DVR – Digital Video Recorder
NVR – Network Video Recorder
HVR – Hybrid Video Recorder
Working in the surveillance for the past 7 years, this is one of most spoken word today "Hybrid", the ability to record video from both Analog Cameras and IP Cameras.
There were few companies started about 10 years back, revolunazing the industry by removing the VCR to DVR – able to record video from cameras to PC hard disk. In the past few years, with the IP Cameras into market, there are companies who started software only solution that can record video from IP Cameras and with a encoder box to connect to Analog cameras (or sometimes called Streamers).
Also, the traditional DVR companies jump into the market with the "Hybrid" Concept, improving the product by adding the ability to record from IP cameras as wells as analog Cameras.
If we look at this trend, there was no software presence at the beginning, when the industry was using just the VCR and analog cameras. As the industry step into the Software world, with DVR, it brought more flexibility, and so the complexity to install and maintain.
And now, having the software presence (firmware) in the IP Cameras, there is another variable in the equation. Ofcourse there is much more flexibility, and so the complexity. What it means is, if anything goes wrong, it always starts the Interface what Customer is using, but it could the software the Customer using, but also there is a possibility the Network, Switches, bandwidth, firmware in IP Cameras etc.
Today, if we look at what happens, after having a perfect IP Cameras/NVR or HVR installation, measured, tested and handed to a Customer (End user), how much the Customer understands or how much knowledge the Customer or Installer do have when things go wrong. It makes me wonder.
Today, the Customer is also expected to be not just a Security Expert but also an IT Expert or at least have an IT expert to evaluate and approve the Security installations.
