Digital Video Recorder

The main function of DVR (digital video recorder) security systems is to protect valuables and assets. Numerous homeowners or business owners choose to purchase these systems in order to protect their home or business. Picking the right DVR model may sound like a daunting task, but buyers should not worry. By simply learning some of the important features of a digital video recorder for home surveillance, as well as how to choose a top-quality model, one can easily find a product in a matter of minutes. Digital video recorders for home surveillance can be found at electronics stores and other brick and mortar locations that sell digital electronics. Whether buyers are looking for a budget digital video recorder for home surveillance or for a more sophisticated system, eBay is a good place to shop for such products at competitive prices.

 

Motion Detection

 

 

A motion detector is a device that alerts a user of any moving objects or people in a given area. This device is one of the essential features of any DVR home surveillance system, as it can detect people who are moving in the secured area. Users may choose to connect the motion detector to a burglar alarm if they want. This kind of device can also trigger a red light camera, and this is one of the most popular ways of integrating motion detectors into DVR home surveillance systems.

 

Zoom


 



 

The images produced by the surveillance cameras are of little use if they are not of high quality. When choosing a DVR for home surveillance, buyers should make sure the cameras have a zoom feature. While many people believe that a higher zoom leads to a better image quality, this is not always the case. According to Source Security, it is important to consider the quality of the lens and the full frame rate of the video streaming as well.

 

Night-time Viewing


 



 

Night-time viewing is essential mainly because most thefts occur at that time of the day. The good news is that most DVRs for home surveillance have this feature incorporated. Buyers should, however, be careful about the quality of the image, as not all models provide the same quality when it comes to the night-time vision.

 

Outdoor Capability


 



 

Digital home video recorders are available for both indoor and outdoor locations. Buyers who intend to get images from a place outside their home should opt for a DVR system that comes with outdoor capabilities. This means a wider range for capturing the images as well as extra protections for the cameras. These digital video recorders should be protected from rain, wind, and snow, so buyers should opt for systems that are especially designed for the outdoors.

 

Field of Vision


 



 

The lens size of a security camera used with a DVR determines the field of vision. Fixed security cameras are typically employed with DVRs and the larger the size of the lens, the more zoomed-in the field of vision is. Most cameras have adjustable fields of vision and buyers should first determine the intended location of the cameras before making a purchase.

Interactive Monitoring


 



 

Interactive monitoring is perhaps the handiest feature of a DVR for home surveillance. Interactive monitoring allows homeowners to have 24/7 access to the security system installed in their home via Internet or cell phone. Some of the functions include turning the system on and off remotely, as well as emails and text alerts about any possible threat to the security of the home. A non-stop video stream is also available.

 

 

Camera Resolution


 



 

The resolution of the camera has a direct impact on the level of detail of the captured image. The regular resolution of a home surveillance camera is between 330 and 400 TVL. Buyers who are looking for top quality can, however, upgrade to a camera with a resolution of up to 700 TVL. According to Security Camera King, a higher resolution is achieved by setting the digital video recorder to a slower frame rate. The more pixels a camera has, the better the resolution it gives to the camera. This allows a digital video recorder to capture a more detailed image, which is an important aspect for many consumers when making a purchase.

 

Size of the Hard Drive


 



 

Most DVR systems can record the video stream on a hard drivefor future use. The length of the recording time depends on the size of the hard drive. Buyers can choose from various hard drive sizes, ranging from less than 100 GB to 4TB and even more. It goes without saying, the larger the hard drive, the more expensive the DVR. According to Buyer Zone, a hard drive with a capacity of 250 GB is often just enough for most home surveillance needs. This means that in many cases it may be unnecessary to spend a lot of money on a large hard drive.