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Most IP camera manufacturers now provide their own free CCTV recording software e.g. HikVision, ACTi, Vivotek
However, they're not silly, their free software will only work with their own IP cameras.
We're often asked to recommend recording solutions that allow folk to mix & match the camera brands that they deploy; either because their system needs a mix of cameras with particular attributes, or simply because they want to remain 'open' to the full market choice in the future.
If you want to have full flexibility of choice of camera brands, then you will need to select a paid-for third-party recording solution. I'm going to cover briefly the four main options that we offer at use-IP, which split equally into two independent software solutions, and two 'box' solutions.
The Software Solutions
Software solutions typically run in a client/server structure, you will need to install a recording/managing software component on a main PC or server, and a client software component on each of the PCs/laptops that you wish to use for access to your IP CCTV system.
Milestone Systems
Probably THE best-known CCTV software.
Very polished.
Long established.
Nobody ever got fired for choosing Milestone.
A range that covers everything from free-to-use with limitations Milestone XProtect Go, right up to the full-blown, does everything you can imagine Milestone XProtect Corporate.
Milestone provide free Android and IOS Apps.
Luxriot
By comparison with Milestone, the young pretender that hardly anyone has heard of, but we have Partnered since 2009.
Very cost-effective.
Fast, agile, development.
A perpetual licence - pay once only and stay up-to-date with the latest release for life.
Fanatical FAST support by the manufacturer.
IMHO they had one limiting factor, they did not offer mobile Apps - these have now (just last week) been released for Android & IOS.
The Box Solutions
NAS or NVR box solutions run on a dedicated hardware box that you add to your network. Typically these run the Linux operating system and the manufacturer's own CCTV management software. The boxes are built for the purpose, energy efficient for 24/7 running and capable of coping with the specified throughputs for the stated number of cameras/throughputs/disk write speeds/Mbps.
You will access your box using the normal browser from your PC or laptop e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.
The manufacturer will also provide IOS and Android Apps for mobile access.
Currently, the below box manufacturers can accept a maximum hard drive capacity of 4TB per bay. Both offer desktop and rackmount models. Box models tend to be superceded fairly quickly, as new CPUs and related PC technology components become available to them. Using Synology as an example, over the last two or three years the 211 model became the 212, became the 213, and now the 214 ...
People who install solutions for other people tend to prefer these fit & forget boxes, they let you escape the vagaries of Windows Operating Systems, and are sure to recover and re-start following power cuts.
Synology
Synology's boxes are not strictly dedicated NVRs (Network Video Recorders), they are multi-purpose NAS (Network Attached Storage) boxes, they just happen to manage IP CCTV very well.
They offer a full range of 'boxes' to manage everything from a 5-camera system to a 70-camera system.
Every box runs the same Surveillance System software, it comes pre-loaded as part of their DSM (DiskStation Manager) Operating System. They recently started to use Device Packs as a means of mini updates to provide you with frequent updates to all the latest cameras, etc.
Although they are multi-functional NAS boxes, 'Surveillance' is the top/centre tab at their own website, and their Surveillance Station solution does a great job.
Every Synology box ships with a single camera licence built-in, to allow you to test their capability free of charge. If you want to connect additional IP cameras, you have to purchase additional licences. This model actually works well; you can purchase a box that is bigger than you imagine you will ever need, and only buy the number of camera licences that you initially need. Later, when you decide you want to add more cameras, you can be pretty sure that you will not outgrow your box.
Synology provide free Android and IOS Apps.
Synology boxes do not currently allow you to directly connect a monitor.
If you wish to have a permanent live view monitor for your IP CCTV you will need to add their VisualStation at the location on your network where you wish to place the monitor.
There are of course Pros & Cons to this; you can produce CCTV views anywhere on your network, but unfortunately you will need to purchase this additional device to do so.
QNAP
QNAP offer both NAS boxes and dedicated NVRs.
I am only going to elaborate on the capabilities of their NVRs. The reason being that they run NVRs and NAS boxes as effectively two different business units, and although their NAS boxes are IP CCTV capable, they restrict your choice of proven cameras to a very limited model range to 'encourage' you to purchase an NVR for IP CCTV.
QNAP's NVRs are supplied with a fixed camera count capability i.e. 4-camera boxes, 8-camera boxes, 12-camera boxes and so on.
You pay for the full capability at the time of purchase / you can never add further cameras beyond that camera count.
QNAP currently offer three capability tiers:
no model suffix - you cannot connect a monitor
PRO suffix - you can connect a VGA monitor
PRO+ - you can connect an HDMI monitor
QNAP also provide free Android and IOS Apps.
