A 4-channel NVR records up to four IP cameras. This is the format for homes and small businesses: one camera on the front door, one on the back, one on the driveway, one spare.
Get one if…
You are installing two to three cameras today. Never fill an NVR to capacity: keep at least one channel free, as expansions happen faster than you think. If you are already planning for four cameras, upgrade to the 8-channel — the price difference is small, but the peace of mind isn't.
With or without PoE?
A PoE model powers cameras via the network cable: only one cable per point instead of two. On a four-camera installation, this saves half a day of cabling. Only choose the non-PoE version if you already have a PoE switch.
Storage
Allow approximately 2 TB for four 4 MP cameras over one week of continuous recording, 6 TB for one month. Detection-based recording often halves these volumes. Use a hard drive from the surveillance range, designed for continuous writing.
