A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) CCTV security system processes and records raw video signals sent from analogue cameras over traditional coaxial cables. [1, 2]

How DVR Systems Work

• Coaxial Connections: Cameras connect to the DVR using BNC (Bayonet Neill–Concelman) connectors on coaxial or Siamese cables that carry both video and power.

• On-Device Processing: The DVR unit itself digitizes and compresses the analogue video data from every connected channel into a usable format for storage on an internal hard drive.

• Standalone Operation: These systems can run completely offline without an internet connection, allowing you to view live feeds or review playback directly by plugging a monitor into the unit's HDMI or VGA ports.
  
  

Key Pros and Cons

• Cost-Effective Upgrades: Ideal if your property already has legacy coaxial wiring installed, letting you swap out old cameras or recorders without pulling new cables through walls.

• No Network Dependency: Immune to Wi-Fi drops or local network congestion for core recording functions.

• Cabling Limitations: Coaxial cables are thicker, harder to route, and lack the advanced data bandwidth or Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities found in modern Ethernet-based NVR setups.