The Difference Between DVR and NVR

Digital Video Recorders (DVR)
Traditional DVRs use dedicated point-to-point analog cabling to bring the analog signal from a security camera location to the DVR. The analog video signal from the security camera is a one-directional signal carrier that ends at the DVR station.

GeoVision's DVR series is a PC-based surveillance system that processes, records and stores video and audio data from local (or remote) security cameras. All video, audio, data and I/O devices are combined into one system. GeoVision's DVR is an all-inclusive system and through their unique uniform software platform interface, the system is very versatile and can be a solution to many surveillance requirements. The special features this DVR offers convert into low cost installation and unlimited connectivity options.

Network Video Recorder (NVR)
An NVR is an IP-based video recorder that uses TCP/IP network technology as the mode for transporting information. The digitized video and audio streams of a network IP security camera can be transmitted by connecting its LAN port to the network. So essentially, the NVR can be placed anywhere as long as it has network access. NVR is multi-directional, allowing information to be sent and received from the IP camera. There are several benefits to an NVR system such as higher image quality, remote accessibility, scalability, cost effectiveness, and more flexible storage.  

GeoVision's NVR series records video and audio data over TCP/IP networks. Like the DVR, this system is very comprehensive and can fulfill many surveillance requirements. It stands as one of the most sophisticated IP surveillance software systems on the market. With monitoring features, video analytics, integration with license plate recognition, Point of sales/ATM, Access Control systems, as well as compatibility with a wide range of third party IP cameras, it's easy to see why it is one of the best solutions for industrial, commercial and residential IP surveillance.

If you're interested in a GeoVision NVR or DVR, check our our GeoVision DVR Surveillance Packages or call one of our specialists at 877-422-1907.

Video Analytics With The GV-Smart Box

One of the possible functions of a video surveillance that often gets overlooked is video analytics. With the proper features in a DVR, a surveillance system can double as a security system and as a tool for gathering relevant data on what passes through the view of a strategically placed camera. The various features that allow for this kind of video analysis are discussed in Security & Marketing Analysis: Two Birds With One Stone. Discussed here is the Geovision Smart Box, which can be used in conjunction with some of Geovision's analytic features.

The GV-Smart Box is a standalone device that is specifically designed for counting various kinds of objects. The Smart Box can count the number of visitors, vehicles or faces, and can work with any analog camera. Having this data not only helps you deter theft, violence or vandalism on or around your assets, but also helps identify peak traffic hours, providing valuable information that can inform marketing decisions. The GV-Smart Box requires no software, and you can access the live camera feeds with counting data from anywhere on a computer using an IE browser.

Key GV Smart Box Features:

• Counts the number of visitors
• Counts the number of faces
• Counts the number of vehicles
• Easily accessible Web-based interface to watch live views, query database, and customize settings
• Triggers alarm when faces covered with masks are detected
• Supports adjustment of video attributes
• Sets detection mode by schedule
• Supports UMTS and WiFi
• Integrates with GV-Web Report, GV-System or GV-Compact DVR
• Connects to VSM and sends alerts in the event of I/O trigger, video lost and network disconnection
• Supports adjustment of video attributes

Geovision's GV-Smart Box is definitely a great asset for any surveillance system, and you can contact a security consultant at CameraSecurityNow.com to get a quote on a complete video surveillance system that includes this feature.

Solutions for Challenging Surveillance Lighting

Lighting challenges are very common when setting up a surveillance system. However, it is usually one of the last things people think about when setting up their security cameras. It's not until the cameras are installed that the user looks at the feed, only to be disappointed by bad or challenging lighting. Challenging lighting can come in a variety of flavors: very dark, low light, too bright, and the really annoying case of back lighting where the intensity of the light can vary a lot, namely areas when there are both very bright and very dark areas simultaneously in the camera's field of view.
 

Solutions

Areas that are too dark: Sometimes the area is too dark or even pitch black. This can be solved simply by using an Infrared (IR) Security Camera. By using IR emitters (usually IR LEDs), the camera can send out infrared light to illuminate its target area. The image below was taken from an IR camera in a pitch black room using an iPhone application. The more emitters a camera has, the more effective is it at illuminating a target.

Outdoor areas with low or varying light: The best solution for these types of areas are day and night cameras. These cameras have the ability to see the picture during the day, when there is plenty of sunlight, and also during the night in total darkness. Using photocell activation, the camera recognizes changes in lighting conditions so that once the infrared is no longer needed it switches to non-IR modes.

Areas with back lighting and high-contrast lighting: Take the scenario below as an example, you have a security camera in your lobby. These can be very frustrating areas because when the sun is shining through windows or doors, a standard IP camera will display the door area looking like a big white sheet of light and nothing can be seen outside [see photo 1 below]. Conversely, the dark areas inside the lobby will appear to be black and hard to see [see photo 2 below]. In these situations, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) cameras work great. WDR allows the camera to filter the intense back light surrounding the area. In areas with back lighting (usually in areas where light enters from various angles such as a multi-window room) where the camera points towards the light source (doors or windows), the background washes out the area during the daytime [again photo 1]. With WDR the camera will be able to see through the intense sunlight (or artificial light) resulting in what you see in photo 3.

Photos from geovision.com.tw

For more information about lighting conditions or to purchase cameras equipped with these technologies, visit us at camerasecuritynow.com or call one of our specialists at 1-877-422-1907.