When you're planning a CCTV system, the camera type gets most of the attention — but the recorder you pair them with matters just as much. The two options you'll be choosing between are a DVR and an NVR. They sound similar and do the same core job (recording and storing your footage), but they work differently, and picking the right one depends mostly on your cabling and whether you're building new or retrofitting.
DVR: Digital Video Recorder
A DVR works with analogue (HD-CVI/AHD/TVI) cameras connected over coaxial cable. The camera sends an analogue signal to the DVR, which digitises and records it. DVR systems are generally cheaper up front and are the easy choice when a property already has coax cabling in place — for example, replacing an older analogue system without re-running cable.
- Cabling: coaxial (plus a separate power cable to each camera).
- Cost: typically lower hardware cost up front.
- Best for: budget-conscious installs and retrofits into buildings with existing coax.
NVR: Network Video Recorder
An NVR works with IP cameras over standard network cable (Cat5e/Cat6). Because the cameras are networked, the whole system can run on Power over Ethernet (PoE) — a single cable carries both power and data to each camera, which simplifies installation considerably. NVR systems generally deliver higher resolution, more advanced analytics (like human and vehicle detection), and easier expansion.
- Cabling: a single Cat5e/Cat6 cable per camera, carrying power and data via PoE.
- Image quality: generally higher, with better support for high-resolution cameras.
- Best for: new installations, higher-detail requirements, and systems you expect to grow.
Side-by-Side: The Practical Differences
- Cable type — DVR uses coax + power; NVR uses one network cable with PoE.
- Resolution ceiling — NVR/IP systems more readily support 4MP, 5MP, and 4K across the range.
- Installation — NVR's single-cable PoE runs are usually tidier and faster for a new build; DVR wins when reusing existing coax.
- Expansion — adding cameras to an NVR is generally simpler, provided you planned spare channels and cabling headroom.
- Up-front cost — DVR systems tend to be cheaper to buy; the cabling cost gap for a new install is often marginal.
So Which Should You Choose?
Our general recommendation for new installations is an NVR-based IP system. When there's no existing cabling to reuse, the cost difference is small, and you get sharper footage, smarter detection, and a system that will still make sense in five years. A DVR makes the most sense when you're retrofitting a property that already has coaxial cabling and want to keep costs down — replacing tired analogue cameras and the recorder without pulling new cable through finished walls.
Don't Forget Storage
Whichever recorder you choose, size the hard drive to how many days of footage you want to keep — most homeowners are comfortable with 15 to 30 days, while businesses often want 60 to 90 days for dispute resolution and insurance. More cameras and higher resolution both shorten retention, so plan the drive around your actual setup. We cover this in more detail in our guide to choosing a CCTV system.
You can browse our current NVR & DVR systems, or let us take the guesswork out of it. Our CCTV installation service includes a free site survey across Kandy and our wider service areas — we'll recommend the right recorder and cabling for your property, and give you an itemised quote (see our 2026 cost guide for typical pricing) before anything is ordered.