Practitioners who have just entered the industry or want to enter video surveillance systems often encounter DVR and NVR, and often do not understand the differences and functions between the two. Here, HORSONTECH briefly explains the functions and differences between DVR and NVR.

The Role of DVR and NVR

DVR is the abbreviation for digital hard disk recorder, which uses a hard disk as the storage carrier for video streams, converting the video streams output by analog cameras into digital video streams for storage. It has network functions and can achieve network transmission.

The high-definition car mounted DVR can work independently, store video streams, and cooperate with the monitor, keyboard, and mouse to achieve the most common functions of videos, such as real-time browsing, historical playback, control operation (RS485 mode), and alarm processing. The video stream output by the analog camera is mainly SD, and the compression encoding method for the video stream is mainly H.264. The device is currently on the verge of being scrapped.

NVR is the abbreviation for Network Hard Disk Recorder, which also uses the hard disk as the storage carrier for video streams. It can only be connected to network video devices, such as network cameras, DVRs, and video server data; It is a development process of video surveillance. The third generation product is developed based on DVR.

NVR itself is designed for positioning networks, with network functions to achieve network transmission. This device can work independently, store video streams, and cooperate with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to achieve the most common functions of videos, such as real-time browsing, historical playback, control operations, and alarm processing. The access method is digital video streaming, which is currently the mainstream device in video monitoring systems. It is compatible with standard definition and high-definition video streams, and many can also access 4K video streams. The compression encoding method for video streams supports H.264. And H.265 method.

The difference between DVR and NVR

From the introduction of the above two devices, we can already see their differences. DVR access cameras use analog methods to convert analog video streams into digital streams, enabling network transmission and facilitating large-scale networking. With the development of webcams (digital), this device is on the edge of obsolescence.

NVR has developed on the basis of the former. Currently, it is mainly connected to a webcam, but it can also be connected to the former. It is the mainstream device in the current market. It supports standard definition and high-definition videos, and even ultra high-definition videos. The encoding method also supports H.264 and H.265 modes. In addition, there is an intermediate video device between the two, namely DVR and NVR, so sometimes some devices do not have strict boundaries