How Does a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) System Work?

A DVR is a recording device that stores all the images onto internal hard drives for up to 16 CCTV cameras and view all 16 on a display. Recordings can be played back from one camera at a time or all of them. Users can go back to any time on the recording.

They can also play back a recording in a matter of seconds. Moreover, recorded images can be stored on hard drives or CDs. They can also be archived for as long as necessary.

DVRs can be controlled, and recordings can be played back over the internet using a browser or client software. This enables you to view your premises from anywhere in the world. Additionally, users can control optional pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras remotely over the internet.

Stand-alone DVRs, like our UDC316, are true digital video recorders that are designed for security. These sophisticated systems are composed of hardware components, software programs, and subassemblies with built-in checks and balances. Everything must work in unison to create a robust and reliable piece of equipment designed for mission-critical applications.

This must not be confused with the TiVo or other set-top cable boxes, which are also known as “Sky” or “television DVRs.” They are not related.

Creating a DVR solution requires highly qualified software and hardware engineers, database programmers, system engineers, and support personnel. Since we are talking about security, there is no margin for error. We only use state-of-the-art technology and the latest software for our DVR and video cameras. These applications take years to debug and develop.

DVRs, video surveillance, CCTVs—it can be confusing for many. Video security is a mission-critical application. The surveillance equipment you buy must accomplish what it is designed to do. The last generation of surveillance systems was plagued by long, cumbersome procedures and ineffective results.

While digital surveillance technology has revolutionized the video security industry (from home surveillance to commercial applications), caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).

Not all DVRs are alike. Their predecessor equipment consisted of CCTV monitors plugged into time lapse recorders. The latest digital video surveillance systems rely upon either stand-alone units (like the 24/7 UDC series) or PC-based software that operates in conjunction with DVR cards—video cards that plug into computer terminals.