Which is better: video server or video recorder?

Question

CCTV

As part of the training, I am developing a system for video monitoring.
It was decided to use 4 IP cameras for these purposes.
It is necessary to make video monitoring 24/7, conditionally. Behind the next door from the monitoring site sits an "observer" who, using a computer and software on it, watches what is happening + can control the cameras. There is also a main user who can connect to this system. Well, you can broadcast from cameras for training. It is also necessary to be able to store these records for six months, to be able to edit and so on.
I can't decide what to choose: a video server or a video recorder for such a system?

Answer 1

Your task has too many pitfalls for a non-specialist to solve.
At a glance:
Latency (for ip cameras it is high enough for tasks where a few seconds can matter)
Priorities ptz (who is in charge of controlling the camera from two people who can do this)
Resolution and lighting (these are quite complex scenes)
Storage volume (for 4Mbps flow 24/7*4 channels 6 months is 30-40Tb)
Contact an integrator.

Answer 2

The registrar is simpler and therefore more reliable. I don’t know where the previous speaker got ptz from, I didn’t deal with ptz .. If this is something more or less ordinary - 2mp cameras - then you need to take cameras with h.265+, a reg with two slots for hdd, put two hdd and no servers or computers are needed. Both cameras and recorder can be taken for example hiwatch, hdd purple or skyhawk. Yes, I do not understand what "edit" means?