DVR vs. NVR – What’s the Difference?
The CCTV DVR stands for “digital video recorder”, and NVR stands for “network video recorder”. The difference between them is the way of processing raw video data.
A DVR is used for converting the analog footage to digital format. An NVR normally processes only the digital footage. The processing of the data happens at the recorder with the CCTV DVR system, and the processing of data occurs at the camera with the help of the NVR system, before it is transmitted to the recorder or storage.
The CCTV DVR systems are connected to the CCTV cameras with the help of a coaxial cable, and NVR systems are connected to the IP cameras with the help of Ethernet or the internet.
DVR system Components
The DVR systems have the following components:
i- CCTV/ analog camera:
A CCTV security camera or analog camera is a component of the DVR system. The DVR systems are cheaper than the NVR systems because of using their analog cameras. Analog signals are transmitted to the recorder, by the analog cameras, for processing the video data. DVR cameras are simpler and cheaper.
ii- Coaxial cable:
The analog camera and the CCTV DVR systems are connected through the coaxial cable. It can be up to 500 meters long. Somehow, the coaxial cable may have the limitations such as:
a- PoE cable can supply power to the cameras but the coaxial cables cannot. Therefore, separate cables are required for the transmission of video and providing power.
b- The material of the coaxial cable makes it harder to install.
c- The standard coaxial cables cannot transmit the audio.
iii- AD encoder:
The AD encoder processes the raw video data and makes it able to visualize. Therefore, all the cameras in the DVR systems are connected to the recorder along with a power source.
iv- Audio limitations:
The standard coaxial cable is not capable of transmitting audio, an RCA connection is added for this purpose. Only a limited number of audio input ports are present on the DVR cameras, so, only a limited number of cameras can record the audio.more
NVR system components
i- IP Cameras:
IP cameras are used by the NVR systems, that process the video data before transferring it to the recorder. Since IP cameras are more powerful, they can record both, audio and video. Nowadays IP cameras are incorporated with advanced features, which make them able to do video analytics and facial recognition.
ii- Ethernet cable:
Mostly the IP cameras are wireless, but if not, the IP cameras and recorders are connected with the ethernet cable. They may have a length of up to 100 meters. The ethernet cable has a lot of advantages, such as:
a- Some of the cameras are equipped with a Power over Ethernet (PoE) connection, which means that just a single cable is enough to support power, audio, and video. Then no splitters are required. But this feature is not incorporated in all the IP cameras, so, they require a separate Ethernet and a power supply connection.
b- They are thin.
c- They are easily available.
d- They are inexpensive.
iii- The recorder in the NVR system is only used to store and view the footage. It does not process the video data.
Ethernet cable can transmit audio, and a camera with a microphone will record audio.
iv- Higher storage capacity:
NVR systems use cloud-based servers to upload footage. They are not restricted to on-premise storage, so, they have higher capacity than the CCTV DVR cameras.
Which is better, DVR or NVR?
The similarity between CCTV NVR and CCTV DVR is that they both use a hard drive for storing video. They differ in:
a- The design and their implementation.
b- The processing of raw data.
c- The way they are set up.
d- Their compatible cameras.
You can choose between CCTV DVR and CCTV NVR according to your needs.
Here are some suggestions, which you can consider while selecting:
i- The mode of hardware at your places, is it wiring, if yes then are you ready to replace it?
ii- Is programming the devices not a big deal for you?
iii- The amount of required maintenance.
iv- Mode of access, does remote access is required?
Another thing to consider is that both systems cannot be flexible and the scaling can be difficult.
There can be some restrictions, such as
i- For remote access, opening/forwarding ports will be required, which can be a threat to security.
ii- Total cost of ownership (TCO) will be high due to a lot of required hardware pieces.
iii- The update of NVR systems is costly.
iv- The addition and relocation of the camera are not possible because of the limited ports on the recorder.
At CCTV Dubai, you can come to purchase either a CCTV DVR or CCTV NVR system, after selecting according to your needs, at the best-suited prices of DVR and NVR systems in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman. Our technical staff is ever ready to serve you with the services of CCTV DVR and NVR system installation and maintenance. So, contact us online or visit our stores. Contact us