1/4" SONY SUPER HAD CCD Dome Camera

Quick Overview

Product Code : GT-101
- Resolution =420TVL
- Minimum Illumination=0.2Lux/F1.0
- Lens = 3.6 mm standard , 2.9/ 6/ 8/ 12mm optional
- Power Source:9-14VDC
- Assembled in Malaysia

Product Description

GuardTech Dome Camera is made from high performance charge-coupled device (CCD) specially designed for high surveillance area for indoor & outdoor purpose. The lower cup of the dome camera is made from ultra hard and clear polycarbonate material. It is design and manufactured to withstand against direct impact up to 80kg. This prevent from against vandalism and accidental camera dropping.

Key Features:
- Resolution: 420 TV lines
- Robust Housing
- Polycarbonate clear covers
- Optically correct clear window
- Easy install mechanism
- Compact and beautiful design
- Build in standard 3.6mm lens (2.9/ 6/ 8/ 12mm optional)
- Wide voltage regulation for power input 12DC (DC6-18)
- Low power consumption < 70mA
- Long lifespan quality-up to 24 months warranty (optional)


Lens Size (mm): 2.9
Viewing Angle: 130
Recognizable Distance(m): 3.0
Best Pic. Distance(m): 1.2

Lens Size (mm): 3.6
Viewing Angle: 92
Recognizable Distance(m): 3.5
Best Pic. Distance(m): 1.5

Lens Size (mm): 6.0
Viewing Angle: 53
Recognizable Distance(m): 6.0
Best Pic. Distance(m): 2.3

Lens Size (mm): 8.0
Viewing Angle: 40
Recognizable Distance(m): 8.0
Best Pic. Distance(m): 3.0

Lens Size (mm): 12.0
Viewing Angle: 28
Recognizable Distance(m): 12.0
Best Pic. Distance(m): 4.0

Availability: in stock

Safe Cities to go nationwide

The Star: 3 November 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: All 149 local councils nationwide will implement the Safe Cities Programme to reduce crime within the next two years.

The move came after 39 local councils that had already implemented the programme showed a 38% reduction in street crime after the initiatives of the National Key Results Area (NKRA) on reducing crime were effectively implemented.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the ministry would allocate RM102mil to assist the local councils to adopt and effectively execute the programme.

He said the Government was committed to the programme as safety is of paramount importance to every citizen.

The programme was introduced in 2004 and is aimed at ensuring cities were free from crime, social illnesses and accidents.

Under the programme, local authorities are required to have pedestrian walkways while unkempt areas are also required to be cleaned and cleared.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are to be installed as well as sufficient lighting and safety mirrors. In Shah Alam, the City Council (MBSA), under the programme had seen a reduction of its crime index this year – an improvement of 43.4% in its areas of jurisdiction. MBSA Mayor Datuk Mazalan Md Noor said the reduction has significantly contributed to the NKRA on reducing the overall crime rate.

He attributed the successful crime rate reduction to efforts such as the setting up of police beat bases, mobile police bases and MBSA’s own patrol and monitoring to ensure respective areas are under control.

He said these efforts are on-going with several Safe Cities Programme initiatives in place to further create awareness among the public in handling crime and the importance of crime prevention.

In Subang Jaya, RM2.2mil has been allocated to its municipal council (MPSJ) by the Federal Government to implement a Safe City Programme.

The municipal council is one of the 12 local councils chosen to receive the allocation in the country through the crime NKRA.

Among the measures taken under the programme include installing more streetlights, safety mirrors and alarms at crime-prone zones and separating pedestrian paths from motor lanes with barriers or plants.

Crime mapping has also been conducted with the cooperation of the police where a total of 12 crime hotspots in Subang Jaya and Puchong were identified.

In Penang, the Home Ministry has allocated RM4.3mil for projects aimed at reducing crime and making the streets safer.

