What is the difference between a PC-based DVR and an Embedded Digital Video Recorder (DVR)?
A PC-based digital video recorder is basically a personal computer that has been modified with hardware and software to work as a DVR. Because they are PC based, they can be unstable. An embedded digital video recorder is a machine that has been manufactured specifically to work as a DVR. In embedded Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) there is typically one circuit board with simple software burned into the chip. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of DVR. The advantages of an embedded digital video recorder are that they are extremely stable and reliable since they contain fewer parts. The software is often written in basic machine code or Linux code which tends to be more stable than Windows software. Also the picture that you get on the monitor usually looks better (especially when viewed full screen) than PC-based DVRs because there is less compression. The disadvantages are that they have fewer options. Since they generally have less compression they use more hard driv
