Digital Video Recorders (DVR)

The DVR again displays its superiority by allowing for it to be connected to a network or the internet. This characteristic gives the DVR the ability to be connected to a multitude of other DVRs, thus enabling the construction of a large scale system which can then be administered via DVR software to create one large virtual DVR.  This also allows a single DVR or multiple DVRs to be monitored and reviewed from single local and remote locations, thus greatly expanding the abilities and uses of video surveillance systems that utilize the DVR.

When selecting a DVR or Digital Video Recorder:

The variations of DVR available today:  

1. The common DVR also known as a Standalone or Embedded DVR.

This DVR, known as a Standalone DVR or Embedded DVR, is a Digital Video Recorder that is manufactured for the sole purpose of being a DVR.  These typically contain a single circuit board with DVR software burned into / embeded into its chips.  A DVR of this type is almost always run by way of a Linux based operating system, which is considered more reliable and stable than systems running a windows based operating  system and- generally speaking- are built and designed to handle a maximum of 16 cameras per DVR.

2. PC DVR or PC Based DVR

PC DVRs or PC Based DVRs are Digital Video Recorders that are essentially a modified PC with a DVR capture card installed in them.  A PC DVR is usually windows based, offers more features than a standalone DVR and can be more user friendly by way of its onscreen menus and mouse controls.  It is just as important that a PC DVR be of reputable construction as it is that a DVR is manufactured by a reliable company.

3. Mobile DVR

Mobile DVRs are Digital Video Recorders Designed for the purpose of Mobile applications such as cars, boats, planes and other vehicles. Usually a mobile DVR will have features such as anti vibration, special back-up features and have power requirements of 12VDC common in vehicles like cars for ease of application. Otherwise these DVRs are mostly similar to the standalone DVR type only more compact.