DVR and NVR is the critical part of camera security system. People choose either DVR or NVR as recording equipment. This article would like to go through basic knowledge about what’s difference between DVR and NVR.
- What is DVR?
DVR, digital video recorder, is kind of electronic device that records video in digital format and usually used with analog cameras. It digitalizes the analog video and saves to the hard disks as footage. Due to DVR only accepts analog signal, it couldn’t be connected to different type cameras but analog cameras. The connection way is point-to-point. Every camera needs two cables, one connects DVR and another connects to power source. It brings some limitations when security system needs to be upgraded.
- What is PoE NVR?
PoE NVR, is network video recorder integrated with PoE technology. As we know, NVR provides video storage as well as remotely viewing. In the IP camera system, the video is being encoded and processed at the ip cameras, NVR simply receive the Digitalize data, write to the hard drive and decode it before output to a monitor. In addition, NVR accept video stream from both wired or WiFi security cameras while DVR only works with wired analog video.
PoE allowing data and power are being transported over single cable after IP cameras is connected to PoE NVR, it doesn’t require extra power cord to supply the power. All you need just one cat5e cable connecting the cameras to PoE NVR.
The following are some major differences between DVR and PoE NVR.
- Video Signal
As mentioned above, DVR accepts analog signal while PoE NVR accepts IP video signal. The difference would affect image quality. IP camera provides HD videos and images, showing clearly faces, motions as well as the detail, which enhance security. The traditional analog couldn’t offer better image detail. However, the new analog camera system appears including AHD, TVT these years which can deliver HD video. It improves the image quality dramatically. Still the image detail are not good as IP camera comparing with same resolution, because the analog video transporting over cable will always involve in data loss.
- Connecting way
DVR requires cameras point-to-point connection directly with coaxial BNC cable. This cable does not deliver power or offer audio connections. Extra cable is needed for power source. As the analog video is pretty much the raw data, it is easier to get interference during the transporting. While the audio is needed, RCA connection has to be added.
PoE NVR uses one cable to supply the camera with data and power. The power adaptor or AC outlet are eliminated closed to each cameras. Furthermore, PoE provides the capacity to repeat the network connection up to 500M. Power line and WiFi offer the flexible way to connect IP cameras . No matter wired or WiFi cameras, PoE NVR can simply take them into the system.
- System upgrade
Unlike DVR, the PoE NVR or NVR doesn’t process the data. The data is being handled before transporting to NVR recorder. PoE IP camera system takes all the advantages of network technologies. It provides much more flexibility while setting up the surveillance system. For example, users want to expand the monitoring area and add more cameras to the field. This could be the headache for the DVR because the connection ports are fixed. The PoE NVR accepts the cameras either from the PoE port or the network. Even it doesn’t have extra ports for new cameras. Simply add PoE switch can expand the cameras connection easily. Click to learn more how to use external PoE switch to build ip camera system.