FAQ About Security Receivers
Whether you want to keep an eye on the kids or monitor your home from halfway around the world, a security receiver can offer peace of mind and protect those you care about most. Not sure what to look for in a security receiver? Here are the answers to some of the most common questions you may have.
What is a surveillance video recorder?
A security receiver receives video from one or multiple surveillance cameras. Once video is received, the security receiver saves the footage to a memory card, the cloud, a hard drive, or another storage device so you can play back video at a later time. Some security receivers even come equipped with WiFi so you can remotely access your camera or stream live footage from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Digital video recorders (DVR) and network video recorders (NVR) are the 2 types of security receivers you can choose from. DVRs are also often referred to as personal video recorders (PVRs).
What is the difference between a DVR/PVR and NVR?
The biggest difference between a DVR and NVR are the types of cameras you can use. DVRs hook up to analog security cameras, while NVRs are designed to work with IP cameras.
Do security receivers only work with security cameras of the same brand?
Security receivers can support a wide variety of surveillance cameras; however compatibility options vary from model to model.
What is the difference between 4-channel, 8-channel, and 9-channel?
Channels refer to the number of cameras a security receiver can record footage from. For example, a 4-channel DVR can record video from 4 cameras simultaneously. The more channels a DVR or NVR offers, the more cameras you can connect and integrate into your security camera system. Make sure to think about the number of cameras you want to install in your home or office before buying a security receiver.
How much storage do I need?
The amount of storage you'll need depends on 4 factors: quantity, quality, archiving, and number of cameras. Quantity indicates the time duration and amount of video streams, while quality refers to the image quality of your recordings. Want your security receiver to monitor your home 24/7 and film in high definition? If so, you'll need upwards of 1TB of storage space. Running multiple cameras at the same time also affects your storage needs as more cameras demand more space. Finally, you'll need to consider your archiving preferences and ask yourself how long you want your video streams to be stored for. The longer you want them stored, the more storage you'll require.