IP CCTV Recorder Buying Guide

The IP CCTV Recorder (also known as an NVR or Network Video Recorder) will be the heart of your IP CCTV system. The recorder manages and records the cameras, as well as adding additional features to your CCTV system.

This guide will help you decide what specifications and features your recorder has to have. Once you have decided these, use the filters in the product sections to find your ideal recorder, or call 020 8126 6666 to discuss your requirements.  

Choose by Brand click for more info

To use all of the features an NVR offers, it is recommended that the brand of cameras and NVR that you have on your system is the same. If you do need to mix brands then please contact us so we can advise you on what features will be supported.


Choose by ONVIF profile click for more info
If you are using a different brand of camera/s to the recorder you choose, then depending on the ONVIF profile supported by the recorder (and camera) the features that are compatible will be different. See this link for detailed information on what each profile supports. Below we have listed the most common differences. For further help with ONVIF compatibility please call us.

Profile G - For edge storage and retrieval
  • Configure, request and control recording
  • Receive audio and metadata stream.
Profile M - Metadata and analytics for smart applications
  • Analytics configuration and information query for metadata
  • Configuration and streaming of metadata
  • Generic object classification support
  • Metadata definition for geolocation, vehicle, license plate, human face and body
  • Event handling interfaces for object counter, face and license plate recognition analytics and for sending ONVIF events in JSON format over MQTT
  • Rule configuration for events
Profile Q - For quick installation
  • Easy setup
  • Discovery, configuration and control of conformant devices
Profile S - For basic video streaming
  • Video streaming and configuration
  • PTZ control
  • Audio in
  • Multicasting
  • Relay outputs
Profile T - For advanced video streaming
  • H.264 / H.265 video compression
  • Imaging settings
  • Motion alarm and tampering events
  • Metadata streaming
  • Bi-directional audio
  • PTZ control
  • PTZ configuration
  • Motion region configuration
  • Digital inputs
  • Relay outputs

Choose by Resolution click for more info
The NVR determines the resolution and quality of your recordings. The recorder can support higher resolutions than your cameras, however the cameras will still record at the maximum resolution they can output.

      • 5MP - These NVRs will record cameras in up to 5MP resolution.
      • 8MP (4K) - These NVRs will record cameras in up to 8MP (4K) resolution.
      • 12MP - These NVRs will record cameras in up to 12MP resolution.

Choose by Camera Inputs click for more info
The number of camera inputs your NVR has will be determined by 2 factors:

      1. How many cameras are you connecting to your NVR?
      2. How much spare capacity do you need for adding additional cameras to your system?

In our experience it is always good practice to have 2 camera inputs spare for every 2 cameras you have on your system. So for example if you will be connecting 4 cameras buy an 8 camera NVR so you have room to expand your system in the future.

Choose PoE (Power over Ethernet) or Standard camera support click for more info
NVRs are available with PoE enabled camera ports. These PoE enabled ports will power the cameras directly through the same cable that carries the data between the camera and the NVR. Our NVRs will support one or more of the following PoE types, depending on model:
PoE types

The PoE type must match the cameras requirements or there will not be enough power to power the camera.

The maximum cable run for a PoE camera is 100m from the NVR. If you wish to extend this it can be done either by adding a PoE Network Switch between the camera and the NVR (which will allow you to run the camera 100m to the switch and then another 100m from the switch to the NVR), or by adding a PoE Repeater.

Choosing Storage Space click for more info
There are four factors that will need to be considered when you choose the hard drive size in your NVR.

      1. The video codec type of the NVR - Older NVRs use the H.264 codec which does a great job of compressing the video file size so extended recording times are possible even on smaller hard drives. However the very latest codec, H.265, offers comparable picture quality but with half the file size.
      2. The recording fps of each camera - The higher the fps each camera is recording at, the more storage space it will require.
      3. The recording resolution - The higher the resolution the more storage space is required.
      4. The activity level if recording on motion only - All of our NVRs have motion detection as standard, this allows the NVR to record only when there is movement in the camera scene. For example a motion activated camera used in a business environment typically has motion for 50% of a 24 hour period, so it will be recording for 12 hours compared to 24 hours continuousolly. A camera in a residential application will typically record for 25% of a 24 hour period, so 6 hours.