Standalone Digital Video Recording XRS-2008

Quick Overview

• Product Code: XRS2008
• 8 channel Network Standalone DVR
• 400 fps display & 100 fps recording
• MPE4 Pentaplex performance : Live, Record, Playback, Backup, Network
• Full control with mouse and remote controller
• BackUp- USB Device, Network, CD/DVD-RW
• Diension - 430(W) x 87(H) x 460(D)mm
• Made In KOREA

Product Features

• Real Time Display/100fps recording at CIF
• Pentaplex Performance : Live, Record, Playback, Backup, Network
• MPEG 4 Compression
• Market Proven Quality
• User Friendly Design
• D1 Resolution Supported
• Programmable Spot Monitor Setup
• Flexible & Intelligent Recording Setup
• Different Resolution Setup by Different Camera by Different Time
• Full Control with Mouse and Remote Controller
• Powerful Network for Multi DVRs
• XR CMS Supported

Availability: in stock

Product Specification

Standalone Digital Video Recording SDVR-1600H

 

 

 

Quick Overview

• Product Code: SDVR-1600H
• 16 Channel Standalone DVR - H.264
• H.264 Video Compression.
• 240PPS
• CMS / 3GPP Support.
• Search by Time, Event.
• Ethernet Remote Control / Viewer, Support PPPoE, DHCP, DDNS.
• Flexible and Easy Backup Files through USB, DVD-RW.
• Multi-Lingual OSD Support.
• Multiple and Flexible Operation Control by Mouse and IR Remote.
• Weight:4.35kilogram

Product Description

The Best Performance Suiveillance System :
16CH DVR is designed by H.264 video compression for safety and security solution. It has all the features you need to safeguard your home or business 24/7 with the best performance DVR.

High Efficiency Recording Model :
Base on H.264, the 16CH DVR performs a high efficiency as high compressive rate for recording. It will lower the need of HDD capacities and networking transmission.

CMS (Central Management System) for Guard Improving :
CMS can be monitoring and surveillance operating with multiple network. It achieve a centralized control and well-managing for digital video recording applications.

3GPP Support for Mobile Surveillance :
Easily to use the 3G cell phone. It helps to secure you everywhere anytime.

H.264 Compression Algorithm :
The H series applies an advanced high-compression H.264 algorithm for efficient video management. With high image quality and small file size, the H series provides longer recording duration, faster data transmission at internet, and reduces storage cost.

Availability: in stock

Product Specification

Standalone Digital Video Recording 810H

 

Quick Overview

• Product Code: SDVR-810H
• 8 Channel Standalone DVR - H.264
• H.264 Video Compression.
• 240PPS
• CMS / 3GPP Support
• Search by Time, Event.
• Ethernet Remote Control / Viewer, Support PPPoE, DHCP, DDNS.
• Flexible and Easy Backup Files through USB, DVD-RW.
• Multi-Lingual OSD Support.
•  Multiple and Flexible Operation Control by Mouse and IR Remote.

Product Features

The Best Performance Suiveillance System :
8CH DVR is designed by H.264 video compression for safety and security solution. It has all the features you need to safeguard your home or business 24/7 with the best performance DVR.

High Efficiency Recording Model :
Base on H.264, the 8CH DVR performs a high efficiency as high compressive rate for recording. It will lower the need of HDD capacities and networking transmission.

CMS (Central Management System) for Guard Improving :
CMS can be monitoring and surveillance operating with multiple network. It achieve a centralized control and well-managing for digital video recording applications.

3GPP Support for Mobile Surveillance :
Easily to use the 3G cell phone. It helps to secure you everywhere anytime.

H.264 Compression Algorithm :
The H series applies an advanced high-compression H.264 algorithm for efficient video management. With high image quality and small file size, the H series provides longer recording duration, faster data transmission at internet, and reduces storage cost.

Availability: in stock.

Specification

Network Standalone DVR 4 Channel

 

Quick Overview

• Product Code: SDVR-420H
• 4 Channel Standalone DVR - H.264
• H.264 Video Compression.
• 120PPS(4ch).
• CMS / 3GPP Support.
• Search by Time, Event.
• Ethernet Remote Control / Viewer, Support PPPoE, DHCP, DDNS.
• Flexible and Easy Backup Files through USB, DVD-RW.
• Multi-Lingual OSD Support.
• Multiple and Flexible Operation Control by Mouse and IR Remote.
• Weight: 2.27kilogram

Product Description

The Best Performance Suiveillance System :
4CH DVR is designed by H.264 video compression for safety and security solution. It has all the features you need to safeguard your home or business 24/7 with the best performance DVR.

High Efficiency Recording Model :
Base on H.264, the 4CH DVr performs a high efficiency as high compressive rate for recording. It will lower the need of HDD capacities and networking transmission.

