When something happens, the footage has to exist
Nobody thinks about the recorder until the day they need it. Then only one thing matters: did it record, and can you find it?
That is the job of the Network Video Recorder, or NVR. Most professional installations use one, and it is the quiet centre of the whole system.
What the NVR does
In plain words, the NVR:
- records your cameras, either continuously or when events occur
- stores the footage locally on surveillance hard drives
- manages several cameras at once
- provides playback of historical footage
- runs or assists with AI analytics on supported systems
- connects the security system to DMSS for remote viewing
Local storage means your footage is kept on equipment at your property. You are not dependent on a monthly cloud plan to hold your recordings.
Continuous or event recording
You can choose how the recorder decides when to save.
Continuous recording saves everything, all the time. It gives you a complete timeline, with no gaps, but it uses more storage.
Event recording saves when something happens, such as motion or an AI detection on compatible systems. It stretches your storage further and makes review quicker, but anything the system does not flag will not be captured.
Many customers combine the two. We talk through the trade-off and set it up to suit you.
How we decide how much storage you need
Storage is not guesswork. We design it around three things.
- The number of cameras. More cameras, more footage.
- The recording quality. Higher resolution and detail take more space.
- The number of days you want to keep. Two weeks of history needs more room than one.
Multiply those together and you have your storage target. If you want longer retention, or sharper quality, the drive capacity goes up to match. We choose surveillance-grade hard drives, built for the constant writing that recording demands. For more detail on the maths, our independent buying guides are a useful read.
When the drives fill, the recorder generally overwrites the oldest footage so recording continues. This is why it matters to choose the retention period deliberately. If something matters, tell us or look at it promptly.
What you get day to day
Mostly, nothing. The NVR works in the background. When you want it, you can:
- play back footage on the recorder or through the DMSS mobile app
- review events from alerts you received
- on compatible AI systems, use intelligent video search to find people, vehicles or events
We show you how to do these when we hand the system over.
Where it suits best
Every system benefits from a well-configured recorder, and a few settings stand out.
- Retail stores and restaurants and cafes, where you may need to look back at specific trading hours.
- Warehouses with many cameras and long idle periods, where event recording is worth considering.
- Houses with several cameras, where a sensible mix keeps more days on hand.
What to know
Capability depends on the model. NVRs differ. Some run AI analytics, some assist cameras that do the analysis, and entry-level units may offer basic motion detection only. AI features vary depending on the selected camera and recorder, and we tell you what yours does.
Drives can fail. Hard drives are mechanical and wear out. Recordings can be lost if a drive fails, so ask us about checks and replacement as part of ongoing care. Our support service covers troubleshooting and maintenance.
Local does not mean unreachable. The NVR connects to DMSS for remote viewing, but that relies on your internet connection. If the internet is down, recording continues locally.
Retention rules. If you hold footage showing people, privacy and surveillance rules apply, and they differ by state and territory. This is general information, not legal advice, so check your own state's rules.
Not a guarantee. We do not promise every event will be captured.
Getting the recorder right
A recorder is part of a whole design. See how it works for the full journey, or call 1300 263 551 or contact us to talk through the number of days you would like to keep.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an NVR and a hard drive?
The hard drive stores footage. The NVR is the recorder that manages cameras, writes to the drive, runs playback and connects to DMSS.
How many days of footage can I keep?
It depends on the number of cameras, recording quality and the storage we fit. Tell us your target and we size the drives to suit.
Does footage go to the cloud?
Standard professional installs record locally to surveillance hard drives in the NVR. You can still view and play back through DMSS.
What if the power or internet fails?
The effect differs. An internet outage stops remote access but local recording can continue. A power outage stops the system unless protected, so ask us about options.