| CCTV recorder devices today are much different | | | | also use some DVR USB ports to attach other |
| from their analog counterparts, some years ago (and | | | | controllers to the system such as external keyboards |
| today to a limited degree) camera feeds from a | | | | and mice. You will also find security recorders that |
| surveillance system were stored on video tape. | | | | have operating systems such as UNIX and Windows |
| Analog security recorders still have their uses | | | | that are used to control the devices functions. |
| however the medium used for storing video (tape) | | | | Another advantage commonplace in today's digital |
| can take up a lot of space if the recording system is | | | | video recorders is the fact that many include |
| active 24 hours a day. Large businesses such as | | | | Ethernet ports (RJ45 sockets), this gives the user |
| casinos and department stores would need a | | | | the ability to connect the DVR to a local area |
| dedicated storage space for the purpose of archiving | | | | network or to the Internet. By connecting the DVR |
| footage on video tape. Today's security recorders on | | | | to a broadband router through its Ethernet port DVR |
| the other hand are quite different as the devices are | | | | owners can connect their systems to PC's on the |
| digital and no longer rely on tape cassette of reels of | | | | same network and then use their data storage |
| tape to record video. | | | | devices for storing surveillance camera footage. |
| Today's digital video recorders often have a | | | | When most security recorders are connected to a |
| multitude of storage mediums available for storing | | | | network you also have the ability to control the |
| video, typically the devices contain hard drives that | | | | system remotely and monitor its attached cameras. |
| have very little difference to those found in a run of | | | | Remote monitoring is very useful if you want to be |
| the mill personal computer. As hard drive technology | | | | kept appraised about events that transpire on your |
| has advanced they are able to store a lot more | | | | premises while you are away. |
| information. This means owners of digital video | | | | Finding specific surveillance camera footage is also a |
| recorders can leave their devices set to record for | | | | lot simpler with digital video recorders as many of |
| months on end without needing to swap or change | | | | them categorize video footage into what are known |
| the video storage device. | | | | as 'events'. Many security DVR's are capable of |
| Modern digital video recorders share many of the | | | | displaying recorded events almost instantaneously |
| same hardware interfaces and tools found on | | | | with the use of their event playback features, by |
| modern PC's, it's not unusual to find a DVR that has | | | | entering the date or time of a logged event a digital |
| USB ports. The USB port on a DVR can be used for | | | | video recorder can display what was recorded at the |
| connecting external storage devices such as CD or | | | | specified date and time. DVR technology has made |
| DVD ROM drives, memory cards and external hard | | | | significant advances over a short period of time, their |
| drives to the system. In some cases the USB port | | | | popularity is growing and the cost of the devices are |
| can be used for connecting external joysticks to the | | | | falling into a category suitable for small businesses |
| DVR designed for precision camera control, you can | | | | and home owners. |