DVR Security System Review

Here we have another security camera created by Sony, the SSC-DC80 has a 1/2 inch Exwave HAD image sensor, the Sony security camera has been designed to produce sharp images.  The camera is particularly useful making the background objects within an image show up more prominently, this particular feature proves useful when you need to increase the size of a recorded image.  There is also a privacy zone feature that you can use to ensure the camera does not monitor areas that are classed as private.

A feature known as ‘Turbo AGC’ gives you the ability to boost the cameras gain control up to 28 db, this feature is of most use in situations where you need to record a subject in low level light conditions.  Turbo AGC mode has a number of preset modes that you can select, these include normal, turbo and manual, you can also turn the feature off completely.

The camera has a set up menu and this allows you to set the cameras white balancing, synchronisation and other functions directly from the buttons situated at the side of the camera.  The Sony security camera has a BNC video output you can use to attach it directly to a DVR or other recording devices, the camera also has an S-Video that improves the quality of the feed from the camera.

The Sony security cameras white balancing controls can be controlled automatically or you can set the feature to manual.  The camera uses an NTSC video signal and has a maximum horizontal resolution of 480 TV lines.  The camera has an effective pixel range of 768*494 and its electronic shutter has a range between 1/60th and 1/100,000th of a second

You have the option to give the Sony security camera a specific name, this can be of help if the camera is to be attached to a surveillance system that already consists of many cameras.  When naming the camera you can add up to 24 characters to the name you wish to choose, you also have the option to change the cameras lens if you wish, the camera is compatible with DC servo and video servo type lenses.

Check the latest price on the Sony Security Camera SSC-DC80

Here we have the Sony EVI D70, this Sony security camera has been created to succeed the Sony EVI D30, the camera uses an NTSC video signal and has a compact outer casing.  The security cameras lens has a greater movement range than its predecessor and is unique to the Sony EVI range as it is the only model in their range designed to be mounted on a ceiling.  The Sony Security cameras lens is a ¼ inch Exview HAD charged coupled device and is capable of capturing images in both color and black and white.

The camera uses ‘Sony Visca Commands’ and this basically enables you to control the cameras functions from a PC.  If the graphics card on your PC has an S-Video input this may be all you need to connect the camera, Sony provide software for the camera that is installed on your PC allowing you to turn it into a monitoring station.  If your graphics card does not have an S-Video output you will need to install a DVR card, alternatively you can connect the DV70 to a standard DVR to record its feed.

You can set the camera to use automatic focusing, the optical wide end of the cameras lens has a minimum focal distance of 10 millimetres.  The cameras auto focusing function has a number of preset options, normal focusing is best suited for monitoring subjects that move around frequently, the low auto focusing setting compensates for low level lighting.  The camera has an effective pixel range of 768*494 and has a shutter speed range between 1 and 1/10,000.

In dark conditions the camera automatically shifts to black and white mode enhancing the quality of images, the camera has an 18x optical zoom and a 12x digital zoom the maximum picture resolution of the Sony security camera is 470 TV lines.  The camera requires little maintenance one set up but to avoid an AF error it is recommended that you use the CAM_Initialize command in the cameras user interface daily.

You can control the cameras pan, tilt and zoom functions directly from your PC or through a DVR that includes an appropriate RS-232C port, the cameras gain control can be controlled by the user or you can set this function to automatic.  The Sony security camera also has a Visca RS-422 connector increasing its compatibility with recording devices.

Check the latest price on the Sony EVI D70 Security Camera

Here we have the Sony SSCCD77 mini dome camera that strikes a balance between performance and affordability. As you can see from its outer design the cameras dome is compact, the image sensor for the Sony camera is a 1/3 inch charged coupled device and uses Sony SuperExwave technology, this increases the sensitivity of the devices image sensor.

A 3.6x optical zoom and a 1.5x digital zoom is built into the camera allowing you to view images over a significant distance. The camera is capable of capturing images at both day and night, in daytime the camera operates in color mode and it automatically switches to black and white mode in low level light conditions. As far as picture quality goes the Sony SSCCD77 can capture images in high resolution, the camera has an effective pixel range of 768*494.

The Sony dome camera is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and its inner cabling is resistant to water damage. You can also set the camera up in extremely cold conditions by equipping it with an optional heating device, this allows you to set the camera up in conditions that are as low as -40 degrees. The outer casing of the camera is rugged and can withstand attempts of vandalism to a limited degree.

