Get DVR Protocol Right The First Time
DVR systems and DVR protocol must send out a signal to components in order to tell them how to react and what to do. For instance if you have a camera, the DVR recorder must communicate with the camera to tell it to zoom, move or scan an area. The language the recorders use is called DVR protocol.
There are different types of DVR protocol. Pelco D is one of the most common types of protocol. DVR recorders, cameras and systems must all have the same protocol in order to be able to communicate between each other. Some of these components will support several different protocols in the same piece of equipment. They will have a switch or menu that will allow you to select the protocol you want.
If you are thinking about putting together entertainment or home surveillance systems, you must first make sure all of your equipment has the same DVR protocol. If they do not all support the same protocol; they will not function.
Also when considering DVR systems, you will want to compare the amount of data the recorder can handle before it is full. This is especially important if you will be using the DVR for recording surveillance video from a video camera surveillance system.
Whether you are recording surveillance or entertainment (from your television for instance); you will need to know how to copy video from DVR to a personal computer or a DVD. Just because a DVR plays DVDs and records does not necessarily mean you will be able to make a DVD with it. The DVR will need to be able to burn the data onto a DVD disc.
Purchasing a recorder with the ability to burn DVD’s directly is a good investment if you will be using this feature a lot. This feature can save you a lot of time and hassles down the road. With a DVR that burns DVD’s, the main thing you need to be concerned with is finalizing your DVD before ejecting it to play in another player. If you do not finalize the DVD it will not play in something else.
If your DVR recorder does not have a burner; you will need to transfer the data to another piece of equipment (usually a PC) that does have a burner. Most personal computers today come equipped with a burner. This task is most easily achieved by attaching a set of “S” video cables to your PC and recorder. These cables will allow the transfer of the data to your computer, where you will save it as a file and then burn yourself a DVD. You will still need to finalize the DVD before it will play in other players. Most people recognize the “S” video cable as the ones that have a yellow, red and white cable ends (3 totals).
When it comes to putting together a complete surveillance system, many people turn to a professional to handle the DVR protocol compatibility issue between components. This is probably a good idea for those who are not familiar with the concept. It can be very frustrating to purchase all the equipment, only to find it doesn’t go together and work properly. Some stores have a strict return policy on electronics and may not let you return them if the only reason is buyer error and not malfunction. Keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to install systems yourself.
