What is a DVR Card?
A DVR card is a type of video capture device that is installed in a computer so the computer can function as a digital video recorder. The cards come in many sizes, with multiple connections. Unlike most commercial DVRs, which are used primarily for entertainment, computer DVR cards are mostly used by businesses and other establishments with cameras for observation and surveillance.
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Installation
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Most DVR cards are internal, peripheral component interconnect (PCI)-style cards. The card is loaded into the computer through an available PCI slot in the rear of the computer. The card has connection ports on its rear side that essentially become part of the computer's rear panel when installed.
Channels and Connections
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DVR cards can come with as few as four video channels or as many as 32. The cards either come with individual video ports or a VGA or DVI port. VGA and DVI are similar cable connections used primarily for hooking up monitors, with VGA transmitting analog signals and VGA being used for digital transmission. Cards with a VGA/DVI port will require an adapter that has a VGA/DVI connector and numerous video ports. This adapter should come with the card.
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Surveillance
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Computers with DVR cards are frequently used with closed circuit cameras and other surveillance equipment. The numerous channels allow for multiple cameras to be connected to the computer, and many DVR cards come with video surveillance software that can be used to view and record multiple cameras from one central location.
Requirements
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A DVR card usually requires so many of a computer's resources that, in most cases, the computer needs to be used exclusively for recording video. Any other programs installed or operating on the computer can result in the computer not having enough memory to make the DVR card work. Also, some DVR cards only work with certain software programs, as other software could damage the card.
Audio
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DVR cards may not be able to record audio with video. Cards that include audio recording usually have two separate input ports--one for audio and one for video. They are also usually the types of cards that require adapters for DVI/VGA connections, with one adapter for video and one for audio.
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