To compensate for unwanted shadows in front of subjects being recorded the camera is fitted with a backlight, the camera will activate its backlight automatically to improve visibility. White balancing is also built in to the camera and this has an auto tracing feature that makes automatic adjustments to the level of white balancing used based on lighting conditions.

The camera uses an NTSC video signal and has a horizontal resolution of 540 TV lines and it is fitted with BNC and RCA analog video outputs. A ceiling mounting bracket is available for the SSCCD77 as an optional accessory, as standard the camera includes a bracket and screws for installation. The camera has pan tilt and zoom functions and its ball joint lens mount allows you to adjust its angle of view with relative ease.

Check the latest price on the Sony SSCCD77 Mini Dome Camera

Here we have another offering from Q-See in the form of the QSD6209 digital security recorder, the DVR supports an odd number of cameras, you can attach a total of 9 cameras to the device and these are connected through its BNC connectors.  The Q-See DVR uses MPEG 4 video compression and video is stored on the internal hard drive.  There is a 500 gigabyte SATA hard drive built in to the DVR so its storage capacity is decent, you do however have the option to remove this if you wish and replace it with another hard drive with a larger capacity.

There is an RS-485 connector built in to the DVR to accommodate security cameras that have built in pan, tilt and zoom functions.  The DVR is compatible with both PAL and NTSC video signals, at maximum the DVR can record video at a pixel resolution of 720*480 in NTSC mode, PAL mode offers a slight improvement to image quality that being a pixel resolution of 720*576.

If necessary you can set the DVR to record video footage 24 hours a day, a better way of ensuring the system records significant activity is to use its motion detection functions to activate and deactivate recording.  The RS-485 connector at the rear of the DVR can also be used for connecting external alarms to the DVR and it will begin recording should it detect an attached alarm has been activated.  You also have the option to set a schedule that determines when the Q-See DVR will start and stop recording.

At maximum the DVR is capable of recording video at a speed of 60 frames per second, the recording speed of the system lowers slightly when using PAL video signals.  You can select one of four preset image quality settings and these range from low, normal, high, and higher.  You can set up a two way audio system with the DVR but you can’t record audio from all attached cameras as it only has one audio input and one audio output.

The systems built in Ethernet port enables you to connect the DVR to a computer network, this gives you the option to turn computers attached to the same network into fully functional monitoring stations.  You can also connect the DVR to the Internet and this gives you the option of monitoring attached surveillance cameras while you are away from your premises via Internet Explorer.

Check the latest price on the Q-See DVR QSD6209 9 Channel Security Recorder

Here we have another surveillance system created by Lorex, the system is part of the Lorex L104 range and it has a very compact design. You can attach up to four security cameras to the system and four are included with its contents, the cameras are all identical, their specific model being the Lorex SG7518. Before taking a look at the cameras lets take a look at the functions of the DVR and its inner hardware.

Cameras are attached to the DVR through the four BNC connectors situated at the back of the device, the DVR also has a BNC video output for connecting it to a television and a VGA output for connecting it to a monitor. The maximum recording speed of the DVR is modest at 30 frames per second and it is compatible with both PAL and NTSC video signals.

In NTSC mode the DVR can record video at a maximum pixel resolution of 640*224 and PAL images offer a slight improvement, that being a maximum image resolution of 640*272. The DVR uses MJPEG video compression and has the capacity for one internal hard drive for storing camera footage, the hard drive included with the Lorex DVR has a 500 gigabyte capacity.

The Lorex DVR has an audio input and an audio output that can be used to set up an intercom system at the entrance of your premises, the systems USB port enables you to connect it directly to a personal computer. Video recording can be scheduled or you can use the motion detection capabilities of the Lorex system to determine when its starts and stops recording camera footage. If necessary you can set the DVR to record surveillance camera footage continuously through the day.

Moving on to the cameras included with the DVR, these have a ¼ inch interline transfer color CCD image sensor and an effective pixel range of 510*492. The cameras have a shutter speed range between 1/60 – 1/10,000 seconds, the horizontal resolution of the cameras with the DVR is 350 TV lines. The cameras have automatic white balancing, an internal synchronization and are capable of capturing images in low level lighting, they also have a built in microphone.

