External drives for gadgets and registrars, including a fairly wide range of formats, and also differ in the type and speed of data processing. It is easy for the average user to get confused in all this variety, therefore, before choosing a memory card for the DVR and paying for your money, read this article. After reading it, you will have a good theoretical supply of information that will help you make a meaningful choice. So, we will figure out how to choose a memory card for the DVR and what to look for first.
Compatibility
In this segment, there are no external drives that would fit all devices, that is, they would be universal at all. For example, smartphones use a very small card with a marigold - micro-SD, while large and professional technology prefers large dimensions, as well as volumes with high speeds.
As for the registrars, everything is also not clear here: expensive and good DVRs can accept diverse cards with a large volume, while mediocre models are extremely picky about formats and even the manufacturer. Therefore, the rule here is as true as ever: the more expensive, the better. Before choosing a memory card for the DVR, the first thing to do is look at the characteristics of the gadget. The accompanying documentation must necessarily indicate the size of the external drive and the maximum permissible amount of read data.
Next, consider the classes of memory cards for DVRs that can be found on store shelves.
CompactFlash (CF)
This class has been in use for a very long time. Over the years, the format has reached its peak of development, but engineers still see the potential for increasing the speed of data processing.
Some expensive and very good DVRs still work with this class, but this is rather a tribute to versatility than practicality, because today there are cards with physically smaller dimensions and noticeably faster speed.
Secure Digital (SD)
SD cards are the most popular type of drive for gadgets of this kind. It is used both in amateur technology and in professional devices of the premium segment. With its dimensions, the card resembles a regular postage stamp, and the data storage capacity reaches 1 terabyte. Almost all car gadgets accept this format with a few exceptions: frankly cheap models or, conversely, some expensive and finicky ones. Before choosing a memory card for the DVR, check if it has SD size.
MicroSD
This is a smaller version of the SD drive. It is used where dimensions are severely limited by some design features of the gadget. Most miniature recorders should support the normal SD format, but there are ones that accept only microcards.
The maximum amount of data storage is limited, usually 256 GB, and the speed reaches 275 Mbit / s. Whatever lovers say is more compact, but a good half of users consider its small size an inconvenience. First of all, this is a limitation of the maximum storage capacity, and secondly, it is too easy to lose. And the owners of thick fingers did not fail to insert their word regarding ergonomics.
CFast
CFast format - these are the best memory cards for the DVR. They are used, as a rule, only in premium models and cost good money. Such cards are distinguished by high capacity, high speed and durability. If you are the owner of some noble device from "Canon" or ARRI, then you probably know about this format. The size of the card is similar to the CF form factor, but both of these formats are not compatible with each other in any way - neither hardware nor physical. Therefore, do not be confused by these two seemingly similar nomenclatures.
Speed
Even if memory cards have the same capacity and form factor, they can differ from each other in data processing speed. This parameter is very often discounted. A registrar is a gadget where the read / write speed is no less important than the volume. Therefore, you do not need to focus on smartphones and tablets here.
The media specification should indicate the actual speed of the card. Expensive models have characteristics from 633X and higher (1000X, 2000X, etc.). In some cases, they write another parameter - megabits per second. For example, a speed of 1000X is 150 Mb / s.
It should also be noted that you do not need to get involved in speed. 1000X is quite enough for a DVR, and more is intended for professional equipment like expensive cameras and camcorders. By and large, recording speed works in tandem with the gadget matrix. That is, the higher the resolution of the latter (HD, Full HD, 4K), the higher the indicator is needed for the first.
Summarizing
On things like a memory card, you should not save. Buying a model from a little-known brand, you risk losing information on the medium, and for the DVR this is the most important. Also, do not take extra-large volumes and cards with exorbitant speed. They will be just an expensive toy in your device, because they cannot be fully realized. Everything needs balance and measure. So study the specification for the registrar and buy a practical memory card specifically for your gadget.