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Differences Between a DVR, NVR and a VMS

Feb 21, 2022 | Ip Video

Understanding the Difference Between a DVR NVR and VMS

Cut the Core Drilling: SDC WPT Wireless Power Transfer Device Makes Retrofits Easy

Messing with door cores is one of the biggest headaches for security dealers retrofitting electrified hardware—especially when dealing with wood or fire-rated doors. Fortunately, the SDC WPT Wireless Power Transfer Device solves that problem by delivering power and data across the door gap without any moving parts, wires, or core drilling.

Ideal for both retrofit and new construction, this RF-powered solution simplifies installations, minimizes vandal-prone wiring, and keeps projects on schedule. Whether you’re updating an older access control system or installing electric locks on a wood or steel door, the SDC WPT gives you the power—literally—to get the job done cleanly and compliantly.

Key Product Features

  • Wireless RF power transfer—no door core drilling required
  • Compatible with steel and wood doors
  • Transfers both energy and data (REX, DPS, latch status)
  • Visual LED status indicator
  • Field-selectable dual voltage output (12VDC or 24VDC)
  • Up to 1/4” (7mm) door gap tolerance
  • Flexible mounting on latch, hinge, or top frame
  • No moving parts or exposed wires—zero wear points
  • Adjustable unlock trigger (1–90 seconds)
  • Includes fixed 4-second unlock trigger for standard REX

Use Cases & Dealer Benefits

The WPT is a retrofit-friendly, code-compliant solution designed for:

  • Failsecure Electrified Locks and Latches: Power mortise, cylindrical, or rim locks without wiring hassles.
  • High-Traffic Doors: Reduce wear and tear from wire loops and moving parts.
  • Historic and Finished Doors: Maintain door aesthetics without compromising functionality.
  • Healthcare and Schools: Perfect for touchless entry installations using wave-to-open sensors.
  • Compliance Upgrades: Ideal for projects needing to meet UL fire and burglary ratings.

Why Dealers Love It:

  • No Core Drilling = Faster Installs: Save labor and avoid damaging fire-rated or wood doors.
  • Reduced Callbacks: No wires to break or degrade over time.
  • More Tolerant Alignment: Easier to install than inductive wireless devices.
  • Upsell Opportunity: Bundle with electrified locksets, exit devices, and wave-to-open switches.
  • Profitable Retrofits: Unlock more margin on existing door openings where wiring is difficult.

Technical Summary

  • Power Input (Frame Side): 600 mA @ 24 VDC
  • Power Output (Door Side):
    • 600 mA @ 12 VDC
    • 300 mA @ 24 VDC
  • Door Gap Tolerance: Up to 1/4″ (7mm)
  • Alignment Tolerance: Horizontal & vertical < 5/64” (2mm)
  • Dry Inputs:
    • (1) 4-second fixed unlock trigger
    • (1) 1–90 second adjustable unlock timer
  • Dry Outputs (Frame Side):
    • (2) SPDT, 1A @ 30 VDC resistive
    • (2) SPST-NO, 100 mA @ 60 VDC resistive
  • Environmental Rating: -4°F to 140°F
  • Weight: 1 lb
  • Certifications:
    • UL 10C Positive Pressure Fire Tests
    • UL 1034 Burglary-Resistant Locking Mechanisms

Note: For use with failsecure (power-to-unlock) locks only. Not compatible with failsafe or continuously dogged locks.

How the SDC WPT Works

Unlike inductive systems that require precise coil alignment, the WPT uses RF energy, which:

  • Transmits power as radio waves across the door gap.
  • Converts the RF signal into usable DC voltage via an internal receiver.
  • Transfers data (REX, DPS, latch status) along with power.
  • Is less sensitive to vertical and horizontal misalignment than coil-based systems.

This makes the WPT more installer-friendly and reliable in real-world deployments—especially in field conditions where perfect alignment isn’t always possible.

Accessory Highlight: WPT Drill Jig

For installers working with solid or particle-filled wood doors, SDC offers a WPT Drill Jig Assembly (part #SDC-WPT), available from JustDoorToolz. This makes prep quick, clean, and precise—ensuring a secure, code-compliant fit for every install.

