Posts Tagged ‘digital video recorders’

Digital Video Recorder for Surveillance – Selecting the Best One for You

Business, Video Recording | Posted by hiddencamerablogger
Dec 13 2009

8 Channel Digital Video RecorderOne of the usual reasons that people buy digital video recorders is for surveillance. These gadgets offer much in terms of functionality and convenience for personal, residential and business uses. Their design has been refined over the years, making them easier to install and use. But faced with such a wide range of choices, would you know which one is right for you? Here are some of the most important features to check:

Stationary DVR  vs. Portable
Stationary DVRs are installed and kept in a particular area, whether it’s a room or building. These are dedicated surveillance equipment meant to monitor an area continuously.

Portable video recorders, on the other hand, are less bulky (but not necessarily lacking in function) because they are designed to be handy. Very often, they are designed to resemble an ordinary object, such as a pen, a radio clock, a smoke detector, a watch or a cellphone so they are easier to conceal. Their appearance also makes them easier to use for covert recording.

Capacity Factor
Capacity generally refers to the device’s memory, or the amount of data that a DVR can store and manage for surveillance. If you’ll be using the recorder for continuous surveillance, such as for home or business establishment security, you will need a DVR with a higher capacity, such as one that has 320GB to 500GB of memory. When it comes to handheld DVRs, the ones with as low as 2GB to 4GB memory will often suffice for short-term recordings.

Connectivity Considerations
Connectivity is another important factor when deciding on which digital video recorder to choose for surveillance. If you plan on monitoring several areas simultaneously using just one DVR, then look for a unit that has this feature. Depending on the make and model, a DVR can handle from four to about 16 cameras all at once.

Portable versions, such as handheld DVRs, are generally simpler and can only handle images from one camera which are usually built into the device itself. A few models, however, can be connected to as many as four cameras.

Image Upload
A digital video recorder basically requires a monitor to allow you to view recorded images. Depending on what you already have (or are willing to buy), find out which types of devices the DVR is compatible with. In most cases, it can probably be linked to a computer or directly to a TV set.

Storage Concern
If you want to save the images onto a storage media (and it’s likely you will want to), select a digital video recorder that can work with a DVD or CD burner or connected to a flash USB drive. This will make it easy for you to reference or review events.

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Stand Alone DVR for Surveillance in Business – Why You Need One

Business, Security Camera | Posted by hiddencamerablogger
Nov 08 2009

A digital video recorder can be one of the most useful for your business security needs. It can record footage in digital format, helping you to transfer files and examine them in detail later on without so much effort. A special kind of digital video recorder is the embedded standalone DVR, which is a complete electronic unit that can receive signals and then record the video signals onto its own chip. Inside this single case, the DVR will have its own processing unit, memory chip, and its own operating system. It will also have its own hard drive, and you can attach more hard drives for a longer recording session.

8 Channel Wired Digital Video Recording System

The latest models of embedded stand alone digital video recorders enable Internet access to users. This type of DVR can be used in several locations and can handle recording of feeds from many camera systems. You can use a single DVR to remotely track and monitor different locations. Another advantage of the stand alone recorder is that its operating system is not easy to access or hack, which can be advantageous if you already have Internet access to begin with. This can also protect the unit from spyware, viruses, Trojans, and other malicious software that could destroy its contents. Because this security is well-established for the unit, you are not required to keep on downloading security patches to protect it.

Due to its being able to operate remotely, its settings can also be changed remotely. As an administrator, you have full control over the system and you can change settings from afar or even online. Many of today’s embedded stand alone digital video recorders can also provide high image quality, and they can provide you with high resolution recording that can make the footage easier to make out and even present as evidence in the courts of law.

Despite all these pros, the DVR is still not absolutely fool proof. If a thief or criminal knows enough about it, he or she can simply look for the embedded stand alone digital video recorder and wreck it manually. Manually destroying the DVR, taking the chip, or destroying the memory could destroy the footage and prevent the camera from further use. Moreover, because the stand alone system is a closed system that has its own operating system, it could be more costly and difficult to maintain. Many stand alone systems might need to be overhauled to accept a new operating system, the same way that you have to prepare your computer for a system or operating system upgrade.

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