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Joeinamillion

New Big DVR vs many small DVRs

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In designing a home CCTV system I've thought about the advantages and disadvantages of using one DVR with say 16 channels, or 2 DVRs with 8 channels each, or even 4 DVRs with 4 channels each. I'll list the pros and cons I have so far, and hope that others here can add to the list. Also, maybe they can add what/why customers what those different set-ups.

 

A single DVR Pros:

 

- simplicity [one controller (mouse), one power source, one password to remember]

 

- one monitor, all channels can be viewed at once on one screen

 

- lower cost

 

- less space

 

Muilti DVR Pros:

 

- DVRs can be kept in multiple locations (this can be for security, or practical reason [ie: cable runs])

 

- upgrade and buy more systems as you need

 

- use multiple monitors with fewer channels on each for better viewing.

 

- if one DVR dies, they others may still live on

 

- smaller DVR can often dedicate more hard drive space per channel

 

- can use different DVRs with different features best suited for each camera setup

 

I didn't list CONs as I feel the advantage of one set up is likely the dis-advantage of the other set up. I do encourage people to list cons of either option. In others words a disadvantage to one setup in which the alternative setup has no advantage/pro or a totally different pro (I have no example right now; related to CCTV or not).

My lists also assumes DVR, NVR, or PC based system is the primary viewing, recording and playback device.

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have you considered IP? You could use onboard storage eliminate the dvr/nvr all together or look at storage in the cloud. with multiple dvrs you will probably pay more per channel than by going to a single DVR

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