Dvr Digital
The DVR and You
The DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is the heart of any Surveillance System, and it can be the apple in your eye or the devil at your door depending on your requirements. We will go over a few DVR basics to help you pick out the perfect one for your cctv system.
VCRs Are Gone – Get Used To It
For a quarter of a century VCRs were THE solution when it came to surveillance video recording. They provided features such as daisy chaining, time lapse recording, and auto rewind. All of these features were used to extend a VCRs life and prolong the use of VHS tapes. When DVRs first came out, they weren't quite as efficient as a VCR. In fact it took several years and the advancement of hard drive technologies before the DVR could truly compete with the VCR. Nowadays a VCR can't hold a candle to the capabilities of a digital video recorder.
If you still have a VCR in your surveillance system; you need to get used to the fact that it is an obsolete technology, and when the time comes it will be a DVR taking its place; this isn't a reason to panic though. DVRs have become quite affordable and include a plethora of features that have even make the need for quads and multiplexers close to obsolete.
How Long Can A DVR Record For
The most frequently asked question when purchasing a DVR is how long it can record for. This question is a tricky one as it is very dependent on a few factors. Settings on your DVR such as motion recording, resolution, and the number of cameras can all play a roll in this equation. Furthermore the size of your hard drive is a critical factor in determining how much video you can store. Suffice it to say that the recording capabilities of a DVR are very versatile and are dependent on your particular surveillance system. In fact recording lengths can range from a day worth of video to 3 months or more.
Resolution – High Vs. Low
It is generally a good rule to always set your DVR to record your video at the highest resolution possible. The reason for this is because recognizing things such as vehicle license plates, people, or other important occurrences will be much easier.
With new compression rates advancing all the time DVRs are now usually able to record higher resolutions at higher frame rates as well; so the general tradeoff between these two is rapidly diminishing. In the end if you want the best quality evidence when the time comes; keep your DVR at a high resolution.
With this bit of knowledge it is recommended that you consult with a surveillance equipment dealer before making your purchase. This way you can find the perfect DVR for your surveillance system.
About the Author
Christian M Gillman has worked in the surveillance industry for over 6 years. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, learn more about surveillance, and find great products at http://www.cu1.com
- CU1 - Your CCTV Products and Surveillance Equipment Source
Digital Watchdog VMax DVR Demo
 |
 Toshiba DVR670 DVD Recorder VCR Combo with Built in Digital Tuner $199.99 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 6m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 Buy It Now |
 TYCO ADT A ADT9E 250 FIRE 9 CH SURVEILLANCE DVR DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER $36.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 46m |
 S5D 18 LCD 12MP 720P 4x Zoom Digital Camcorder A Video Camera Mini DVR DC Web $33.03 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 45m |
 720P HD DVR Hunting digital Camera Video Sunglasses $39.99 Time Remaining: 12d 4h 11m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 Digeo Moxi MP 12 Media Center HD DVR DVI D 160GB 1080i Digital Video Recorder $79.95 Time Remaining: 1h 53m Buy It Now for only: $149.95 Buy It Now |
 Mini Digital Clock Spy Hidden Camera Audio Video DV DVR with Remote Control $29.99 Time Remaining: 27d 3h 5m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 4ch 4 Channel CCTV Security Surveillance DVR digital video recorder system 500GB $199.99 Time Remaining: 42m |
 NEW TF Card Digital Loop Recorder CCTV DVR Dome Camera USB Motion Detection $0.01 Time Remaining: 47m |
 New USB 4CH DVR CCTV Digital Security Camera Video Recorder $9.00 Time Remaining: 14d 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 Buy It Now |
 Security Hidden Clock 640x480 DVR Spy Camera Digital Video Camera Camcorder m $29.99 Time Remaining: 49m |
 Mini DV Pen HD Digital Video Hidden Camera Recorder Camcorder 1280 X 960 DVR $9.11 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 52m Buy It Now for only: $9.11 Buy It Now |
