Digital Video Recorders

What a DVR actually does

Like an NVR, but for coax-based cameras rather than IP. Five jobs:

• Receives video signals from connected cameras over coaxial cable (one BNC connector per channel) — HD-TVI, HD-CVI, AHD or legacy composite analog.
• Digitises and encodes the incoming analog signal to H.264 or H.265+ for storage.
• Records footage to internal hard drive(s).
• Provides local viewing and playback via HDMI + VGA outputs.
• Provides remote access via mobile app (Hik-Connect on Hikvision and HiLook DVRs) and browser interface.

Note: DVRs do NOT typically supply power to cameras over coax — analog cameras need their own 12 V DC or 24 V AC supply at the camera position. This is one of the practical differences vs IP CCTV with PoE.

When DVR is the right call (and when NVR is the better answer)

DVR is the right call when:

• You have an existing analog or HD-over-coax CCTV system, the coax cabling is in place, and rip-and-replace to Cat6 isn't practical or economical. Replace the old DVR with a current HD-TVI DVR and keep the cameras and coax in service.
• You're upgrading analog cameras to HD-over-coax (HD-TVI is Hikvision's, HD-CVI is Dahua's) — the existing coax stays, the cameras get higher resolution, the new DVR records at HD.
• The install genuinely can't run Ethernet — extremely long-distance runs through existing infrastructure where pulling new Cat6 is infeasible (industrial sites, heritage buildings, large brownfield commercial).

NVR is the better answer when: you're doing a new install with no existing cabling commitment; you want PoE single-cable power+data to each camera; you need IP camera features like AcuSense AI, ColorVu full-colour night, or higher than 8MP/4K resolution; or you want true multi-site or VMS-integrated architecture. See the NVR collection.

How to spec a DVR

Four decisions:

1. Channel count. Same logic as NVR — match current cameras plus headroom. 4 cameras now → 8-channel DVR; 6 cameras now → 8-channel; 8 cameras now → 16-channel. Buy expansion headroom up front.

2. Input format support. Most modern Hikvision Turbo HD and HiLook DVRs accept HD-TVI plus AHD plus legacy composite on each channel (auto-detect). Some accept HD-CVI as well. If you have Dahua HD-CVI cameras specifically, confirm the DVR supports the format.

3. Maximum resolution per channel. Current HD-TVI tops at 8MP / 4K-equivalent on some channels. Lower-tier DVRs cap at 4MP. Confirm the DVR's per-channel max matches your cameras.

4. Hybrid IP support. Many current DVRs accept a few IP camera channels in addition to coax inputs (typically labelled "+ 1, 2, 4 IP" beside the coax channel count). Useful for sites where most cameras are coax-on-existing-cabling but a couple of new IP cameras are being added.

Storage sizing — what HDD do I need?

Similar maths to NVR but slightly lower bitrates on HD-TVI vs IP. Realistic per camera per day:

• 2MP HD-TVI — roughly 30–50 GB/day per camera.
• 4MP HD-TVI — roughly 50–70 GB/day per camera.
• 8MP / 4K HD-TVI — roughly 130–150 GB/day per camera.

Multiply by camera count and retention days. A typical 4-camera 4MP DVR install with 30-day retention needs about 8 TB; an 8-camera install needs about 16 TB. Use surveillance-grade Seagate SkyHawk AI or WD Purple drives. See the CCTV hard drives collection.

Brand selection

• Hikvision Turbo HD — broadest DVR range with the longest warranty. Auto-detects HD-TVI / AHD / composite per channel and supports hybrid IP. Default recommendation.
• HiLook — Hikvision's value sub-brand DVRs. Same Turbo HD compatibility, fewer advanced features, lower price.

Why buy from Security Cameras Australia

• Authorised Australian dealer · genuine DVRs with full manufacturer warranty.
• Expert sizing support · pre-purchase advice on channel count, format compatibility, HDD.
• Price-match guarantee · Free shipping · 30-day returns.

Shop the DVR range

Browse the DVR range below, or jump to a channel count: 4, 8, 16. For new IP installs, the NVR collection is the standard modern path.