WHICH VIDEO RECORDER IS BEST?

First you have to define "best at what?" Some models offer higher resolution. Some offer longer
recording times. Still others offer the lowest price. Indeed what is ideal depends on who's asking.
What's best for one application may be inappropriate for another. Let's define our needs. Though
applications vary, the basic requirements of any recorder ar e pretty much universal.
The Fastest Animation. Regardless of the brand, we always want the
playback to look realistic. Television and cinema spoil us at 30 and 24
NORMAL TIME-LAPSE
frames per second respectively. We stop perceiving animation at around 10
frames per second. Below that, video is slightly more fatiguing to watch. A
DOUBLE - DENSITY
typical standard time-lapse VCR replays 5 pictures per second in the 24
TRIPLE - DENSITY
hour mode. For the most effective internal management control, select a
DIGITAL DVMR
model that records at least 10 pictures per second. This is achievable with
the new generation of high density recorders. "Double Density" models
record twice as many pictures as standard time-lapse models or about 10-12 per second in the 24 hour mode. "Triple Density" models
offer the fastest analog frame rates at three times standard time-lapse speeds or about 15-20 pictures per second in the 24 hour mode. As
an added benefit, high density recorders typically offer more advanced features and higher resolution. Digital recorders promise to break
the performance barrier by recording up to 540 lines of resolution at a true 30 pictures per second for 24 hour or longer. The latest digital
recorders from Kalatel offer this level of performance in either a combined digital multiplexer / recorder or a digital recorder only design.
FPS IN 24 HR MODE 0

10

15

20

25

30

Clearest Recording. Resolution is one of the most important performance paramet ers of a
surveillance recorder. While most consumer-grade VCRS record at 239 lines or less, they can get
away with it because those movies and shows were filmed to look good at this resolution! You don't
have the benefit of a movie studio with operator controlled 200mm zoom cameras on long booms to
keep the action up close and properly lit. Your surveillance VCR has to produce a clear picture in
less than perfect conditions every time, with no "retakes". A picture that will let you recognize a face
from across the room, or see what your cashier put into her pocket. The high quality VCR'S we offer
include analog models that record up to 450 lines and digital models that record up to 540 lines of
resolution, insuring solid evidence in the event of a robbery, cash loss, customer complaint, accident,
liability claim or other important event. By contrast, budget-priced time-lapse VCR's typically produce
a lower resolution using outdated technology that can result in a poorly detailed, unstable playback.
Crude color processing, poor syncronation, scanning head errors, minimal RF shielding, excessive
motor noise and other design compromises contribute to their poor performance. And if that weren't
bad enough, the resolution loss inherent with the quad-scree n observation systems typically
marketed with many "budget" recorders reduce picture quality even further. The few cents a day you
might save with one of these "budget" VCRS just isn't worth the sacrifice in performance and quality,
especially if it costs you thousands of dollars in reduced l oss prevention results every year!
User Friendliness. Quality recorders automate the daily process of archiving information, making
them convenient and user friendly. A back-up battery insures that your data won't be lost each time
there is a power interruption. After power is restored, quality VCRS will resume recording, while
"budget" units stop dead. Alarm recording allows optional panic buttons, our Smart Sensor PIR, digital motion detection built into your
multiplexer or your alarm system to trigger event recording. Add motion
detection to your surveillance system to save tapes and VCR wear while you
THE RESOLUTION CHAIN
reduce tape review time by up to 90%. The advanced Alarm index search
A Chain Is Only As Strong As It's Weakest Link
function on quality machines lets you review alarmed events in seconds. Press
a button and the VCR finds the event on tape then cues it up for your convenient
review. Advanced features like virtual real-time 24 hour speed, programmable
timer and repeat recording, movable on-screen displays, jog / shuttle control,
reverse play, automatic daylight savings time change, alarm interface and video
pass-thru on power off give you incredible flexibility and c ontrol.
camera
resolution

processor
resolution

VCR
resolution

monitor
resolution

500

768

240

650

What's the lowest resolution that you expect to see:

Live View?

On Playback?

Dependability. Quality VCRS offer more standard features that insure a

longer lifespan, such as higher quality motor bearings, dew warning
sensors, tape thread check, even warning codes that notify you of a fault
often before damage occurs! The more sophisticated tape management
systems reduce tape jams and result in more evidence capture d on tape.

Affordability. When shopping surveillance VCRS, it's

important to consider your investment over the life of
the machine. If a budget model costs 75% as much as a high quality model but it's useful lifespan is only half as long,
it's not really a savings at all, is it? And what features are you giving up for this relatively small one-time savings? Be
weary of a new generation low cost time-lapse VCRS modified from consumer decks that are currently flooding our
market from Asia. We talk to business owners every day who were lured by super low pricing and got took. They
discovered that a low-end disposable recorder is about as appropriate to their loss prevention efforts as dumping their
state-of-the art cash register or POS system and going back to a cigar box. As a general rule, expect any quality VCR
to provide between 10,000 and 50,000 recording hours of useful lifespan if you take reasonable care of it. Even at
twice the price, a high quality recorder is a much better value when you consider it's usable lifespan, the improved
loss prevention results possible and how much of your valuable time it will save you in archiving and reviewing tapes.
Only you can decide how much to spend on your loss prevention recorder, but with quality 24 hour machines starting
at under $550, there is no longer a valid reason to for you to compromise your long-term loss prevention results
because of sticker shock. An important decision today is whether to go with proven analog technology or invest in the latest digital design?
The article "Digital; Is It Time To Switch?" available on the free downloads page of our web site may provide some insight. If you're not sure
what VCR is best for you, please give us a call. We'd be hap py to discuss your needs and offer you objective, honest adv ice.