Check the latest price on the Lorex DVR L104V16C4 Surveillance System

Here is the Lorex L224V161C4 and the system consists of a 4 channel digital video recorder and 4 security cameras. So does the security system have features that are worth noting? Firstly lets take a look at the digital video recorder, as mentioned the system is 4 channel and can accommodate the same amount of surveillance cameras, these are attached to the systems BNC connectors.

The device uses three compression methods and these include MPEG-4, CIF and MJPEG, CIF compression provides the most flexibility when it comes to recording speed. At maximum the DVR can record video at a speed of 120 frames per second, you can adjust the recording speed for each camera attached to the system. Both PAL and NTSC video signals are supported and the device can record at a maximum pixel resolution of 720*480 in NTSC and 720*576 in PAL mode

You can select one of four preset image quality settings when recording video, the system has basic, normal, high and best image quality settings. Surveillance camera footage is stored on the internal hard drive of the DVR, the hard drive included has a 160 gigabyte capacity and can be replaced with other IDE hard drives that have up to a 500 gigabyte capacity. The recorder has an 8 megabyte pre alarm recording buffer and it has four alarm inputs that can be used to activate recording, the DVR also has 1 alarm output

As the DVR is fitted with an Ethernet port you can set up additional monitoring stations providing your premises has a personal computer or LAN on site. The Ethernet port also allows you to connect the device to the Internet so you can monitor your premises from anywhere. You can set the device to record continuously or you can use its motion detection capabilities to activate recording, you can also schedule recording. The Lorex system also supports audio but the drawback here is that the system only has one audio input built in.

The 4 security cameras included with the DVR are identical, they have an automatic gain control and have a weatherproof casing. The cameras have an effective pixel range of 512*492 and are capable of capturing images in low level lighting. Inside each camera is a ¼ inch CCD image sensor and the cameras have a resolution of 350 TV lines. The cameras serve their purpose but the DVR can accommodate cameras that have a higher pixel range and it can record sharper images as a result.

Check the latest price on the Lorex L224V161C4 4 Channel Security DVR With Cameras

The SVAT CV0104 can accommodate four surveillance cameras, these are connected to the security recorder through its 4 BNC ports.  Video is stored on the recorders 160 internal hard drive, this can record a significant amount of video but can be removed and replaced with a hard drive with a larger storage capacity.  The DVR uses MJPEG compression and is capable of recording video at a maximum speed of 30 frames per second.

At maximum the DVR is capable of recording video at a resolution of 640*244 megapixels, the system has three preset levels of video quality you can select that include low, medium and high.  The DVR lacks alarm inputs to accommodate external alarms but it does have an alarm output so it can activate an alarm if motion is detected or if it detects a camera outage.

The systems motion detection capabilities can also be used to activate recording or you can set a schedule that determines when the device starts and stops recording.  You can search for specific recorded footage by entering the date and time of an occurrence or you can select one of the systems events.  A password protection system is built in to the DVR so you can ensure only specific personnel can operate its functions.

The SVAT DVR supports NTSC video signals and you can view cameras attached to the system simultaneously on one monitor.  The DVR is compatible with a variety of network protocols and has a built in RJ-45 Ethernet port so you can connect it to the Internet or a local area network.  Networking the DVR gives you the ability to operate its functions and monitor its cameras while you are away from your home or business, once the DVR is networked you can also set up computers on your premises to operate as monitoring stations.

Check the latest price on the SVAT CV0104 4Channel Security DVR

The Mace DVR400 consists of a 4 channel digital video recorder, 4 security cameras and a 17 inch monitor.  Surveillance camera footage is stored on the system built in 160 hard drive, the systems built in CD burner provides you with another alternative means for storing video.  The DVR uses MPEG-4 video compression and the device comes with a mouse for controlling its features.

You can set the DVR to record based on a schedule or you can connect external alarms to it to trigger recording,  If necessary you can set the DVR to record continuously however this uses more hard drive space, the systems motion detection features enable you to record video that contains activity and to cut down on hard drive space usage.

As mentioned the system monitor has a 17 inch screen, the monitor is LCD based and it has both VGA and BNC video inputs.  At maximum the monitor can display images at resolutions up to 1280*1024, it has a built in speaker so you can hear any activities in the vicinity of your surveillance cameras.  The DVR has four channel audio but the drawback here is that not all of the cameras included with the system have a built in microphone.

