What Is NVR? Do I Need NVR for IP Camera?

Video Surveillance has been popular in recent years, bringing convenience to people's daily life, such as remote video monitoring, facility protection, and loss prevention. NVR is widely used in many surveillance systems by cooperating with IP Cameras to provide pictures and videos. Adopting NVR in NVR camera systems is an inevitable trend from retail stores to financial institutions and municipal buildings.

What Is Network Video Recorder (NVR)?

A network video recorder is considered a complete IP camera recording system and is mostly employed within IP video surveillance systems. A network video recorder does not use any dedicated hardware for video capture but makes use of special software on a dedicated device. It can record video and audio as well as access recorder images and live scenarios.Unlike traditional recording devices, NVRs do not have built-in video capture hardware. Instead, they rely on specialized software on a dedicated device to receive processed and encoded video from IP or CCTV cameras through an ethernet or WiFi network. In summary, NVR excels in network connectivity, flexibility, and efficiency, making them suitable for modern video surveillance systems.

Viewed as the successor to the digital video recorder (DVR), the network video recorder can be managed remotely over the Internet, providing great flexibility to users. Besides, other benefits of better viewing converge and recognition of faces, license plate can also be included.

Read NVR vs DVR, What Are Their Differences? to figure out these two different ways of recording.

What Are the Features of Network Video Recorder (NVR)

NVRs come with numerous advanced features, making them highly suitable for modern security surveillance systems.

• Efficient Playback and Smart Search: Video from multiple cameras can be replayed at the same time, greatly improving the speed of reviewing footage. Intelligent search function allows you to quickly find the target lens.

• Intelligent behavior detection: Footage of smart behavior can be seen here, such as cross line/intrusion/enter area/leave area detections and so on.

• Video Compression Schemes: Utilization of advanced compression techniques (e.g., H.264, H.265) to optimize storage space and improve streaming efficiency.

• Network Architecture: Receives digital video streams via IP networks, allowing flexible deployment.

• Flexibility and Scalability: Supports remote access, centralized management, and multi-platform integration for efficient handling and storage of large data volumes.

• Recording Quality: Stores direct digital video from IP cameras without the need for analog-to-digital conversion or compression.

• Software Functions: Includes user interface, video browsing, recording, playback, export, and event investigation.

How Many Types of Network Video Recorders?

According to the functions of PoE, NVR can be divided into PoE NVR and Non-PoE NVR.

• PoE NVR: Power over Ethernet models is used when cameras, that also have the PoE specification, need to be powered by being directly plugged into the NVR's PoE ports and do not require a separate power adapter to work.

• Non-PoE NVR: A non-PoE model has no ports for cameras to connect to on the back panel but can add cameras with the built-in scan function that finds cameras connected to the same network.

Different types of PoE/Non-PoE NVRs have different installation methods. For more details: Setting Up NVR for IP Cameras With or Without PoE Switch?

As for the number of channels, typically, NVR can be divided into 4 channel NVR, 8 channel NVR, 16 channel NVR, and 32 channel NVR. The channel indicates the number of supported cameras.

If you are just building a basic video surveillance system, 4 channels/8 channels meet the basic needs. They are the entry-level NVR for your home, retailer store, or small office applications. If you need more cameras but at the same time you need to consider the budget, 16 channels can be selected. For municipal buildings and factories, you will require more cameras and consequently a bigger NVR, then it is recommended to choose 32 channels.

How Does NVR Function in an NVR Camera System?

NVR camera systems are made up of three parts: cameras, a network, and the NVR. Here’s how they work together:

• NVR: The function is to receive video footage through a network data connection and store footage for review. NVR contains corresponding Ethernet ports that you can connect to multiple cameras on one side. Besides, it can hook up the router, monitor, or viewing station on the other side to show what had happened.

• Cameras: NVR is generally used in combination with IP cameras. IP cameras capture and process video and audio data, while NVR helps to record videos and manage cameras.

• Network connection: IP security cameras connect to the NVR using wired or wireless connections. Typically, if it’s a wired connection, an Ethernet cable can be used to connect to the NVR.

Summary

NVR (Network Video Recorder) is crucial for security surveillance systems. It supports high-resolution video from IP cameras, offers flexibility and scalability, and allows remote real-time monitoring. NVR systems include intelligent video analysis like motion detection and facial recognition, enhancing security. They enable centralized management and ensure reliable, secure video storage, making it essential for effective and efficient security monitoring.

If you are choosing NVRs, FS NVR is the right choice for you.Our product line offers options with 8, 9, 16, 31, 64, 128, and 256 channels, providing high-quality image resolution up to 4K (8MP). Supporting up to 24 x 10TB hard drives, our systems ensure ample storage capacity. They feature efficient playback and intelligent search functions, with decoding formats supporting ultra 265/H.265/H.264. Additionally, all our products are compatible with the latest versions of browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox), monitoring software (Guard Station), and mobile apps (Guard Viewer) for seamless device access. These mean the FS NVR can adapt to various scenarios, including residential areas, shopping malls, office buildings, campuses, and other occasions.

Specific product introduction can be seen in the following table:

In conclusion, NVR (Network Video Recorder) is crucial for modern security systems. It enhances surveillance with high-resolution video, flexibility, and remote real-time monitoring. NVRs ensure reliable and secure video storage, making them indispensable for effective security in various settings, from homes to large enterprises.

Related Articles:

FS Releases the Latest Security Cameras & NVR & Video Decoder to Enrich Video Surveillance Systems

NVR vs DVR, What Are Their Differences?

A Brief Guide for NVR Connection with IP Cameras