NVR VS DVR: What Are The Differences and Which is Better?
Sure, a DVR can save you a few extra bucks off the camera, but is it really worth sacrificing video quality AND putting yourself through the trouble of setting it all up?
Turns out, the answer is often highly situational. Go figure.
Like all comparisons, in the NVR vs DVR argument, both come with their own set of pros and cons. One uses older but cheaper technology, whereas the other uses more modern hardware, albeit with a slightly higher price tag.
A DVR is usually bigger in size, and requires more complicated wiring to set up.
The list doesn’t end there, but that single statement forms the basis for all the differences you’ll find between the two CCTV camera devices.
Outside of cost and technology, we believe it’s important to consider your personal circumstances as well. A physically inaccessible system is as good as peanuts, as they say.
DVR System (Digital Video Recorder) – Components, Pros, Cons
A DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, is a device that takes analog video footage from cameras, converts it into a digital signal, then stores it. Compared to NVRs, DVRs have been around for much longer, and are popular for their lower cost. In some cases, they can be a little easier to set up as well.
DVR-based systems can be divided into several parts:
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Analog cameras – These pass raw camera footage to the DVR. They’re also commonly known as CCTV cameras.
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Coaxial cable – Footage data from the camera is transmitted along these cables to the DVR. Compared to NVR ethernet cables, these are larger in size and less flexible to work with. Standard coaxial cables are only able to transfer video, with certain variants capable of supporting audio as well. It doesn’t supply power to the camera.
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(Analog-to-Digital) AD encoder – Before the footage can be viewed and stored on the DVR, it needs to be converted into digital format. The AD encoder takes care of that.
Because of the way it works, there are certain perks to DVRs.
Firstly, it runs on analog cameras, which are notoriously cheap. Honestly, it’s jarring how much you can potentially save with installing a CCTV system compared to utilizing high-end IP cameras in an NVR-based setup.
If you already have an existing setup, all the better. DVRs aren’t as picky as NVRs with the types of cameras you use. They just need to be analog. This means you can swap out to different camera brands without having to worry about compatibility issues.
For starting setups though, I wouldn’t recommend DVRs. While they’re not too difficult to find, analog cameras and coaxial cables aren’t exactly all the rage these days. Compared to IP cameras, the image quality from analog cameras tend to suffer quite a bit. Yes, it’s generally more affordable, but there is considerable overlap between the most expensive analog cameras and some entry-level IP cameras.
Coaxial cables don’t exactly win me over either. Since it’s only able to transmit video, the camera will need a separate cable for its power supply. That being said, there are some coaxial cables with RCA connections that allow it to transmit audio data as well. However, a DVR has a limited number of audio ports anyway, so only a few cameras would be able to record audio, if any.
The worst part? There’s no way around this. In order for you to configure a DVR-based system, you NEED coaxial cables. You can’t set up a wireless connection for your cameras to upload footage data onto a cloud or configure settings remotely like you would with an NVR-based system.
This means for you to set up a DVR-based system, your cameras need to be within a certain proximity. Basically, as far as your coaxial cables will allow. On top of that, video quality is known to take a major dip once your cable length exceeds the recommended 500 meters.
Coaxial cables are also wider and stiffer than the ethernet cables used for NVRs, so it’s going to take a bit of ingenuity and elbow grease to find the right amount of distance in setting up your DVR system.
NVR System (Network Video Recorder) – Components, Pros, Cons
In light of all the disadvantages for DVRs, you may be considering opting for an NVR instead. But what is NVR in the first place?
NVRs, or Network Video Recorders, are functionally similar to DVRs. The difference between a DVR and NVR lies in the way they process data. Just like how DVRs take analog footage data from its cameras, encodes it to a digital format, and stores it for later viewing, NVRs record data directly from its cameras. Any processing that’s done happens in the camera itself, and is then passed to the NVR for storage.
An NVR consists of a few components, not unlike DVRs. These are:
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IP cameras – These are cameras capable of handling all the processing before passing it onto the NVR. Compared to analog cameras, they’re most robust, and use more advanced technology. Because of this, they can be programmed to handle some complex processing like video analytics and facial recognition.
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Ethernet cables – These connect the IP camera to the NVR. Certain types of cameras support PoE (power-over-ethernet), which allows the ethernet cable to supply the camera with power on top of transferring data. This eliminates the need for splitters and additional cabling, as seen with DVR systems. Ethernet cables also tend to be much thinner and less expensive than coaxial cables. I also want to highlight that NVRs are not cable-dependent, as they can easily be set up with a wireless connection.
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Recorder – This is where all the footage data is stored. Unlike DVRs, no processing is done here; the camera handles all of that natively before sending it over to the recorder.
An NVR is superior to a DVR in certain ways, and if these factors are important to you, you should consider adopting an NVR-based system instead.
An NVR typically utilizes more advanced cameras than DVRs, so image quality tends to be higher. It’s also easier to set up, because ethernet cables are cheaper and more readily available compared to coaxial cables.
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Ethernet cables support audio natively, so you don’t need to run an extra cable from the camera to the NVR just to capture audio data. For some cameras, the ethernet cable can even supply power, further reducing the complexity of the setup.
If you’re not keen on the idea of wiring altogether, then fear not. NVR camera systems can upload footage data directly onto a cloud-based server. You’ll be able to view your data any time, anywhere. The only caveat is that you’ll still need a cable to supply power to the camera. Can’t win them all, I guess.
Because NVR-based systems don’t have extensive cabling requirements, you can pretty much set your cameras up anywhere you want. As long as there’s internet connectivity, your cameras will have no problem uploading footage remotely. Some cameras also come with a microSD card slot for storing data locally.
The NVR’s greatest strength is also its biggest flaw, however. Transferring data remotely means it’s open to security risks and can be susceptible to breaches. Even if you do set up a wired connection, the effective range for ethernet cables is much shorter than coaxial cables, at 100 meters.
Did I also mention NVR cameras cost a pretty penny?
Difference Between DVR And NVR
Before you decide to pick one video recorder over the other, I suggest taking inventory of your present situation and focusing on which factors are important to you. Is it cost? Perhaps you want to set up your cameras over a large area? Or maybe you already have an existing setup and are looking to replace just a few components.
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Regardless, I’ve compiled a brief summary of the key differences between DVRs and NVRs here. Hopefully you’ll have a better idea by the end of it.
Conclusion
The distinction between a DVR and NVR is quite clear, but that isn’t quite nearly enough to say one’s better than the other for your individual circumstances. Having gone through the strengths and weaknesses of both devices, you probably already have an idea of which attributes appeal to you most, and which ones you’d like to avoid.
The better system will be the one that solves your problems most efficiently, without presenting you a new set of challenges on top of that.
If you want to know more about modern surveillance technology and systems, make sure to follow us over at Security System Singapore, the nation’s leading CCTV camera supplier and distributor.