 NEW TF Card Digital Loop Recorder CCTV DVR Dome Camera USB Motion Detection $0.01 Time Remaining: 1h 51m |
 Dakota Alert digital video recorder Built in motion de $122.39 Time Remaining: 2h 24m |
 Digital Clock Hidden Camera DVR USB Motion Alarm Video Audio Recorder $19.89 Time Remaining: 19d 7h 6m Buy It Now for only: $19.89 Buy It Now |
 Digital Pan Tilt Zoom PTZ Controller DVR CCTV Camera U37 $100.00 Time Remaining: 2h 10m |
 USB 4CH DVR CCTV Digital Security Camera Video Recorder $6.49 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 54m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 Buy It Now |
 8 Channel H264 CCTV Surveillance Digital Video Recorder Security Network IP DVR $85.00 Time Remaining: 22h 8m |
 Solar Powered DVR Digital Video Recorder Security Camera PIR Motion Detection $136.86 Time Remaining: 23d 14m Buy It Now for only: $136.86 Buy It Now |
 Digital Wireless Night Vision Camera Security Cctv Usb DVR System WIFI Free $92.50 Time Remaining: 1h 29m |
 iTech mDVR Mobile Digital Video Recorder w SD MMC Card Slot Record TV Movie $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 46m |
 PRO OFFICE Usb Drive HIDDEN SPY CAMERA DVR DIGITAL VIDEO VOICE CAM RECORDER 4GB $32.99 Time Remaining: 24d 2h 26m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 Buy It Now |
 GPS Dual lens Car DVR27 Vehicle Digital recorderDashboard cameraTwo CAM16G $106.99 Time Remaining: 56m |
 TiVo Premiere 1080p FULL HD DVR Digital Video Recorder Receiver NEW $94.99 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 3m Buy It Now for only: $94.99 Buy It Now |
 GPS Dual lens Car DVR27 Vehicle Digital recorderDashboard cameraTwo CAM8GB $92.99 Time Remaining: 57m |
 Cheapest 4 Channel Digital Video Recorder DVR Surveillance+500GB Hard Drvie $99.00 Time Remaining: 1h 44m |
 PRO EURO CAR KEY HIDDEN SPY MINI CAMERA DVR DIGITAL VIDEO VOICE CAM RECORDER 4GB $32.99 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 35m Buy It Now for only: $32.99 Buy It Now |
 S9D 18 LCD 12MP 720P 4x Zoom Digital Camcorder A Video Camera Mini DVR DC Web $6.75 Time Remaining: 1h 45m |
 USB 4CH DVR CCTV Digital Security Camera Video Recorder $6.49 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 16m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 Buy It Now |
 Tivo Series 2 DVR TCD540040 lifetime service digital video recorder $41.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 2h 11m |
 Ultra Four Channel DVR System CCTV Digital Video Dvr System+4x Camera500GB HDD $209.00 Time Remaining: 3h 57m |
 Usb Flash Drive Spy Hidden Camera Video Recorder DVR Digital Video Voice Cam A8 $26.99 Time Remaining: 16d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $26.99 Buy It Now |
 Winic Technologies Security Digital Video Recorder W DVR432H $11.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 21h 3m |
 5MP HD Smallest Mini DV Spy Digital Camera Video Recorder Camcorder Webcam DVR $15.84 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 5m Buy It Now for only: $15.84 Buy It Now |
 USP 4 Channel Digital Video Recorder DVR CCTV Surveillance Monitor+500GB HDD $99.00 Time Remaining: 4h 6m |
 4CH Usb Dvr CCTV Digital USB 20 Dvr Security Surveillance Camera Video USA $8.99 Time Remaining: 19d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now |
 USP 4 Channel Digital Video Recorder DVR CCTV Surveillance Monitor+500GB HDD $99.00 Time Remaining: 4h 9m |
 Vivitar DVR 510N Night Vision Pocket Video Digital Camc $40.59 Time Remaining: 2h 24m |
 8CH 8 Channel H264 CCTV Real Time DVR Network Mobile Digital Video Recorder $104.99 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 54m Buy It Now for only: $104.99 Buy It Now |
 Hidden Spy DVR Clock Digital Multi function Record Cam $0.90 Time Remaining: 1h 36m |
 MINI spy clock dvr remote control hidden camera video recorder digital camcorder $47.59 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $47.59 Buy It Now |
 Western Digital My DVR Expander 500 GB WD5000F032 Hard Drive Tivo Verified $20.49 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 22h 54m |
 NEW TF Card Digital Loop Recorder CCTV DVR Dome Camera USB Motion Detection $0.01 Time Remaining: 2h 45m |
 Itech Mobile SD DVR 3GP Digital Video Recorder Receiver $15.99 Time Remaining: 14d 20h 5m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now |
 S9G 18 LCD 12MP 720P 4x Zoom Digital Camcorder E Video Camera Mini DVR DC Web $6.87 Time Remaining: 2h 24m |
