“Tribrid” digital video recorders (DVR), as they've come to be known, aren't exactly a new thing. Previous to the release of Tribrid DVRs, there were Hybrid DVRs. If you recall from previous articles, Hybrid’s are capable of streaming and recording both standard analog and IP/network cameras. The Tribrid simply introduces the ability to now have HDCVI cameras in addition to those analog and IP cameras.
Ease of Use
Using a Tribrid DVR is no different than using any other DVR or NVR. The graphic user interface (GUI) and features will all be identical. The only real difference is that the unique features that distinguish a DVR from an NVR will all be on the same unit. This may mean some added menu options or inputs, but certainly no added confusion.
How it Works
Every channel on the Tribrid can be configured for Analog, HDCVI, or IP with the simple click of a button. After selecting the channel type, connect your cameras to the video inputs on the back of the unit, or connect them to your network if you’re using IP cameras. Your cameras that you have hardwired to the DVR will begin streaming and recording immediately. Your IP cameras simply need to be added to the device list. This is done in the same fashion as if you were using an NVR.
Everyone should be considering a Tribrid
Other than the Hybrid DVR, the Tribrids are just about the first thing in this entire industry to be even close to backwards compatible. In the past, upgrading from one type of system to another always meant swapping out your video recorder in addition to your cameras. For this reason, it gets expensive pretty quick to upgrade; having a DVR that’s compatible with every type of camera currently available, regardless of type, should seem like a no-brainer. This puts you in a perfect position to either upgrade everything all at once, or piece it out one thing at a time.
