NVRs & DVRs

A reliable Network Video Recorder (NVR) or Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is the core of any professional CCTV system. Whether you are upgrading an old coaxial network with a Penta-brid XVR or building a new 4K IP camera system with PoE support, we stock industry-leading Dahua recorders. Backed by 20 years of engineering experience in Sham Shui Po, our technical team provides on-site security system design and storage capacity calculations to ensure your surveillance runs 24/7 without data loss.

NVR vs. DVR: Choosing the Right CCTV Architecture

Selecting the correct video recorder dictates your entire cabling infrastructure and camera compatibility. Here is a technical breakdown of our recording solutions:

Recorder Type Cabling & Connectivity Best Use Case & Advantages
NVR (Network Video Recorder) Ethernet (Cat5e/Cat6) with PoE support New installations. Supports high-bitrate 4K IP cameras and advanced WizSense AI analytics. Single cable for power and data.
DVR / XVR (Penta-brid) Coaxial Cable (BNC) + Separate Power Retrofitting older analog systems. Supports HDCVI, AHD, TVI, CVBS, and IP formats without replacing existing in-wall cables.

Important Note (Storage Limitation & Data Hazard): Never install a standard desktop PC hard drive into an NVR or DVR. Desktop HDDs are designed to read/write data for 8 hours a day. CCTV recorders write data 24/7 continuously. Using a standard drive will cause it to burn out rapidly, resulting in corrupted sectors and lost security footage. You must use a dedicated Surveillance-grade HDD (e.g., WD Purple or Seagate SkyHawk).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: I have an old analog CCTV system. Do I need to rip out the cables to upgrade to HD?
A: No. You can purchase a Dahua Penta-brid XVR. These modern DVRs utilize HD-over-Coax technology, allowing you to transmit 1080p or even 4K video over your existing coaxial cables. You simply replace the old DVR box and the cameras, saving you massive rewiring costs.

Q: What does "PoE" mean on an NVR?
A: PoE stands for Power over Ethernet. An NVR with a built-in PoE switch can send both the video data and the electrical power to the IP camera through a single Cat5e/Cat6 network cable. This eliminates the need to install separate power adapters (transformers) next to every camera.