Many people want to know how to find out which security cameras are compatible with their DVRs. Let’s say one of your cameras is broken and doesn’t work anymore. Which camera do you need to order and have it replaced?
With so many HD video standards and resolutions available, it definitely can be confusing. All the cameras appear to be the same, but actually, the technology and the signal they transmit depend on the manufacturer/brand, and not every camera works with any DVR. You need to get a camera that can send out the feed to your current DVR.
In this guide, we will briefly describe the main camera types and the DVRs on the market and how you can easily find out which camera is compatible with your system. Then all you have to do is simply order it online and have it replaced when it’s delivered.
Note: This article will not cover network IP cameras. It covers just the HD analog cameras that use the coaxial camera. If your camera uses a network cable (Ethernet cable) then it’s an IP camera. If your camera uses the thick Siamese cables (the old-style TV cable), then it’s a coaxial camera.
Which Security Camera Works with my DVR?
Let’s start by explaining quickly what a DVR is and how to tell if you have one. A Digital Video Recorder (short DVR) is a device that processes and records the video feed coming from the cameras. The cameras are wired straight to the DVR, they send out the video feed which is further processed by the recorder.
Usually, the DVR has a few internal hard drives that store the footage for up to a few months. This footage can be reviewed via a monitor/TV, through the phone, via a computer, etc.
Also, the DVR provides live view and other settings that can be adjusted to get the best out of your security camera system.
At the back of the DVR, you should see the camera inputs (BNC) which are properly labeled such as “Inputs”, “Camera In”, “Video In”, etc.
If you see these kinds of connectors (as shown below) then you’ve got a DVR. A DVR is for coaxial cameras, an NVR works with IP cameras.
When finding out which cameras are compatible with your security system, you need to keep in mind two basic components: the signal type and the resolution. The DVR needs to be able to read the camera’s video signal and support its resolution.
The signal type: HD Security Cameras
All of the well-known security equipment manufacturers (Swann, Samsung, Night Owl, Lorex, Hikvision, Dahua, LTS, Zosi, Amcrest, etc) sell HD over coax security camera systems.
The problem is that many times these manufacturers do not disclose the signal type (HD technology) that their cameras and DVR use.
The reason why they keep the specs hidden is that they do not want their customers to have choices of where to buy replacement cameras and other compatible equipment. They want users to go back to them.
These are 5 major HD video formats used today (here’s a detailed article about these technologies).
- HD-TVI cameras – High Definition Transport Video Interface. Also called “TVI” cameras. Available in 720p (1MP), 1080p (2MP), 3 megapixel, 5 megapixel, and 8 megapixel, 4K resolutions.
- HD-CVI cameras – High Definition Composite Video Interface. Also called “CVI” cameras. Available in 720p (1MP), 1080p (2MP), 3 megapixel, 5 megapixel, and 8 megapixel, 4K resolutions.
- AHD cameras – Analog High Definition. Available in 720p (1MP), 1080p (2MP), 3 megapixel, 5 megapixel and 8 megapixel.
- CVBS – Traditional analog cameras. These are the old school cameras, the blurry ones and their resolution is measured in TV lines. This is a legacy type and you should not use these cameras due to their extremely low resolution.
- HD-SDI cameras – High Definition Serial Digital Interface. Obsolete and discontinued, no one manufactures this type of camera anymore.
Nowadays there are cameras called four-in-one (4-in-one) that support all these types of signals. These cameras have a switch on the pigtail and you can adjust it to match your DVR’s signal type.
If your DVR is CVI, then you can set the camera a CVI signal and you’ll see the picture showing up on the screen.
Resolution
This is an important factor, DVRs don’t support all resolutions. For example, a 2MP DVR supports any resolution that is 2MP (1080P) and lower, but not higher.
Let’s say, the DVR can support 1MP (720p) and 2MP (1080p) cameras, but it won’t support 3MP cameras.
As a rule, DVR can decode any camera resolution that is lower than it’s specified by the manufacturer. So a 5MP DVR can support all the cameras that deliver a resolution of 5MP and lower (obviously, not higher).
DVR Compatibility and the Cameras
If you need to get a camera for your DVR, you need one that is compatible with DVR’s signal type and within the supported resolution. Let’s go through some examples:
- Your DVR is a 1080p CVI recorder. You need: CVI cameras with 1MP (720p) or 2MP (1080p) resolution.
- Your DVR is a 5MP TVI recorder. You need: TVI cameras with 1MP to 5MP resolution.
- Your DVR is a 5MP AHD recorder. You need: AHD cameras with 1MP to 5MP resolution.
There are also DVRs that support multiple signals, some of them support all types of camera signals. Hybrid DVRs support two types of signals, Tribrid DVRs support three types of signals (CVS, CVI, or TVI), pentabrids support all types of signals on the markets (CVBS, CVI, TVI, AHD, and even IP cameras through the network).
