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Network video recorders (NVRs) are at the centre of today’s IP video systems. The video surveillance market includes a wide range of NVR choices for integrators and end users alike. NVR appliances include purpose-built machines that have embedded software systems as well as servers that are sold by video management system (VMS) software vendors and that have been pre-installed and preconfigured with their latest software capabilities.
This article will take a look at some of the latest NVR products available on the market.Many choices, common interface
Hikvision provides a full line of NVR appliances, ranging from 4-, 8- and 16-channel plug-and-play models with integrated 802.3af/at PoE to the enterprise-level 9600 Series with options for up to 256 channels. Hikvision’s 9016HQHI “Tribrid” recorder in its Turbo HD line can connect analogue, IP and HD-TVI cameras simultaneously. It has 16 analogue inputs that autodetect HD-TVI or traditional analogue and 16 IP inputs that support cameras with up to 6-megapixel resolution. All of Hikvision’s NVRs use a common graphical user interface (GUI), so integrators only need to learn one GUI.
Targeting commercial applications
Bosch offers a line of video storage for customers who have up to 128 channels with a focus on storage and all-in-one video management solutions. Bosch targets commercial applications, such as retail and hotels – anywhere from small stand-alone sites to multi-site applications.
Bosch’s all-in-one DIVAR IP appliance comes fully loaded with video management software and advanced features that set Bosch appliances apart, according to the company. This includes built-in Dynamic Transcoding technology, which comes standard in the DIVAR IP appliances. Dynamic Transcoding together with the free Video Security app offer instant access to smooth live streams or HD images from a mobile device, regardless of available bandwidth.
Pre-verified and tested hardware
Genetec network security appliances provide access to pre-verified and tested hardware configurations for video surveillance and access control deployments. Preloaded with Windows, Genetec Security Center and application wizards, Genetec network security appliances reduce the time and effort needed to deploy and commission systems in the field.
Genetec has invested in growing its portfolio of network appliances to suit the requirements of projects in various industries, ranging from compact appliances for small sites to highly scalable solutions for more complex system deployments.
For SMBs and other single-site |
The Genetec line of NVR appliance products starts with the SV-16, an entry-level appliance, designed for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMB). The SV-32 is designed specifically to meet the needs of larger retail and banking customers. The SV-32 is also powerful enough to host the Genetec mobile server for handheld/mobile devices (smart phones or tablets) with access to advanced mapping functionality.
The Genetec SV-PRO is the best suited for mid-sized enterprise and commercial, governmental and education verticals requiring the support of up to 100 cameras/256 readers. Essentially a 1U rack-mounted server, the SV-PRO was designed to accommodate up to 16 terabytes of storage with available RAID configuration options for added reliability.
Finally, the partnership between Genetec and BCDVideo has yielded a whole range of robust servers for deployments of large-scale, enterprise surveillance systems. The BCDVideo SuperNova Series servers can scale to hundreds of cameras offering on-board storage for up to hundreds of Terabytes. Through BCDVideo, Genetec also offers high performance client workstations designed to use Security Center GPU decoding capability to display more cameras and higher resolution video from a single workstation.
ONVIF-compliant, integrated system-in-a-box
Panasonic System Communications Company of North America brings a range of end-to-end surveillance and recording solutions to the market. The new WJ-NV300 is an ONVIF-compliant, fully integrated network video surveillance system-in-a-box providing full HD and 4K camera viewing and recording of up to 32 channels through a built-in mouse-driven graphical user interface and featuring flexible camera and storage expansion options. There’s no PC required for this all-in-one device, which offers 128Mbps recording bandwidth and two internal HDD slots with 3 and 4 terabyte drive storage capacity. Other features include: built-in full HD video decoder via dual HDMI outputs; real-time H.264 re-encoder to improve streaming to mobile terminals; and free Security Viewer 2.1 Free Android/Apple iOS APP supports mobile control.
