Home

DVR - Digital Video Recorders - Explanation, Definition and Comparison

 

DVR Comparison

Commercial websites use very technical terminology to outline the advantages of  DVR Models and other CCTV Equipment. But rarely is the customer given any clear explanation as to the meaning of those terms, and it is difficult to make a choice concerning the appropriate equipment. Please find a detailed definition to the most important DVR Specifications below.

One of Ideal CCTV's current Standard CCTV DVR Models

DVR Definition compare

 

DVR Recording Resolution 

This is one of the two most important factors! There are three types of DVR Recording Resolution qualities: CIF, Half D1 and D1.

CIF: This is the lowest and out-dated resolution-quality. Video and picture is produced at 320 X 230 Pixels. Proper IDENTIFICATION of suspects is unlikely and chances of success in court rather dim - unless the incident occurred very close to the recording Security Camera. Distant subjects and objects become very unclear.

Half D1: Semi Recording Quality / OK for Home and small business use, but does not produce fully professional and reliable evidence in all situations. Up to 720 X 260 Pixels.

D1: Ideal CCTV recommends this format always! D1 records at up to 720 X 520 Pixels, which is equal to DVD Quality! In a professionally set-up CCTV System even further distant suspects have a good chance of identification. 

 

DVR Frame Rate 

The overall frame rate (Frames Per Second FPS) gives the number of pictures that can be captured into the video stream every second over all Video Inputs together. So a 50 FPS DVR Recorder with four Security Cameras connected can record at a max. of 12.5 FPS per camera. A 100 FPS machine can capture 25 FPS (Real Time) per camera as long as only four cameras are streamed in.

Most CCTV Systems are set up to record at 4 to 8 pictures per second for every camera, but often revert to Real Time when certain incidents happen or motion is detected.

We highly recommend at least 100 FPS DVR for 4 Camera CCTV Systems, 200 FPS DVR for 8 Camera CCTV Systems and 400 FPS for 16 Camera Systems.

 

H.264 Compression Vs MPEG4 

The new H.264 Video Compression is by far superior to the older MPEG4

Ideal CCTV highly recommends H.264 because:

  • It saves almost 50 % of Hard Disk Space
  • It reduces storage cost
  • Greatly improves Remote Monitoring and View over the Web- Applications
  • Faster internet streaming