Introduction to Video Surveillance Recording
VCR’s
In the beginning, Time-Lapse Video Cassette Recorders were the only recording solution. By recording a couple of snapshots (frames) each second, one could store ~3 days of “video” on single VHS tape. The original TLVCR’s were limited to recording only a single camera.
In the beginning, Time-Lapse Video Cassette Recorders were the only recording solution. By recording a couple of snapshots (frames) each second, one could store ~3 days of “video” on single VHS tape. The original TLVCR’s were limited to recording only a single camera.
Multiplexers
Time Lapse VCR limitations lead to the development of the multiplexer. As its name suggests the multiplexer provided a means for multiple cameras video to be supplied to, A) a TLVCR for recording, and, B) a video monitor for simultaneous (or rotating) display of each camera.
While all but obsolete, the time-lapse VCR is still used in many present day installations.
DVR
The personal computer and growing capabilities of digital microprocessors lead the video security industry to adapt to utilize the benefits of these ever-expanding devices and the Digital Video Recorder was born. When VCR tape was replaced with computer hard disks and multiplexers were replaced by the computer’s CPU video security systems expanded from 4-8 camera capacity to systems capable of supporting up to 32 cameras.
In addition to “more cameras” software writers provided analytical means whereby the new DVR systems could process information. DVR based Point of Sale (POS) became a reality, Video Analytics (decision making based on real time analysis of data) was possible, video compression (how data is stored) methods improved and video quality was transformed from grainy black and white to vivid near-high-definition color.
IP Cameras and NVR’s
Addressing customer demand for even better video quality and simpler methods of transmitting and storing video data IP (Internet Protocol) Cameras and NVR’s (Network Video Recorders) were developed.
IP cameras (video devices that are assigned a unique computer network address) provided a means for video data to be “transmitted” via existing IT networks. Further IT component development resulted in IP cameras also being capable of transmitting their data through the air on “wireless” networks.
To provide an expanded means of storing IP camera data Network Video Recorders (NVR’s) were developed. The early NVR’s were really nothing more than high processor capacity computes on which proprietary software that could easily be configured to “accept” continuously streaming digital video data from IP cameras. NVR’s provided a means to process video information and store massive quantities of data from a much larger (than early DVR’s) quantity of cameras. They also operated as network servers – parsing out live and recorded video data to other personal computers on the network or virtually anywhere (via the Internet).
Hybrid DVR’s
As the VCR was rendered “obsolete” with the advent of the DVR, DVR manufacturers “felt the pressure” that NVR development was putting on the equipment they built. Improvements in the “networkability” by the commercial PC industry provided the “necessary technology” for DVR manufacturers to expand their equipment’s capabilities in order to address many of the “benefits” NVR’s brought to the marketplace.
Combining the ability to accept and process and record both analog camera video data and IP camera video data in the same “machine” lead to the development of Hybrid DVR’s. These recording PC’s (and in some cases Stand-Alone units) essentially combine the flexibility of IP cameras and NVR recorders with the lower cost of analog cameras and CPU based video compression and provide a video security solution that provides all the functional benefits of IP systems with the lower cost economics of traditional analog camera, digital recording solutions.
Time Lapse VCR limitations lead to the development of the multiplexer. As its name suggests the multiplexer provided a means for multiple cameras video to be supplied to, A) a TLVCR for recording, and, B) a video monitor for simultaneous (or rotating) display of each camera.
While all but obsolete, the time-lapse VCR is still used in many present day installations.
DVR
The personal computer and growing capabilities of digital microprocessors lead the video security industry to adapt to utilize the benefits of these ever-expanding devices and the Digital Video Recorder was born. When VCR tape was replaced with computer hard disks and multiplexers were replaced by the computer’s CPU video security systems expanded from 4-8 camera capacity to systems capable of supporting up to 32 cameras.
In addition to “more cameras” software writers provided analytical means whereby the new DVR systems could process information. DVR based Point of Sale (POS) became a reality, Video Analytics (decision making based on real time analysis of data) was possible, video compression (how data is stored) methods improved and video quality was transformed from grainy black and white to vivid near-high-definition color.
IP Cameras and NVR’s
Addressing customer demand for even better video quality and simpler methods of transmitting and storing video data IP (Internet Protocol) Cameras and NVR’s (Network Video Recorders) were developed.
IP cameras (video devices that are assigned a unique computer network address) provided a means for video data to be “transmitted” via existing IT networks. Further IT component development resulted in IP cameras also being capable of transmitting their data through the air on “wireless” networks.
To provide an expanded means of storing IP camera data Network Video Recorders (NVR’s) were developed. The early NVR’s were really nothing more than high processor capacity computes on which proprietary software that could easily be configured to “accept” continuously streaming digital video data from IP cameras. NVR’s provided a means to process video information and store massive quantities of data from a much larger (than early DVR’s) quantity of cameras. They also operated as network servers – parsing out live and recorded video data to other personal computers on the network or virtually anywhere (via the Internet).
Hybrid DVR’s
As the VCR was rendered “obsolete” with the advent of the DVR, DVR manufacturers “felt the pressure” that NVR development was putting on the equipment they built. Improvements in the “networkability” by the commercial PC industry provided the “necessary technology” for DVR manufacturers to expand their equipment’s capabilities in order to address many of the “benefits” NVR’s brought to the marketplace.
Combining the ability to accept and process and record both analog camera video data and IP camera video data in the same “machine” lead to the development of Hybrid DVR’s. These recording PC’s (and in some cases Stand-Alone units) essentially combine the flexibility of IP cameras and NVR recorders with the lower cost of analog cameras and CPU based video compression and provide a video security solution that provides all the functional benefits of IP systems with the lower cost economics of traditional analog camera, digital recording solutions.
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