Surveillance Without a DVR
Through the Internet: Connecting Your Cameras
In most surveillance systems, the DVR isn’t just for storing video footage—it also serves as an interface between your cameras and the monitors where you view the feed.
However, in some cases, you don’t need a DVR at all. The method you choose really depends on the requirements of your specific surveillance needs.
Let’s take a look at some ways to set up surveillance without using a DVR, along with their pros and cons.
Right off the bat, it’s important to note that you can skip the DVR if you're using IP cameras. For analog cameras, however, you'll need something like a video streamer to convert the analog signal into an IP stream. This adds extra cost in hardware, not to mention the video capture cards, which could cost as much as a DVR itself.
For simplicity’s sake, we’re going to leave those out—they’re just not worth it when you can get something better.
Cloud-Based Surveillance Services
This is basically a P2P (peer-to-peer) system, where on one side, you’ve got your camera, and on the other side, you’ve got a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s how it works:
- Internet connection (wired or wireless)
- Cloud service provider's server acts as the intermediary.
As long as you've got enough bandwidth to push the IP camera stream, it doesn’t matter whether you're using a wired or 3G/4G connection.
The cloud server handles the camera identification, whether it has a static or dynamic IP address.
To get started, you’ll need to register with the cloud service provider and install their app on whatever device you plan to use to watch the footage (no DVR required).
In terms of hardware, you just need to connect the camera to the internet. That means you’ll need a router, and if you don’t have wired internet, a modem as well. Some cameras have built-in wireless internet support, which can be handy depending on your setup.
Make sure to check if your camera is compatible with the cloud service provider you choose.
Pros and Cons of Cloud-Based Surveillance
Pros:
- Remote access to your cameras from anywhere with an internet connection.
- No need for a DVR to store footage, as it’s handled by the cloud.
Cons:
- To have a video archive, you’ll need to pay for cloud storage, which is not cheap.
- The cost usually runs around a few bucks a month per camera, for a 7-day archive. That can really add up, so be sure to check the pricing carefully before committing.
The big upside is that cloud storage is secure—no one can tamper with the footage since it's off-site.
Using a Memory Card for Storage
Some IP cameras support memory cards, with capacities ranging from 128GB to 256GB. This setup allows you to store footage for several days without the need for a DVR.
If you set up motion detection properly on your camera, you can record footage only when needed. This can work both autonomously or with remote access. You can even use a free cloud service plan to view footage remotely from your camera.
Directly Connecting Surveillance Cameras Without a DVR
If you don’t need to record footage, a DVR isn’t required to transfer or process the signal. While there are a few ways to bypass the DVR, they’re not always the most effective.
Best option: Use IP cameras and the proper software. A computer will be required, but it can also handle recording. You can also view live footage through a browser, no DVR needed.
It’s also possible to connect analog cameras directly to a computer or even a TV without a DVR. This setup isn’t as efficient, but it might work for certain scenarios.
For more details on connecting cameras, check out our guide on how to connect surveillance cameras.
A word of caution: Don’t rely on USB converters or webcams for video surveillance—they simply won’t provide the quality or features you need.