We recognize that selecting a surveillance DVR recorder can be confusing. Here's some info which could be useful.

DVR REALITY CHECK / QUALITY DIFFERENCES:

We understand that there are tons of CCTV and security video recording options available from which to choose. We shop and test the technology a LOT more than any average consumer and please believe it can be just as frustrating, even at the OEM manufacturing level!

*Please read our "Dirty Little Secrets about PC recording cards" at the bottom of this page before closing and consult our wireless FAQ section for much more specific questions and detailed answers.

Over the last many years, we learned that 99% of our video surveillance and security customers BASICALLY WANT THE SAME THING: high quality video that is reliable for their given application. And it has always been our primary aim to SATISFY those customers by providing it.

Digital video recording has entered the "mainstream" and brought with it a FLOOD of various technologies to the marketplace. How do you know who or what you can trust amidst all the hype? Go to experienced video experts who tried it FOR YOU first... qualified people who 'know better' when they see strengths and weaknesses of a particular system or device.

Eyespyvideo.com is a company which believes in supplying our clients with the VERY BEST quality equipment for practical use in 'the real world' where the truth doesn't always jive with the ad copy. We are also one the few distributors who won't hide the practical limitations, or what a recorder (or camera or transmitter, etc.) will NOT do. We only choose RELIABLE models and test them before release, to be sure it won't be your headache... and then later ours as well.

Don't be BLINDED by buzzwords or fooled into putting too much emphasis on NUMBERS on PAPER. In the electronics industry (including and maybe especially video), those numbers often don't give an accurate representation of what end-quality performance and satisfaction the user will experience. These numbers almost NEVER give any consideration to the level of engineering and manufacturing of a particular device.

The MOST often overlooked but MOST IMPORTANT DVR aspects we consider for you:

RELIABILITY of OS (operating system) and quality-level of processor components used to build device are MORE than just important- since this is the fundamental ROOT of the video recording you are trying to accomplish. How important? Have you ever heard the term 'crash'?! Read more in the FAQ section and in the "dirty little secrets" segment below to see why we don't even fool with PC-based OS systems.

TRUE SPEED of recording and playback is not only judged in numeric "frames per second" (FPS), but in realistic human eye tests by experts and novices alike. The often-touted display or 'refresh' speed rate doesn't matter much, since many junk DVRs can allow user to view all cameras in 'real time' with no visual drag. In fact, there are plenty of 16 channel recorders which 'view' at 480 fps shared but RECORD at only 30 fps shared- that's less than 2 frames per second per channel! That's about 28 FEWER FRAMES PER SECOND than our realtime 16 unit, with the overwhelming deficit seen on each and every channel. **BUT, every once in LONG while, the specification numbers error in the user's favor. Our #DVR-N4, for example- easily outperforms its underwhelming speed spec and provides near-to-real time viewing of all recorded cameras. The #DVR-N16 literally BLOWS AWAY its own specs about 5 times over! You never know until you KNOW.

TRUE QUALITY of recorded video on playback of individual channels is the KEY (besides speed) to good video archiving and playback. Just as any ten different cameras which 'spec' at 380 lines will likely EACH provide a different visible image onto a screen, a DVR 'lines of resolution' specification is an indicator- but not an accurate judge of comparative quality. Specifications are just numbers and there are 'good' and 'bad' 320 x 240 and 720 x 480 recorders. Each will provide its own level of end-user quality and satisfaction. *It NEEDS to be mentioned that so many shameful or ignorant sellers out there are listing recorders at "480 lines of resolution" ability when it USUALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO with the ACTUAL RECORDING resolution. The higher number refers ONLY to the display lines available to a single camera in full frame VIEWING only (kind of like the display vs. record issue mentioned above). Many devices ALSO have variable speed/ variable quality so that the highest resolution setting might only be attained if the speed of recording is slowed way down! Many list ONLY the 'up to' spec for speed and quality of resolution and, in the case of DVRs, that can be a BIG problem. We actually do carry realtime 480 lines PER CHANNEL digital recorders (as well as some really good 240 line units) and actually do know the differences.

