NVR vs DVR: Understanding 10 Key Differences | What is Best?

In the security surveillance system, there are two major components, CCTV Cameras and Recorders. In the CCTV world, there are two major recording technologies. They are known around the world as DVRs and NVRs. DVR means a Digital Video Recorder, and NVR means a Network Video Recorder.

The purpose of these recorders is the same. These recorders, meaning DVRs or NVRs, record events in the form of videos and are later used as playbacks for analysis, management, and evidence.

The post guides users about the DVRs and NVRs and their comparisons. The NVR vs DVR comparative study will guide users about their technologies, uses, advantages, and best features. The comparison will help you answer when to use DVRs or NVRs.

All prominent CCTV brands have NVRs and DVRs. Brands like Hikvision, Dahua, Reolink, CP Plus, Axis, Hnawha Vision, Avigilon, Uniview, to name a few.

NVR vs DVR- Differences in Technology, Quality, and Usability

Although DVRs and NVRs are used for the same purpose, their functions, technologies, cabling, camera compatibility, image & video quality, system expansion, and advanced features differ significantly.  

Selecting DVRs or NVRs is not only about choosing a device; it is about judging the core infrastructure of your CCTV system. If we select the wrong option, we may face compatibility issues, limited functions, and system malfunctioning.

What is a DVR?

• The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) connects with Analog and HD cameras.
• Cameras capture moments and events and send them through a coaxial cable to DVRs.
• The DVR has special software that digitises and compresses these videos and stores them on HDDs.
• Cameras just capture videos, and all processing is done through DVRs. DVRs have encoding power.

What is an NVR?

• NVR means a Network Video Recorder. It is compatible with IP (Internet Protocol) cameras.
• NVRs are connected with IP cameras and record footage on HDDs in NVRs.
• IP cameras are digital devices. They have the capability to capture, digitise, and encode videos on devices themselves.  
• The NVR receives already processed data. It receives these data via a Cat6 or Ethernet cable. It also supports wifi connection.
• The NVR, as a device, receives these data, stores them, manages them, and plays them back. It gives remote access to cameras.
• It is a much-improved technology with quality images and footage. It has smarter features than DVRs.

We will discuss here all the basic and advanced differences between these two products. The NVR vs DVR comparison is summed up in the 10 most potent differentiating points.

1- Camera Compatibility- DVR vs NVR

2- Wiring & Cabling Structure Difference

3- Difference in Video Quality’

4- Difference in Installation Systems

5- Difference in System Parts & Components

6- Storage Capability Differences

7- Differences in Quality & Smart Features

8- Cost Comparison

9- CCTV System Scalability Differences

10- Differences in Networking Features and Remote Access

Now, we will analyse the difference between NVR and DVR one by one.

1- Camera Compatibility- DVR vs NVR

DVR

• The DVR is compatible with the Analog versions. It easily connects AHD, HDCVI, HDTVI, and traditional CCTV cameras.
• It has all the basic security surveillance features. It lacks smart features like NVRs.
• Its image processing technology is lower than NVRs. Thus, users get less detailed images.

NVR

• NVRs are compatible with IP cameras. These cameras are also called Network cameras. They have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) assigned to them.
• NVRs support high-resolution CCTV cameras. They support cams from 2MP to 16MP and even above that.
• The best feature of NVRs is that they are intelligent devices. They support many smart AI features like facial recognition, people, pet, and vehicle differentiation, package recognition, people counting, perimeter protection, license plate recognition, object tracking, alert notification, etc.

Special Note – Hybrid DVRs are also on the market. They can support both analog and IP cameras. But they are limited in their features and not as exhaustive as NVRs.

2- Wiring & Cabling Structure Difference

DVR

• Uses coaxial cable (RG59 or RG6).
• DVR wiring is complex. It requires a Coaxial Cable or RG59 cable. Power cables are run separately.
• We can use cables which has video and power in the same bundle. They are called  Siamese cables. But using it compromises the video quality.  
• Every camera is connected with a separate cable to the DVR. A large setup of above 12 to 16 cameras becomes cumbersome as there are so many wires.
• The maximum effective cable length is around 300 to 500 meters.
• We can use them for a moderate number of cameras because of the bulkier coaxial wiring. Large-scale expansion is really hard.

NVR

• The NVRs use Cat6 and Ethernet Cables for connecting with cameras. These cables are equipped with video, power, and data.
• The PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology supports running data and video through the same cable.
• It can supply data and video up to 100 meters without hindrance. Beyond it, we have to use switches or PoE extenders. We can run cables up to kilometres via this technique.
• The NVR is easier to expand and integrate into existing IT networks.

Special Note – With the PoE switches, we can easily connect multiple cameras. We have run cables up to switches and not NVRs. This way, NVRs reduce clutter, simplify installation, and lower system costs for large setups.

3- Difference in Video Quality

DVR

• DVRs are the earlier version of CCTV recorders compared to NVRs. The image quality they capture is lower and depends on the Analog camera quality.
• The camera quality ranges from 720p HD to 4K Ultra HD in newer HD-CVI & HD-TVI systems.
• The longer the cable length, the poorer the video quality because of video loss.
• The DVR has a low dynamic range. It captures at lower frame rates per second.

NVR

• NVRs are known for extremely clean images and footage quality. The high-grade technology supports high-resolution 2MP, 4MP, 6MP, 8MP (4K), 12MP, and above cameras with the utmost ease.
• NVR is a digitalise system. It supports high frame rates up to 60 frames per second and even higher. Captured videos are very smooth.
• The NVR supports WDR and DNR features. They are instrumental in achieving better image quality in low light and darkness. Its image quality is much better compared to DVRs.