Partner with SESP for Your SDC Installations
Southeast Security Products represents SDC and other best-in-class manufacturers across the Southeast U.S., offering hands-on support, product expertise, and dealer-focused programs to help you grow your business. Whether you’re building your first smart home package, upgrading to next-gen connectivity, or integrating high-performance technology into a larger security system, we can help you select the right solutions to power your installations. Contact us today for pricing, training, or to request a demo of the WPT Wireless Power Transfer Device.

Visit sesproducts.com or reach out to learn more about how we can support your next project.

When evaluating a DVR vs NVR, the video surveillance market is saturated with so many different solutions, it is nearly impossible to choose one vs. the other.  In this article, we will examine the 3 primary recording solutions for surveillance and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each.

DVR:  A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) records video from analog cameras.  The DVR takes the analog camera signal and then processes it via encoding by converting the analog signal to digital (ones and zeros) where the video can now be stored on hard disk drives. 

A DVR has a separate video capture card that digitizes the analog signals so they can be stored and transmitted.  This is an efficient process as the video capture card captures video, encodes, and then compresses it.  In addition, the video from the capture card is sent directly to the video display card, bypassing the CPU, and freeing the CPU to only conduct motion detection and writing to disk (figure 1).

Advantages:  Lower cost, easy to troubleshoot, uses standard coax

Disadvantages:  Analog cameras have lower feature set than IP, limited scalability, camera inputs are home run into DVR.

NVR:  A Network Video Recorder (NVR) is a recording appliance like a DVR but is it designed to record and display IP Video Camera Streams on an embedded (OS) appliance.  An IP camera is simply an analog camera that is encoded at the camera so the video stream can be sent across an IP network where it can be stored, recorded, and displayed.  The DVR has a local monitor output to display live and recorded video.

Like a DVR, an NVR has a fixed number of camera inputs, and the performance architecture is designed for that workload and is therefore limited in scalability. 

Understanding the limitations is important (as with any recording appliance) when specifying a solution (i.e., Sixteen 1080P IP cameras require a lot less bandwidth than sixteen 5MP cameras)

DVR vs NVR

A major difference:  In an NVR, the video data is captured via the network interface card (NIC).  Although the NIC is a hardware device that allows the CPU to communicate with the IP camera, it does not replace the video capture card because it does not perform any encoding or compression of the video data.  The encoding and compression tasks are left to the CPU (Figure 2).

Because the CPU is charged with the responsibility of motion detection, write/playback, compression as well as transferring the video to the video display card, it can place a heavy burden on the CPU.  Add in higher resolution cameras and the CPU can quickly become overloaded and experience significant slowdown or a complete crash. 

Advantages:  Can support PoE to the camera, higher feature set cameras (vs analog), IP cameras can be deployed anywhere on a network

Disadvantages:  Although more scalable than a DVR, the number of inputs is fixed limiting the scalability of the appliance

VMS:  Video Management Software (VMS) is typically robust video management software that is loaded onto a PC and offers greater functionality and scalability than an NVR.

A VMS processes video similar to the NVR and has similar limitations based on the hardware used.  But a VMS doesn’t have a fixed number of inputs like DVRs and NVRs lending itself to increased scalability. In addition, a VMS solution can offload the burden of displaying live video to a client workstation or PC (Note:  so can an NVR but that is not how it is typically deployed).  A robust VMS should have the capability of enterprise-level functionality such as video wall, fail-over, mapping support, etc. (See our Advanced Video Surveillance course and white papers).

A VMS solution will be more robust and scalable and have the most advanced features.  The typical method of specifying a VMS is to first determine all of the camera requirements, then specify the hardware required to meet and exceed the requirement. 

Advantages: Scalability, enterprise functionality, advanced features

Disadvantages:  Can be more difficult to troubleshoot and more complex to deploy.

Contact SESP for Dealer Pricing and Support

Let us help you select the right recording solution for your project and streamline your next retrofit installation. From product recommendations to quoting and demos, we’re your partner in the field.

Southeast Security Products

We represent best-in-class security manufacturers like DW across the Southeast U.S., offering hands-on support, product expertise, and dealer-focused programs to help you grow your business. Whether you’re a security dealer, integrator, or end user, we’re here to help you succeed. Visit sesproducts.com or contact us to learn more about how we can support your next project.

 

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