 Mini Micro 808 Car Key Hidden Camera DVR Digital Video Audio Recorder Camcorder $6.07 Time Remaining: 19d 22h 33m Buy It Now for only: $6.07 Buy It Now |
 Western Digital 500GB Tivo DVR Expander Hard Drive NO RESERVE $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 20m |
 NOB TIVO PREMIERE DVR Digital Video Recorder 1080P HDTV 45 Hours TCD746320 $20.01 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 15m |
 Spy Electronic Digital Alarm Clock Camera Video DVR Recorder Black Fast USA Ship $28.59 Time Remaining: 19d 15h 44m Buy It Now for only: $28.59 Buy It Now |
 MINI spy clock dvr remote control hidden camera video recorder digital camcorder $46.99 Time Remaining: 1h 8m |
 Mini DV Pen Spy HD Digital Video Hidden Camera Recorder Camcorder 1280 X 960 DVR $9.11 Time Remaining: 17d 11h 3m Buy It Now for only: $9.11 Buy It Now |
 TIVO Premiere XL 150 HD Hours DVR TCD748000 1080P Digital Recorder with remote $102.50 (21 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 11m |
 Western Digital My Book AV DVR Expander 1 TB USB 2.0/eSATA External Hard Drive List Price: Sale Price: $109.12 You save: $18.48 (14%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionRecord more. Delete less. WD’s My Book AV DVR Expander instantly adds more recording hours to your DVR. With both USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces, the drive is compatible with many DVRs and other AV devices...  |
 Vivitar HD Camcorder (DVR528R-TA) with 32MB Internal Storage - Red Sale Price: $49.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description5.1 Megapixels, Built-In Microphone, Built-In Speaker |
 VideoSecu 4 Channel H.264 Network Stand Alone DVR with 1000GB Hard Drive, Triplex Real Time, Remote View, Digital Video Recorder for Security Camera Systems 1YT Sale Price: $249.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis VideoSecu 4-channel DVR gives you the coverage you need at a low price. That makes it ideal for multi-camera commercial and individual applications. With up to 4 Cameras connected and connect to TV, you can monitor 4 locations at a time and record them into the HDD... |
 Digital Video Recorders: DVRs Changing TV and Advertising Forever (Nab Executive Technology Briefings) List Price: Sale Price: $36.36 You save: $3.59 (9%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionFour specific trends are driving the DVR industry: consumer content choice, consumer content control, personalization of content libraries, and the ability to transfer content from device-to-device and person-to-person... |
 Pinecom 720SXGA High resolution Car Dash Digital Video Recorder(Car Black Box) Sale Price: $97.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionPinecom On Dash Automobile Video Black Box Digital Video Recorder with 720P High resoluton and support sound. Features : * Easy mount on to widscreen with its suction cup mountint bracket. * High resolution video SXGA: 1280x720, 30fps * Foldable 2... |
 DVR WMC 2010 Sampler Sale Price: $8.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 Digital Video Recorders: DVRs Changing TV and Advertising Forever List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionFour specific trends are driving the DVR industry: consumer content choice, consumer content control, personalization of content libraries, and the ability to transfer content from device-to-device and person-to-person... |
 Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2 Digital Video Recorder List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionSo you thought you'd found the ultimate in entertainment freedom with your video iPod? How great is it to be able to catch your favorite television show on your way to work, or check out the latest music video before your big meeting? It's great, all right, if you don't mind shelling out a few bucks for shows that you can watch for free on TV... |
 Nero Liquid TV List Price: Sale Price: $49.99 You save: $150.00 (75%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNo other digital video recorder (DVR) offers the unique ease-of-use, personalized features, and flexibility of Nero LiquidTV. That's because at the core of Nero LiquidTV is the Emmy award-winning TiVo service, which is always working to automatically find and digitally record the entertainment you want to watch, and to suggest related programming you might like to see... |
 2GB SD MEMORY CARD f/ VIVITAR DVR-560 Digital Camcorder Sale Price: $4.55 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description2GB SD MEMORY CARD f/ VIVITAR DVR-560 Digital Camcorder |
