D-Link NVRs keep tabs on networked security cameras

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 06 August 2009 10:23

Business IT - Technology

D-Link has announced a new range of surveillance video recorders aimed at the home, SOHO and SME markets. Security cameras are becoming increasingly used to monitor homes and small business premises. But analogue recorders are old hat, and a PC used as a recorder is likely to be targeted by thieves anyway!

A compact digital unit that can be tucked out of sight may be the answer, and that's the direction D-Link has taken.

Two models are available. The entry-level ($A855) DNS-722-4 2-Bay NVR (network video recorder) Basic works only with D-Link network cameras, while the $A1440 DNS-726-4 2-Bay NVR Pro is also compatible with cameras from Axis, Sony and Panasonic.

Both of these toaster-sized NVRs can handle up to four cameras, and feature two 3.5in SATA drive bays that can be configured as RAID 1 for redundancy if desired.

Live or recorded video can be played back locally or across the Internet, and up to four NVRs can be managed with the D-ViewCam software.

Video searching isn't limited to times - the NVRs allow searching for events such as 'motion detected' or 'object missing' in a particular area of interest.

An interesting feature of the Pro model is that it can respond to motion detection or digital input triggers from a camera by changing camera settings such as turning on the lights or setting a particular direction. Users can be notified of events by email.

"D-Link's new family of affordable network video recorders are designed to take the management of IP surveillance cameras to a new level of ease and performance," said Maurice Famularo, marketing director for D-Link Australia and New Zealand.

"Despite their affordable price points, the new NVRs are packed with advanced video recording and camera management features, and remote access via the Internet," he added.