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Home > Learn about how security camera DVRs can enhance your video surveillance capabilities
January 03, 2007
By: Lynn Bryant
Security camera DVRs have really grown in popularity
lately, and for good reason. Incorporating a DVR into your
video surveillance network can really add to your
surveillance capabilities. The sheer volume of video that
can be stored on a digital video recorder is vastly superior
to what can typically be stored on a video tape. In this
article, we will review some of the added functionality you
can get from using a DVR, and learn more about how DVR video
surveillance can help you meet your video security needs.
The biggest benefit of using a digital video recorder is
the added control you get over the management and storage of
the video data itself. Digital data is much easier to store,
search, and view than older forms of video capture methods
such as VCR's. Most digital video recorders allow you to
automatically mark digital video files with time stamps and
alert markers, which makes it much easier to go back and
view important events after the fact. Searching for and
pinpointing a specific event can be done with a simple query
search rather than having to fast forward through hours of
video tapes.
When it comes to viewing digital video, you usually have
expanded options as well. Some DVR's offer multi-camera
viewing, dual monitor display capabilities, and even remote
viewing access functionality. Add to this the convenience of
being able to use your personal computer to manage and view
captured video, and it is easy to see, there is really no
comparison.
There are two basic kinds of DVRs, stand-alone and
PC-based. A stand-alone DVR is a basic box that looks very
similar to a DVD player. It contains all the necessary
components and software in the box itself. They are usually
very simple to set up and require almost no configuration.
You can easily view captured video directly through your
monitor screen. A PC-based DVR is a card type device that
you put in your personal computer. A PC-based DVR turns your
computer into a fully functioning DVR. With a PC-based DVR,
all of the video from your surveillance cameras can be
managed and stored directly on your computer. This adds some
additional flexibility over stand-alone versions.
If your video surveillance network is relatively small, a
stand-alone system will probably be sufficient. If however,
you have a larger surveillance network, or have the need to
monitor video feeds more proactively, you may want to select
a PC-based model. The prices of both models are actually
comparable. You can find a wide array of prices and options
for both types.
There is no question; a digital video recorder can help
make your security plan much more efficient and easier to
manage. If you are looking for a better way to maximize the
potential of your video surveillance network, a DVR is
definitely the way to go.
About the Author
Lynn Bryant is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your
definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV
cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.
Also See:
[ Tips for
purchasing DVR surveillance camera systems ]
[
Hidden cameras
and other personal security equipment for your home ]
[
Overview
of a new video monitoring security system from AT&T ]
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