The i-PRO WJ-ND400 Network Video Recorder records up to 64 network cameras simultaneously with multi-format recording in H.264, MPEG-4 and JPEG to deliver recording performance to meet the needs of today’s high-resolution IP cameras. The recorder supports up to nine removable 3 and 4 terabyte drives, and flexible recording modes include: Emergency, Scheduled, Manual and Event as well as playback video motion detection search.
A flexible and hardware-agnostic approach
As a software company committed to remaining hardware-agnostic, OnSSI works with leading server manufacturers like BCDVideo, Iomnis, Seneca and VVST to bundle their hardware with OnSSI’s Ocularis video management software, primarily Ocularis PS, Ocularis IS and the newly released Ocularis 5.0 Professional products. When dealers and integrators purchase these appliances, Ocularis is pre-configured, pre-licensed and ready for installation at their customers’ locations.
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ONVIF-compliant, hardware-agnostic approach, flexibility and scalability are some of the features trending in the latest NVR products |
By partnering with a number of industry-leading server providers to deliver appliance solutions powered by OnSSI’s Ocularis VMS, these bundled devices can be easily scaled and configured to meet the needs of end users and applications of all sizes. For SMBs and other single-site customers, the appliances offer a flexible, cost-effective solution for replacing aging DVRs or deploying new IP video solutions. Banks, convenience store chains, pharmacies and other multiple-site customers benefit from the convenience of a single, easy-to-use solution for managing and storing video from all of their locations. For larger sites, appliances powered by OnSSI offer the ability to quickly and easily scale their surveillance solutions to accommodate additional appliances as needed and/or to mix and match multiple versions of Ocularis within the same system without incurring additional licensing fees.
Building blocks for a customised, scalable solution
The Milestone Husky Series consists of all-in-one network video recorder (NVR) appliances. Pre-installed and optimised with Milestone System’s video management software (VMS), the industrial-grade surveillance solutions are designed to perform in a variety of configurations to suit any customer – from a single flower shop to a complex multi-site educational campus. Milestone Husky integrated solutions offer entry-level workstation and rack-mounted models. Any business is able to mix multiple models, cameras, and even third-party add-on software for a customised, scalable solution that reduces total cost of ownership without compromising on quality and Milestone’s feature set.
Milestone NVR appliance products include the Milestone Husky M10, an entry-level product for single location business such as retail shops and restaurants. Offering greater customization options, the Milestone Husky M30 easily integrates Milestone XProtect VMS add-ons and third-party hardware and software for comprehensive surveillance solutions, aimed at markets such as education. The Milestone Husky M50, also pre-installed with Milestone XProtect VMS, is a fully-customised, rack-mounted unit, with the highest storage capacity, memory and CPU power for large, complex surveillance environments such as a banking deployment.
Using Milestone Interconnect, all Milestone Husky NVRs can be extended beyond a single site installation using the Milestone high-end XProtect Corporate platform for a centralised view of all connected sites plus the advanced features from the VMS.
Dahua’s large portfolio of |
Offering Strong Stability and Reliability
Dahua’s complete NVR lineup ranges from entry-level to high-end. For example, the Beneficio series integrates 4K and H.265, giving a good balance of performance to price. This series is suitable for small applications such as home, small office and convenience stores. Dahua also has Pro and Super NVR series that offer strong stability and reliability with integration of value-added functions such as intelligence, POS integration and fisheye dewarping for medium-to-large applications with sophisticated demands.
Dahua’s large portfolio of NVR products and solutions cover a wide market range. Each NVR series targets a specific market. For example, the NVR6000 series is applied in airports and safety city projects, while the NVR4000 series is for retail shops and offices.
Dahua’s robust R&D capability enabled it to introduce an ARM-based H.265 4K NVR. Capabilities provide integrated functions beyond basic demands, such as VMS, POS and fisheye dewarping that make storage simple and smart. Dahua also offers interoperability through partnerships with other third party brands to broaden the selection range for customers. Dahua also emphasises technical support.