CMS (Central Management System) for Guard Improving :
CMS can be monitoring and surveillance operating with multiple network. It achieve a centralized control and well-managing for digital video recording applications.

3GPP Support for Mobile Surveillance :
Easily to use the 3G cell phone. It helps to secure you everywhere anytime.

H.264 Compression Algorithm :
The H series applies an advanced high-compression H.264 algorithm for efficient video management. With high image quality and small file size, the H series provides longer recording duration, faster data transmission at internet, and reduces storage cost.

Availability: in stock.

Panel View

Specification

420S 4 Channel Standalone Digital Video Recording

Quick Overview

• Product Code: SDVR420S
• 4 Channel Standalone DVR
• Comes with remote control
• Simple User Interface via mouse function
• OSD : Support Multi Language
• Real Time Display 120 fps Displaying Rate
• 30 frame per seconds Recording Rate
• Advanced MJPEG
• Weight: 2.22kilogram

Product description

More Performance Mileage :
Design of DVR540 is optimized to give you best cost/ performance value. Pricing at comparable range to our acclaimed simplex DVR 104, it has twice recording frame rate with duplex operation plus 1 ch audio recording.

More Recording Capacity and Flexibility :
DVR540 is ready to take SATA HDD. This offers you more recording capacity within a compact space at no extra cost. It also gives you the flexibility of setting different recording mode, resolution, and speed for each channel. You can assign real time recording speed and highest resolution to any channel, making sure nothing is lost at critical moment. The system will automatically balance the recording among all channels.

Higher Display Resolution :
Equipped with direct VGA output as optional and a resolution up to 1280 x 1024 pixels.

Friendly User Interface :
The graphic OSD of DVR540 offers you a much easier and friendlier operation with simple and intuitive mouse click.

More Optional Features :
DVR540 also offers you the options to add alarm/ sensor for more recording modes and control of speed dome camera. IR controller is also available if you prefer it to mouse.

Availability: in stock.

Panel View

Specification

Underwater Camera

GT2101CDW Underwater Camera

GT-2101 CDW is a high resolution submergible cameras for outdoor or underwater usel This camera is a color day/night model which switches from color to black and white when operating in lighting conditions below 1 Lux. This model are IR sensitive and can be used with 850nm illuminators.

Quick Overview

• Product code: GT-2101 CDW
• 1/4" Super Sensitive Color CCD SHARP
• Resolution: 420 TVL
• Minimum illumination: more than 50dB (AGC Off)
• Power Source: 12V DC / 1 Amp

Product Features:

• Exquisite design and workmanship, precise circuit and structure.
• Aluminium alloy structure, special anti-rust treatment.
•  All-sealed waterproof body.
• Using nano-glass, high strength, bear impact, no water linger on.
• With 30 meter cable made of environment protective PU, double-filtered cable with Kevlar inside strengthen the cable is the ideal choice for using in underwater condition.
• IR irradiating distance: 10m
• Patent outlook design.

Availability: in stock.

Sample picture

Choosing the Right Lens

Once you have selected a camera, the next step is to select the appropriate lenses and any other relevant components necessary in the system.

There are two main lens mount standards called C-mount and CS-mount. They both have a one-inch thread and they look the same. What differs is the distance from the lenses to the sensor when fitted on the camera:
* CS-mount. The distance between the sensor and the lens should be 12.5 mm
* C-mount. The distance between the sensor and the lens should be 17.5 mm. A 5 mm spacer (C/CS adapter ring) can be used to convert a C-mount lens to a CS-mount lens

The initial standard was C-mount, while CS-mount is an update to this, allowing for reduced manufacturing cost and sensor size. Today, almost all cameras and lenses sold are equipped with a CS-mount. It is possible to mount an old C-mount lens to a camera with CS-mount by using a C/CS adapter ring. If it is impossible to focus a camera, you probably have the wrong type of lens.

Sensor size
Image sensors are available in different sizes, such as 2/3", 1/2", 1/3" and 1/4", and lenses are manufactured to match these sizes. It is important to select a lens suitable for the camera. A lens made for a 1/2" sensor will work with 1/2", 1/3" and 1/4" sensors, but not with a 2/3" sensor.

If a lens is made for a smaller sensor than the one actually fitted inside the camera, the image will get black corners. If a lens is made for a larger sensor than the one actually fitted inside the camera, the angle of view will be smaller than the default angle of that lens – part of the information being "lost" outside of the chip (see illustration below).

