Category: Cameras

What is a NVR?

A network video recorder (NVR) is a specialized computer system that includes a software program that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other mass storage device. An NVR contains no dedicated video capture hardware. However, the software is typically run on a dedicated device, usually with an embedded operating system. Alternatively, to help support increased functionality and serviceability, standard operating systems are used with standard processors and video management software. An NVR is typically deployed in an IP video surveillance system.

A good NVR would allow you to issue your IP cameras there own IP address, as on my NVR my LAN/WAN address would be in the 192.168.x.x and my IP cameras could have there own addresses for instance 10.x.x.x or 172.x.x.x.

The key difference between analog CCTV and IP Cameras

Analog cameras transfer the video signals in analog form (electrical signals), usually use coaxial cables for the cabling

  • Analog cameras transfer the video signals in analog form (electrical signals), usually use coaxial cables for the cabling, and have the videos recorded by a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), where each single camera is directly connected to the DVR.
  • IP cameras encode the video signal into IP packets, use the data network (LAN) for the cabling, and have the videos recorded by an NVR (Network Video Recorder) that can be connected anywhere on the network.

Both type of cameras use the same mechanism for capturing the video by their CCD sensor, and the main difference is the method by which the video signal is transmitted.