However, they're not silly, their free software will only work with their own IP cameras.
We're often asked to recommend recording solutions that allow folk to mix & match the camera brands that they deploy; either because their system needs a mix of cameras with particular attributes, or simply because they want to remain 'open' to the full market choice in the future.
If you want to have full flexibility of choice of camera brands, then you will need to select a paid-for third-party recording solution. I'm going to cover briefly the four main options that we offer at use-IP, which split equally into two independent software solutions, and two 'box' solutions.
The Software Solutions
Software solutions typically run in a client/server structure, you will need to install a recording/managing software component on a main PC or server, and a client software component on each of the PCs/laptops that you wish to use for access to your IP CCTV system.
Milestone Systems
Probably THE best-known CCTV software.
Very polished.
Long established.
Nobody ever got fired for choosing Milestone.
A range that covers everything from free-to-use with limitations Milestone XProtect Go, right up to the full-blown, does everything you can imagine Milestone XProtect Corporate.
Milestone provide free Android and IOS Apps.
Luxriot
By comparison with Milestone, the young pretender that hardly anyone has heard of, but we have Partnered since 2009.
Very cost-effective.
Fast, agile, development.
A perpetual licence - pay once only and stay up-to-date with the latest release for life.
Fanatical FAST support by the manufacturer.
IMHO they had one limiting factor, they did not offer mobile Apps - these have now (just last week) been released for Android & IOS.
The Box Solutions
NAS or NVR box solutions run on a dedicated hardware box that you add to your network. Typically these run the Linux operating system and the manufacturer's own CCTV management software. The boxes are built for the purpose, energy efficient for 24/7 running and capable of coping with the specified throughputs for the stated number of cameras/throughputs/disk write speeds/Mbps.
You will access your box using the normal browser from your PC or laptop e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.
The manufacturer will also provide IOS and Android Apps for mobile access.
Currently, the below box manufacturers can accept a maximum hard drive capacity of 4TB per bay. Both offer desktop and rackmount models. Box models tend to be superceded fairly quickly, as new CPUs and related PC technology components become available to them. Using Synology as an example, over the last two or three years the 211 model became the 212, became the 213, and now the 214 ...
People who install solutions for other people tend to prefer these fit & forget boxes, they let you escape the vagaries of Windows Operating Systems, and are sure to recover and re-start following power cuts.
Synology
Synology's boxes are not strictly dedicated NVRs (Network Video Recorders), they are multi-purpose NAS (Network Attached Storage) boxes, they just happen to manage IP CCTV very well.
They offer a full range of 'boxes' to manage everything from a 5-camera system to a 70-camera system.
Every box runs the same Surveillance System software, it comes pre-loaded as part of their DSM (DiskStation Manager) Operating System. They recently started to use Device Packs as a means of mini updates to provide you with frequent updates to all the latest cameras, etc.
Although they are multi-functional NAS boxes, 'Surveillance' is the top/centre tab at their own website, and their Surveillance Station solution does a great job.
Every Synology box ships with a single camera licence built-in, to allow you to test their capability free of charge. If you want to connect additional IP cameras, you have to purchase additional licences. This model actually works well; you can purchase a box that is bigger than you imagine you will ever need, and only buy the number of camera licences that you initially need. Later, when you decide you want to add more cameras, you can be pretty sure that you will not outgrow your box.
Synology provide free Android and IOS Apps.
Synology boxes do not currently allow you to directly connect a monitor.
If you wish to have a permanent live view monitor for your IP CCTV you will need to add their VisualStation at the location on your network where you wish to place the monitor.
There are of course Pros & Cons to this; you can produce CCTV views anywhere on your network, but unfortunately you will need to purchase this additional device to do so.
QNAP
QNAP offer both NAS boxes and dedicated NVRs.
I am only going to elaborate on the capabilities of their NVRs. The reason being that they run NVRs and NAS boxes as effectively two different business units, and although their NAS boxes are IP CCTV capable, they restrict your choice of proven cameras to a very limited model range to 'encourage' you to purchase an NVR for IP CCTV.
QNAP's NVRs are supplied with a fixed camera count capability i.e. 4-camera boxes, 8-camera boxes, 12-camera boxes and so on.
You pay for the full capability at the time of purchase / you can never add further cameras beyond that camera count.
QNAP currently offer three capability tiers:
no model suffix - you cannot connect a monitor
PRO suffix - you can connect a VGA monitor
PRO+ - you can connect an HDMI monitor
QNAP also provide free Android and IOS Apps.