Focal length
Focal length determines the horizontal field of view at particular distances – the longer the focal length, the narrower the field of view.
Examples of focal length needed to achieve an approximate 30° horizontal field of view.

Most manufacturers provide simple-to-use slide and rotary calculators that calculate the lens' focal length from the scene size and focal length.

To detect the presence of someone on a display, they should make up at least 10 per cent of the height of the image. To accurately identify them, they should make up 30 per cent or more of the image.

For this reason, it is important to check the capabilities of selected cameras and view the resulting images on screen before going live.

Calculation - feet What width of objects will be visible at 10 feet when using a camera with a 1/4" CCD sensor and a 4 mm lens? H = D x h / f = 10 x 3.6 / 4 = 9 feet.

Calculation - meters What width of objects will be visible at 3 meters when using a camera with a 1/4” CCD sensor and a 4 mm lens? H = D x h / f = 3 x 3.6 / 4 = 2.7 meters.

Lens types
* Fixed lens: The focal length is fixed, e.g. 4 mm.
* Varifocal lens: This lens allows for the manual adjustment of the focal length (field of view). When the focal length is changed, the lens has to be refocused. The most common type is 3.5-8 mm.
* Zoom lens: The focal length can be adjusted within a range, e.g. 6 to 48 mm without affecting the focus. The lens can either be manual or motorized, so that it can be controlled remotely.

Iris
Generally network cameras control the amount of light passing to the imaging device via the iris or by adjusting the exposure time. In conventional cameras, exposure time is fixed. The role of the iris is to adjust the amount of light passing through the lens. There are different types of irises on lenses:

Manual iris control
The iris on a manual iris lens is usually set up when the camera is installed to suit the prevailing lighting conditions. These lenses cannot react to changes in scene illumination so the iris is set to an "average" value, which is used in conditions with varying light.

Automatic iris control
For outdoor conditions, and where the scene illumination is constantly changing, a lens with automatically adjustable iris is preferred. The iris aperture is controlled by the camera and is constantly changed to maintain the optimum light level to the image sensor.

* DC-controlled iris: Connected to the output of a camera, the iris is controlled by the camera's processor
* Video-controlled iris: The iris is controlled by video signal

Auto iris lenses are recommended for outdoor applications. The iris automatically adjusts the amount of light reaching the camera and gives the best results, as well as protecting the image sensor from too much light. A small iris diameter reduces the amount of light, giving a better depth of field (focus over a greater distance). A large iris diameter, on the other hand, gives better images in low light. The iris is defined by the F-number.

F-number = Focal length / Iris diameter
The f-number of a lens is the ratio of the focal length to the effective object lens diameter. It affects the amount of light energy admitted to the sensor and plays a significant part in the resulting image. The greater the f-number, the less light admitted to the sensor. The smaller the f-number, the more light admitted to the sensor, and hence better image quality is achieved in low-light situations. The table below shows the amount of light admitted to the image sensor at sample f-values.

In scenes with limited light, fitting a neutral density filter in front of the lens is recommended. This works to reduce the amount of light entering the lens evenly over the whole visible spectrum and forces the iris to open fully to compensate for this. Many network cameras today offer automatic iris control to ensure that the image remains clear throughout the year and time of day as light levels constantly change.

Color Bullet CCD Pen Camera

In the world of Micro-DVR, with hidden pen inside! A video recorded voice Micro-DVR is the world's first Pen-Based Video Recorder. It is the smallest high resolution, real-time Micro-DVR ever produced. It is easy to use since One Touch Record Button let you discretely record any evidence instantly.

Key Features:

• High sensitivity of the microphone in 15 square meters with clear voice can be recorded.
• High definition camera effects for public security department, such as court evidence to provide an effective guarantee.
• Apply to any computer with USB interface and other electronic equipment.
• No driver needed, no external power supply.

 Quick Overview:

• Product code: PEN4GB
• 1/3" SONY SUPER HAD CCD
• 520 TVL resolution
• 0.5 Lux minimum illumination
• 12v DC / 0.5Amp Power source
• 0.16 kilogram weight  

Availability: in stock

CCTV Glossary

In order to choose the best CCTV Security Systems and CCTV Cameras, you need to understand some of the basic terminology. Below is the glossary of CCTV terms to help you choose your surveillance system and CCTV cameras and lenses.

