What is a DVR (Digital Video Recorder)?

An acronym for Digital Video Recorder, this is a device that records digital video streams for future playback. DVRs will typically have many functions like recording, monitoring, cataloging, storage and playback. Some can also perform automations like motion detection and alerts for specific types of motion.

DVRs are most often a proprietary design that is unique to an individual manufacturer. They are commonly used in HD CCTV and surveillance installs and generally will have BNC inputs. They can usually record and store multiple feeds of video simultaneously with some models supporting up to 32 channels. Newer versions of HD DVRs which support multiple HD formats are called XVRs, whereas newer network-compatible recorders that can record network IP streams are called NVRs.