Hybrid DVR's Recording Resolution

[SEANHAWG 1]

Just from my half hearted google search, I am having a hard time finding a Hybrid that records more than 1080p recording resolution. If I want to record a 5MP camera, this will obviously not work right?

 

If there are any other Hybrids that that can record the big time MP cameras, please let me know. Or if its better to just go the software route, I can do that. I just need something I can play around with for now.

 

And forgive my newbness as I enter into the world of IP

[hardwired 0]

Exacq hybrids can, but the software is a mixed bag, some nice features, some not so nice issues.

 

I'd consider using Avigilon as an NVR, and using their encoders (one channel license will run a four channel encoder, and the encoders are pretty reasonable, too).

[securitysys 0]

I don't know of any true embedded hybrid system that can do over 1080p, but I don't deal with these units so I wouldn't be the best source of information.

 

Exacq, Geovision, etc. all have pre-built systems that will meet your needs.

 

Avigilon is very competitively priced in this arena, I would give them a look to see if they meet your needs.

[SEANHAWG 1]

okay thanks for the input.

[Soundy 1]

In theory, a hybrid should simply record whatever stream the IP camera sends it, without cropping or resizing or downscaling it unless specifically told to do so. If a standalone is doing this, I'd kick it to the curb.

 

Vigil is another turnkey PC-based DVR/HDVR/NVR that will take whatever resolution the camera throws at it.

[SEANHAWG 1]

In theory, a hybrid should simply record whatever stream the IP camera sends it, without cropping or resizing or downscaling it unless specifically told to do so. If a standalone is doing this, I'd kick it to the curb.

 

Thats what I was thinking too but almost every embedded standalone NVR or Hybrid either records in either D1 max or 1080P max. The only exception are NVR's that are PC based NVR's with pre-installed software (basically just a glorified PC).

 

I was looking for a more embedded solution. But no biggie, I can do the software route.

[Soundy 1]

How do you define "embedded" though? Most more advanced standalones are just a non-standard-form-factor PC running some version of Linux - other than the shape and the presence of buttons and a jog wheel on the front, what's the difference between that and a tower?

 

These are smaller than most standalones you'll find, yet are PCs running Windows XP Embedded with the same software and capture hardware you can get in a cube, tower, wall, or rack-mount case: http://www.3xlogic.com/prod/983/mvr-series-micro-video-recorder

[SEANHAWG 1]

A system that is dedicated just to surveillance where no other programs can be installed on that device. For example, I would compare it to an embedded firmware standalone DVR as opposed to a PC that has a Geovision card installed in it. Whenever you boot up a standalone, its ready to go and goes right through to the DVR controls. Whenever you boot up a PC, it shows the window icon, and then goes to the main screen where you then have to start the program by cliking on the Icon to get it started and you can also run other programs such as email, browsers, etc. on it. Basically a PC with software and/or hardware installed on it.

 

I found some more NVR's ad hybrids that can record in higher than 1080 after I initially wrote this thread but here are some that I was referring to with limited recording resolutions:

 

Hybrids:

Bosch DNR-732-08A200: 4CIF

Ganz ZNR-H16-2TB: D1

Dahua DVR0404/0804/1604HE-T-4H: 1080p

Avermedia EH1004H : 2MP

 

NVR's:

Dahua DH-NVR3216: 1080p

Samsung SNR-3200-1000: D1

Aver EXR6004 Mini": 2-3MP on some channels - 5MP on last channel

[Soundy 1]

A system that is dedicated just to surveillance where no other programs can be installed on that device. For example, I would compare it to an embedded firmware standalone DVR as opposed to a PC that has a Geovision card installed in it. Whenever you boot up a standalone, its ready to go and goes right through to the DVR controls. Whenever you boot up a PC, it shows the window icon, and then goes to the main screen where you then have to start the program by cliking on the Icon to get it started and you can also run other programs such as email, browsers, etc. on it. Basically a PC with software and/or hardware installed on it.

Still pretty nebulous: it would be a simple matter to remove or replace the Windows startup logo and have the system boot straight into the DVR software without a Start menu, and it would look just like any other "embedded" unit.

 

Vigil systems, for example, have a "kiosk mode" setting, where the Vigil server app starts up in place of the second instance of Explorer that would normally provide the desktop interface. Even if there is other software installed (their XPE build removes mail, games, and other such apps), there's no access to it while Kiosk Mode is enabled. Again, if I removed or replaced the Windows boot logo, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

 

Look at it the other way: a system that DOES let you install other software, means you can install things like your IP camera finder utilities on it (Vigil comes with finder/config utilities for IQ, HIK, Arecont, Sony, Sanyo, Axis, ACTi, Panasonic, and a number of other brands of IP cameras), and use the built-in IE to access the cameras: basically, you can do everything you need to configure the cameras from the one machine. You can also install things like disk diagnostic utilities (WD Data Lifeguard, Seagate SeaTools), or health-monitoring utilities (HDTune, etc.) that can alert you by email or SMS of impending hardware failures.

 

If you lock down permissions properly, you can then easily prevent users from installing anything else or mucking with the system.

[thewireguys 3]

Yup if you use 3rd party cameras and VMS you need a web browser (most of the time IE) to configure the IP cameras.

 

Also like Soundy said you can have the VMS boot in full screen mode so you could not see windows. Exacq's hybrid are an example of this. Both with the Windows and Linux versions.

[Soundy 1]

Yup if you use 3rd party cameras and VMS you need a web browser (most of the time IE) to configure the IP cameras.

 

Also like Soundy said you can have the VMS boot in full screen mode so you could not see windows. Exacq's hybrid are an example of this. Both with the Windows and Linux versions.

GeoVision can be set this way as well (you get a brief glimpse of the desktop while it starts). Capture IDR and other similar systems replace the Explorer shell with their own shell as well.

[securitysys 0]

But there's still certainly a learning curve for a PC Based unit. If I'm not mistaken he sells most of his products from his website, so he's probably looking for something that will be easier for his customers to setup thus easier for him to support.

 

If someone comes out with a reasonably priced HDCCTV solution and works out some of the kinks that will probably be better for a self install consumer then an IP based system at this point.

[SEANHAWG 1]

Thanks for the info on the PC based programs. That makes alot of sense.

 

And yes, I am looking for something very easy for my customers to setup. HDCCTV has crossed my mind but at the time being its alot more expensive than comparable IP equipment and its limited to 1080p. Not to say I wont ever carry it but until the price comes down it just makes alot more sense to buy IP at the time being.

 

Got a while before I even start to think about carrying something like this though so all this info is good stuff.

[Soundy 1]

But there's still certainly a learning curve for a PC Based unit.

Only if you're building your own. If you're talking about turnkey systems, especially one where the DVR interface replaces the desktop shell, there's no reason at all there should be any difference in learning between that or a standalone.

[Anymouse 0]

QNAP NVR's will operate as standalones but functionality is limited, there are many features you can't use without a client PC, and I believe the bandwidth input limit is much lower. So it does exist, but that probably wouldn't be what you're looking for. They do record whatever resolution is thrown at them, though, as far as I've been able to tell. They advertise "Up to 8 megapixel", but that's just a function of the highest resolution stream they've tested, not what the actual unit will record. I was confused about that at first but they clarified for me.

 

Check out the Vivotek NVR's, they may be what you're after because they seem to be more geared toward a DVR 'replacement' in how they function, but I haven't looked into them in great detail because the only offer 4 or 8 channel models (I needed 16, so I went with QNAP). I also don't know if they record any higher than HD resolution.