Network video recorder

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A network video recorder (NVR) is a specialized computer system that records video^[1] to a disk drive, USB flash drive, memory card, or other mass storage device. An NVR itself contains no cameras, but connects to them through a network, typically as part of an IP video surveillance system. NVRs typically have embedded operating systems.

As a more flexible and serviceable alternative to NVRs, ordinary computers may be equipped with video management software (VMS).

NVRs differ from digital video recorders (DVRs), as an NVR's input is from a network rather than a direct connection to a video capture card or tuner. Video on a DVR is encoded and processed at the DVR, while video on an NVR is encoded and processed at the camera, then streamed to the NVR for storage or remote viewing.^[2] Additional processing may be done at the NVR, such as further compression or tagging with metadata.

Hybrid NVR/DVR surveillance systems exist which incorporate functions of both NVR and DVR.