For example: a 5MP pentaprid DVRs will support any camera type (CVI, TVI, AHD) with a resolution of 5MP or lower. In this kind of DVRs, whatever camera you have, it will be shown on the screen as long as the resolution is supported.
I don’t know the type of DVR and cameras that I have?
There are a few ways to find out which type of DVR you own and what camera you need. Below we’ve listed a few methods.
Check the camera’s sticker
If the camera is broken and you need to replace it with a new one, inspect the sticker or the label on it and find out the model number.
Most of the cameras have a sticker on them that provides the camera’s model, serial number, and in some cases even the type such as “TVI”, “CVI” etc.
If it’s just that model, then you can google the exact model and find out the specs or other information. In the spec sheet, it’s specified what type of camera it is including the resolution. You can buy the same model, or you can buy another one with the same specs.
Check the DVR model
If you have no information about the broken camera, you can deduct the compatibility by checking the DVR’s model number. If you know the DVR model, you can check the supported resolution and signal type.
So, inspect any label or sticker on the side or underneath the DVR and locate the model. You can google the model number and find the exact specs of the unit that will inform you about the supported signal type (TVI, CVI, AHD, etc) and the max resolution.
Some DVRs have their model listed in the settings section. You can access the Menu using the mouse and via the monitor navigate to the Device Information section and there you should find information such as serial number, model, manufacturer, etc.
On some occasions, if you go to the camera settings of the DVR, you should see the type of signal listed there or somewhere on the menu. You may see info such as “CVBS” or “TVI”, etc.
Contact the seller/installer
Another way is to contact the seller or the installer and get the information from them. Although, sometimes they don’t want to disclose the specs because they want customers to buy from them only. You still call them up and maybe they’ll be reasonable.
Additionally, you may check any manuals or user guides of the system, check out if there’s any model there or type. Most of the time, the manuals have a spec sheet that can help you identify the camera types that work with your system,
My DVR is generic and has no brand name?
What if the DVR has no brand name at all but just a generic “DVR” or “Recorder” on the front? These types of DVRs are called OEM and are usually manufactured by large manufacturers who sell them in bulk to smaller companies. Sometimes these companies label them with their own (unknown) brands.
If you’re in this situation (where you can get any model at all), then you can open up the DVR and inspect the motherboard.
There may be a sticker there with the model or you closely check the inscriptions on the motherboard. Try them on google and see if you can get more information.
Another way to come around this issue is by checking the interface style and layout. Usually, there are just a handful of companies that manufacture OEM DVRs for worldwide distribution.
While the reseller may modify the menu a little bit (such as colors), the general layout and scheme remain the same.
Two of the largest manufacturers in the world are Hikvison and Dahua and their DVRs and cameras are sold under hundreds and hundreds of brand names or third-party sellers.
Hikvision DVRs use TVI cameras, Dahua DVRs use CVI cameras. Both support CVBS cameras as well (the traditional cameras). If the menu of your DVR is similar to the ones shown below then you either have Hikvision or Dahua.
The Hikvision OEM devices have this style of the menu:
The Dahua OEM devices have this style of the menu:
Additionally, these manufacturers produce tribrid and pentabrid DVRs that support all types of camera signals. In this case, you need to worry just about the resolution. Your best bet is to go with a 1080 (2MP) camera since it’s the most common one.
I can’t find the DVR model and I have no idea what camera I should use?
If you tried everything and you still don’t know what type of DVR or camera you need, then there’s a solution for that. You can go for the jack of all trades: the FOUR in ONE camera.
As we said earlier, this type of camera has a dip switch and you set any signal you want on the output. These cameras support HD-CVI, HD-TVI, AHD, and CVBS (traditional analog). Whatever DVR you own, it will support one of these signals.
Another thing to consider: resolution. DVRs support certain resolutions, a 5MP camera won’t work on a 2MP DVR. To be safe, purchase a 1080p (2MP) four-in-one camera since that’s the most popular resolution and most of the DVRs will support it.
So, if you don’t know anything about this, just purchase a four-in-one security camera, power it up and then hook it up at the back of the DVR. Then you go through the switch on the pigtail and try each signal one by one until you get a colored image on the screen.
If it’s the wrong signal, it will not show anything on the screen, or, in the same cases, it will show a black-and-white image with horizontal lines rolling up and down. Try all of the signals until you get the right one.
Conclusion
If you got a broken camera (or DVR) and you need to replace it, there are a few ways to tell which camera you need and which one will work with your DVR. If you see a model on the camera, order the same model online.
If you don’t have a camera model, try to locate the DVR’s model and check the spec sheet to see which security cameras work with it. Or you may even call the seller or the installer.
Lastly, if you can’t go through, just purchase a 1080p four-in-one security camera, and most likely will work with your DVR.
These types of cameras support all types of signals and the 2MP resolution is the most common one. So, the chances not to work with your DVR are super slim. Additionally, maybe it’s time to shop for a new HD camera system that uses the existing wiring.