Alphabetical list of call recording terms

Aperture
Aperture is the area of the camera lens that gathers light. The iris of the cctv lens controls the size of aperture.

Auto Iris
Auto Iris lenses adjust for changing light conditions in a camera view. If the sun shines on a camera with an auto iris lens, the lens will adjust the amount of light so the picture remains clea.

CCD
Charge Coupled Device (CCD) is a light sensitive imaging device for almost all cameras. Typical CCD size for CCTV cameras are 1/2", 1/3", 1/4".

C Mount
Type of screw-on mounting for CCTV camera lenses. C Mount lenses need an adapter ring when used with CS mount camera.

Compression Technique
Compression technique are used in digital CCTV tor reduce the file size of recorded video images. Typical compression formats used for video are MJPEG, MPEG-4 and H.264

CS Mount
More recent type of mounting for CCTV camera lenses. Designed for 1/2", 1/3", and 1/4" CCD cameras. CS-Mount is the more common lens mount used today in CCTV cameras.

Day/Night Camera
A camera which is 'Day/Night' means it can capture video during both day and night time. In low light conditions, the Day/Night chipset switches from colour to black and white to enhance the picture quality.

DSP
Digital Signal Processing - a technique by which video quality can be improved by adjusting parameters of the video signal.

DVR
Digital Video Recorder - CCTV footage is converted to a digital signal and stored on a PC harddrive. This is now the standard CCTV recording practice.

ExView
Sony Chipset type that offers very good images in both day and night time. Typically, cameras with Ex-View chipset have good Low Light (LUX) levels.

FStop
The Ratio of Focal Length to the diameter of the lens. The smaller the F-Stop number, the more light is passed.

Field Of View
The view of the camera - in relation to the angle of view and distance of the object from the lens.

Frame
A frame consists of 2 interlaces fields. 25 Frames are created every second

Frame Rate
The quality of a Digital Surveillance Systems is often determined by the Total Frame Rate it can record at. The higher the Frame Rate, the higher the quality of recording and the more Real Time your CCTV recording will be - Real Time recording for 1 camera is 25 Frames Per Second (PAL).

IP Camera
A CCTV Camera that can transmit video and audio over TCP/IP network. An IP Camera can connect to a local network and streams it's video over the network to a Network Video Recorder. IP Cameras can come with additional features including Power over Ethernet, wireless lan connection and Mega Pixel Resolution.

IP Rating
Ingress Protection Scale - 2 numbers indicating the protection level of an outside enclsure - e.g. IP68

IR Cut Filter
An IR Cut Filter is an extra filter inside the camera that moves behind the camera lens when it gets dark. A camera with an IR Cut Filter will produce very high quality images in low light conditions.

Iris
Device inside a lens which opens and closes as light conditions change which adjusts the amount of light passed

JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group - an image compression technique used for still images.

Lens Mount
See CMount or CS Mount

Luminance
The brightness of a video signal

LUX
Used to specify how sensitive cameras are to light (measured in lumens/sq metre), e.g a camera with a LUX Level of 0 can see in pitch black. The lower the LUX Level the better the camera will see in the dark.

Mega Pixel Resolution
Mega Pixel resolution refers to video resolutions now achievable using IP Cameras. Unlike Analogue cameras, whose resolution is usually limited to around 752 x 582 (0.4 Mega Pixels), a Mega Pixel IP Camera can achieve far greater resolutions such as 1280 x 1024 (1.3 Mega Pixels) or 1600 x 1280 (2 Mega Pixels). This increase in resolution produces far better image quality than a traditional analogue camera could ever achieve.

Motion Detection
Recording method for digital surveillance systems. When someone walks in front of a camera, the pixels change and the DVR defines this as motion. The surveillance system will then record these images to the hard disk. This is a popular recording setup as every event recorded is actually motion driven as opposed to a static image if the system was set to record 'round-the-clock'.

MPEG
Motion Picture Experts Group - a video compression technique for video images. MPEG-4 has fast become the Digital CCTV standard recording compression format. MPEG-2 is used for DVD Recording quality.

Multiplexer
A Multi Screen CCTV device that allows input of 4, 9, 16 etc cameras and provides a 'Mutli-Plexed' (or split screen) display of those cameras

Noise
Video Signal interference that usually appears as graininess or snow on the picture.

