Seeking Alternatives to iVMS-4200 Without the Need for a PC to Run Continuously

[alexf40]

Hi all,

Unfortunatley had the opportunity to view a friend's Ubiquiti UniFi Protect setup, and I must say, the software experience is extremely impressive compared to iVMS, it really makes me feel IVMS is something from 20 years ago and now I can't stand looking at it. However, replacing my entire system with Ubiquiti cameras isn't feasible for me at this time (6 cameras and NVR).

This got me thinking: Is there any software available that can replace iVMS-4200 without the necessity of keeping a PC running 24/7? I'm aware of options like Blue Iris, iSpy, and Milestone, but they all require a PC to be operational continuously.

I truly wish Hikvision would enhance their software offerings.

Any recommendations or insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[alexf40]

Just discovered a video on YouTube showing that HikCentral has replaced IVMS-4200. Just setting it up and having a play, big improvement, but still lagging other providers.

 

[Kyle]

Yes, our understanding is that HikCentral Lite is replacing iVMS-4200, which will always work, but Hikvision will eventually stop releasing updates for it.

This thread seems like a good opportunity to explain HCL and the key improvements vs iVMS-4200, so here goes...

It's their new entry-level VMS, aimed at small to medium-sized systems which allows you to add 16 cameras and 2 doors / intercoms for free, and can be expanded to 128 cameras with 32 doors with licences.

The licences for adding more cameras, local recording (to a PC or server) and the advanced features are all supplied as licence keys can now be purchased from use-IP here.

One of the biggest improvements is how lightweight HCL is compared to iVMS-4200. It only needs an Intel i3 processor and 4GB of RAM to run smoothly, But an Intel i5 and 16GB RAM is recommended for optimal performance with larger systems and will let you decode up to 41 simultaneous 1080p video channels.

As you'd expect, it cleaner, faster and more intuitive - you can now just drag & drop cameras or NVRs to view the feeds in live view and playback, and right-click on each device for the configuration.

Another nice feature is the ability to now scrub through playback on one camera whilst watching the live feeds of others at the same time now, as live view and playback are now integrated on the same menu. It also offers advanced video search options such as Smart Search (where you can draw a box in a scene to search for any activity within it), AcuSearch and AcuSeek (with NVRs that have these features such as the DeepinMind and VPro ranges):

The new software also supports ANPR, people counting, human face and body recognition, access control and PTZ control, so that you can now manage everything in the one place.

These new features can all also be managed from the HikCentral Mobile app, which is available on iOS and Android, and is more advanced than Hik-Connect.

Third-party camera integration is good - you can download plugins to fully support Axis, Dahua and Hanwha cameras, but you can also add any ONVIF conformant camera for basic functionality.

The On-Map Monitoring feature allows you to drop each camera on a view of the site from Google Maps or from your own image, so all your camera feeds and alarms can be seen on the site map.

This video gives a good overview of how to use the software and explains the improvements in more detail:

 

[codlord]

Thanks for the info.

So am I right in thinking previously with HikVision there were no software costs but now with this new Hik Central licencing/pricing they are pushing everyone to hardware AND software costs?

So now it looks like if you spend thousands on a HikVision NVR with lots of cameras you now also have to spend more on the (very complicated looking!) licence system covering all sorts of different features?

Are the licences one-off or annual or something else? I saw the licence guide you linked but it's not clear to me.

Thanks.

 

[Kyle]

That's right, you can add 16 cameras/channels to the software free of charge, but you will need to purchase:

• HikCentral-L-VSS-1Ch for every additional camera / channel.
• HikCentral-L-Storage-1Ch for every additional camera that you would like to record to you storage server / PC (the standard licence above lets you playback footage stored on the NVR / at the edge).
• HikCentral-L-ACS-1Door for every additional door that you want to operate (2 doors are included FOC).
• HikCentral-L-VSS-1Ch/Facial&Body to add a camera and use face/body recognition in the software (you don't also need to buy the HikCentral-L-VSS-1Ch licence in this instance).
• HikCentral-L-VSS-1Ch/ANPR to add a camera with ANPR and use this feature in the software (again, you don't need to buy the HikCentral-L-VSS-1Ch too).

You can also purchase the following licences:

• HikCentral-L-VSS-16Ch/Bundle - this is a package of 16 licences, which is cheaper than buying them all individually
• HikCentral-L-Upgrade - this lets you upgrade your HCL system to the very advanced HikCentral Professional software, which is aimed at the largest systems with multiple sites.

All of the licences are one-off costs, so if you buy a new channel, you will have that forever.
There are no ongoing support renewal costs for accessing software updates either, which do exist with quite a few other VMS providers.

There will also be 'workstations' available which will be Windows i5 / i7 machines pre-installed with hard drives, the software and a range of licenses. These are best-suited to the much larger systems that might not already have the hardware in place already, but you would effectively use these instead of an NVR.

you'll always be able to use iVMS-4200 but they'll eventually stop updating it, and (to state the obvious / clarify for others) you will always be able to access your cameras and NVRs via their webpages for free and access all of the NVR's features there.

I hope that helps?

This is a video of Hikvision's UK sales director explaining the change:

 

[alexf40]

I've realised a big downgrade to HikCentral Lite, it does not show vehicle and person events in the timeline and can't search for them in the timeline either. It also doesn't show the overlays for detection and camera detection area settings. From what I've read these are now upgrades.


IVMS

HikCentral

IVMS

HikCentral

 

[johnfitzy]

As you'd expect, it cleaner, faster and more intuitive

It looks promising but I think it's early days yet with this V1.1.1.

For instance, this simple obviously useful setting from iVMS-4200 is missing:

Unless I missed something? I hope I'm wrong!

 

[alexf40]

It's odd that it opens a new blank view when opening from startup. Doesn't load the saved view.

 

[Kyle]

For instance, this simple obviously useful setting from iVMS-4200 is missing:

Unless I missed something? I hope I'm wrong!

I'm afraid not - I've checked with Hikvision and they've confirmed there's not an equivalent setting for this yet.
You can create, customise and save custom views, but it's not possible to get them to play automatically on launch.

I've realised a big downgrade to HikCentral Lite, it does not show vehicle and person events in the timeline and can't search for them in the timeline either. It also doesn't show the overlays for detection and camera detection area settings. From what I've read these are now upgrades.

I'm still looking into this. As you say, the timeline markers and human / vehicle / event search filter doesn't seem to be working as you'd expect...

 

[alexf40]

I'm still looking into this. As you say, the timeline markers and human / vehicle / event search filter doesn't seem to be working as you'd expect.

I read somewhere online that this is only enabled on the paid version, can't find where I read it now.

 

[Kyle]

I read somewhere online that this is only enabled on the paid version, can't find where I read it now.

Thanks- you might be right, I'll let you know what I find out...

On that note, I've also had clarification that AcuSearch is only included with the paid-for HikCentral-L-VSS-1Ch camera licences, meaning it isn't included with the free 16 channels that come with the software.

However, you can use AcuSearch for free with all of the VPro NVRs via the local and web browser UIs.
Hik have also told me that it will be available on iVMS-4200 soon too.

 

[alexf40]

I've just noticed that I'm using a free trial of HikCentral Lite.

But it deosn't seem to have the features of the full version as shown on the hikvision site.

Also what is the iOS app I'm supposed to use to trial the cloud based recording from the cameras?

The HikCentral app requires a server and port to login, am I supposed to setup port forwarding to use the app? I thought the whole purpose of the app was that I woudln't be required to need to do that.

Is there anything else I'm supposed to setup?