MOTION DETECTION QUALITY / ability and ease of adjustment or use are VERY IMPORTANT if motion recording is intended or desired. In fact, MOST security dvr users wish to record actual activity ONLY and set their systems up for 'motion detect' recording to maximize disk space, as well as minimize headaches scanning through unnecessary video to pinpoint a given event. Many motion detection protocols built into certain DVRs are OLD with non-adjustable sensitivity and often are not sensitive enough for quick and reliable activation of recording. Some are even downright crude and totally unacceptable for realistic use in different lighting conditions.

USER-FRIENDLINESS of features, setup and normal viewing and retrieval is the MOST IMPORTANT feature of all to many of our customers. Many DVR systems (even standalone box units) can be difficult to use and set up. This is bad enough to begin with, but these devices are often left unattended for weeks or months where the user may be forced to continually re-learn difficult controls just to access certain video. Almost every DVR we carry is ACTUALLY EASY to use and that is a crucial element to our final decision in which products we will carry. If it doesn't have EASE of use, it better have something else pretty unique or it's just not worth it. We never want our customers to be disappointed by a product we tried to convince them was great.

HARD DRIVE type/ quality, speed and buffer of the media on which the recorded video will be stored for later playback is one of the MOST overlooked aspects. Ours are specially selected high-quality, high-speed reliable drives from ONLY top manufacturers Western Digital®, Seagate® and Maxtor®. All 4-16 camera DVR recorders are outfitted with 7200 RPM drives with 8MB buffer cache memory. 'Theirs' may well be slower 5400 RPM drives with 2MB or likely even no buffer at all. Is your video- which COULD become invaluable evidence- really worth taking the chance on?

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES necessary to use device successfully right out of box? We go that 'extra step' and spend even a few more bucks for you by including plug adapters, cabling and often many more items that don't come with the unit from the factory.

The 'dirty little secrets' about PC recording DVR cards

To begin with, most (but certainly not all) of the PCI slot digital video recording cards you see out there are made of JUNK components and come with unreliable software filled with quirky little conflicts which may 'crash' regularly.... resulting in the DREADED LOST VIDEO (and of course "Murphy" will always make certain it's just when you actually NEEDED it).

These cards seem to be advertised as a quick, cheap and easy way you can get 'double-duty' from your home or office PC, by also turning it into a reliable multi-camera security recorder 'on the side'..... which is kind of like telling a person spinning 10 plates to do the laundry while they're at it.

Too many DVR card purchases have evolved into a 'build your own computer kit' when user finds out they don't have some or all of the required or recommended hardware in their PC. This is the point at which most rational people realize they made a MAJOR MISTAKE and that all they REALLY WANTED to do was plug in 4-16 cameras and be able to easily view and access their video in a fast, reliable format. Too late!

Especially for multiple camera projects, even a good computer is virtually rendered unusable for any other purpose after becoming a dedicated video recorder. The processing requirements of bandwidth data are GREAT for just one camera.... but for multiple cameras- it is really HEAVY. Unfortunately, most PC-based DVR recorders you'll find out there have been downgraded on the stuff you can't see- like the processor quality and speed, motherboard, video card, memory and more. You could easily spend OVER $1000 obtaining just quality computer hardware components themselves, NOT including the card itself- or even the outer case, keyboard or monitor. And, even after all that, you may still find that you built a 'killer system' around a DOG of a recording card- or that the software itself is unreliable for your situation.

PC computers meet a wide variety of needs in a wide range of applications- but that may actually be DRAWBACK when setting up as a recorder. So many 'settings' already installed in your computer (from software programs you use, etc.) may actually result as system CONFLICTS when in the presence of the new recording software.

Our BEST RECOMMENDATION is to use your PCs for networking to your DVR ONLY. Use a high quality non-PC EMBEDDED OS standalone DVR for actually recording and storing your video!

FINAL SECRET about these so-called miracle cards. If you have problems setting up your DVR card system with your PC, don't 'hold your breath' for any good technical help either. Be prepared to be told to "examine your computer's user manual" or be sent to a web address to download something which may or may not have anything to do with YOUR trouble! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

We LOVE our customers and WANT YOUR BUSINESS! We have the DVR systems to meet your needs & choose performance over numbers.