This allows for the analog signal coming from the cameras to be processed into a digital format. For DVR based systems, a video capture card is installed in the central unit. The main difference between the two types of systems is how they convert the video signal. Both devices use software installed on the central unit to manage your video feed. A DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, uses analog cameras instead of network-based IP cameras. NVR can offer features and benefits that DVRs cannot. They are systems that use IP based cameras and your local network to transfer video and audio to the central NVR unit.

To make an analog or IP camera work on the opposite system often requires special equipment like a PoE Switch, or conversion of its connectors (more on PoE safety in our guide) NVRs vs. Each system works with its method of video encoding and can not easily be used interchangeably. Understanding the difference between the two main types of security systems, DVR or NVR, will help you determine what kinds of cameras you can use. Digital/IP cameras will need modification to work with DVRs, or they’ll need to be used with an NVR system. DVR systems use analog BNC connections to transfer video from the camera. Not all security cameras are compatible with all DVR systems. Recognize that not every security camera has universal compatibility with other systems read on to find out more. If you don’t, you could be setting yourself up for complications down the road. All security cameras may serve the same purpose, but you need to understand the differences in camera types before setting up a system.

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