DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder, and it is a device that records video to local storage devices, most commonly a hard drive. The primary purpose of a DVR is to process and store data gathered by surveillance cameras in security systems. DVRs are used in closed-circuit television (CCTV) security systems, and they convert the signals from analog cameras into a viewable digital format that can be stored on a hard drive. The device itself can be similar to a computer because it allows for a user interface while managing connected cameras and receiving data. DVRs are superior to the prior generation, the VCR, because they provide persistent storage of recorded data strictly through a closed-circuit security system. The process allows security camera system owners to store the recently converted footage indefinitely, transfer it to other devices or databases, and enjoy higher quality detail. Unlike the prior VCR and the later NVR (network video recorder), the security DVR provides persistent storage of recorded data strictly through a closed-circuit security system. The quality of the recorded data in the DVR is almost entirely dependent on the surveillance devices.