The digital video recorder is now a standard in CCTV setups. Differences occur in the capabilities of the DVR in size and maximum number of connections. DVRs also vary in the component they connect with, or require to run properly. Stand alone DVRs work almost like household DVD players. They receive live feed from cameras and record in their hard disks. Their output function relays the recorded footage to monitors. Just like the advancement of the hard disk, the whole DVR component has also become smaller. This is absolutely thanks to the ever-shrinking integrated circuit technology. If you wish to find out how to install your CCTV security system well, you need to consider the follow points.
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1.Use a PC setup
The DVR can also be part of a computer set up. This option increases the capabilities of the DVR to enable your CCTV installation enjoy the capacities of computer programs and the computer hardware. The DVR fits to a computer as an extra video graphic card and will have several pin slots for fitting coaxial or digital video cables. The bigger the card in size and processing capacity, the more number of cameras it can accommodate. Thus, where there are many cameras, you need many DVRs or one with a big capacity for receiving and processing multiple video streams.
2.Use software to enhance the DVR capabilities
Cameras send raw footage to the DVR, and it is the role of the DVR to save the footage appropriately and relay it to display output as required by the owner. When using a PC setup, you can include other technologies life motion sensors, light sensors and remote movement control.
The light sensing happens through software that analyzes real time video feeds from the camera, passing through the DVR. When the software notices that the video frames are becoming dark, it can trigger another action by the computer. The resulting action could be the switching on of lights, or change to infrared recording. The intelligence programmed into the software handles the camera and other equipment manipulation.
Light sensors are helpful for ensuring that people do not make cameras useless by covering their lenses. Here, the PC software can trigger alarm systems and alert the concerned administrator on the location of the camera. In some instances, the available software is able to use face-detection technology to differentiate between people movement and other kinds of movement.
3.Choose the right equipment
When choosing DVR equipment, you have to estimate the number of cameras you will use for your setup and the processing power of your computer. Many people make the mistake of choosing everything well and assuming that any PC will handle your processing needs. Video processing requires a powerful CPU and big RAM storage. Moreover, you must use a video compression technology to store your video file efficiently. It is important to have an efficient installation that saves space, time and power. Using a PC combination with DVR is good because it allows you to improve the processing capacity without the need for replacing the whole equipment.
There are challenges that face consumers when they are shopping for CCTV security equipment for their homes. Other than budget considerations, many people have very little information regarding how changing technology affects CCTV security features.
The best way forward is to look for a reputable supplier of the solution. The supplier should take you through the exercise of mapping your needs and matching them with the appropriate setup. The supplier should also be in a position to inform you of new technologies for upgrade.
4.Go for advanced features such as live IP connectivity
First hard disks used revolving tapes confined in a circuited enclosure to keep them secure. New flash storage disks are now electronic, with non-moving parts. The advancement of video capturing and processing now enables CCTV setups to incorporate the internet as a transfer media infrastructure.