On the product information page of all of our NVRs you will see a Storage Space Requirements Table which will show you how many TB of recording space is required depending on the above factors.

Choose by NVR Bandwidth click for more info
When looking at NVR specifications you will notice that they show Bandwidth as one of the specifications. The bandwidth of an NVR is showing the maximum amount of data it can receive from the cameras connected to it.

Every IP camera will be sending data to the NVR, the amount of data it is sending is called the bit rate, the bit rate will use up some of the available bandwidth of your NVR.

The bandwidth you need will depend on the Resolution and Frame Rate each camera is set to. The table below shows the amount of bandwidth needed on the NVR, based on the number of cameras connected to the NVR, and the resolution and frame rate they are set to.

You will see that both H.264 and H.265 codecs are listed, if both the camera and the NVR support H.265, then you can use H.265, if not then you will need to use H.264.



Choose by Concurrent Playback requirements click for more info
An NVR will record and display live multiple IP cameras as a split screen view, and allow you to playback recordings from each camera one at a time or as a split screen view. When it plays back the cameras as a split screen view, the maximum number of cameras it can show you on one split screen view will also be limited by the bandwidth of the NVR and the resolution the cameras are set to.

1 camera at 8MP (4K) - 1 camera recorded at 8MP (4K) or lower resolution can be played back.

2 cameras at 4MP - 2 cameras recorded at 4MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
2 cameras at 6MP - 2 cameras recorded at 6MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
2 cameras at 8MP (4K) - 2 cameras recorded at 8MP (4K) or lower resolution can be played back together.

3 cameras at 5MP - 3 cameras recorded at 5MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

4 cameras at 2MP (1080P) - 4 cameras recorded at 2MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
4 cameras at 4MP - 4 cameras recorded at 4MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
4 cameras at 8MP (4K) - 4 cameras recorded at 8MP (4K) or lower resolution can be played back together.

5 cameras at 3MP - 5 cameras recorded at 3MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
5 cameras at 6MP - 5 cameras recorded at 6MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

6 cameras at 5MP - 6 cameras recorded at 5MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

8 cameras at 2MP (1080P) - 8 cameras recorded at 2MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
8 cameras at 4MP - 8 cameras recorded at 4MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

9 cameras at 1MP (720P) - 9 cameras recorded at 1MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

10 cameras at 3MP - 10 cameras recorded at 3MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

16 cameras at 1MP (720P) - 16 cameras recorded at 1MP or lower resolution can be played back together.
16 cameras at 2MP (1080P) - 16 cameras recorded at 2MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

32 cameras at 1MP (720P) - 32 cameras recorded at 1MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

64 cameras at 1MP (720P) - 64 cameras recorded at 1MP or lower resolution can be played back together.

Choose by Remote Access compatibility click for more info
All the NVRs we sell offer some type of remote access features, the devices that can access them will vary.

      • Multi-Site (DVR) Monitoring from a Windows PC - Optional software is available that allows multiple cameras from DVRs in different locations to be viewed simultaneously on a single PC. Recordings can also be played back remotely and backed up on the PC. DVRs can also be cofigured remotely.
      • Multi-Site (DVR) Monitoring from an OSX PC - Optional software is available that allows multiple cameras from DVRs in different locations to be viewed simultaneously on a single Mac. Recordings can also be played back remotely and backed up on the Mac. DVRs can also be cofigured remotely.
      • iOS/Android App for Remote Access - Offers live view, playback and configuration of multile DVRs from anywhere in the world, using an iOS or Android smart phone or device.

Choose by Intelligent/Camera Feature support click for more info
If you will be using the Intelligent Features on your IP cameras then you will need to make sure that the NVR supports these. Please note these features will normally only work in situations where cameras and recorders are of the same brand. If this is not the case, please contact us to check compatibility.

      • Active Deterrent
      • Active Deterrent TIOC
      • AI
      • Deep Learning AI
      • Face Detection
      • Face Recognition
      • Human Detection
      • Licence (Number) Plate Recognition Camera Support
      • Line Cross Counting
      • Loitering Camera Support
      • Missing Object (Object Removed)
      • Panoramic/Fisheye Camera Support
      • People Counting
      • Perimeter (Line Cross) Detection
      • Region Entrance/Exit Detection
      • Stationary/Left Object Detection
      • Tamper Detection
      • Vehicle Detection
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