Special Note – IP cameras have the potential to adjust bitrate, resolution, and frame rate. They have the capacity to store data and produce scintillating image quality.

4- Difference in Installation Systems

DVR

• The installation of a DVR setup requires a coaxial cable and a power cable.
• The system is not ideal for large-scale setups.
• The DVR system doesn’t go along well with other smart technologies.  

NVR

• The NVR installation setup is easier. It is used as a single cable for power, video, and data.
• The PoE system makes the installation easier.
• The NVR system is easy to scale up. Just add cameras to the system, and it will expand.
• The NVR connects wireless IP cameras without any difficulty.

Special Note – The NVR is good for Professional-grade and enterprise-level systems. It allows centralised monitoring of 100 to 1000 cameras at a time.

5- Difference in System Parts & Components

DVR

• Analog Cameras (no encoding).
• It has Analog cameras with no Encoding.
• DVRs have built-in encoders.
• Coaxial cables, RG59.
• Power Supply, BNC, DC, AV Pins.
• Screens and Monitors.

NVR

• IP Cameras are its integral part. NVR (mainly for storage/management).
• It has Cat6, Ethernet Cables & PoE switches.
• Routers for remote surveillance.

Special Note – IP cameras can record internally. Not fully dependent on NVRs.

6- Storage Capability Differences

DVR

• DVRs store data on HDDs. We have a centralised storage option. Almost limited support for Cloud data storage.
• 264, H.265 encoding formats are supported for data compression.
• It has a maximum of 2 bays in DVRs for recording. Limited data slot.

NVR

• NVR systems support internal and external storage. It has multiple storage capabilities. Supports HDDs, NAS, and Cloud data storage systems.
• NVRs have advanced compression, such as H.265+, Smart Codec, and  AI-based compression.
• It stores data in general on HDDs, SD Cards, and the Cloud. NVRs have one or two bays for hard drives.

Special Note – DVRs are limited to HDDs. NVRs are supported with HDDs, SD Cards, NAS, Cloud, RAID, etc.

7- Differences in Smart AI-Powered Features

DVR

• The DVRs are limited in their smart and AI features.
• Some advanced Hybrid DVRs have very basic motion detection features.
• The DVR’s processing is based on encoding and not on AI.

NVR

• NVRs are highly smart, advanced with AI-powered capabilities.
• It can recognise faces and count people.
• It can read license plates and number plates. The NVR is LRP and ANPR-supported.
• It has features like Geofencing and perimeter protection. Safeguards from intruders.
• It tracks objects, classifies, and differentiates between humans, pets, vehicles, and parcels.
• Issues alert notifications sensing threats.
• These are some key AI features in NVRs.

Special Note – NVRs have capabilities to process AI features at the NVR level and camera level. IP cameras that do AI processing at their level are a huge edge to NVRs.  

8- Cost Comparison

DVR

• DVRs are cheaper than NVRs. They have a lower upfront cost.
• Analog cameras are cheaper compared to IP cameras.
• An analog system is good for those looking for budget-friendly products for a small-scale system in a less sensitive place.

NVR

• IP cameras and NVRs are the latest and advanced in the industry. They are much costlier compared to DVR systems.
• For a large-scale setup, NVR systems are cheaper. We can scale them up easily with PoE switches. Fewer cables are required for multiple cameras.
• NVR systems are the best for professional-grade and enterprise-grade setups.

Special Note – DVRs and Analog cameras are cheap. But for a large-scale setup, NVRs are cheaper as they reduce cable cost, are easily scalable, and require less maintenance in the long run.

9- CCTV System Scalability Differences

DVR

• DVRs are good for small-scale projects. They are good for 4, 8, 16, or at max 32 cameras.
• They are not good and viable for large-scale projects above 16 to 20 cameras in normal circumstances.

NVR

• NVR systems are designed for expansion. They are extremely scalable.
• They support 4 to 128+ channels.
• The system empowers users to add cameras through PoE switches or wireless links. You can go on and on and on.

10- Differences in Networking Features and Remote Access

DVR

• In DVRs, remote access is possible but requires port forwarding or DDNS setup.
• The system is more vulnerable to networking misconfigurations.
• It has a limited number of apps that integrate with the system.

NVR

• NVR systems are designed for long-range and scalable setups.
• They are built for networking. The process is simple. Just plug into the router or connect with wifi and manage via apps or cloud services.
• NVRs support Mobile Apps, PC Apps, Web Browsers, and Cloud Platforms.
• It supports many advanced features like alert notifications, AI alerts, video analytics, etc. via Cloud.

Special Note – NVRs are a more powerful option for remote surveillance. DVRs have limited online capabilities.

Conclusion- Which Should Be Your Choice

Choose a DVR

• If you already have a DVR setup and you have to add some more cameras.
• If you have to capture less sensitive places and require a limited number of cameras.
• If you want a small setup on a very low budget.
• If you require a simple, small-scale solution.

Choose an NVR

• If you want a high-resolution setup. 4K and above setup.
• If you want a smart AI-powered setup for deep vigilance.
• If you want video analytics and smooth remote access.
• If you need a scalable and flexible system.
• If you want a new and smart setup.

The in-depth comparison between NVRs and DVRs is discussed and detailed. The threadbare analysis in technology, installation, AI-power, camera connection, scalability, etc., is compared.

It will help readers in the full comprehension of the differences between NVRs and DVRs.

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