Here are a few of the many differences between these devices.
– The NVR connects to the computer network and so does all the IP cameras. This allows you to take advantage of the existing network infrastructure instead of running wires from a “home base” location to all the cameras.
– The DVR uses coax connections to each of the analog cameras
– The NVR supports high resolution megapixel cameras
– The DVR supports only cameras with VGA resolution
There are many more differences between systems that use analog cameras and those that use IP cameras. To learn more take a look at our article that compares an analog system to the new IP camera systems.
The Video Server is similar to the Network Video Recorder (NVR) in that they both record the video. The Network Video Recorder comes with the VMS software already installed, while the Video Server does not include the VMS software. You can select the VMS you like and then load it on the Video Server. The Video Server usually runs Windows operating system and is more flexible than the NVR because it is easier to expand and add cameras. The NVR usually has a fixed limit to the number of cameras it will support.
The Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a complete IP Camera recording device. It is similar to the Video Server system, but instead of using a standard Windows computer, it uses a dedicated special computer with an operating system and application software that is dedicated to recording the video. It also allows many people to view real time and recorded video. The term evolved from the older DVR (or Digital Video Recorder). The NVR includes both the computer and special Video Management Software (VMS). The computer usually uses Linux, but there are some that use Windows as well.
For a comparison of the Computer Server using VMS and the Network Video Server (NVR), take a look at our review and comparison of various systems.
The network video server is a computer that runs special Video Management Software (VMS) and is used to record video from IP cameras. A Windows computer is usually used as the platform for the VMS. Video is recorded onto the computer’s hard drives in a special video format. Learn more about Video Management Software.
There has been some confusion with this term because a number of years ago a device that attached an analog camera to the network was also called a video or camera server. A video camera server, is now usually referred to as a Video Encoder.
There are three types of recording systems: Video Management Software, Network Video Recorders (NVR), and Cloud service systems. Each one provides some unique capability.
Video Management Software (VMS) is software only that runs on your Windows computer and can be scaled to any size of system.
Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a complete system that includes the computer and software and is typically proprietary and not expandable.
Cloud service provides remote recording (over the Internet) for IP cameras at many different locations.
For more details take a look at our review and comparison of a number of these IP video recording systems.