DVR's - Digital Video Recorders
What most people think of when they hear DVR is the box on top of the TV they got from the cable or satellite company when they signed up for service. The name also describes hardware (and software) that enables video distribution, recording and playback in a modern Video Security System and it can be argued, is the most important component in the system.
Regardless of capability, shape, size or capacity DVR's today come in two distinctive types...
Regardless of capability, shape, size or capacity DVR's today come in two distinctive types...
Stand-Alone
Sometimes called
"embedded" machines | PC-Based
|
Both types, Stand-Alone or PC-Based, are functionally similar. They each...
... Are microprocessor based machines that capture, store,
retrieve and display live and recorded video history
... Are equipped with software user interfaces that are designed
to provide users a logically simple means to accomplish the
above tasks
... Use the same kinds of hard disk drives to store video
However, embedded and PC-Based DVR's differ with respect to...
... How they each perform these similar tasks
... The features each provides, and,
... Thier relative ease of use, flexibility and integration with other
equipment and/or systems
... Are microprocessor based machines that capture, store,
retrieve and display live and recorded video history
... Are equipped with software user interfaces that are designed
to provide users a logically simple means to accomplish the
above tasks
... Use the same kinds of hard disk drives to store video
However, embedded and PC-Based DVR's differ with respect to...
... How they each perform these similar tasks
... The features each provides, and,
... Thier relative ease of use, flexibility and integration with other
equipment and/or systems
While both machine types perform similar functions because they do things differently and they're usually marketed by those with competing interests, there's a lot of confusing information found on Internet blogs and in industry publications centered on which DVR type is best.
For example, supporters of PC -Based machines claim Stand-Alone DVRs are "cheap junk" those that prefer Stand-Alone systems say PC-Based systems are flawed because the Windows Operating System is inherrantly unstable.
For example, supporters of PC -Based machines claim Stand-Alone DVRs are "cheap junk" those that prefer Stand-Alone systems say PC-Based systems are flawed because the Windows Operating System is inherrantly unstable.
The source of both errant statements rests primarily within competitive marketing interests - PC-DVR manufacturers fabricate information about Stand-Alone equipment and Stand-Alone marketers disceminate false information about PC-Systems - and there is a significant amount of falicy on both sides of the discussion.
Stand-Alone (or Imbedded) Systems
Stand-Alone DVRs also carry the name "imbedded systems" because the software that determines their operation is generally hard coded (or imbedded) in Read Only Memory. Once manufactured, what you see is what you get. Software upgrades are generally not available and add-on applications, such as flexible Point of Sale (POS) or intricate remote access applications (remote client software for a PC or smartphone software for the next version of phone that hits the market, for example) are not available or are limited in scope.
Stand-Alone DVRs are generally lower cost and therefore provide an entry level price point that makes them an affordable option.
Stand-Alone DVRs also carry the name "imbedded systems" because the software that determines their operation is generally hard coded (or imbedded) in Read Only Memory. Once manufactured, what you see is what you get. Software upgrades are generally not available and add-on applications, such as flexible Point of Sale (POS) or intricate remote access applications (remote client software for a PC or smartphone software for the next version of phone that hits the market, for example) are not available or are limited in scope.
Stand-Alone DVRs are generally lower cost and therefore provide an entry level price point that makes them an affordable option.
Price advantage is not always the case as imbedded machines are available in a wide-range of price points. Generally, DVR equipment (Stand-Alone or PC-Based) that provide similar functionality and have comparable features/benefits are also comparitively priced.
Imbedded machines (except for the very expensive) are generally not as "user friendly" as PC-Based equipment. Software writers have literally invested a generation of time and effort writing software for PC-Based DVRs. Software modification to keep up with application demand is generally a simple revision level change. Stand-Alone machines, becauses the hardware tends to change with the latest application enhancements and the software package is limited by e-PROM size, a generally limited to being capable of only the most basic of video security functions, various record modes, system-wide resolution changes, 2-3 different screen displays and simple date/time searches.
Some consider all the above to be deal-breaker limitations however, for many simple applications Stand-Alone DVRs provide a very adequate and lower cost alternative to the more sophisticated PC-Based alternatives.
Imbedded machines (except for the very expensive) are generally not as "user friendly" as PC-Based equipment. Software writers have literally invested a generation of time and effort writing software for PC-Based DVRs. Software modification to keep up with application demand is generally a simple revision level change. Stand-Alone machines, becauses the hardware tends to change with the latest application enhancements and the software package is limited by e-PROM size, a generally limited to being capable of only the most basic of video security functions, various record modes, system-wide resolution changes, 2-3 different screen displays and simple date/time searches.
Some consider all the above to be deal-breaker limitations however, for many simple applications Stand-Alone DVRs provide a very adequate and lower cost alternative to the more sophisticated PC-Based alternatives.
PC Based DVRs
Compared to Stand-Alone DVRs, PC-Based machine features provide a number of compelling purchasing reasons. These include, but are not limited to...
... Ease of use (software interfaces are easier to navigate)
... Better video quality
... More efficient means to export video or still images, (i.e. CD,
USB, DVD, etc.)
... Remote viewing (live or recorded history), system
configuration, (via the Internet or existing network) and overall
remote functionality is simpler, easier and more robust
... Provide greater video storage capacity
... Expansion to meet future needs is simple
... Harware or software upgrades are simple - they're a better
long-term value
... Component failures are easily repaired and are less costly
... Integration with other systems, (Fire, Motion Detection, POS,
etc.) is possible and far simpler
These but a few of the reasons why discriminating consumers tend to choose PC-Based DVR equipment virtually every time they consider all aspects of thier choices.
Compared to Stand-Alone DVRs, PC-Based machine features provide a number of compelling purchasing reasons. These include, but are not limited to...
... Ease of use (software interfaces are easier to navigate)
... Better video quality
... More efficient means to export video or still images, (i.e. CD,
USB, DVD, etc.)
... Remote viewing (live or recorded history), system
configuration, (via the Internet or existing network) and overall
remote functionality is simpler, easier and more robust
... Provide greater video storage capacity
... Expansion to meet future needs is simple
... Harware or software upgrades are simple - they're a better
long-term value
... Component failures are easily repaired and are less costly
... Integration with other systems, (Fire, Motion Detection, POS,
etc.) is possible and far simpler
These but a few of the reasons why discriminating consumers tend to choose PC-Based DVR equipment virtually every time they consider all aspects of thier choices.
