Sentry Digital Video Recorders for Surveillance Systems

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) display, record and playback video (and audio) from cctv cameras. In addition they may also support back-up and remote access of video and audio.

Digital or Network Video Servers take the video (and audio) from connected cctv cameras and digitize it for transmission over a connected IP network for viewing and recording on a remote PC running appropriate Network Video Recorder (NVR) software.

In addition, a new class of DVR – the Hybrid DVR – allows video from cctv cameras and from Video Servers and IP Cameras to be displayed and recorded.

Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) consist of three main types, plus a mobile series:

PC based Digital Video Recorders are complete hardware/software computer-based systems incorporating video capture, video multiplexing, video (and optionally, audio) recording and playback, video display and remote video access via modem, Internet and/or LAN. PC based DVRs may be Hybrid systems.

Embedded DVRs do not use a Windows™ operating system and contain no software at all on the hard disk(s). All application functions are contained (embedded) in firmware (software encoded on chips). Embedded systems are rarely hybrids.

Mobile DVRs are embedded systems built specifically for use in vehicles, trains or planes. They incorporate anti-shock and anti-vibration mountings and generally have 12V DC power inputs.

Video Servers (Digital or Network Video Servers):

Support video and audio input of from 1 to 4 (or more) cctv cameras.
Digitize and compress the analog video and audio input. The better Video Servers use hardware compression methods and MPEG4 or H.264 compression protocols.
Transmit the digitized and compressed video and audio over a connected IP network (LAN or Internet)
Network Video Recording (NVR) software is normally included with Video Servers for reception of the transmitted video (and audio) in a remote PC. Display, recording and playback of video and audio is provided by the NVR software.

Video Server digital output can also be received through the LAN port of a compatible PC based hybrid DVR. This is particularly useful when cctv cameras are needed in locations where it is difficult or impossible to run a coax cable – even in separate buildings.

Up to a short time ago, PC based systems provided better functions and features for a lower dollar. Recent advancements in technology, however, have allowed us to create and offer three lines of embedded DVR systems, the LE Series, the LE-HC Series and the xxx Series that offer high stability and performance.

The LE and LE-HC Series embedded DVRs are firmware compatible but the LE-HC Series use hardware compressed and decompressed video for real-time recording and playback performance.

The Sentry E series of embedded DVRs provide ease of use and good performance at highly competitive prices.

All Sentry embedded DVRs provide the major functions that most DVR users are looking for – multi security cameras, high quality video, excellent compression, fast viewing and recording speeds, motion detection based recording, scheduled recording and fast remote access of quality live and recorded video. In addition, Sentry LE Series DVRs can easily be upgraded from 4 to 8, 12 or 16 CCTV security cameras.

Sentry SMD systems are state-of-the-art mobile DVRs with the features of our embedded and PC based DVRs but also with additional features such as vehicle status recording on video (vehicle speed, braking, turn indication etc). Video can be backed up to CD or Hard Disk, accessed and downloaded over a LAN or the Hard Disk can be swapped for another.

Sentry PC based DVRs are not simply a collection of computer hardware - they represent carefully selected hardware and software components which are proven to work well together in the demanding video processing environment. Software, hardware and firmware settings are carefully optimized to ensure maximum performance without problems. Sentry PC based DVRs can support multiple numbers of CCTV security cameras - from 4 to 64.

All Sentry PC based DVRs include Watchdog technology for operating system monitoring and system auto-rebooting if an error is detected. All our PC based DVRs include a partitioned hard disk with all software loaded into a small "C" partition and a large "D" partition for video recording. A bootable recovery CD is provided for the "C" partition using system restore software so that in the event of any software corruption, the "C" drive can be recreated in it's original condition without affecting any recorded video on the "D" drive.

Microsoft Windows™ XP is provided as the operating system on Sentry PC based DVRs. In addition, system restore software is also included on all systems. All software provided includes original CDs and manuals.