Hybrid digital video recorders – HDVR.

Hybrid digital video recorders — HDVR.

Hybrid digital video recorders (HDVR — Hybrid Digital Video Recorder) are increasingly found in the nomenclature of various (both famous and unknown) manufacturers of digital recording devices.

Their popularity in a number of countries is so high that HDVRs have been singled out as a separate independent class, although the prototype for the overwhelming majority of hybrids are traditional digital video recorders.

By allocating the free computing power of the DVR processor and developing new software, manufacturers have added additional virtual IP channels to the existing analog video inputs for recording images from IP cameras.

Thus, a hybrid video recorder combines all the advantages of an analog (simplicity and low cost) and digital (distribution and versatility) system.

It is worth noting that the demand for hybrid video recorders is especially high in the UK, where security video surveillance systems have been widespread for many decades.

Here the question of expanding or upgrading the existing analog system is especially relevant. The English know how to count money and therefore choose HDVR instead of completely changing the system.

Today, when buying, for example, a 32-channel hybrid recording video recorder, the consumer gets the ability to record images from more than 32 cameras, i.e. from 32 analog and additionally several digital ones.

It is important to note that many hybrid video recorder manufacturers refuse to charge for licensing the use of IP cameras of their own production.

For 32-channel devices, the typical value of additional IP channels is 4, 6 and even 8.

Thus, the cost of the system per channel is reduced.

An additional benefit is the ability to use an existing local area network at the enterprise (no need to lay a cable).

As ​​already noted, the term «hybrid DVR» does not refer to the traditional definition of a digital video recorder as an analog-digital device, but means the ability to record images from both analog and IP cameras.

The device has a characteristic number of analog inputs — 4, 8, 9, 16, 32 — and is outwardly no different from those digital video recorders that are widely used at the moment.

For setup and control, the operator uses the characteristic keys on the front panel of the recorder, a keyboard with a mouse-type manipulator, and a graphical on-screen menu.

Of course, the device receives video streams from IP cameras from the IP network, being connected to it via an Ethernet port.

It does not matter to the operator which of the image transmission technologies is used.

On the screen, he can see a «live» broadcast and play an image from the archive from any camera.

The number of IP cameras is limited by manufacturers in different ways.

In some models, the total number of channels (analog cameras and IP cameras) is limited by the number of analog inputs.

For example, a 9-channel model allows you to work with only 9 analog cameras, or only 9 IP cameras, or 4 analog and 5 IP cameras.

A number of manufacturers impose restrictions on the computing power of the recorder processor.

Such a video recorder can have 32 BNC connectors for recording 32 analog cameras, but provide a total recording of up to 36 IP cameras.

Thus, the consumer is provided with a kind of soft transition from traditional analog systems to IP solutions.

Undoubtedly, such an approach can be appreciated.

The sector of small private facilities — offices, shops — cottages is primarily focused on inexpensive and, most importantly, architecturally simple and easy to implement video security systems.

For the sake of fashionable technology, not every owner is ready to create a digital environment, i.e. an IP network, if his plans included equipping the facility with a dozen video points.

Workstations of IP systems based on a personal computer are not the best solution for a home or cottage.

It is much easier to find a place for a small device with low heat emission and power consumption.

Using a hybrid DVR, the consumer gets a universal device and can always rebuild or expand their own video security system.

An important addition to the existing analog system can be IP cameras with megapixel resolution, providing higher detail of individual areas.

It is necessary to understand the fundamental difference between hybrid DVRs and numerous computer systems available on the Russian market that can work with analog cameras and IP devices.

A hybrid digital video recorder is primarily a product of the Western market, focused on a complete solution.

This is expressed in the set of device services and architecture, which provides somewhat limited functionality, but high reliability and stability of operation.

Despite the fact that the hybrid digital video recorder has a computer architecture at its core, it is a specialized controller that performs certain operations.

Linux or Windows Embedded is used as the operating system.

The user works within the framework of a specially developed graphical menu shell with strictly defined parameters. It is also important that the number of IP channels is not licensed.

After purchasing the device, you can add IP cameras without purchasing a license, but you cannot exceed the specified number.

The hybrid DVR can act as a DHCP server for IP cameras. In this case, installation and configuration of the system comes down to simply connecting all devices to a separate network.

The video recorder will independently «distribute» addresses to IP cameras and create a list of cameras for display and recording.

An even faster and more reliable installation is achieved if the hybrid DVR and IP cameras support the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) protocol.

This protocol ensures fast and error-free installation and configuration, and allows devices on the network to periodically check for communication with each other.

So, if the device fails, the user is notified about it, which allows problems to be quickly fixed with minimal downtime.

While remaining digital video recorders, hybrid DVRs, unlike integrated computer video systems, are not aimed at creating large distributed systems.

However, some manufacturers of hybrid video recorders provide the ability to use these devices as part of their own integrated systems and IP platforms.

In this case, the hybrid DVR becomes not only an autonomous video security center, but also a slave video server – an element of the IP system.

Alarm interfaces, relay outputs, video streams, and, most importantly, the database – all this is synchronized in a single video system.

Perhaps the only problem that exists today is the universalization of IP cameras, the ability of the hybrid DVR to work with digital cameras from different manufacturers.

Unfortunately, this issue requires constant technical support and, accordingly, additional costs from the manufacturer of the hybrid DVR, which cannot but affect its cost.

However, with the advent of common protocols defined by the ONVIF forum and the PSIA alliance, this problem should be resolved soon.

Autonomous digital video recorder TRASSIR QuattroStation.

TRASSIR QuattroStation is a hybrid video recorder for IP video surveillance systems, capable of recording video from both analog and digital IP video cameras or IP video servers.

The TRASSIR 2.0 software, supplied in the kit, supports more than 10 leading brands of IP video cameras.

The main advantages of the new version of TRASSIR 2.0 software include control of PTZ and Speed ​​Dome cameras via the network, viewing via a free network client and web browser, video retransmission, full support for all capabilities of connected IP devices, intelligent search in the archive and video analysis of data, as well as the MultiStream multi-streaming mode.

It is possible to record up to 128 channels (25 fps per channel) on the server.

Display of up to 64 video channels on 4 VGA. Windows XP Embedded operating system.

Intel Core2Quad processor. Up to 8 hard drives. 2GB RAM (or more). 2 x 1Gb network adapters. DVD-RW. 19″ Rack Mount AC220B. Dimensions: 220 x 430 x 620 mm.

Network video server SECUROS-IPDVR32/400

Designed to create a network video surveillance system.

Number of connected analog video cameras — 16.

Number of connected IP cameras — 16.

The total video recording speed is up to 400 frames per second for 16 analog video channels and 16 IP cameras, respectively. Video frame resolution is from 704 x 576 to 352 x 288 pixels (depending on the IP camera model).

The number of control channels for pan and tilt devices is 4. Control is performed via a software user interface, including remotely using the WebView module.

The video server supports telemetry protocols for most dome cameras and pan and tilt devices. Number of alarm inputs and relay outputs – 8.

Located on the rear panel of the video server, there are 8 TTL inputs/outputs with a programmable state («normally open» or «normally closed»), allowing you to connect up to 8 external security sensors, light and sound alarms or ACS actuators.

Video archive capacity on the hard drive – 2000 Gb, with the ability to increase the disk space capacity – up to 5 Gb (when installing additional HDDs).