There are two Mace CAM-67CIR security cameras included and these have a 1/3 inch super HAD color CCD image sensor, the camera has a maximum pixel resolution of 420 TV lines.  These cameras have 50 infra red LED’s built in to improve the quality of images recorded in low level lighting and they have a fixed board lens.  The housing of the cameras is vandal proof and the camera can be tilted between 10 and 90 degrees and can pan around 360 degrees.

The other two cameras included with the system are Mace CAM-74CIR security cameras, the image sensor for these cameras are identical to the other cameras included with the system.  There are fewer LED’s built into these cameras but it still has the same infra red distance as the systems other cameras that being 50 feet.  These cameras have built in audio and a 3.6mm lens.

Check the latest price on the Mace DVR400 4 Channel Surveillance System

Here is the Mitsubishi DX-TL4516U and the security recorder uses JPEG 2000 compression and accommodates up to 16 security cameras. JPEG 2000 video compression is based on wavelet compression and generally takes less time to decompresses video than standard JPEG compression. If you have been looking for a DVR that uses both lossy and lossless video compression the Mitsubishi model may be the solution.

Video is stored on the internal hard drive built into the system, this has a 250-gigabyte capacity as standard, the recorder has two hard drive bays and can accommodate up to 1 terabyte of internal storage. The recorders built in DVD burner gives you further options when it comes to recording surveillance camera footage and it can also copy video to standard CD. At maximum the DVR can record surveillance camera footage at 120 frames per second but the system only supports NTSC video signals

You can record surveillance camera footage continuously with the DVR or you can attach up to 16 external alarms to it, the system will detect when an alarm has been activated and begin recording video. There is also a pre alarm recording facility that can be used to view occurrences that lead to events, the systems motion detection capabilities can also be used to activate and deactivate recording.

There are four USB ports built in to the Mitsubishi DVR and these can be used to attach a multitude of devices to the system such as hard drives, joysticks or mice. You can record audio with the system but the drawback is that the device has only one audio input and one audio output. When monitoring the cameras attached to the system you can view the feed from multiple cameras simultaneously with one monitor.

The DVR can be attached to either a TV or monitor and has a total of 4 video outputs; there are two BNC video outputs, 1 S-Video output and one RCA output. Surveillance camera footage can be searched for based on the date and time of an event or you can search for periods when the DVR detected motion on attached cameras. The systems RJ-45 Ethernet port gives you the option to set up additional monitoring stations and it can be used to connect the device to the Internet so you can monitor the system from anywhere.

Here is another Clover DVR designed for recording surveillance camera footage, the CDR4170 accommodates up to four surveillance cameras, these can be attached to its BNC connectors.  There are also 4 Din video inputs built in to the system, Both PAL and NTSC video signals are supported by the Clover DVR and it uses MJPEG compression.

In NTSC mode the DVR can record video at a maximum pixel resolution of 720*480, in PAL mode the maximum resolution is 720*576.  You can record surveillance camera footage that plays back smoothly as the Clover DVR has a maximum recording speed of 120 frames per second.  The recording speed is adjustable so you can set one camera to record smooth video footage using a high frame rate (eg:-30 FPS) while another attached camera records video using low frame rates.

If necessary you can set the DVR to record video 24 hours a day or you can devise a schedule that determines when it starts and stops recording.  The DVR has motion sensor capabilities and can be set to start and stop recording when motion is detected.  There are four alarm inputs built in to the DVR and the system will start recording security camera footage if it detects an attached alarm has been activated.

Video is stored on the 160 gigabyte hard drive built in to the system, this can be swapped if need be for a hard drive with a larger capacity.  There are 2 internal hard drive bays inside the security recorder and there is a built in USB port you can use for connecting memory cards, external hard drives or other storage devices to the system.

It would have been nice to see a few more audio inputs built in to the system, it has one audio input and one audio output, you can set up a two way audio system with the DVR but if you want to record audio with all attached surveillance cameras your out of luck.  An Ethernet port is built in to the system so you can connect it to the Internet or to a local area network so you can set up additional monitoring stations throughout your premises and monitor the system remotely.

Check the latest price on the Clover DVR CDR4170 4 Channel Surveillance System