How to choose the right Digital Video Recorder (DVR)?
The task of CCTV surveillance project implementation is not that simple as it appears to be, it is a good mix of smart security design and getting best-in-class systems. A lot of planning, calculation and thought goes into it. The CCTV installation requirement may be for a small store or a residential facility, but one needs to know the number of CCTV Cameras and storage requirements before finalising the type of DVR.
Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) are an integral part of any CCTV surveillance project. DVR is an important device to record the video surveillance feed digitally and keep it safe as per the time frame given by operators (Government or Private). It stores into a storage device like hard disk drives (HDD) for to view it whenever and wherever. The analog cameras are connected with each other using coaxial cables to the DVR.
Understanding Storage Needs
The basic understanding of CCTV surveillance storage needs help to choose the right type of DVR. In case of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), the storage requirements need to be calculated by factoring the approximate video feed storage period. It is important to understand and decode the storage requirement of a particular CCTV surveillance project. With the help standard storage equation one can do the storage calculations. While calculating the recording capacity one need to factor bitrate in kbps, a number of DVR channels and period of recording storage.
For Example 1: 16 camera system at 1080P.16 x 1080P cameras@25fps, and 30 days of storage, the calculation would look like this: 630 gigabytes x 16 cameras = 9.84TB (minimum needed) with H.265 Video Compression.
How Many Channels Required
It is important to figure out how many camera channels are needed as per the requirement of a particular DVR model. DVRs come in various sizes and channel types. In the market you may find 4, 8, 16, 32 channel DVRS systems, the 16 channel DVR will allow to have 16 cameras on one DVR system. This means one can record 16 cameras on one system. Most people tend to go with these recorders because of the large capacity of camera channels they can use.
Ensuring Ease of Use
The DVRs are high on ease of use factor. DVRs offer very easy menus to navigate and program the recorders. DVRs are more hands on like today’s DIY Devices.
Key Considerations
Application Scenario: One needs to study and check the application scenarios of DVRs and understand the advantages and flipside of Analog DVRs.
Cabling: DVRs can be connected to Analog HD cameras through 4+1 cables or RG-6 or 2 core power cables.
Service Support: The service support from the OEM is a very important factor to consider before choosing a DVR of right technical specification. One needs to understand and study the time bound warranty and its terms before purchasing the DVR.
Expert Advice: It is important to follow the expert advice of a professionally trained System Integrator or a consultant to ensure that the particular DVR is suitable for the requirement of recording video surveillance footage and required application scenarios.
