CCTV software

[ITGuyNW]

Hi all

 

We have a few dozen Trendnet CCTV cameras, they're just basic IP CCTV cameras really. It uses their EVO/Luxriot monitor software however that has no licence.

 

So what do people use for CCTV viewing/recording etc? BlueIris?

[markberry]

We use Axis. Initially I configured my own server and then bought the cameras and licenses. We've since upgraded the server (after 7 years) and just bought one of the Axis Servers which comes with a load of licenses builtin.

 

The software for recording and viewing is free. All you have to license are the cameras.

 

You can also add third party cameras to it (within reason as they have to meet certain specs) but you have to buy a more expensive license for each camera.

[ITGuyNW]

What's the software called? AXIS Camera Station?

[markberry]

What's the software called? AXIS Camera Station?

 

Yes it is! Free to install as a server. Also free to install on as many clients as you want. The camera licenses are about £30 for Axis cameras, can't remember how much for none-Axis cameras. You can often get new Axis cameras on eBay for a decent discount, you just need to buy the license then.

[Chris_Cook]

We've started using Synology Surveillance Station over the summer and that's working well for us. A bit costly, but worth it i think.

 

What I quite like is being able to add NAS boxes to the cluster to expand the system whilst still having one front end.

 

They have their own cameras now, as well as a little 1u rack mount NAS, and a CCTV monitoring station/PC for reception screens etc.

 

The other option I saw the other day was the Vista range by Norbain. https://www.onlinesecurityproducts.co.uk/search/for/vista/ They have some DVRs (that support IP cameras) and their own IP cameras. Costs look pretty good to me.

[PotNoodleTech]

We've started using Synology Surveillance Station over the summer and that's working well for us. A bit costly, but worth it i think.

 

What I quite like is being able to add NAS boxes to the cluster to expand the system whilst still having one front end.

 

They have their own cameras now, as well as a little 1u rack mount NAS, and a CCTV monitoring station/PC for reception screens etc.

 

The other option I saw the other day was the Vista range by Norbain. https://www.onlinesecurityproducts.co.uk/search/for/vista/ They have some DVRs (that support IP cameras) and their own IP cameras. Costs look pretty good to me.

 

Couple of schools in the LA next door have moved all server stuff to Synology NAS and are now taking advantage of that by using Synology Surveillance and seem to be super happy with it.

 

I am fed up of trying to use 10+year out of date hikvision software so will go to one of those schools and have a good look I think.

 

The licence costs would be worth it to have a smooth modern easy to use system.

[nwkeene]

I am fed up of trying to use 10+year out of date hikvision software so will go to one of those schools and have a good look I think.

 

We use the iVMS software from Hikvision to aggregate our CCTV boxes so you don't get the 'only runs in Internet Explorer with an active x plugin'. This gives us a single piece of software to view the CCTV footage from 9 different Hikvision / HiLook boxes over 2 sites.

[Olliedawg]

We use the iVMS software from Hikvision to aggregate our CCTV boxes so you don't get the 'only runs in Internet Explorer with an active x plugin'. This gives us a single piece of software to view the CCTV footage from 9 different Hikvision / HiLook boxes over 2 sites.

 

+1 for iVMS

[PotNoodleTech]

We use the iVMS software from Hikvision to aggregate our CCTV boxes so you don't get the 'only runs in Internet Explorer with an active x plugin'. This gives us a single piece of software to view the CCTV footage from 9 different Hikvision / HiLook boxes over 2 sites.

 

ivms-4200? Thats what we have too.

[Rob_D]

We've got Qvis NVRs and their Cortex viewer software. But we've got quite a large system.

[nwkeene]

ivms-4200? Thats what we have too.

 

Yes... we're using the client version 3.8.1.4. Much easier than trying to use a web browser.. Edge in IE mode is a tad flaky... I assumed you were using the browser when you made the comment...

[noelmm]

We use IVMS versions 3.9.0.5, we found the later version had some problems for us.

[PotNoodleTech]

Yes... we're using the client version 3.8.1.4. Much easier than trying to use a web browser.. Edge in IE mode is a tad flaky... I assumed you were using the browser when you made the comment...

 

No i meant the IVMS software to be honest it's pretty garbage in my opinion! I suppose it's free..

[ITGuyNW]

Can anyone here who has a Synology NAS recommend any particular models?

[RobD]

I've used the Qnap cctv software which works well, used it for a bird box camera (full discolour I have a qnap for sale at the moment).

[Davit2005]

Can anyone here who has a Synology NAS recommend any particular models?

 

I've bought 4 over the last 8 or so years and still got 2 of them, some of the older models had CPU issues and PSU issues and you don't get the equiv spec CPU as you do with other makes but the applications and the DSM software is what makes them INMO. I've never had any issues with mine and they run 24/7 only rebooting for updates.

 

DS918+

DS1515+

DS1715+

DS1621+

 

I've upgraded most of them to max memory not always using Synology branded expensive ram and put 2nd hand Intel X520-DA2 cards in all but the DS918+ .

 

I'd defo stick to the plus models whatever happens and if budget allows go for the xs

[3s-gtech]

We have a Synology with one of the ‘timebomb’ Atom CPUs, it’s now nine years old so I think that must have been a good one!

[Chris_Cook]

I'd recommend looking at the NAS selector:

 

https://www.synology.com/en-uk/support/nvr_selector

 

We have about 90-100 cameras in each of our secondary schools, so have a pair of RS3621RPxs's in each. We use the built-in CMS to link the two and spread the cameras evenly between them.

 

We also have a couple of Synology NAS boxes for other purposes that have lasted coming up to 9-10 years now.

[ITGuyNW]

I had a look at QNAP but it seems they've now moved onto a next generation product. Are schools really paying ongoing monthly subscriptions for on premises CCTV? I've tried Blue Iris but once you get beyond 12 cameras it starts becoming unusable.

[ITGuyNW]

I'd recommend looking at the NAS selector:

 

https://www.synology.com/en-uk/support/nvr_selector

 

We have about 90-100 cameras in each of our secondary schools, so have a pair of RS3621RPxs's in each. We use the built-in CMS to link the two and spread the cameras evenly between them.

 

We also have a couple of Synology NAS boxes for other purposes that have lasted coming up to 9-10 years now.

 

The Synology system looks nice but annoyingly I already have new servers in place (bought by previous NM) so another £2000+ on a server probably isn't going to happen. Unless there's a way to get the software on non-synology equipment?

[PotNoodleTech]

The Synology system looks nice but annoyingly I already have new servers in place (bought by previous NM) so another £2000+ on a server probably isn't going to happen. Unless there's a way to get the software on non-synology equipment?

 

Nope. I believe it's got to be a synology NAS but even the smaller ones can do it so possibly don't need to spend thousands?

[Chris_Cook]

We've previously used Milestone Xprotect, but were put off by the licencing costs once you go over 48 cameras. If you've got the hardware, then this might be worth looking at. Its a really nice system as long as your server can keep up with the load.

[RobFuller]

+1 Milestone