The world of CCTV and security can be a little overwhelming, even to seasoned veterans. Knowing what system will work best for you can be an arduous task, but it does not have to be.
When you are looking at setting up a CCTV system there are two major types of video recorders, NVR and DVR.
At the core, they both do the same thing, completing a CCTV system and getting video data from the cameras to the storage, but the way they do it is quite different.
In this article, we will be focusing on NVR systems and selecting some of our favourites for different businesses. We will also be looking at the NVRs pros, cons, and a summary of each.
We have given some recommendations for our top picks for the Best NVR for CCTV, this should help you narrow down your options and showcase some of the features you might need.
- Best NVR for CCTV
- CCTV NVR Basics
- How CCTV NVR Works
- Different Types of NVR for CCTV
- Reviews – Best NVR for CCTV
- Summary
Our Top 5 NVR for CCTV
When it comes to getting an NVR for your CCTV, you will typically get the whole system at the same time, as one cannot function without the other. With that in mind, we have collated this list of the best NVR systems for different businesses.
SANSCO HD NVR PoE (Our Top Pick)
TOGUARD PoE 5MP NVR (Best IP)
Reolink PoE NVR 4MP (Best High End)
ANNKE H500 NVR 5MP (Best for Small Business)
Hiseeu NVR WiFi IP (Best for Simplicity)
What is CCTV NVR?
A Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a part of a CCTV system and is very common in the industry. It is a computer system with specialized software embedded in it which records video and saves it to a storage device.
Despite this, there is no video capture software in the unit, it just acts as a middle-man between the CCTV cameras and the storage unit.
An NVR typically just transfers the already encoded video from the cameras, as opposed to a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) which encodes and processes the video within the unit.
How Does an NVR Work?
As we have alluded to above, it is a fairly simple system that is connected between the CCTV cameras and the storage device (such as a memory card, Hard Drive, or USB).
NVRs are very commonly used with Internet Protocol (IP) video surveillance systems. These are in the form of a digital camera that sends video data via a local area network. The data is typically sent via WiFi or Bluetooth and can be used with wired or wireless cameras.
The name Network Video Recorder pretty much sums it up, the data is being transferred via a network, as opposed to digitally or via a cable. There is often no direct physical connection between the unit and the devices attached.
What are the Different Types of NVR for CCTV?
Let us have a quick look at the different types of Network Video Recorder. This is more to give a background on the topic, as most NVRs will work in a range of scenarios and business types.
Standard NVR – as a whole NVRs provide a lot of flexibility and provide simple CCTV camera connections to your existing network. Giving an easy solution for most companies.
PoE NVR – a Power over Ethernet NVR uses one cable to transmit both electrical power and video data simultaneously. This makes the set-up very simple as you only need to connect one cable for two things.
Standalone PoE NVR – as the name suggests, no network (e.g. WiFi) is needed to get this NVR to work, you can just connect it via the cable and do not need a PoE switch.
Plug N Play NVR – these are designed to be simple and easy to use, with the basic concept being once you have plugged them into power, they are ready to go.
What Do You Look for in the Best NVR for CCTV?
Ease of Set-Up
NVRs are often favoured due to the overall CCTV set-up being more straightforward and requiring less technical know-how. Finding one that works for your level of expertise is a good way to determine which is for your business.
Wireless vs Wired
There are two core types of connections that NVRs use and this is wireless and wired. This nuance is typically to do with the cameras, not the NVR. Cameras can be both wired and wireless, which may sway your decision and give additional flexibility of placement.
Connection Type
There could be a lot of reasons you need a certain NVR system, so choosing a connection type that works for your company could help narrow your search. Your WiFi strength or accessibility of your ethernet ports could be factors here.
Anti-Disruption
Ensuring you have an NVR that is unaffected by different environmental factors or internet outages is a factor that might set apart your choices. Finding a device that can record without the internet and provide 24/7 coverage is important.
Best NVR for CCTV Reviewed
In this section, we will be quickly looking over our top 5 picks of NVRs for CCTV. We have tried to select models and manufacturers for different business types and covering varying needs.
These are just a handful of examples that would work in any size of business, and hopefully, give you a better footing and understanding of the options available.
SANSCO HD NVR PoE (Our Top Pick)
This PoE NVR system is one of the best all-rounders available on the market. The price point makes it incredibly accessible for any business size.
The ability to Plug and Play means you do not need any technical knowledge to get it set-up. Cameras are easily connected to the NVR ports and provide both audio and video.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Simple set-up (single cable) + Audio and Video + Good value for money + Mobile app available | – Could be ‘overkill’ for a small business – Only supports up to 4 cameras |
TOGUARD PoE 5MP NVR (Best IP)
As we mentioned briefly before, IP cameras are very common in the NVR world. This is another example of a Power over Ethernet NVR which means the set-up is easy and only requires one cable.
It is a quick system to get running and can be done with any level of experience. The NVR lacks audio, so that might be a deal breaker for some businesses and users.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Easy connection (PoE) + A viable solution for smaller businesses + Good flexibility | – Wired cameras – No audio supported with this NVR |
Reolink PoE NVR 4MP (Best High End)
If you are shopping for a more high-end solution then this NVR system is a great choice. Similar to the common theme for NVRs this is also a PoE system.
This NVR supports up to 8 cameras recording simultaneously, so gives a lot more flexibility than the other options on the market. This system has the same core features, just better quality, sound, and notifications.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Up to 8 cameras and channels + Night vision and HD quality video + Notifications and buzzers give live updates | – Once full, overwrites the old footage – Might only work with Reolink cameras |
ANNKE H500 NVR 5MP (Best for Small Business)
This system uses the more covert dome camera style that might be a preference to some people as it can be less intrusive and provide wider sightlines.
The Smart Motion-Triggered alerts can be customised to make your push notifications more reliable and avoid false alarms. The addition of colour for the night-time mode gives a lot of additional clarity to video taken in the dark.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Supports up to 8 channels and cameras + Works with cables of up to 100m + Additional coverage with dome cameras | – Might be too expensive for some – No audio support |
Hiseeu NVR WiFi IP (Best for Simplicity)
Finding a simple solution can sometimes be the best course of action and gives you the path of least resistance. This NVR set-up has been designed to be easy for any user and a Plug and Play option.
The mid-range price point means it is a viable solution for any size of business and the wireless cameras allow you full freedom of placement. The ability to have 24/7 uninterrupted video gives you peace of mind that your business is secure.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Wireless cameras give additional flexibility + Audio and video + Plug and play | – More high-end, reflected in the higher price – Wireless can be spotty around certain materials |
Our Top Pick – NVR for CCTV
Our picks are NVRs that we think are fairly universal and will help you come to the right conclusion for you and point you in the right direction.
With this being said, the NVR that we feel is the best pick for a CCTV system is – SANSCO HD NVR PoE. The balance of features and a good price point make this accessible and viable for the majority of businesses and situations.
Final Thoughts on NVR for CCTV
Now you should have a better idea of what makes a good NVR system, and what to look out for when selecting the right setup for your business.
What works well for one business does not always translate to another, so it is always important to think about your business as a separate entity and make decisions that work for you.
The security industry has a stigma of being very inaccessible and hard to understand. So, with this in mind, we set out to create these guides to provide helpful and simple information to assist businesses of all sizes.