PAL
Phase Alternate Line - Video encoding standard for Europe.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE)
Power Over Ethernet is a method by which power is tramitted over a CAT-5/6 cable. This is often used with the installation of IP Cameras saving time/money by reducing cabling. An IP Device would need to be fitted with a PoE RJ45 port to use this functionality.

Peak to peak
Video Signal measurement from the base of the Sync pulse to the top of the white level. A full video signal should be one volt.

PTZ
Pan Tilt Zoom - a camera which can be controlled via Joystick or DVR and moved up/down, left/right and zoomed in/out.

Quad Splitter
A CCTV device used to display 4 cameras on one monitor.

Resolution
The number of horizontal lines a system can display. Digital Resolution (e.g. 720 x 576) 720 = number of points in each row that make up the picture 576 = number of rows

RG59
A type of CCTV Coaxial cable used to transmit cctv camera video signals to a CCTV System.

Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a camera is often configured on your digital surveillance system. Motion Detection based recording uses relies on the sensitivity of the cameras to trigger recording.

Telemetry
Control of PTZ cameras is provided using Telemetry Control. This signal is sent down 'twisted pair' cable or along the same coaxial cable the video signal is being sent down. Typical Telemetry signals are RS-485 or RS-422.

Varifocal Lens
A cctv camera lens whose focal length / viewing angle can be manually adjusted to suit the camera view required. Typical Vari Focal lens lengths are: 2.5mm-10mm, 3.5mm-8mm, 5mm-50mm

Video Splitter
CCTV device that splits the video signal from a camera (or cameras) so it can be used more than once.

Zoom Lens
A lens which has variable focal lengths. The image can be 'zoomed' in or out whilst the view of the camera remains in focus.

Some Information about DVR

What is DVR?

Digital Video Recording, or simply called DVR for short, is the latest surveillance technology that provides full digital recording, remote surveillance access, remote device controls and many more. DVR technology is a computerized system that combines all the features of a traditional videotape system. It can connect alarm sensor and alarm buzzer to build up an alarm system and can use for pictures motion detection, PTZ controlling through decoder, network video transmission and signals controlling.

The old fashioned videotape surveillance system needs ongoing effort to make it work properly, but  with the new DVR system it will run automatically by itself without any assistance. Moreover, the quality on videotape is poor because tape system shares four or more pictures in one video frame. the quality on videotape also degrades each time it is used due to head wear, tape stretch, and decomposition of the videotape coating. This is because videotape reused too many times. On the contrary, DVR uses one picture per video frame, and all cameras can be viewed together with superior picture quality.

DVR Usage

1. Home Security Systems - Home owners can identify who is at the door, check on the baby, or check the house if they are away.
2. Commercial Security Systems - Business can prevent or identify shoplifters or burglars, and keep an eye on the business from home. Sadly, today, employee theft is now higher in retail than customer theft itself, and monitoring retail employees is becoming necessary.
3. Industry and Research - can monitor processes as well as maintaining security surveillance.
4. Education and Government - can keep eye on trouble spots.

Types of DVR

1. Standalone DVR

Every function on this DVR is a matter of a push of a button which makes operation very simple. Most standalone DVRs have off-site viewing functions that allow you to view video from anywhere in the world. While this is also possible with the PC-Based DVR systems it requires knowledge of computer networking and routing processes. Most standalone versions have two or more internal hard drive spaces as well as two or more external hard drive connections allowing for extended DVR recording times. Standalone DVRs are in fact computer based machine which run Linux, Unix, or other proprietary operating system but the different is that they are designed to run only one application (DVR surveillance), which makes the standalone device a reliable appliance and does one thing only.

2. PC-based DVR

The computer contains all the usual stuffs (motherboard, network card, video card, hard drive, memory, etc) but it also includes DVR capture card. This DVR capture card can have 4, 8, 16 video inputs. The video inputs receive analog signals from the cameras. The analog video is converted to a digital format and then compressed using mpeg4 compression. The compressed video is stored as data on the hard drive for archiving and playback. PC-based DVR provide far better video recording clarity over time lapse and are generally more flexible than standalone DVRs. These units are available as kits which you install on your PC. You can also buy systems pre-configured with all the functionality you need for your surveillance system.