s.
- Some DVR?s can be viewed over a network or the internet allowing them to be used for remote viewing.
- DVR?s often work out cheaper than the combined price of a time-lapse VCR, video tapes and a multiplexer.
What should you look for in a DVR?
The number of cameras
DVR?s can record 1, 4, 8, 9, or 16 cameras at a time.
How long will a DVR record for?
Everybody has different recording needs and many factors affect how long a DVR will record for including: the number of cameras, the compression technology, the frame rate, the picture quality, the picture size, and the amount of recording time required. To make it easy for you we have created a DVR calculator that will tell you how long a DVR will record for.
What is the maximum frame rate of a DVR?
All DVR?s have a maximum frame rate. This simply refers to the maximum number of frames that a DVR can record in one second at any one time. For example: a four camera DVR with a maximum frame rate of 50 frames per second (fps) can record at up to 50fps. If all four cameras are set to their maximum recording rate this will achieve (50/4) 12.5fps per camera. Television is displayed at approximately 25 fps.
The frame rate that is right for you depends on your needs, for example if you are just counting bodies then 1fps will be plenty. On the other hand if you wish to catch people stealing small items from a shop then 6fps will normally be enough.
More advanced DVR?s will automatically increase the fps rate on a camera where motion has been detected, providing more footage on an event.
What is the compression method used?
DVR?s use various compression methods for compressing video footage. This reduces the amount of hard drive space that is used. Additionally, if a DVR can be viewed over the network or the internet a sophisticated compression method reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. TeleEye DVR?s have a unique patented encryption technology that compresses video footage to the extent that the TeleEye system still works well over a normal telephone line.
Compression methods include Wavelet, MPEG, and MJPEG.
How do you get video footage from the DVR to the Police?
Being able to easily give video footage to the Police when an incident has occurred is an important part of a DVR?s role. Footage can be moved from the DVR to another storage device in a number of ways:
VCR ? most low end DVR?s allow you to connect the DVR to a television and record the DVR footage onto a connected VCR.
USB - Some DVR's come with a USB connection. This allows footage to be easily transferred onto a PC. If the PC has a CD writer, then footage can simply be burned onto a CD and the CD handed to the Police.
Compact Flash (CF) Card ? some DVR?s come with the ability to record footage onto a CF card. The CF card can then be inserted into a PC or Laptop and played back.
Networkable ? DVR?s that can be viewed over a network or the Internet via a PC can have their footage recorded straight onto the PC?s hard drive. If the PC has a CD writer, then footage can simply be burned onto a CD and the CD handed to the Police.
Removable Hard Disk Drive ? many DVR?s come with removable hard disk drives. The hard disk is simply pulled out of the DVR and handed to the Police. A new hard disk can be inserted into the DVR to allow continued monitoring and recording.
CD writer ? the best DVR?s come with a built-in CD writer. This allows video footage to simply be burned onto a CD and the CD handed to the Police.
Can the DVR be viewed over a network or the internet?
Many DVR?s come with the ability to be hooked up to a network or the internet allowing remote viewing from a PC with the appropriate software installed. Really sophisticated DVR?s (see the TeleEye range) have built-in webservers allowing the video footage to be viewed from any PC in the world via the internet.
Does the DVR have built-in motion detection?
Many DVR?s come with built-in motion detection. This means that they continuously monitor the picture from the cameras and as soon as something changes (i.e. there is movement) they begin recording. This removes the need for separate PIR sensors.
What is the connection type for the cameras?
All of the IViewCameras DVR?s come with industry standard BNC connections for the cameras. This makes the setup of the DVR?s extremely simple ? simply plug the cameras in and play.
Does the DVR do time and date stamping?
All IViewCameras DVR?s do time and date stamping on the video footage.
Will a DVR send me an email, text message, Pocket PC alert or picture message upon an event?
More sophisticated DVR?s will send alerts to you when an event (such as motion detection) occurs. Alerts can be sent via email, text messages and picture messages to your mobile phone or your pocket PC.
What does the DVR do if there is a powercut?
Although all of our DVR?s will switch off when there is a powercut, more sophisticated DVR?s will automatically re-start with the same settings they had when the power went off.
What are the different resolutions on a DVR?
Most DVR?s have different resolution options such as 640 x 480 or 320 x 240. The numbers simply represent the number of pixels in the picture (length x height). Higher numbers of pixels means higher clarity on the picture. However, higher numbers of pixels also take up more hard disk space.
Which of our DVR?s are right for you?
IViewCameras has a wide range of DVR?s to suit almost any needs. Below is a brief summary of our DVR?s. More details can be found by clicking on the links.
