LP

First: This really is a brilliant forum, with so much amazing information, I've been reading now for weeks, have learnt a lot, and I just registered today, so here's my first question: In the context of building an affordable and ultra reliable DVR, what's better for performance, longevity, cost, expandability (4,8,16ch) and future "upgradeabilty": Hardware compression (HW) boards or software compression (SW)? I need to build a DVR which will be headless (no screen/keyboard/mouse) and use the remote software to operate it by LAN or remotely. So I need software that's easy to use, with good features, and timeline/diskmap (so I ruled out Geovision even though it's so popular and has great features). Assume a new PC, DVR duty only, specified as board maker recommends. It would seem that SW is by far the more common of the two, HW boards certainly cost more, but are they any more reliable? What are the real-world pros and cons of either method? What do people prefer and why? Can HW boards be updated if new MPEG-4 codecs like H.264 come out, is H.265 next?? I've looked at AverMedia cards and they just released new software (5.7) for their NV-5000 (SW) with H.264, yet their NV-7000 (HW) uses MPEG-4 and not H.264, and uses an earlier version of their software. I'm sure that with the collective varied expertise in this forum you can shed some light on this?? Hey, I thought I might get more responses!! I'm curious what people have found to be more reliable, a faster CPU working harder with software compression, or a slower CPU with the workload shared by the hardware boards?? Which one is (proven) more reliable? Which combination generates more total heat? And which is likely to be more cost effective to upgrade in the future 2 or 3 years?? Sorry for all the questions!! I'm still reading lots on this great forum!! Thanks, LP

Thanks Tom! I've read many of your detailed posts on here, appreciate your advice, sorry about my questions, I'm lacking in focus right now since I feel like l have so very much to learn.. I took a quick look at Video Insight's website, and it looks great, but do you have a simple client application that is not browser based? I would need that for low-tech users (simple and goof-proof) based on the last couple of years that I've been training small business owners on a (now outdated) DVR that is very easy to use, with basically 2 screens, but it doesn't have any great features.. Hence my searching now.. So, regarding futureproofing: 1) Go with software compression, so future codecs can be used, CPU performance is (rapidly) getting better/cheaper anyway? 2) What about PCI-E slots and new DVR cards that will take advantage of that speed - They'll be the standard soon enough? 3) Hyperthreading seems a DVR no (says AverMedia) Why is that? What about using Dual Core CPUs to improve performance? 4) Should use SATA disks for reliability, and they're getting bigger/faster? 5) A solution that does analogue and IP together, for best flexibility. Eg: A business with a main location (several analogue cams) and smaller ones (maybe one/two IP cams). Forgive my newbie questions, I have been involved with DVRs for a couple of years, but only helping small business owners decide their camera placements, justifying the investment, and then coming back after the install to train them how to use that oh-so-basic system.. So I've seen many business owner struggle with new stuff, and feel I know what is needed for ease of use for them, as only when clients use their DVR will they get results for their business and boost profits etc.. My full (humble) respect to you guys in here who know all this stuff backwards, and I'll apologize in advance for all my dumb questions!! LP

Thanks for the reply Micro! Are you saying you think that DVRs built with hardware compression card(s) will generate more heat and so need a better (overall) case cooling system, or maybe extra PCI fans etc?? My concern is to buy reliable cards that will last, doesn't matter if it costs (a little) more, and I'm thinking about AverMedia amongst others, for the great features (including recordings timeline) but when I look at what AverMedia recommends for their software compression cards they seem like pretty hefty CPU specs! The one card they currently do that has hardware compression (NV7000) needs less CPU but it doesn't support H.264 and AverMedia's website says it's going to be replaced by another card (also called NV7000) that will be 8 channels instead of the current 4, but will have H.264.. Should I not be worried about H.264 (as disk is getting cheaper all the time) except that I'd also like to have the best remote pictures possibe for those times when using a 56K modem to dial-up, and I know that H.264 is supposed to help with that because of the smaller file sizes.. Sorry about all the questions!! LP