The IViewDVR
This is our entry level DVR. It records up to 4 cameras on to a 120GB hard disk. It is perfect if you simply want to replace your existing VCR and multiplexer with a much more convenient and reliable solution.
The Voltek DVR
This is similar to the IViewDVR. It also records up to 4 cameras on to a 120GB hard disk. However, the Voltek DVR can record at up to 100fps, i.e. Up to 25fps per camera (real time)
The Concept Series Range
Concept DMR4
Concept DMR4 Plus
Concept DMR9
Concept DMR16
This is a great little DVR range with 4, 9, or 16 camera versions and 120, 250GB or 400GB hard disk options. The main advantages over the IViewDVR are the motion detection functionality and the removable hard disk. This is the ideal solution for anyone who wishes to monitor video footage continuously while only recording when something is worth recording. Additionally, the Concept 9 and 16 versions can be networked using a video server. This allows the cameras to be viewed remotely over the internet
Networked Concept DMR9
Networked Concept DMR16
Note: The 4 camera version comes in two versions. The basic model does not have motion detection. The 4 camera plus model comes with motion detection and 4 audio channels.
The Tranwo DVR400A
The DVR400A is our entry level DVR with motion detection and a USB connection for easy backup to a PC.
The Avermedia DVR
The Avermedia DVR is similar to the DVR400A but comes with 100fps capability for real time recording
The Tranwo DVR400N
The Tranwo DVR400N is our entry level networked DVR. The cameras attached to this DVR can be viewed over the internet (ADSL only) or a LAN.
The Visix series
The Visix Series is a powerful 4 camera DVR range coming in 120 and 250Gb options. It has a compact flash card slot for easy footage removal, a recording rate of 50fps, and the capability of being viewed over a network. This is the ideal solution where high frame recording rates or easy footage removal is a must or where you wish to view your cameras over a network.
The TeleEye VR Series
The TeleEye VR series comes in 4, 8 and 16 camera versions. It has a unique patented encryption technology that compresses video footage to a much greater extent than most of the standard compression formats. This provides the TeleEye series with several advantages; you do not need as large a hard disk to record the same amount of footage as other DVR?s, and when networked the TeleEye requires much less bandwidth than competing DVR?s. The TeleEye also comes with a built in webserver so that it can be accessed from any computer in the world connected to the internet and can be set to send email alerts when an event occurs. The unique compression technology and webserver capability make the TeleEye the ideal solution for any type of remote viewing, even over a telephone line. Common uses of the TeleEye include monitoring of multiple retail premises, holiday home security and warehouse security.
The TeleEye VX Series
The 4 camera TeleEye VX Series
The 8 camera TeleEye VX Series
The 16 camera TeleEye VX Series
The TeleEye VX series is similar to the VR range except that it comes with the option of higher frame rate recording, various removeable hard disk options, a local video output to connect a monitor and a control panel at the front of the DVR to allow easy configuration.
The TeleEye range can also be viewed using a pocket PC by purchasing some additional software CLICK HERE
TeleEye also produces a transmitter box only (no hard drive) ? the VT series in 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 camera versions ? CLICK HERE
The Geovision PC Based DVRs
The 8 Camera Geovision PC Based DVR
The 12 Camera Geovision PC Based DVR
The 16 Camera Geovision PC Based DVR
Our Geovision PC Based DVRs are packed to the rafters with functionality such as motion detection, remote viewing, object counter and POS integration. They consist of our Geovision software installed into a dedicated PC. These DVRs come in a wide range of options including 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400fps, 4, 8, 12 or 16 cameras, with or without a monitor, flat screen monitor, and additional hard disk drives.
The VDC range
The VDC range is a powerful high-end DVR. It comes in 4 and 9 camera versions with 80, 160 and 250Gb versions. It contains a built-in CD writer for easy removal of footage, a removable hard drive for easy upgrading of available disk space as well as networking capability. The VDC can also be set to increase the recording rate of a particular camera when motion is detected. The image retention period may be set to any number of days and the VDC will automatically calculate the appropriate frame rates. The VDC range will also automatically re-start upon a power cut. This is the ideal solution where large amounts of footage needs to be frequently backed up in a hassle free way.
The VDM range
The VDM range is the top-end of the IViewCameras DVR range. It comes in 4, 9, and 16 camera versions with 80, 120, 160, 250, 320, 500, and 600Gb versions. It is very similar in functionality to the VDC range but comes with dual removable hard drives and a keyboard for even easier use. The VDM is the ideal solution where a large amount of video recording and footage backup is a must.
